“Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures“—New Book by Bill Landry By Martha Rose Woodward Bill Landry, known for over 25 years as the host of the Heartland Series, has released a new book just in time for Christmas. “Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures“, published by Celtic Cat, a local company owned by Jim Johnston, is what would be expected from Landry—a book full of funny and interesting tales he heard during the production of his television series. In typical Landry fashion Bill writes about unique individuals like Euylss Roberts in The Moonshiner’s Tale. Landry says “Eulyss Roberts is the moonshiner who lived near Oliver Springs at the foot of Windrock Mountain. We heard about him from a friend of a friend of the Assistant Deputy Sheriff of Anderson County. Just far enough back that our sources got a little hazy. Dealing with moonshiners and moonshine, you don’t want to know too much about what’s going on. You have to trust the people you’re dealing with because they trust you. You can’t ask too many questions until you know exactly where you are and who you’re dealing with. We trusted our sources and found Eulyss, pronounced “you-less.” He lived down an old gravel road in a small house with a sofa on the front porch. The porch ran the length of the house, which had an overhang. When we drove up the road Eulyss was sitting on the old sofa on his porch in his pajamas.” Landry says the moonshiner explained how he used to drink until he had an encounter with a batch of “licker” that contained a deformed rat. Landry’s book has been an instant success as he has seen larger than expected crowds in attendance as his book signings. A schedule of Landry’s upcoming appearances can be found on the web site or by goggling Bill Landry’s Schedule. “Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures” can be found in local stores and on the web at for $25/soft cover or $45 for hard cover.
After that encounter Eulyss determined that, “Whiskey’s made to sell. It ain’t made to drink.” Eulyss also told Landry, “Whiskey’ll ruin the best man in the world. I know. I’ve drunk enough of it to climb a locust tree backerds.”
