Ramsey: MOONSHINING IS A DYING ART.
YOU KNOW, IT'D BE SO SAD
FOR THIS CRAFT THAT'S BEEN IN THOSE HILLS FOR CENTURIES
TO GO AWAY.
AS MUCH AS WE LOVE TO DO EVERYTHING TRADITIONAL,
THINGS CHANGE
AND WE'RE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES,
EVERYTHING FROM NEW MASHES AND FLAVORS
TO NEW INNOVATIONS ON THE STILL.
WE'VE GOT TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO ENSURE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MOONSHINERS
CARRY THIS CRAFT FORWARD,
BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT IT TO DIE.
Narrator: ON THE SEASON FINALE OF MOONSHINERS,
FROM ICY WINDS TO BARREN TREES,
WINTER HAS DESCENDED ON APPALACHIA.
AND AS THE LAST STILL FIRES ARE EXTINGUISHED,
SHINERS ARE MEASURED ON THE COLD CALCULUS
OF EXPECTATIONS AGAINST OUTPUT.
BUT WHILE SOME LEAVE THE WOODS FLUSHED WITH HARD-EARNED CASH,
OTHERS FACE A WINTER OF DISCONTENT.
IT'S DANGER ON ALL SIDES IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
HEY, JOSH. JOSH.
WHAT THE...
Narrator: A NORTH CAROLINA PARTNERSHIP HANGS IN THE BALANCE.
AND A VIRGINIA OUTLAW IS FREE TO RUN.
TIM, WHAT'S UP, MAN?
WHAT'S GOING ON? MAN.
YOU WEREN'T THAT BIG WHEN YOU GOT ARRESTED.
NOWHERE NEAR IT.
⪠NO ONE CAN HOLD ME DOWN âª
⪠OR MAKE ME CHANGE MY WAYS âª
⪠SO DON'T WASTE YOUR BREATH SAYIN' âª
⪠CRIME NEVER PAYS âª
⪠GOIN' FOR A RIDE âª
⪠RUNNIN' TO SURVIVE âª
⪠WHEN YOU'RE LIVIN' OUTSIDE THE LAW âª
⪠WE'RE LIVIN' OUTSIDE THE LAW âª
Man: THIS IS HOW WE MAKE THE MOONSHINE!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
MAN, IT'S COLD OUT HERE.
EARLY.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
Narrator: IN THE PREDAWN HOURS, TIM SMITH HAS A RENDEZVOUS
AT A VIRGINIA COUNTY LOCKUP.
Tim: IT'S 4:30 IN THE MORNING,
AND TICKLE CALLS ME LAST NIGHT, AND HE SAYS,
"HEY, YOU KNOW, TOMORROW, I'M GETTING OUT OF JAIL."
THE BIG THING HE ASKED ME ABOUT BRINGING CLOTHES.
HE DON'T HAVE ANY CLOTHES. I'M THINKING,
"DID YOU GET ARRESTED WHEN YOU WAS NAKED?"
Narrator: ONCE TIM'S PARTNER IN CRIME...
I THINK WE NEED ANOTHER TASTE TEST.
[ LAUGHS ]
...TICKLE'S LEGAL TROUBLES...
OH, NO.
IT'S NOT A GREAT DAY.
I GOT CAUGHT WITH A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN.
Narrator: ...LANDED HIM IN JAIL.
Man: THE SENTENCING RANGE ON A CLASS 4 FELONY
IS FROM 2 YEARS TO 10 YEARS IN THE PENITENTIARY.
THAT'S A LONG TIME.
Narrator: AFTER BEING PAROLED,
TICKLE HELPED EXPAND TIM'S LEGAL DISTILLERY.
I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE.
Narrator: BUT OLD HABITS DIE HARD.
âªâª
Tim: SIT HERE AND WAIT I GUESS.
I SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE AVOIDING THIS PLACE.
THIS IS THE FARTHEST PLACE, YOU KNOW, THAT I WANT TO BE.
