Trouble for “Moonshiners” Star Tickle: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of TV’s Most Notorious Bootlegger
“Moonshiners” has never been a show short on drama, but few storylines have stirred as much controversy as that of Steven Ray “Tickle”, one of the Discovery Channel docudrama’s most recognizable — and unpredictable — faces.
Beloved by fans for his humor and outlaw charm, yet haunted by legal troubles and personal struggles, Tickle’s life reads like one of the backwoods tales he helped bring to television: full of whiskey, wild turns, and warnings about the price of fame.
A Show That Changed Reality TV — and Sparked Controversy
When Moonshiners first premiered on Discovery Channel, it broke boundaries by dramatizing the secretive and dangerous world of Appalachian moonshine producers. The series, produced by Magilla Entertainment, claimed to depict the lives of real bootleggers evading law enforcement in rural Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
But from the start, the show courted controversy. State officials in Virginia publicly doubted its authenticity, warning that if illegal liquor was truly being made, arrests would have followed. The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) even requested a disclaimer clarifying that the show was fictionalized — a request producers ignored.
Still, Moonshiners captivated millions. With its mix of real-life risk, tradition, and rugged Americana, the show became a hit — and at its center was a character who embodied all three: Tickle.
The Making of a Moonshiner
Steven Ray Tickle was born and raised in rural Virginia, learning the art of distillation from older generations steeped in moonshining lore. When he joined Moonshiners alongside Tim Smith, the two quickly became one of television’s most popular duos — a blend of grit, mischief, and moonshine-fueled philosophy.
“What drives people into moonshining?” Tim Smith once said. “It’s the mystery — the danger — and the pride of making something that’s not supposed to exist.”
Tickle embodied that spirit perfectly. His easy laugh and reckless streak made for great television — but soon, life began imitating art.
From Fame to Felony: The Arrest That Shocked Fans
In 2015, Tickle’s notoriety took a darker turn when he was arrested in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, during a routine traffic stop for a broken headlight. What started as a minor infraction spiraled into a criminal case when deputies discovered a sawed-off shotgun in the front seat of his truck.
Tickle was charged with possession of an illegal firearm, a serious felony. During court proceedings, he admitted the gun belonged to a deceased friend and that he had only taken it out to return it to the man’s grandson.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen,” Tickle told the court. “That gun’s been in a shoebox for years.”
The judge, acknowledging his cooperation and lack of violent history, suspended a three-year prison sentence, placing Tickle on probation for five years under the condition that he abstain from alcohol, firearms, and further trouble with the law.
But trouble, as fans would soon learn, had a way of finding him.
A Return to Court — and a Plea for Redemption
Just months later, Tickle was arrested again — this time for violating probation after testing positive for illegal substances.
In emotional courtroom testimony, Tickle admitted he had relapsed under the strain of his father’s failing health. His teenage daughter testified in his defense, calling him “an amazing father” who had simply lost his way.
Choking back tears, Tickle told the judge, “I’ve hurt my family. I’ve hurt my daughter. I’ve hurt the people I work for.”
Judge James Reynolds sentenced him to five months in jail, followed by another year of probation, warning him to learn from his mistakes. “You can’t let life’s disappointments trigger a fall,” Reynolds said. “Your daughter deserves better.”
Tickle later credited a jail ministry program with helping him find clarity. “When I get out, I want to help others,” he said. “I’m serious about getting clean — not for court, but for my family.”
Moonshiners and the Myth of Reality
Even as Tickle’s legal troubles played out, Moonshiners continued filming — and thriving. Discovery renewed the show for additional seasons and expanded it into multiple spin-offs, including “Tickle,” “Whiskey Business,” and “Moonshiners: Master Distiller.”
But behind the ratings success lay deeper skepticism. Critics accused Magilla Entertainment of blurring fact and fiction, citing past controversies over allegedly scripted scenes in other series. Some claimed that no illegal liquor could realistically be produced on camera without immediate law enforcement intervention.
The producers maintained their stance. “We stand by the authenticity of the lives portrayed,” said Matt Ostrom, co-founder of Magilla Entertainment. “Our series shows the culture, risks, and craftsmanship of those who keep a dying American tradition alive.”
Still, questions lingered — and Tickle’s brushes with the law only fueled the mystery.
A Man of Contradictions
Tickle remains one of the most polarizing figures on Moonshiners — equal parts entertainer and enigma. To some, he’s the reckless outlaw who couldn’t stay out of trouble. To others, he’s the heart of the show: flawed, funny, and authentically human.
Even in court, his humor never faded. When officers testified that he’d joked about his illegal shotgun being “a good snake gun,” the judge could only shake her head.
Yet beneath the laughter lies a man who has weathered addiction, loss, and the weight of public scrutiny. After serving his sentence, Tickle returned to the show, sober and more reflective, telling fans, “You can’t change the past. You can only make the next batch better.”
Legacy and Lessons
As Moonshiners continues to evolve — now more than a decade into its run — Tickle’s story stands as both a cautionary tale and a testament to resilience. His life reflects the contradictions of the very culture the show celebrates: law and rebellion, tradition and survival, fame and fallout.
For all the controversy, Moonshiners remains a phenomenon — not because of the liquor, but because of the people behind it.
Tickle, for better or worse, is one of those people — a man forever tied to the legend of the hills, where the line between myth and truth is as blurry as the shine in a mason jar.
Pull Quote:
“I’ve hurt my family. I’ve hurt the people on the show. But I’m still here, and I’m trying to make it right.” — Steven Ray “Tickle”