Steven Ray Tickle, known to millions of TV viewers simply as “Tickle,” rose to unexpected fame through the hit Discovery Channel docudrama Moonshiners. Born on November 30, 1976, in Virginia, Tickle is now 48 years old and continues to be one of the most colorful and talked-about figures in the moonshine world.
Tickle became a household name in 2013 when he joined Moonshiners, a series that follows individuals involved in the secretive and risky business of illicit distilling. While the show’s central figure is moonshine legend Tim Smith, Tickle quickly captured the public’s imagination as Smith’s loyal—if mischievous—partner in crime. His popularity led to his own spin-off series, Tickle, further cementing his place in reality television lore.
What many fans may not know is that moonshining wasn’t Tickle’s first passion. Before TV fame, he was a skilled carpenter. In fact, he played a key role in constructing Clyde’s, a well-known restaurant near the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C.—a project that speaks to his craftsmanship and work ethic. Carpentry remains a skill he values deeply.
Tickle’s time in the limelight hasn’t been without controversy. In 2013, he was arrested for public drunkenness after reportedly drinking from an open container in a parking lot. Two years later, in 2015, he faced legal trouble again—this time for illegal firearm possession. Though he received a three-year suspended sentence, a probation violation landed him behind bars for five months. These incidents added a darker dimension to his public image, and even sparked unfounded rumors of his death after one particular episode aired.
Despite his brushes with the law, Tickle once considered entering the political arena. In 2015, he flirted with the idea of running for Congress in southern Virginia, hoping to challenge then-U.S. Representative Robert Hurt. Though the campaign never materialized, it showed another, unexpected side to the moonshiner-turned-celebrity.
Financially, Tickle’s notoriety has paid off. Reports estimate he has earned more than $1 million from the Moonshiners franchise, with an annual income believed to hover around $175,000. His additional income from carpentry has helped him maintain an estimated net worth of over $500,000 as of mid-2020.
Tickle currently resides in rural Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and works in nearby Gretna. He is the son of Louise Eileen Tickle, and while little is known about his father, some sources suggest that personal hardships during his youth—including his father’s illness—may have contributed to past struggles with substance use. In recent years, he has reportedly left those habits behind, focusing instead on his career and passions.
When it comes to his private life, Tickle remains notoriously tight-lipped. Though fans are eager to know more, he prefers to keep details of his romantic life under wraps. What is known is that he is the proud father of a 17-year-old daughter, Daisy Tickle, who has publicly praised him as a great dad. The identity of Daisy’s mother remains unknown.
Tickle’s mix of Southern charm, rebellious flair, and raw authenticity continues to draw viewers and intrigue fans. Whether he’s building with wood or brewing with corn, one thing’s for sure: Steven Ray Tickle is living life on his own terms.
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