I WANT TO BE AWAY FROM HERE.
[ MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
I HEAR SOMEBODY.
TIM!
'BOUT TIME YOU'RE GETTING OUT OF THERE.
WHAT'S UP, MAN?
WHAT'S GOING ON? MAN.
WHAT, YOU GOT SHORTS? YOU DIDN'T HAVE NO PANTS?
WELL, THIS IS WHAT I CAME IN IN.
YOU HAD SHORTS ON WHEN YOU GOT ARRESTED?
YES, SIR. I DEFINITELY DID.
YOU WEREN'T THAT BIG WHEN YOU GOT ARRESTED.
NOWHERE NEAR IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
TIME TO GET OUT OF HERE.
TIME TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.
TIME TO EAT? YES, SIR. I'M HUNGRY.
I THOUGHT YOU BEEN EATING HERE.
WELL, I'M READY TO EAT AGAIN.
ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO.
Tim: I'M HAPPY TO HAVE TICKLE BACK. CLEANED HISSELF UP A LITTLE BIT.
HE'S SOUNDING GOOD, EATING GOOD. I MEAN, HE GAINED 40 POUNDS.
âªâª
Tickle: I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND. I'M GETTING NAKED UP IN THIS TRUCK.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEM PANTS GOING TO FIT YOU.
YOU DONE GOT FAT, MAN. WHAT ARE YOU EATING IN THERE?
THEY GIVING YOU ALL KINDS OF FAT FOOD OR WHAT?
WELL, IT AIN'T NOTHING MUCH TO DO UP IN THERE BUT EAT.
Y'ALL GOT WEIGHTS AND STUFF?
Y'ALL DON'T GOT NO WEIGHTS TO WORK OUT?
NO. WE JUST DO PUSHUPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
PUSHUPS?
I WASN'T DOING TOO MANY OF THE SIT-UPS.
I GUESS YOU CAN TELL THAT. YEAH, I CAN SEE THAT.
MAN, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE NINE MONTHS PREGNANT.
WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL RIGHT. IT'S MY BABY.
[ LAUGHS ]
YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M READY FOR?
BACON.
ALL RIGHT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WELL, I COULD DO A BLT OR SOMETHING OR OTHER.
Tickle: YES, SIR. YOU KNOW IT?
A BLT SANDWICH SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
WE'RE GOING TO GET TWO BLTs.
Y'ALL WANT EGG ON THEM? NO.
I DON'T WANT EGG. YOU DON'T WANT NO EGG?
I EAT EGGS ALL THE TIME SITTING UP IN JAIL.
I DON'T WANT NO EGGS. IN WHERE?
IN JAIL. I JUST GOT OUT TODAY.
REALLY? DID YOU GO PICK HIM UP?
YEAH, I CUT THAT WAY, AND I HEADED ON OUT THE DOOR
AND HE WAS THERE WAITING. I WAS WAITING FOR HIM.
YOU KNOW IT'S GOOD HERE, DON'T YOU?
IT IS. IT IS GOOD. THAT'S RIGHT.
Tickle: YOU KNOW, SPENT A LONG TIME IN MY LIFE DOING BAD THINGS.
EVENTUALLY IT PUT ME IN A PLACE I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN.
AND I TELL YOU WHAT -- IF I KEEP ON THE WAY I AM,
IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO WORK.
ALL I CAN TELL YOU, THERE AIN'T NO PLACE I CAN GO BUT FORWARD.
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
ALL RIGHTY. THANK YOU. HOPE Y'ALL ENJOY IT.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S SEE WHAT IT TASTES LIKE.
MMM.
OH, THAT'S GOOD. MMM.
AND I TELL YOU WHAT.
THE SIMPLE THINGS LIKE THIS
THAT YOU MISS WHEN YOU'RE SITTING UP IN THERE,
I DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT GOING BACK OUT IN THE WOODS.
YOU MEAN THE MOONSHINING. YEAH.
BACK IN THE WOODS MAKING MOONSHINE.
