Episode 3 - The Rest of the Story
“Thunder Road” was loosely based in reality, the story of a moonshine runner in 1952 who crashed to a deathly end on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tn. Evidently, the incident was either witnessed or passed on to Mitchum, inspiring the movie.
Slim Merritt, my great grandfather, cab operator, and moonshine runner, predates “Thunder Road” by 20 years. I believe that Slim was the Lucas Doolin sort of character, staying one step ahead of the law... or should I say one foot in the grave? 
Interview with Brett Merritt
Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi
Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Josh Lippi & The Overtimers - St. Francis 
Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio
Editor: Bryanna Licciardi
Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

The Rest of the Story

CAUSE OF DEATH: UNKNOWN. In this series, we will look back to the 1930s, diving into the mysterious death of a cab operator who braved selling moonshine in the dry county of McMinnville, Tennessee. Did he die of natural causes? Or are the rumors true about police involvement?

True crime

Episode 14: Respectfully, J. Logan Molloy
Final Episode of Season One
Facebook Message Sent Feb 24, 2020, to Kevin Molloy, Grandson of James Logan Molloy, Hey Kevin, my name is Bran Merritt. I'm starting a podcast about Moonshine in McMinnville in the early 1900s. I would like to interview you sometime about your Father and Grandfather since they worked on the Alcohol Division of the IRS. If you are available or could point me in the right direction. I would appreciate it so much. Thank you for your time.
The first episode of the podcast was released on March 23 of this year. So, I sent a message to Kevin fairly early on in my journey. When you send a message on Facebook, and you’re not friends with the other person sometimes you don’t see the message easily. So after he didn’t respond, I felt like I’d hit a brick wall in my research until… And then, five months later, I finally got a reply. 
Interview: Kevin Molloy
Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi
Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows
Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio
Editor: Bryanna Licciardi
Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4





Respectfully, J. Logan Molloy

Episode 13: Questioning Everything
James Logan Molloy, 58, special investigator of the Alcohol Tax Division of the Treasury Department, died in a local hospital Tuesday night at 10 o'clock as a result of injuries incurred in an automobile wreck on the morning of December 30. 
The wreck occurred as the car in which Mr. Molloy and Sandy Holmes of Shelbyville were riding overturned after crossing Hurrican Bridge near Smithville. He had been confined to the local hospital since.
Mr. Molloy had been connected with the Internal Revenue Department of the Federal Government for 22 years, with the exception of a term as sheriff of Warren county from 1926 to 1928.
The deceased was the only son of the late James Logan Molloy and Sarah Seitz Molloy, pioneer settlers of Van Buren County, where he was born and reared, moving to McMinnville some 20 years ago.
Mr. Molloy was regarded as a fearless and just peace officer, commanding the respect of all law violators, and had the reputation of always bringing in his man. He was perhaps the most widely known investigator in the entire state and enjoyed a wide circle of friends.
Interview: David Cook
Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi
Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows
Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio
Editor: Bryanna Licciardi
Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Questioning Everything

Episode 12: Two Years Later
 I thought this investigation was coming to an end. I felt like I had figured out just about all I could find out. Then I received a message that led to a phone conversation with someone I’ve been waiting to speak with for a long time now. Then, shortly after that, I received an anonymous lead to someone who provided me information that made me question everything. I thought I was narrowing the search for Slim’s murderer, but after these two most recent conversations, I’m beginning to rethink my initial thoughts. But before I reveal the facts of those conversations, there is something that needs to be covered first. Something concerning Logan “The Law” Molloy. That was the nickname Ricky Estes’ dad gave. Logan “The Law”. 
Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi
Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Uncle Dave Macon - Cannon County Hills
Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio
Editor: Bryanna Licciardi
Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Two Years Later

Behind the Scenes of the Moonshine, Murder, and Mayhem Podcast.
Brandon Hillis wanted to give the listeners a closer look at what it takes to put this podcast together.
Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi
Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows 
Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio
Editor: Bryanna Licciardi
Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

Behind the Scenes of the Podcast

Episode 11: One Hell of a Ride
You guessed it. Uncle Dave Macon knew where the best was made. Even Portner Wagnor knew. And Al Capone. They all wanted what Cooper Melton was supplying. My investigation keeps leading me back to Short Mountain. This location is offering me more answers and information than anywhere else. Answers flowing just like the spring not too far from the Distillery’s property. 
In this episode, I sit down with Ricky Estes, a real moonshiner, Cannon County native, literally born of the Short Mountain hills. when Billy Kaufman, owner of Short Mountain Distillery, told me to interview Ricky. I’ve been eager to pick his brain. But, what I ended up finding out was way more than I ever imagined. In this conversation, we start just like every other--with the story of Slim.
Interview: Ricky Estes, Moonshiner
Voiceovers: Micheal Licciardi / Jinny Ryan / Bryanna Licciardi
Music: The Whole Other - Beyond the Lows / Uncle Dave Macon - Cannon County Hills
Mixing / Mastering: Nyquist Audio
Editor: Bryanna Licciardi
Join Us: https://tinyurl.com/s248yv4

The Rest of the Story

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