Inspiration behind stories in FRIGHTLINER: And Other Tales of the Undead by Colleen Drippe and Karina Fabian

This is the song that started me thinking about truck-driving vampires, and "Accidental Undeath," the short story included in FRIGHTLINER: And Other Tales of the Undead, is inspired by it.

"FRIGHTLINER" itself, however, came about when Colleen Drippe objected to the friendly good-o' boy depiction of vampires. (Note: This was before the sparkly emo vampires became a craze as well. I think her head was spinning when that came out.) Anyway, I said, "Well, let's write a real vampire horror story with a trucker vampire." That story ended up being just as much fun, if a whole lot creepier.

Anyway, I'd like to share this. The song, and all of Micheal Longcor's songs, are excellent. I highly recommend checking them out.

Truck Driving Vampire
Words and Music Copyright © by Michael Longcor
Recording Copyright © by Firebird Arts & Music/BMI.

I was parkin' my eighteen-wheeler outside of New Orleans,
When a big damn bat flew into the cab and I nearly soiled my jeans.
He latched onto my jugular and started chowin' down.
When I opened my eyes, much to my surprise, I'd become what I am now.

Chorus:
I'm a truck drivin' vampire, I only drive by night.
A truck drivin' vampire, undead, but not uptight.
I'm a good ol' nosferatu, and an eighteen-wheelin' stud,
Wearin' white socks, drinkin' Blue Ribbon, and redneck blood.

I wear my shiny cowboy boots, and a coal-black seed corn cap,
And a big, black cape with my CB handle embroidered on the back.
I eat at all the truck stops my rig should chance to pass,
But I never bite no furriners, 'cause garlic gives me gas.
(Chorus)

I got a box of Mississippi Delta dirt stashed back in my sleeper cab.
I've lost my trucker's tan, of course, but not my beer gut flab.
If the smokies pull me over in my overloaded Mack,
I use some vampire mind control, and then I have a snack.
(Chorus)

Playin' Bob Wills on the radio, and feelin' pretty good.
I got that white line fever and a hankerin' for red blood.
It's a carefree life I live now, and I have my job to thank,
'Cause I work at long-haul truckin' for the Interstate Blood Bank.
(Final Chorus)

I'm a truck drivin' vampire, I only drive by night.
A truck drivin' vampire, undead, but not uptight.
I'm a good ol' nosferatu, and an eighteen-wheelin' stud,
Huntin' for my victims like an evil Elmer Fudd,
("Shhhhh, be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting twuck dwivers, duh-huh-huh-huh.")
Wearin' white socks, drinkin' Blue Ribbon, and redneck blood.
(YEEEEHAA!)