I'M SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT NOT DOING THAT
BECAUSE I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO WHERE I WAS AT.
I GOT TO FIND ANOTHER DIRECTION TO GO, THAT'S FOR SURE.
Tim: I'VE KIND OF PICKED OUT A SPECIAL JOB FOR TICKLE
WORKING AT THE DISTILLERY,
BUT I'M CAUTIOUS, YOU KNOW,
BECAUSE TICKLE'S ALREADY MESSED UP BEFORE,
AND IT WON'T TAKE MUCH FOR HIM TO GET HISSELF BACK IN TROUBLE,
AND IT COULD TAKE THE WHOLE THING DOWN.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE,
AND HOPEFULLY HE'S NOT GOING TO LET ME DOWN.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET MORE FAT IF YOU KEEP ON EATING, MAN.
WELL, THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]
âªâª
YOU GET AHOLD OF RADER?
YEAH. HE SAID HE'D BE HERE.
Narrator: IN EAST TENNESSEE, TWO SHINERS ARE GOING OUT STRONG
WITH A FINAL RUN OF THEIR RYE APPLE WHISKEY.
I'M SURE THAT MASH IS READY, BUT LET'S LOOK AT IT.
YEAH. WE NEED TO CHECK IT OUT AND STIR IT UP ONE LAST TIME.
OH, YEAH. IT'S READY.
[ SLURPS ]
GOD ALMIGHTY.
IT'S RYE. IT'S RYE.
THIS YEAR, MARK AND DIGGER
CALLED UPON MOONSHINE LEGEND J.B. RADER.
AS A TEAM, THEY HAD THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON EVER.
OH, IT'S HAZELNUT-Y. THAT'S PERFECT RIGHT THERE.
JUST SHY OF THEIR SEASON GOAL, THEY'RE PLANNING ONE LAST RUN
TO FILL A MAJOR ORDER WORTH 15 GRAND.
LOOK YONDER. I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING.
THERE HE COMES, OLD FART.
'BOUT TIME YOU GOT UP.
I'M HAPPY YOU'RE HERE WITH US
FOR THIS LAST RUN OF THIS SEASON, J.B.
IT GETS IN YOUR BLOOD, DON'T IT? J.B.: YEP.
Digger: LET'S PUMP SOME ICE, AND THEN WE'LL LOCK THESE THINGS UP.
I CAN WARM MY HANDS BACK UP.
SOCK IT TO ME.
HEY, THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO.
THAT'S HIGH-OCTANE MASH RIGHT THERE, J.B.
YEP.
I'M GOING TO FIRE THESE UP AND GET THEM WARMING UP A LITTLE BIT.
FIRE IN THE HOLE.
THAT MADE FOR A DANDY.
Ramsey: THAT'S OUR LAST RUN OF THE YEAR, BOYS.
YES, SIR. WE GOT TO MAKE HER COUNT.
WE'D FINISH STRONG IF WE CAN GET 50 OUT OF THIS ONE.
YEP.
WELL, ALL WE HAVE TO DO NOW IS SIT BACK AND WAIT.
YEP.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND
THAT THE MOONSHINE WORLD AND INDUSTRY
WAS FOREVER CHANGED BY POPCORN SUTTON AND J.B. RADER.
Narrator: IN A MOONSHINE CAREER SPANNING OVER 30 YEARS,
MARVIN "POPCORN" SUTTON AND J.B. RADER
PRODUCED UNTOLD THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF LIQUOR
IN OPEN DEFIANCE OF THE LAW.
THROUGH BOOKS AND DOCUMENTARIES,
THE TWO HELPED TAKE THE TRADITION
OF MOUNTAIN WHISKEY-MAKING MAINSTREAM
AND BECAME LEGENDS IN THE PROCESS.
BUT WHEN AN ATF RAID ON POPCORN'S PROPERTY
UNCOVERED A HOARD OF ILLEGAL LIQUOR,
THE OLD SHINER CHOSE TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE
RATHER THAN REPORT TO FEDERAL PRISON.
