DANVILLE, VIRGINIA – For fans of Moonshiners, Steven Ray Tickle—known simply as “Tickle”—has long been a familiar face: a grinning outlaw, mason jar in hand, standing proudly in the shadows of Appalachian stills. But behind the camera, Tickle’s story has been far more volatile. From multiple arrests and a prison stint to a surprising political campaign and a heartfelt wedding, Tickle’s life has been anything but ordinary.
Now, nearly a decade after his legal troubles came to a head, the one-time renegade moonshiner is finding peace, purpose, and maybe even permanence. With a loyal wife by his side and a renewed passion for legal distilling, Tickle has turned the page on a troubled chapter and is writing a new one—this time, on the right side of the law.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND HARD LESSONS
Born November 30, 1976, in Southwest Carolina, Tickle grew up in Dry Fork, Virginia, where he was raised by his mother alongside three brothers. Their father, an invalid, was largely absent, and hardship cast a long shadow on Tickle’s childhood.
After graduating from Tunstall High School, Tickle pursued carpentry and even worked on the famed Clyde’s American Bar in Washington, D.C. But it was the call of the Appalachian tradition that ultimately won out. Moonshine was in his blood—learned from older relatives using old-school distilling techniques in Danville’s backwoods.
When Moonshiners launched on the Discovery Channel, showcasing the adventures (and risks) of illicit distillers, Tickle became a breakout star. Alongside Tim Smith, his partner-in-crime and mentor, he brought moonshine culture to national attention.
Still, not everything caught on camera was TV magic. The lifestyle came with real-world consequences.
FROM REALITY STAR TO REPEAT OFFENDER
Tickle’s legal troubles began in March 2013 with an arrest for public intoxication after he was found drinking in a convenience store parking lot in the middle of the day. The incident ended with an overnight stay in jail—seemingly minor at the time, but a warning of worse to come.
Two years later, he was arrested for possession of a sawn-off shotgun—a serious felony. The weapon was discovered during a routine traffic stop in which Tickle was also found to be driving with a suspended license. Despite his lawyer’s plea to suspend the sentence for the sake of his daughter, Tickle was given three years, suspended pending probation.
But in 2016, after relapsing and testing positive for cocaine, Tickle’s suspended sentence was revoked. Judge James Reynolds ordered him to serve five months behind bars. His probation officer testified that personal stress—including his father’s terminal illness—had triggered the relapse. Despite this, the court held firm.
Tickle’s daughter came to his defense in court, citing his efforts to help her with school and stay sober. After his release, it was Tim Smith and Tim’s son JT who picked him up, sharing a quiet meal and a hope for better days.
A LOVE STORY AND A SECOND CHANCE
On October 19, 2019, Tickle married Carol Ann, a bail bondswoman. Contrary to tabloid assumptions, she had nothing to do with his earlier arrests. Tickle claimed, with a grin, that she pursued him for six years before he finally agreed to go out with her.
Their wedding was intimate and joyful, attended by family and Moonshiners castmates. For Tickle, it was a turning point.
“I was in and out of jail. I just couldn’t seem to act right,” he admitted in a recent interview. “She gives me a reason to act right—a reason to stand up and be the man I am today.”
Since then, Tickle has kept his nose clean and built a new life. He remains a fixture on Moonshiners, promoting legal moonshine through the Sugarlands Distilling Company, which sells his 70-proof signature spirit, Tickle’s Dynamite Cinnamon.
BEYOND THE BACKWOODS
Today, Tickle is more than a moonshiner. He’s a public personality, husband, and content creator. He and Carol Ann co-manage a YouTube channel, The Tickles, where they share cooking videos, Appalachian traditions, and glimpses of their family life.
Carol’s book series, Cat the Bounty Huntress, based on her real-life adventures, has gained traction, with Tickle supporting her at signings and appearances.
Despite the chaos of his past, Tickle has earned a kind of quiet redemption. He continues to speak out about the dangers of moonshining—both legal and illegal—and uses his platform to encourage others to learn from his story.
