In this eerie Tennessee folktale from Weakley County, a legendary fiddler emerges for one last contest, chasing the coveted "fiddler's dram."

Fiddling contests were once the heartbeat of rural communities—where pride, reputation, and a jar of fine whiskey were all on the line. But on this particular night, as the music begins and the crowd leans in, something about the man on stage feels… not quite right.

🎻 A backroads tale of music, mystery, and a performance no one could explain.

If you enjoy this story, take a listen to another "fiddling ghost story" - The Ghost of Fiddler's Rock: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-ghost-of-fiddlers-rock-tennessee

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

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"Fiddler's Dram" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: David Hirt

Music: Randall Franks - https://randallfranks.com

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Keywords: Tennessee folktale, Southern folklore, fiddle contest, American folklore, backroads stories, The Moonlit Road

Did the Devil himself really build a mansion in the heart of the Garden District? Discover the eerie legend of the haunted estate that once cast a shadow over St. Charles Avenue.

New Orleans is a city of secrets, but few are as unsettling as the story of the dark, imposing mansion that appeared almost overnight on one of its most prestigious streets. From the strange, hapazard construction to the terrifying sounds that echoed from within its walls, the "Devil's Mansion" became a landmark of dread for generations of locals.

Content Warning: This story ventures into darker territory, including moments of violence that some listeners may find unsettling.

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

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"The Devil's Mansion of New Orleans" was adapted from folklore by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: Tom Coleman

Recorded at KRVS Radio Acadie, Lafayette, Louisiana

Additional audio production: Henry Howard

Music: Jez Graham

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD: The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#TheMoonlitRoad #NewOrleans #GhostStories #SouthernGothic #GardenDistrict #DevilsMansion #LouisianaFolklore #StCharlesAve #HauntedHistory #UrbanLegends #StorytellingPodcast

Bitterness between two sisters over a glittering diamond ring leads to terrifying consequences from beyond the grave in this chilling Georgia ghost story.

In the quiet town of Washington, Georgia, jealousy festers for years between Martha and her sister Jenny. When Jenny dies, temptation proves too strong—and Martha takes the ring she has always coveted.

But some things are never meant to be stolen.

Soon a voice begins calling in the night:

"Where's my ring?"

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

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"Where's My Ring?" was told by Nancy Riggs

Story adapted from folklore by Nancy Riggs with Craig Dominey

Director: Craig Dominey

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

Two college friends spend a quiet weekend at an isolated Appalachian mountain house — until strange nighttime noises lead to a shocking discovery.

Listener discretion is advised. This story contains frightening imagery and disturbing elements that may not be suitable for all audiences.

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

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"Grandma's Furry Robe" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: Lanny Gilbert

Guitar: Lanny Gilbert

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

#SouthernHorror #AppalachianHorror #ScaryStories #HorrorPodcast #ShortHorror #CreepyStories

Memphis is a city of music and history, but it is also a city of ghosts. Today, we explore one of its most enduring and debated legends: the haunting of Brinkley Female College by the mysterious Lizzie - and the hunt for an elusive buried jar that captivated an entire city.

READ THE FULL STORY & SEE PHOTOS: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/lizzie-ghost-brinkley-female-college-memphis-tennessee/

In this episode, we cover:

• The origins of the Brinkley Female College and its place in Memphis history.

• First-hand accounts of the terrifying encounters with "Lizzie."

• Why this specific ghost story remains one of the most controversial legends in Tennessee folklore.

Listen now to decide for yourself: is Lizzie a product of imagination, or a spirit that refused to leave school?

FOR MORE STORIES: Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

FOLLOW US: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad X/Twitter: https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

CREDITS: "Lizzie, Ghost of Brinkley Female College" was adapted and directed by Craig Dominey. Storyteller: Cathy Kaemmerlen (https://tattlingtales.com/). Audio Production: Henry Howard. Piano improvisations by Carole Mitchell

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD: The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

#MemphisGhosts #PinkLizzie #SouthernFolklore #HauntedMemphis #TennesseeLegends #TheMoonlitRoad

Ever wonder why mosquitoes are so thirsty for blood? According to this legendary Tlingit tale—retold with a Southern twist—the answer lies in the defeat of a blood-thirsty giant. Discover the chilling and clever story of how a single monster became a swarm of thousands.

Read the full story and see the illustrations here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/where-mosquitos-come-from-tlingit-legend-southern-version/

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"Where Mosquitoes Came From" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: Veronica Byrd

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. #NativeAmericanFolklore #OriginStories #SouthernFolklore #TlingitLegend #Mythology #TheMoonlitRoad #Folktales #NatureMyths

How far would you go for the love of your life? In this Louisiana tale, a young deputy is given a terrifying task to prove his worth: he must capture and kill the Loup Garou (or Rougarou), the shapeshifting werewolf of the Cajun swamplands.

Read the full story and see the history of the Loup Garou here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-sheriff-and-the-loup-garou/

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Sheriff and the Loup Garou" was written and told by Tom Coleman. Listen to more of his stories at https://cajunstoryteller.com

Director: Craig Dominey

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

#LoupGarou #CajunFolklore #WerewolfStories #LouisianaLegends #BayouStories #SouthernFolklore #TheMoonlitRoad #SpookyStories

Every October, millions of pumpkins are carved into glowing faces. But do you know the dark legend of the man who gave them their name? Meet Stingy Jack—a man so cunning he managed to trap the Devil himself. This classic folktale explains why Jack is forced to wander the night with nothing but a hollowed-out turnip and a coal from the fires of Hell.

Read the full story and see the history here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/why-is-a-jack-o-lantern-named-jack/

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"Why is a Jack-o-Lantern Named Jack?" was adapted from folklore and produced by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: LaDoris Bias Davis

http://kuumbastorytellers.org/ladoris-bias-davis/

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

#JackOLantern #StingyJack #HalloweenFolklore #SouthernFolklore #OriginStories #GhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad

What happens when a traveling preacher seeks revenge on an inhospitable farm couple?

This darkly funny ghost story—passed down from Ireland to the Arkansas hills—follows a man of the cloth who decides to teach his unkind hosts a lesson they'll never forget. But in the world of folklore, revenge often takes a very strange and unexpected shape.

Advisory: This is an un-sanitized traditional folktale featuring dark themes and descriptions of physical injury/remains, typical of classic Brothers Grimm-era stories.

Another version of this story by storyteller Bill Harley can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKUDHBCEGA

FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com.

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Cow That Ate The Preacher" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: David Hirt

Music: Randall Franks - hear more of his work at https://randallfranks.com/

Audio Production: Henry Howard

ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Based on the true Christmas story of the annual CSX Santa Claus Special train, bringing Santa Claus by rail to remote Appalachian communities. 

Additional reading:

Visit Kingsport 

Guide to Seeing the CSX Santa Train

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Santa Claus Special" was written and directed by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Santa Claus Clinchfield Train photo courtesy of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.