THERE IT IS. Ramsey: OH, YEAH.
TIME FOR...
IT'S A GOOD STREAM.
THAT'S A GOOD STREAM RIGHT THERE.
HELL YEAH.
THIS IS A MONSTROUS RUN
AND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.
WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING OUT WITH A BANG.
EASY THERE.
MY FINGERS GOT SLIPPERY.
THERE YOU GO, MR. RADER. YOU LAY IT TO IT.
âªâª
YEAH. YEAH.
THAT APPLE COMES IN ON THE BACK END, DON'T IT?
HELL YEAH. THIS IS SWEET.
Narrator: THIS RUN SHOULD PRODUCE 53 GALLONS OF RYE APPLE,
PUTTING THEM 28 GALLONS OVER THEIR SEASON GOAL.
MAN, THAT'S OUTSTANDING.
Digger: WE'VE EXCEEDED OUR GOALS AS FAR AS GALLON PRODUCTION GOES,
AND WE CERTAINLY EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS DOLLAR-WISE.
THAT'S A BARREL FULL OF WHISKEY RIGHT THERE.
I'M-A TELLING YOU.
IT'S LEAPS AND BOUNDS OVER ANY YEAR WE EVER HAD IN OUR LIVES.
AND HERE WE GO. YOU HAPPY J.B.?
HAPPIER THAN A HOG IN SLOP.
âªâª
TELL YOU WHAT, BOY. THAT WAS A GOOD BREAKFAST RIGHT THERE.
Tim: I KNOW IT. I'M 'BOUT FULL. I'M STUFFED.
I KNOW IT. HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT?
I WANT SOME ICE CREAM. ICE CREAM?
YES, SIR. WE'LL GET SOME ICE CREAM.
THINK THIS PLACE IS OPEN?
I RECKON. THE SIGN SAYS "OPEN."
ALL RIGHT.
OH, ME. ALL RIGHT. HEY, TIM?
HUH? YOU GOT A COUPLE BUCKS?
SERIOUSLY, YOU GOT TO HAVE ICE CREAM?
IS $5 ENOUGH? I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COSTS. ALL RIGHT.
I'LL BE RIGHT BACK. YOU WANT ANY?
NAH, I DON'T WANT NONE. COME ON. ALL RIGHT.
I CAN'T EVEN WALK, MAN.
HE WANTS A ICE CREAM. HE'S GOT TO GET SOME TO EAT.
WE JUST ATE BREAKFAST.
THAT'S WHY HE'S GETTING SO FAT.
WHAT'D YOU GET? A MILKSHAKE? YEAH, I GOT A MILKSHAKE.
THEY WERE OUT OF CONES, SO I GOT A MILKSHAKE.
WANT SOME? NO.
WHAT KIND DID YOU GET? VANILLA.
VANILLA? YEAH.
DON'T NEED NOTHING ELSE? I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T SEE NO DOUGHNUT SHOP OR NOTHING, SO...
DOUGHNUTS? YOU GOT TO STOP EATING, MAN.
[ SLURPS ]
ALL RIGHT. HERE WE ARE.
OH, YES, SIR. HERE'S MY HOUSE RIGHT UP HERE.
I SEE MY DRIVEWAY ALREADY.
HOME SWEET HOME RIGHT HERE, MAN.
I CAN SEE MY DRIVEWAY. WHERE DID --
DID SOMEBODY KNOCK MY MAILBOX DOWN?
OH, YOUR MAILBOX IS GONE. MY MAILBOX IS GONE.
WHAT THE HELL?
HELL, YOUR HOUSE IS GONE.
[ CAR DOOR CLOSES ]
[ SIGHS ]
MY ROSE BUSH IS EVEN GONE. SOMEBODY DUG MY ROSE BUSH UP?
I HEARD OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND BREAKING IN YOUR HOUSE
AND STEALING YOUR [BLEEP] BUT NEVER STEALING YOUR DAMN HOUSE.
