When Josh Owens joined the Discovery Channel’s hit docudrama Moonshiners in 2012, he brought more than just youthful energy and a winning smile. A professional motocross racer turned distiller, Owens quickly became one of the youngest and most charismatic members of the cast, winning a loyal fanbase that has followed his every high and low for over a decade.
Early Life and Entry into Moonshining
Born in August 1977 in Columbus, North Carolina, Owens’s introduction to moonshining came later than most of his fellow cast members. While others had learned the trade as teenagers, Owens didn’t begin distilling until his early thirties. His mentor was Barney Barnwell, a musician, moonshiner, and early Moonshiners cast member.
Before Barnwell’s passing, he entrusted Owens with building an underground still to carry on the tradition. Honoring his friend’s wish, Owens embraced distilling as both a craft and a legacy. Shortly afterward, the Moonshiners production team invited him to join the show — a decision that would change his life.
Life Beyond the Still
Away from the camera, Owens is a man of varied passions. A competitive quad bike and motorcycle racer, he’s also the owner of Tree and Yardbusters, a landscaping and garden maintenance company. Family plays a central role in his life; he frequently shares photos of his daughter on social media.
His romantic life has also made headlines. Owens was in a long-term relationship with his daughter’s mother before they split amicably. He later dated Amber Lynn Gabrick, with whom he shares custody of their dog, even after their breakup.
Rumors, Setbacks, and Close Calls
Owens’s journey has not been without turbulence. During much of Season 10, his absence from Moonshiners fueled unfounded rumors of an arrest. In reality, Owens’s trouble came from a misunderstanding with a friend’s landlord after he set up distilling equipment in a building he believed belonged to his friend.
His unorthodox approach to planning has caused more serious mishaps. In two separate incidents, attempts at distilling resulted in fires that destroyed both his house and his trailer.
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Crash
One of Owens’s worst setbacks came in March 2018. While riding his vintage Harley-Davidson, a tire blowout sent him crashing into a wall. He was rushed to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona, Florida, with severe injuries: a torn rotator cuff, a punctured lung, a broken left collarbone, and a fractured left shoulder blade, among others.
Owens later claimed that he was discharged prematurely after hospital staff learned he had no health insurance — a claim the hospital denied. The road to recovery was long and painful, with lingering mobility issues and chronic back pain. To pay his medical bills, Owens sold custom merchandise, demonstrating the resourcefulness and grit his fans admire.
Recent Racing Accident
Most recently, Owens was involved in another serious incident, this time at Daytona International Speedway during a racing event. Details remain murky, with conflicting reports ranging from a “deadly crash” to a “hospitalization.” A Facebook page managed by someone close to Owens asked for prayers and confirmed that he is in stable condition.
The World of “Moonshiners”
Produced by Magilla Entertainment, Moonshiners premiered in December 2011, chronicling the lives of moonshine makers in Appalachia — from North Carolina and South Carolina to Virginia and Kentucky. The show draws inspiration from the legendary Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, a larger-than-life bootlegger who passed away in 2009 before seeing the series air.
Despite its popularity, Moonshiners has faced criticism over its authenticity. In 2012, Virginia’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control stated that no illegal activities were depicted and requested that Magilla add a disclaimer clarifying that the events were dramatized. The producers refused, insisting the show was genuine.
Notable Cast Members and Stories
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Eric “Digger” Manes joined in 2014 and quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable faces alongside Mark Ramsey. Despite persistent (and joking) fan rumors, both men are married.
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Jeff and Lance Waldrop, a father-son duo, left the show in 2019. Lance’s sudden death in 2021 at just 30 years old — caused by congenital heart failure — shocked fans. His struggles with depression and obesity were well known.
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Stephen Ray Tickle is perhaps the show’s most controversial figure, with multiple arrests and a near-fatal car accident. A former carpenter from Washington, D.C., Tickle even once toyed with a run for Congress.
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Tim Smith, a generational moonshiner from East Tennessee, turned his family recipe into a successful brand and tourism destination.
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Mark Ramsey, a lifelong distiller, runs Sugarlands Distilling Co. with a passion for experimenting with flavors.
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Jim Tom Hedrick, a fan favorite from the early seasons, left after Season 7 to enjoy retirement after over 50 years in the trade.
Popcorn Sutton’s Legacy
No discussion of Moonshiners is complete without Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton. Born in 1946 in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, Sutton’s decades-long career as a moonshiner brought him repeated run-ins with the law. In 2009, facing an 18-month federal sentence, Sutton took his own life by carbon monoxide poisoning, cementing his outlaw legend.
Looking Ahead
Through the injuries, rumors, and brushes with disaster, Josh Owens remains a fixture on Moonshiners. Whether behind the handlebars of a bike or tending an underground still, his charisma and resilience continue to draw fans. For now, his focus appears to be on recovery, family, and carrying forward the legacy of the friend who first taught him the trade.
