Josh Owens is a man of many talents—TV personality, father, professional motocross racer, and moonshiner. Best known for his rugged charm and blue eyes, Owens became a fan-favorite on Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, where he’s earned a reputation as both a heartthrob and a thrill-seeking distiller who often finds himself in hot water.
A Friendship That Started It All
Josh’s journey into the secretive world of distilling began with his lifelong friend and mentor, Barney Barnwell. When Barney passed away, he asked Josh to build an underground still in his honor. Josh fulfilled that promise and has carried on Barney’s moonshining legacy ever since. Around the same time, producers from Moonshiners approached him to join the show—and the rest is Appalachian history.
Balancing Bikes, Booze, and Fatherhood
While filming Moonshiners, Josh also juggled responsibilities as a motocross racer and devoted father. Though he keeps his daughter’s mother out of the public eye, it’s reported that the two remain on good terms. He previously dated Amber Lynn Gabrick, but the relationship ended amicably. The former couple still share custody of the dog they once adopted together.
Rumors, Arrests, and Bad Luck
Josh’s absence in season 10 sparked rumors of an arrest, but the truth was more complicated. While scouting a new location to set up his still, Josh unknowingly placed it in a building owned by someone other than his friend, Chris. A run-in with the true property owner followed, but no charges were filed.
Known for his misfortune, fans often joke that Owens “just can’t catch a break.” In season 11, he accidentally burned down his house while attempting to make moonshine from maple sap. This wasn’t his first mishap—he also lost a trailer in a fire back in 2017 under similar circumstances.
A Brush With Death
Josh’s most harrowing ordeal came in March 2018. While racing a vintage Harley-Davidson, a tire blew out and he crashed into a wall. The accident left him with a punctured lung, a shattered collarbone and shoulder blade, a torn rotator cuff, and severe back injuries. At the time, he had no health insurance and later claimed that he was prematurely discharged from the hospital. While officials from Halifax Medical Center denied this, Owens struggled to recover, relying on merchandise sales to cover his medical bills.
Despite it all, Josh has managed to stay out of legal trouble. He now runs a remote moonshine operation deep in the woods—far from landlords and law enforcement.
The Ongoing Saga of Moonshiners
Since Moonshiners first aired in 2011, it has been a staple on Discovery Channel. Filmed primarily in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky, the series dramatizes the trials of modern-day moonshiners.
While critics have questioned the show’s authenticity, Magilla Entertainment insists that the series is genuine. Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) department has previously clarified that if illegal moonshine production were truly taking place on camera, arrests would follow.
The show pays homage to Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, a legendary bootlegger whose life inspired many of its storylines. Sutton was arrested in 2007 for illegal distilling and possessing a firearm. Diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter, he chose suicide over serving a federal prison sentence.
Other Cast Highlights
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Tim Smith: A third-generation moonshiner, Tim has gone legit with his national brand, Climax Moonshine. He also runs tours at his distillery and appears to have left the show two years ago to focus on business.
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Mark Ramsey & Eric “Digger” Manes: East Tennessee natives, Mark and Digger joined the show in 2014 and remain core cast members. They are known for their strong friendship and experiments with unique moonshine flavors.
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Stephen Ray Tickle: Perhaps the most colorful character on Moonshiners, Tickle once considered a political run before his legal issues—including arrests for public intoxication and a sawed-off shotgun—put that dream on hold. In 2019, he married bail bondswoman Carol Ann in a moonshine-themed wedding.
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Jim Tom Hedrick: A legend in the field, Jim Tom retired from the show after season 7 but remains a respected figure, mentoring younger distillers.
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Jeff & Lance Waldrop: The beloved father-son duo left the show in 2019. Lance tragically passed away in 2021 at age 30 due to congestive heart failure, following a history of health struggles and addiction. Jeff, heartbroken, has remained private since.
