Across The Purple Sage – Everything Is Stories

Season Four, Episode 01

"I've wished I would've been born 150 years ago. Would have put me at the perfect age for fighting at Alamo. Then I wouldn't have to worry about doing time. I could have died for a good cause." - Roddy Pippin

Roddy Pippin at his home in Byers, Texas. Photo by Justin Hollar.

Roddy's best friend, Darrell Malone. Photo by Justin Hollar.

Roddy (center) and Darrell (at right) as teenagers in Decatur, Texas. Photo courtesy of Roddy Pippin.

"Cattle are a funnel animal. They follow each other. So there's a lead cow on every herd, just like there's a. King rooster in every flock, so the rest of the herd will follow that one." - Roddy Pippin

Roddy as a child with his Coonhounds. Photo by Justin Hollar.

Childhood photos courtesy of Roddy Pippin.

Trophies from Roddy's childhood. Photo by Justin Hollar.

After an accident in 2013, following his release from prison, Roddy was left quadripeligic. Photo by Justin Hollar.

"He needed me in a time of need, and I've helped him out quite a bit. I've saved that guy's life. I can't count on both hands since his accident." - Darrell Malone. Photo by Justin Hollar

Roddy's horse. Photo by Justin Hollar.

Roddy Pippin, somewhere outside Houston, Texas. Photo by Justin Hollar.

"I can remember racing my horse down alongside of, you know, the South Pacific, and climbing the ladder to the top, thinking I was some kind of character from the past. That was really just a fantasy life along with the rest of it." - Roddy Pippin

Photo courtesy of Roddy Pippin.

Roddy (center) with David (left) and Darrell Malone (right). Photo courtesy of Roddy Pippin.

Roddy's inmate card along with just one of the letters he would regularly write to investigative journalist Brandi Grissom. Courtesy of Roddy Pippin.

One of many letter Roddy had written to investigative journalist Brandi Grissom while in prison. Courtesy of Roddy Pippin.

Season Four, Episode 01

Across The Purple Sage

Across The Purple Sage

A story of the rise and fall of an outlaw band of cattle thieves.

They say stealing cattle in Texas can get a man hung by the neck until dead. From a young age Roddy Pippin was ready to take that risk, as he and his crew would take home close to a million dollars rustling cattle over the course of 3 years. In this episode Pippin speaks of his idyllic childhood and love for the ways of the old west, the precarious choices he made while chasing the steal that would lead to brushes with death, and how those few years on the run pushed him and his lifelong friendships to the limit.

Produced by Mike Martinez, Tyler Wray, and Grace Heerman. Music by Mike Etten and Domenic Palermo. Sound design by George Drake, Jr.

Photos by Justin Hollar.