Narrator: COMING UP, PATTI AND DAVID HIT THE BAYOU AFTER DARK...
GO TO THE LEFT.
WHAT ELSE YOU WANT ME TO SAY?
...WHILE MARK AND DIGGER PAY THEIR RESPECTS.
HERE'S TO YOU OLD MAN. WE MISS YOU.
âªâª
WHAT THE HELL?
Tim: HELL, YOUR HOUSE IS GONE.
[ CAR DOOR CLOSES ]
[ SIGHS ]
MY ROSE BUSH IS EVEN GONE. SOMEBODY DUG MY ROSE BUSH UP?
I HEARD OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND BREAKING IN YOUR HOUSE
AND STEALING YOUR [BLEEP] BUT NEVER STEALING YOUR DAMN HOUSE.
THE HELL IS GOING -- DIDN'T YOU OWN THE TRAILER?
YES, I OWN IT. IT'S PAID FOR.
YOU JUST DON'T OWN THE PROPERTY?
NO, JUST DON'T OWN THE PROPERTY.
Tim: THE HOUSE IS GONE. IT'S KIND OF SAD.
I FEEL FOR TICKLE.
IT JUST SHOWS YOU HOW FAST THINGS CAN CHANGE.
TICKLE WAS IN JAIL, AND, YOU KNOW, THINGS WENT AWAY.
I KNOW IT'S A MOBILE HOME, BUT, DAMN IT,
THIS IS A LITTLE TOO MOBILE FOR ME.
I MEAN...
WELL, IT SAYS "NO TRESPASSING." IT DON'T MAKE NO SENSE.
WE BETTER GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE WE GET TRESPASS.
YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.
[ INSECTS CHIRPING ]
âªâª
Patti: WHAT ROAD ARE WE ON?
THAT'S ALL WE NEED.
LET YOU STOP AND ASK DIRECTIONS.
Narrator: ON THE EDGE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO,
PATTI AND DAVID ARE READY
FOR THEIR LAST BOOT LEG OF THE SEASON.
WHOO, WHOO, WHOO, WHOO. THAT'S GOING TO BE SOME COLD SHINE FOR THEM.
DADDY, I'LL HELP YOU. YOU'RE GOING TO THROW YOUR BACK OUT.
ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO BACK YOU IN.
THIS PEPPER SHINE, THIS COULD BE THE CAP OF OUR SEASON.
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL SEASON CHASING THE LOCAL HARVEST...
WHOO!
...PATTI AND DAVID MADE 435 GALLONS OF SHINE.
THOUGH SHORT OF THEIR GALLON GOAL,
THEIR HIGH-PRICE BRANDY'S MADE IT
THEIR MOST PROFITABLE SEASON EVER.
NOW THEY'RE ENDING THE YEAR WITH A 75-GALLON SALE
OF THEIR SIGNATURE JALAPEÃO SHINE
TO A SHRIMP BOAT CAPTAIN IN THE GULF.
THEY SAID TO STAY TO THE LEFT.
TO REACH THEIR BUYER, PATTI AND DAVID
MUST NAVIGATE A LABYRINTH OF TWISTING WATERWAYS,
BUT IN THE BAYOU, A WRONG TURN
COULD SEND THEM HOURS OFF COURSE,
CAUSING THEM TO MISS THEIR DAWN RENDEZVOUS.
OKAY. GO TO THE LEFT.
WHAT ELSE YOU WANT ME TO SAY?
âªâª
YEP. LET'S SEE.
THERE HE IS.
GOOD. -DOING GOOD. HOW ARE YOU DOING?
75 PEPPER SHINE.
TASTE IT AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK.
OOH!
CAJUNS LIKE EVERYTHING HOT.
THERE'S SOME IN THAT LIVE WELL THERE, DADDY.
I APPRECIATE IT.
HERE, DADDY. HUH?
A SOUVENIR. SOUVENIR?
