Tall Tales from Grundy Holler

How Dora Mae Johnson's Baby Got Her Name

Some stories don't need explosions, villains, or impossible adventures. They just need a little town, good people, and a reason to smile. In this Tall Tale from Grundy Holler, we’re traveling to the tiny mountain community of Hickory Bend, where everybody knows your name, babies are still born at home, neighbors are family whether they're kin or not, and the biggest excitement in town is the arrival of a brand-new baby girl. Settle in for one of the sweetest and funniest naming stories you'll ever hear. It's a tale filled with laughter, country wisdom, unexpected twists, and a reminder that the greatest gifts parents ever give their children aren't found in a bank account—they're planted deep in the heart from the very beginning. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and come spend a little while in Hickory Bend. You may arrive as a listener... ...but you'll leave feeling like family.

The Circus Comes to Town - A Grundy Holler Thinkin'g Story

Step right up and experience the wonder, laughter, and heart-pounding suspense of The Circus Comes to Town: A Grundy Holler Thinkin’ Story. When the Potter Brothers Traveling Circus rolls into the quiet town of Martyboro, everyday life gives way to dazzling lights, daring feats, and unforgettable characters—from clown antics and flying trapeze artists to a breathtaking high-wire act that will leave you holding your breath. But this isn't just a circus tale—it’s a story that turns the spotlight on you. When the final act goes beyond entertainment… it becomes a moment of truth. Full of humor, charm, and a powerful twist, this story invites listeners to ask themselves: What would I do?

The Macphee Brothers Go to Church

Out near Grundy Holler, there’s a little place called Ellyville—one traffic light, one diner, two churches, and just enough trouble to keep things interestin’. Now one Saturday mornin’, four notorious Macphee brothers come barrelin’ down a mountain road with empty stomachs, a pickup truck that won’t slow down, and absolutely no good sense. This is a story about small-town life, bad reputations, stranger-than-fiction heroics, and the mysterious ways things sometimes work out just right… even when the brakes don’t. If you like Southern storytelling, tall tales rooted in truth, and laugh-out-loud moments mixed with faith and fire, this episode’s for you. So settle in, listen close, and remember— sometimes salvation comes screechin’ downhill in a pickup truck.

The Bull Story

Down in Davis County, where faith runs deep, families run big, and a Sunday dinner can feed half the county, one event turns into a legend folks still shake their heads about. Set on the Crockett family farm near Duck Town, The Bull Story is a laugh-out-loud, jaw-dropping Southern tale about kinfolk, consequences, two nine-year-old cousins, and a prize Hereford bull. Told in a rich Appalachian voice and paced like a front-porch yarn, this story blends slapstick humor, vivid characters, childish mischief, Sunday religion, family loyalty, and hard-earned wisdom. Funny, rowdy, and quietly profound, The Bull Story isn’t just about mischief and mayhem—it’s about responsibility, belonging, and a truth that lands harder than any razor strap. A classic tall tale with a moral that sneaks up on you—this is country storytelling at its finest.

Miss Estell's Lost Dog

Miss Estell’s Lost Dog is a warm, sharp-witted Southern fable packed with humor, heart, and moral gray areas big enough to park a pickup truck in. As secrets pile up, consciences ache, and grace shows up in the unlikeliest ways, this story asks a timeless question: Is telling the whole truth always the holiest choice—or is redemption sometimes messier than that? Told in a rich Appalachian voice and brimming with unforgettable characters, this tale delivers laugh-out-loud moments, tender grief, and a quietly profound ending that lingers long after the last word is spoken.