I do know Sparky (having done sound for him on several occasions, as well as a couple of jams with him). I play a six string banjo that has a black head on it, and when he came to the O'Hurleys jam last February, one of my friends announced that now there were two of the last black banjo players in the world, sitting right here in Shepherdstown, WV. If you see him, please give him regards from the "other" black banjo player.

Incidently, he usually gives a one week class in Afro-American humor and black face at Common Ground Music Camp in July at Westminster, MD. It's a two hour drive north of DC and an hour west of Baltimore, MD. The highlight is a show put on by the students at the end of the week. The camp is run by Walt Michaels, and I'm sure someone can provide a link to the site.