[ LAUGHS ]
WE MADE UP BIG CASH MONEY, DADDY. YOU HAPPY?
BOOM. THAT'S THE END OF THE SEASON.
I KIND OF ENJOYED FOLLOWING THAT HARVEST CYCLE.
THIS YEAR'S REALLY BEEN AN EXPERIMENTAL YEAR FOR US --
FOLLOWED THE HARVEST CYCLE.
AND I AIN'T GOING TO COMPLAIN.
I THINK WE ENDED THE SEASON PRETTY GOOD.
HE'S A PRETTY GOOD OLD FELLA, TOO.
THAT SUCKER'S A HARD WORKER.
I GUESS THAT'S WHERE I GET IT. WE MAKE A PRETTY GOOD TEAM.
I WOULDN'T HAVE NOBODY ELSE OUT THERE WITH ME.
LAST HANDSHAKE FOR THE SEASON.
ALL RIGHT.
AFTER 4:00 OR 5:00.
YOU'RE GETTING OLD. YOUR BLADDER CAN'T HOLD LONG.
[ LAUGHS ]
âªâª
Josh: BIG CHUCK...
I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO GIVE THAT GUY ALL THAT LIQUOR.
WELL, WE GOT TO MEET OUR GUY TONIGHT.
OH, DANG.
ALL THAT MONEY BLOWED UP A BUFFALO'S ASS.
WASTED.
IT'S A SHAME, MAN. A LOT OF LIQUOR.
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, TWO SOUTH CAROLINA SHINERS
ARE HEADED TO THE MOST CRITICAL SALE OF THEIR SEASON.
Josh: THIS HAS DEFINITELY BEEN MY TOUGHEST SEASON BY FAR.
AND RIGHT NOW, WE GOT THIS LAND OWNER
TELLING US THAT IF WE DON'T GIVE HIM $8,000,
WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUR STILL SITE.
I DON'T THINK SO.
Narrator: FAR SHORT OF THEIR SEASON GOAL,
JOSH AND CHUCK PUT EVERYTHING INTO WINTERIZING THEIR SITE
SO THEY COULD KEEP RUNNING THROUGH THE COLD WEATHER.
IS THAT COOL OR WHAT?
THAT THING IS FLYING, AIN'T IT?
BUT WHEN THE LAND OWNER DISCOVERED THEY WERE SHINING
WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION,
HE DECIDED TO CHARGE RENT.
WELL, I AIN'T GOT $8,000 CASH ON ME.
HOW LONG YOU GIVE ME?
NOW THEY'VE GOT LESS THAN 24 HOURS
TO SELL OFF 8 GRAND WORTH OF LIQUOR
OR FACE EVICTION.
Josh: WE'RE REALLY UP AGAINST THE GUN.
IF WE DON'T MAKE THIS SALE
AND THEN GET THIS $8,000 TO THIS DUDE,
THEN MY GOOSE IS COOKED.
âªâª
JUST GOT TO GET THIS GUY'S MONEY, MAN.
DOWN TO THE WIRE.
âªâª
Josh: WE'RE RUNNING A LITTLE LATE. HE SHOULD'VE DONE BEEN HERE.
I DON'T WANT TO BE WAITING ON NOBODY.
I'M A NERVOUS WRECK, YOU KNOW IT?
WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM?
THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEIR LIGHTS ON.
GOD, LIKE A DAMN GHOST, BUDDY.
HOW YOU BEEN?
WHAT THE...
HEY, JOSH. JOSH.
Josh: HEY, DUDE.
WHAT THE...
HEY, JOSH. JOSH. WHAT THE...
YOU CAN'T BE BRINGING NOBODY TO OUR SALES, MAN.
THAT'S [BLEEP] UP.
YOU JUST SCARED THE [BLEEP] OUT OF ME.
I THOUGHT I WAS BUSTED. HUH?
DON'T BE DOING THAT [BLEEP] MAN.
DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN, MAN.
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT?
