Pecos Bill:  The Cowboy that cowboys talked about

Pecos Bill: The Cowboy that cowboys talked about

Author: Jersey Jim June 22, 2025 Duration: 14:35
We can't have American Folklore with cowboys- and we can't have cowboys without Pecos Bill!

Step into the shadows of the attic and dust off the stories that built a continent. Forgotten American Folklore, hosted by Jersey Jim, is a deep dive into the strange, heroic, and often overlooked tales that simmer beneath the surface of mainstream history. This isn't just a recitation of myths; it's an exploration of the cultural soil from which they grew. We untangle the threads of oral tradition, balladry, and local legend to understand what these narratives say about the people who told them. You'll hear the ring of John Henry's hammer, feel the chill of a Louisiana bayou werewolf story, and puzzle over the practical reality of George Washington's famous dentures. Each episode examines a specific figure, event, or song, placing it within the broader tapestry of North American life. The podcast moves beyond Paul Bunyan and Daniel Boone to uncover the lesser-known characters and regional oddities that collectively form a rougher, more fascinating portrait of a nation. It’s about the murder ballads that served as newspapers, the tall tales that offered hope, and the unexplained creatures that gave shape to the wilderness. Jersey Jim guides listeners through this landscape with a curious and conversational tone, treating each piece of folklore as a historical artifact worthy of consideration. The goal is to reconnect with a raw, imaginative past, reminding us that history is not only written in documents but is also sung in folk songs and whispered around campfires. Tune in for a journey into the heart of America's unofficial, and most compelling, storybook.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 71

Forgotten American Folklore
Podcast Episodes
The Millerites and the End of the World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:48
One day I casually googled 'American End of the World Prophets' and discovered the Millerites and the several religious movements that came of them. Today a dive down the end of the world rabbit hole. Questions of commen…
Crazy Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:06
The Lakota chief who would lead his people through Little Big Horn and the end of their freedom on the plains.
Up Through the Keyhole- a Missouri Folktale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:33
The story of a boy drawn into a family of witches- and how simple pranks can go wrong fast. Feedback? Fafolklore@gmail.com
The Reno Gang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:08
The story of an early American criminal gang- the gang that wrote the book on how to rob a train. Questions? Comments? Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com
Soapy Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:28
Jefferson Randolph 'Soapy' Smith was a colorful character, a grifter. a confidence man, and the king of the town of Skagway, Alaska during the gold rush. This guy lived an intersting life. Comments or questions? Contact…
Extra:  The Ballad of Susanna Cox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:37
The story behind a folk ballad sung every year in Pennsylvania, commemorating the executiuon of twenty four year old Susanna Cox.
The Mothman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
A strange creature appears in West Virginia- is it a warning of disaster to come, or does it cause disaster? Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com
Preserved People you may meet Here and There [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:20
The stories of two Americans whose preserved bodies lived more interesting lives than they did. Also one British philosopher who preserved himself so he could finally get the respect he deserved. Questions or comments? f…
Extra: Snake Oil Salesmen and Quacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:06
Solve all your health problems with the oil from a snake, or implant a goat's organs, or take these pills...
Snakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:36
The folklore of snakes, including a Cherokee story from Georgia about the Uktena. Questions or comments? fafolklore@gmail.com