Steven ‘Tickle’ Tickle of Moonshiners: Thriving Post-Prison and Wedding, Embracing Family and New Ventures

October 2, 2025 – Steven Ray Tickle, the fan-favorite moonshiner from Discovery Channel’s long-running series Moonshiners, has turned the page on a turbulent past marked by multiple arrests and jail stints, emerging stronger and more settled than ever. Born on November 30, 1976, in Southwest Carolina and raised in Dry Fork, Virginia, Tickle—known simply as “Tickle” to fans—has channeled his outlaw roots into a stable life with his wife, Carol Ann, a former bail bondsman, and a burgeoning media presence. Since his last release from prison in 2016 and his 2019 wedding, Tickle has steered clear of trouble, focusing on family, content creation, and promoting legal moonshine products. At 48, he appears healthier and happier than ever, sharing glimpses of domestic bliss on social media and collaborating on his wife’s bestselling autobiography series. As Moonshiners enters its 14th season, Tickle’s redemption arc serves as a testament to resilience in the shadowy world of Appalachian distilling, where tradition clashes with the law.

Tickle’s journey began in a family steeped in moonshining lore. The son of Louise Elaine Keller and Larry Craig Tickle—an invalid father who left his mother to raise him and his three brothers, Daryl, Mike, and Glenn, largely single-handedly—Tickle grew up in the hills of Dry Fork, Virginia. After graduating from Tunstall High School, he pursued carpentry, becoming a registered union carpenter and contributing to the construction of Clyde’s American Bar and Restaurant in Washington, D.C. His early life was far from glamorous; a series of unfortunate incidents, including family hardships and personal missteps, led to the “deplorable decisions” that would later define his public image. Yet, Tickle’s easygoing demeanor—often captured in his rumpled attire and wry grin on Moonshiners—belied a deeper drive to preserve a fading craft.

It was this passion that catapulted him to fame. In 2011, Tickle joined Moonshiners, a docudrama produced by Magilla Entertainment that chronicles the illicit art of distilling unaged whiskey in the Appalachian Mountains. Inspired by the 2002 documentary This Is the Last Damn Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make about legendary moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton—who took his own life in 2009 to avoid prison—T the series debuted to strong ratings, blending historical lore with modern drama. Tickle, who learned the trade young by watching relatives in Danville, Virginia, using old-time techniques, partnered with veteran distiller Tim Smith. “It gets in your blood,” Tickle said of moonshining, experimenting with jelly jars and turkey fryers to innovate recipes. Initially hesitant about the show—fearing five years in jail and hefty fines—he relented to keep the tradition alive. “I wouldn’t mind going to jail if that’s what it takes to get it back out there,” he told WFXR.

Tickle’s charisma made him a standout, leading to a 2013 spin-off, Tickle, which ran for one season and 12 episodes. The series followed his escapades discovering a hidden moonshine stash, evading its owner and law enforcement during “moonshine season,” and hosting a charity fish fry funded by black-market sales. Though some viewers suspected scripting—Moonshiners carries a disclaimer that distilling for resale is illegal—the show’s blend of education and excitement drew millions. Tickle’s political ambitions added quirkiness: In 2012, he ran for U.S. president as an independent on the platform “Everybody gets a sip,” later eyeing a congressional seat against Virginia Rep. Robert Hurt in 2013. “Outrageous” as fans called it, the bids highlighted his rebellious streak.

But Tickle’s fame came with consequences. His arrests, unrelated to moonshining but emblematic of his wild side, shocked yet unsurprised supporters. In March 2013, Danville police arrested him for public intoxication outside Charlie’s Stop and Shop convenience store, where he was drinking alone at 2:40 p.m. The strong alcohol odor led to an overnight jail stay after no ride home materialized. In July 2015, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Corporal Twins pulled him over for a broken headlight, discovering a sawn-off 12-gauge shotgun (14 inches long) in plain view and a suspended license. Charged with a Class 6 felony under Virginia’s Crimes and Offenses Act, Tickle posted a $2,500 bond but was barred from leaving Virginia or possessing firearms.

In March 2016, Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Judge Stacy W. Moreau sentenced him to three years, suspended for 18 months probation and five years good behavior, plus court costs. Tickle, addressing the court, claimed the gun was a sentimental item from a deceased friend, intended for his grandson, and vowed sobriety for his 15-year-old daughter, his sole custody. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Aubry Gordon pushed for jail time, but Moreau saw potential for reform. Probation officer Becky Quarles’ July 2016 report, citing two days of cocaine use amid his father’s terminal illness, led to revocation. On September 15, 2016, Judge James Reynolds ordered five months active incarceration, 12 months probation, and five years good behavior. Tickle’s daughter testified to his fatherhood, citing straight-A homework help despite his struggles.

Released in early 2017, Tickle was picked up by Smith and his son JT for his first meal as a free man. Smith offered a legitimate distillery job, wary but hopeful: “It wouldn’t take much for Tickle to mess up again.” Tickle reflected, “I was tired of rules—where to go, what to do. I just didn’t want to go back.” He kept his promise, avoiding relapse triggers. On October 19, 2019, he married Carol Ann, a bail bondsman who pursued him for six years. “She gives me a reason to act right,” Tickle said, crediting her for his stability. The wedding, attended by Moonshiners co-stars, featured custom moonshine toasts—legal, of course.

Today, Tickle thrives. Healthy and happy, he promotes Moonshiners on social media, where he shares family moments and carpentry projects. Partnering with Sugarland Distilling Company, his “Tickle’s Dynamite Cinnamon” moonshine—a 70-proof cinnamon-infused spirit—sells online and in stores, turning illicit roots legal. He supports Carol Ann’s Cat the Bounty Huntress book series, an autobiography of her bounty hunting adventures, and co-runs their YouTube channel, The Tickle’s, with videos on cooking, traditions, and life updates. “Thank you for spending time with us—make sure to like and subscribe,” they sign off, hand-picking recommendations.

Tickle’s redemption resonates in Moonshiners‘ narrative, where cast like Kenny Law (died January 2025 at 68) and Troy Halsey (kidney removal after 2025 artery rupture) face real perils. The show’s docudrama format—Virginia ABC’s 2011 disclaimer notes no illegal activity filmed—blends fact and fiction, but Tickle’s story feels genuine. Fans on Reddit’s r/Moonshiners celebrate: “Tickle’s proof you can turn it around—family and shine!” As Season 14 airs Fridays on Discovery, streaming on Discovery+ and Max, Tickle’s arc inspires, proving moonshining’s blood runs deep, but love and reform run deeper. One X user nailed it: “From jail to joy—Tickle’s the real legend.”