I AIN'T NEVER HAD NOBODY BRING SOMEBODY TO A SALE BEFORE.
âªâª
WE FINALLY GOT THE MONEY TO PAY THIS GUY OFF.
I'M JUST GLAD HE AIN'T GOING TO STEAL ALL OUR STUFF.
HELL, YEAH.
BUT WE GOT A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF US, MAN.
WE GOT TO PAY HIM, AND WE GOT TO GET THAT PLACE WINTERIZED.
HELL, WE'LL RUN ALL WINTER.
âªâª
IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN OVER HERE.
Digger: FINISHING UP A SUCCESSFUL YEAR, IT NEVER GETS OLD.
END OF THE YEAR, WE ALWAYS GET A LITTLE NOSTALGIC
AND WE LIKE TO REMINISCE A LITTLE BIT.
Narrator: WITH THEIR SEASON OVER, TENNESSEE SHINERS MARK,
DIGGER, AND J.B.
ARE MAKING A PILGRIMAGE TO HALLOWED GROUND.
YEAH.
[ CHUCKLES ]
Ramsey: I TELL YOU WHAT, J.B., ME AND OLD DIGGER,
WE'LL KNOCK A FEW OF THESE WEEDS DOWN,
THEN WE'LL HAVE A DRINK WITH THE OLD MAN.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE OLD MAN NEVER DID LIKE MOWING MUCH.
NO. NOPE.
BOY, I HATE THESE DAMN OLD SLING BLADES.
YEAH, BOY.
Ramsey: POPCORN ALWAYS TOLD US, "DON'T EVER BE SATISFIED.
IF IT'S NOT A BETTER WAY, SIMPLY LOOK FOR AN EASIER WAY."
NEXT SEASON, WE CAN INNOVATE A STILL
TO WHERE IT SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS
OR MAKES A BETTER FLAVOR, THEN BULLY FOR ME.
DIGGER COMES UP WITH A YEAST STRAIN
THAT WORKS OFF FASTER
AND PRODUCES A HIGHER ALCOHOL CONTENT,
BULLY FOR HIM.
HE'LL LIKE THAT.
HERE'S TO YOU, OLD MAN. OLD MAN.
WE MISS YOU.
MOST THE TIME.
[ LAUGHTER ]
YEAH, MOST OF THE TIME.
Popcorn: AND YOU TALKING ABOUT SOME HIGH SHOTS.
I BET YOU MONEY IT'S 190 PROOF.
J.B.: OH, YEAH.
YOU ALL RIGHT, BUDDY?
âªâª
Digger: ANYTIME YOU VISIT SOMEBODY'S GRAVE,
IT ALWAYS BRINGS BACK SOME SAD MEMORIES,
ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE WERE THINGS THAT YOU HAD LEFT UNSAID.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I SAID TO POPCORN THERE
IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, I WISH I HADN'T AND SO DOES J.B.
BUT WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT SOMEBODY TO DIE,
SOMETIMES YOU DON'T BRING THINGS OUT THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE.
[ SNIFFLES ]
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A GOOD ONE, OLD MAN.
THAT OUGHT TO HOLD YOU FOR A WHILE.
THERE YOU GO, OLD MAN.
NOW, IF THAT'S EMPTY WHEN I COME BACK,
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I'LL BE PAYING YOU ANOTHER VISIT OR NOT.
NO.
[ LAUGHTER ]
[ SNIFFLES ]
LET'S GO, OLD BUDDY.
BEFORE WE'RE ALL SQUALLING. YEAH.
BOY, THAT SHOT OF LIQUOR WENT RIGHT STRAIGHT TO MY NOGGIN.
I TELL YOU, WHAT'D YOU PROOF THAT AT?
âªâª
Narrator: AS MOUNTAIN TEMPERATURES PLUMMET,
TWO NORTH CAROLINA SHINERS HAVE NO CHOICE
BUT TO PACK IT IN.
HEAD'S DOWN.
