The Moonshiners cast, featured on Discovery Channel’s hit docudrama, captivates audiences with their daring liquor production in the Appalachian Mountains. Fans often search for details about the cast’s net worth, salary, age, dating history, and married status. This article dives deep into these aspects, offering updated insights for 2025, including exclusive perspectives from industry trends and first-hand observations of the show’s impact. Expect fresh data, detailed biographies, and a glimpse into the lives of these moonshining legends, all optimized for your search intent.
Why Moonshiners Continues to Fascinate Audiences
Since its debut in 2011, Moonshiners has enthralled viewers with its blend of tradition, rebellion, and craftsmanship. The show follows moonshiners in states like Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, showcasing their illegal liquor production and law-evading tactics. Despite controversies over its authenticity, the series remains a cultural phenomenon, with Season 14 airing in 2025. The cast’s net worth and salaries reflect their fame, while their ages, dating lives, and married statuses add personal intrigue.
Moonshiners Cast Net Worth and Salary Breakdown
The Moonshiners cast earns substantial incomes, with salaries reportedly ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per episode, depending on their tenure and prominence. Their net worths are bolstered by moonshining, legal distilleries, and media appearances. Below is a detailed look at key cast members, updated for 2025, with insights into their financial growth.
Tim Smith: The Wealthiest Moonshiner
Tim Smith, a third-generation moonshiner, is the show’s richest star, with a net worth of approximately $500,000 in 2025. His salary is estimated at $30,000 per episode, the highest among the cast. Tim’s legal brand, Climax Moonshine, available in multiple states, has significantly boosted his wealth. His journey from outlaw to entrepreneur highlights the show’s influence on legitimizing moonshine. “Moonshining is my heritage, but building a legal brand is my legacy,” Tim shared in a 2024 interview with Discovery.
Steven Ray Tickle: The Fan-Favorite Rebel
Steven Ray Tickle, known simply as Tickle, has a net worth of around $500,000 and earns about $10,000 per episode. His age, 49 in 2025, reflects his long tenure on the show. Tickle’s legal troubles, including a 2015 arrest for possessing a sawed-off shotgun, impacted his earnings, but his return in Season 9 revitalized his career. Married to Carol Ann since 2019, Tickle’s moonshine-themed wedding was a fan highlight. Follow him on Facebook.
Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes: The Dynamic Duo
Mark Ramsey and Eric “Digger” Manes, both in their 50s, are partners in crime and business, with net worths of $300,000 and $400,000, respectively. Each earns about $5,000 per episode. Their work with Sugarlands Distilling Company has modernized moonshine production, blending tradition with innovation. “We’re keeping Popcorn Sutton’s legacy alive while pushing boundaries,” Digger said in a 2025 Sugarlands feature. Neither publicly discusses their dating or married status, maintaining privacy.
Josh Owens: The Adventurous Moonshiner
Josh Owens, aged 48, boasts a net worth of $400,000 and a salary of $100,000 annually, per industry estimates. A former motocross racer, Josh’s high-energy persona shines on the show. Despite a 2024 injury from a bike race, he remains active in moonshining. His dating life is rumored but unconfirmed, and he’s not publicly married. “Moonshining and racing keep my blood pumping,” Josh told Discovery in 2025.
Patti Bryan and David Parker: The Louisiana Legends
Patti Bryan, in her 40s, and her father David Parker, in his 60s, are Louisiana’s moonshining duo. Patti’s net worth is estimated at $200,000, with a salary of $5,000-$10,000 per episode. Married to fellow moonshiner Dallas J. Bryan, Patti balances family and fame. David’s net worth is around $150,000. Their joint Facebook page shares updates on their ventures.
Chico: The High-Earner
Chico, born Matthew Louis Tungate in 1985 (age 40), has a net worth of $5 million, largely from moonshining and real estate investments. His salary is estimated at $10,000 per episode. Married to Cassandra, a fellow moonshiner, they have two daughters. Chico’s arrest for DUI in 2018 didn’t derail his success, as noted in a 2025 Life & Style article.
Moonshiners Cast Biography Table
| Cast Member | Biography Details |
|---|---|
| Tim Smith | Age: 50s, Married to Shelby Smith since 1986, son JT Smith, owns Climax Moonshine. |
| Steven Ray Tickle | Age: 49, Married to Carol Ann since 2019, known for legal troubles and vibrant persona. |
| Mark Ramsey | Age: 50s, Married to Sally Jane Clark, partners with Sugarlands Distilling. |
| Digger Manes | Age: 50s, Private personal life, expert moonshiner trained by Popcorn Sutton. |
| Josh Owens | Age: 48, Single, former motocross racer, known for high-energy moonshining. |
| Patti Bryan | Age: 40s, Married to Dallas J. Bryan, two children, Louisiana Moonshiners star. |
| David Parker | Age: 60s, Married 49 years, Patti’s father, runs Louisiana Moonshiners. |
| Chico | Age: 40, Married to Cassandra, two daughters, real estate investor and moonshiner. |
| Jim Tom Hedrick | Age: 80s, Retired, net worth $200,000, legendary moonshiner, left show after Season 6. |
| Amanda Bryant | Age: 30s, Single, self-taught distiller, star of Moonshiners: Master Distiller. |
Unique Insights: The Moonshining Industry in 2025
The Moonshiners cast has capitalized on the growing craft distillery trend, with legal moonshine sales projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2027, per industry reports. My observation of the show reveals how cast members like Tim and Mark have transitioned from backwoods operations to legitimate businesses, reflecting a broader shift in the industry. This evolution offers a case study in branding: Tim’s Climax Moonshine leverages his TV fame, while Mark and Digger’s Sugarlands products appeal to younger, craft-spirit enthusiasts.
Controversies and Authenticity
The show’s authenticity has been questioned, with Virginia’s ABC Bureau stating in 2012 that no illegal activity occurs on-screen. However, my analysis suggests the cast’s real-world expertise lends credibility, even if dramatized. “It’s entertainment, but our skills are real,” Josh Owens said in a 2025 interview. This balance keeps viewers hooked while fueling debates about legality.
Where to Follow the Moonshiners Cast
Stay updated on the cast’s net worth, salaries, ages, dating, and married statuses via their social media:
- Tim Smith: Tim Smith Spirits
- Tickle: Facebook
- Patti and David: Louisiana Moonshiners
- Amanda Bryant: Facebook
- General Updates: Discovery, Wikipedia
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Moonshiners
The Moonshiners cast’s net worth, salaries, ages, dating, and married statuses reveal a group of resilient individuals blending tradition with modern entrepreneurship. Their stories, from Tim’s legal empire to Tickle’s colorful journey, offer a unique lens into America’s moonshining culture. As Season 14 unfolds in 2025, the cast’s evolving lives and businesses continue to captivate, proving that moonshining is more than a trade—it’s a legacy.
