Episode description
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Texas never did take kindly to being told what it can’t do—so when Prohibition outlawed alcohol in 1920, Texans found their own way to keep the good times rolling. Deep in the piney woods of East Texas, moonshiners built hidden stills, bootleggers outran the law, and speakeasies flourished under the cover of night. Meanwhile, a flour salesman named W. Lee "Pappy" O’Daniel used radio waves, Western swing music, and a whole lot of biscuits to become a household name—and, eventually, the governor of Texas.
In this episode, we uncover the wild and untold stories of Prohibition in Texas, from high-speed bootlegging chases to lawmen on the take and moonshine kingpins who became folk legends. We’ll also dive into how Pappy O’Daniel’s flour empire turned him into one of the most unlikely political figures in history—riding a wave of music, marketing genius, and populist charm all the way to the U.S. Senate.
Join us as we explore the whiskey-fueled rebellion, corruption, and country music that defined Prohibition-era Texas. It’s a tale of moonshine, music, and mayhem—and you won’t want to miss it!