Gretna, Virginia – Known by most simply as Tickle, Stephen Ray Tickle has lived a life few could script. Carpenter. TV star. Would-be politician. Ex-con. Father. Moonshiner. At 48, the man who shot to fame on Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners remains as unpredictable as ever.
Tickle was born on November 30, 1976, in Virginia, and despite some detours, he now resides quietly in rural Pittsylvania County, working in Gretna. But there’s little quiet about his story.
A CARPENTER TURNED CULT HERO
Before he was bottling bootleg liquor for the cameras, Tickle was a skilled carpenter. His handiwork is still seen today at Clyde’s Restaurant, a popular eatery in downtown D.C., which he helped build near the Verizon Center.
But in 2013, everything changed. He joined Moonshiners as the right-hand man of famed distiller Tim Smith, becoming an overnight sensation. The duo’s illegal escapades and colorful personalities won over viewers—and Tickle became a fan favorite.
Riding high on that popularity, Discovery gave him his own spin-off show, simply titled Tickle. Fame, however, came with a price.
BRUSHES WITH THE LAW AND POLITICAL DREAMS
Not all of Tickle’s time in the limelight has been flattering. In 2013, he was arrested for public drunkenness after allegedly drinking from an open container in a parking lot. The trouble didn’t stop there.
In 2015, he was arrested again, this time for illegal firearm possession. Though his three-year sentence was suspended, he later violated probation and served five months in jail.
That same year, Tickle made a surprise announcement—he was considering a run for Congress, eyeing a seat in Southern Virginia against Representative Robert Hurt. The bid, however, never materialized. Some say his criminal record, and others his lack of political experience, made it a moonshot dream.
A FAMILY MAN… IN PRIVATE
Despite his rowdy reputation, Tickle keeps his personal life extremely private. He rarely speaks about his family, but it’s known he has a daughter named Daisy, now 17, who reportedly describes him as a “great dad.” Her mother remains unknown to the public.
His mother, Louise Eileen Tickle, is the only parent confirmed in records. His father’s identity and influence remain largely a mystery, though it’s been rumored his father’s illness played a role in Tickle’s early struggles with substance use—a path he has since worked hard to leave behind.
NET WORTH AND NOTORIETY
From humble beginnings to reality TV fame, Tickle is estimated to have earned over $1 million from Moonshiners and its spin-offs. As of mid-2020, authoritative sources placed his net worth at over $500,000. Not bad for a carpenter turned moonshine legend.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR TICKLE?
No one really knows. He’s been quiet lately, preferring his rural life over reality stardom, but fans still hope for a return—whether to TV or to the spotlight in some other form.
One thing’s for sure: Stephen Ray Tickle is full of surprises, and the world hasn’t heard the last of him.
