Moonshiners Stars Digger & Mark Open Up About Prison Anxiety: Could They Actually End Up Behind Bars?

‘Moonshiners’: Digger Manes and Mark Ramsey Confront the Reality of Prison, Risk, and Brotherhood

For Eric “Digger” Manes and Mark Ramsey, the return to Moonshiners Season 15 was not just another chapter in a long-running television journey. It was a reckoning. After years of dodging danger, navigating the gray areas of the law, and trusting their instincts in the East Tennessee mountains, the events of last season forced both men to confront a truth they could no longer ignore: prison was no longer a distant possibility—it felt uncomfortably close.

Their run-in with law enforcement during the previous season was a wake-up call. The pair were detained after officers discovered a functioning illegal still, placing them on the brink of serious legal consequences. Though they were ultimately released—thanks to a drilled hole that rendered the equipment technically non-operational and resulted in no charges—the experience left a lasting mark. The fear, the uncertainty, and the reality of how quickly everything could be taken away lingered long after the officers drove off.

“It will change your life,” Digger admitted bluntly. While neither man has ever been formally arrested, being detained multiple times has left scars of its own. “It’s just a bad feeling,” he said. “I promise you.”

For Ramsey, that sense of threat has always been part of the lifestyle. “You never get comfortable,” he explained. “It’s something that could always happen. That’s the life we chose.” Even after decades of experience, he said, the risk never truly fades—except perhaps when he knows Digger is at his side.

The Season 15 premiere, which aired January 6, marked a deliberate reset. After shutting down operations for six months, the duo returned with a noticeably different mindset. Gone was the aggressive expansion. In its place was caution, restraint, and a renewed focus on survival. They chose to keep a low profile, rely on established customers, and simplify every aspect of their operation.

One of their hardest decisions came early: sending fellow moonshiners Amanda Bryant and Kelly Williamson away. It wasn’t personal—it was protective. If things went south again, Digger and Ramsey didn’t want anyone else paying the price.

“It’s not in our nature to knock people down,” Digger said. “But this time, for their safety, we had to step back.” Ramsey echoed that sentiment, explaining that law enforcement attention was more intense than ever. At the advice of their mentor, J.B. Rader—a man they openly revere—they realized they had grown “too big for their britches.”

J.B.’s influence looms large over both men. More than a mentor, he is family. Digger credits him with saving his life during a carbon monoxide scare years ago, while Ramsey jokes that J.B. is responsible for decades of putting up with Digger. Humor aside, both men hold his counsel in the highest regard.

“When J.B. tells us something, he means it,” Ramsey said. “We either listen or we don’t. And this time, we listened.”

That advice shaped their approach for the new season. Rather than chasing trends or flashy flavors, they returned to basics: corn liquor, sugar liquor, and the methods passed down by generations before them. To Digger, modern shelves packed with flavored spirits would have seemed laughable to the old-timers who taught them the craft.

Still, even with a simplified strategy, new challenges emerged—ones they never anticipated. Rising costs and supply shortages were expected. What blindsided them was a different kind of obstacle altogether, one that forced them to adapt in ways they never had before.

“If we were legal, we could just call the authorities,” Digger said. “But we’re not in that position.”

Through it all, their bond remains the foundation that keeps everything standing. Friends for roughly 45 years, Digger and Ramsey describe their relationship as rare and irreplaceable. Where one worries, the other remains calm. Where one is impulsive, the other is steady. They trust each other not just with their livelihoods, but with their freedom.

“I’d rather give him everything I own than cheat him out of a dollar,” Digger said. Ramsey didn’t hesitate to return the sentiment. “We’ll die as friends,” he said simply.

As Moonshiners enters its 15th season, neither man expected the show—or their journey—to last this long. What began as an experiment has become a defining chapter of their lives. For Ramsey, just getting asked back after his first season felt surreal. For Digger, the greatest reward has been sharing the beauty and hardship of the East Tennessee mountains with the world.

Critics may question the show’s authenticity, but Digger dismisses those doubts. “It is happening,” he insisted. “It’s factual.” The goal, he says, isn’t to glorify illegality, but to show values—honesty, loyalty, and treating others with respect.

As for the future of moonshining, both men admit they’re nearing the end of their road. They won’t change how they do business. But they believe the craft itself will keep evolving, driven by younger distillers chasing the impossible dream of creating the perfect drink.

“The best drink of liquor has never been made yet,” Ramsey said.

And maybe that belief—like their friendship—is what keeps them going, even when the risks are higher than ever.