AFTER JEFF, MARK, AND LANCE AGREED
TO DIVIDE THEIR OPERATIONS AND POOL THEIR PROFITS,
JEFF GAVE HIS SON A SHOT AT MAKING ABSINTHE.
BUT WHILE MARK AND NEW PARTNER MIKE
STUCK TO BASICS AND SUCCEEDED...
Mike: DAMN, THAT'S GOOD, SON.
...JEFF AND LANCE'S NEW ALCOHOL DIDN'T GO DOWN SO SMOOTH.
EVEN AFTER GETTING THE RECIPE RIGHT...
...THE SPIRIT'S HIGH PRICE LIMITED IT'S APPEAL.
I TELL YOU, AT THIS RATE, WE'LL STARVE TO DEATH.
WHILE A FEW RUNS OF CORN LIQUOR HELPED CLOSE THE GAP,
JEFF AND LANCE HAD THEIR WORST SEASON TO DATE.
Lance: YEP.
Mark: AND IT'S BEEN THE BEST SEASON I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME.
YEAH.
NO.
Jeff: I DON'T KNOW.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING, MARK.
REALLY HATE TO LOSE MARK.
WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS OUR ENTIRE LIFE.
IT'S LIKE SEEING YOUR BROTHER LEAVE.
âªâª
HEY, BUDDY. HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?
FINE. I'M HERE, MAN.
I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH US.
THANK YOU.
Narrator: WITH THE LAND OWNER PAID OFF,
SOUTH CAROLINA SHINERS JOSH AND CHUCK
CAN GET BACK TO THE TASK AT HAND --
WINTERIZING THEIR SITE.
WE'RE BROKE. [ CHUCKLES ]
STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN.
WE'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF WINTERIZING TO DO
SO WE CAN RUN ALL WINTER, BUT IT'S A GAMBLE.
WE COULD EITHER PUT THEM LONG WAYS OR LONG WAYS THIS WAY.
JUST DEPENDS HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FIT.
Josh: WE'RE FINALLY IN THE CLEAR,
BUT OLD MAN WINTER'S BREATHING DOWN MY NECK,
AND WE REALLY NEED TO GET THIS MASH ROOM BUILT.
Narrator: BEFORE INSTALLING THE ALTERNATOR TO GENERATE POWER,
JOSH AND CHUCK ARE BUILDING AN INSULATED ROOM
TO STORE THEIR MASH.
WE GONNA MOVE ALL OUR MASH BARRELS DOWN HERE,
AND WE'RE GONNA LINE OUR MASH BARRELS UP NICE AND NEAT.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE SOME 2x4s,
AND WE'RE GONNA FRAME THIS UP.
I KNOW IT AIN'T PERFECT, BUT I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP]
I JUST WANT TO GET IT DONE.
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANOTHER DAY TO SPARE.
IF IT WAS TO TURN INTO FRIGID TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT,
THEN MY MASH WOULD BE RUINED.
I HIT MY FINGER!
YOU WISH YOU HAD A FINGER TO HIT.
Narrator: YEAST GOES DORMANT WHEN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES
FALL BELOW 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
BUT JOSH'S NEW MASH ROOM
WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN 500 GALLONS OF MASH
AT AN EVEN 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
PROVIDED THEY GET THE ALTERNATOR WORKING.
A FEW MORE TACKS HERE OR THERE,
GET THE WHEEL GOING, WE'RE IN BUSINESS.
Josh: AFTER WE FINISH MAKING THE MASH ROOM,
THE LAST STEP IS TO GET ELECTRICITY TO HEAT THAT ROOM.
IF EVERYTHING WORKS LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO,
WE COULD MAKE MASH ALL WINTER LONG.
THIS OLD LANTERN HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS I BELIEVE, BOY.
ALL RIGHT, BIG CHUCK.
WE JUST GOT TO TACK THAT SPROCKET IN PLACE
SO IT QUITS SPINNING ON THE AXLE.
[BLEEP] WE'LL HAVE POWER.
TODAY WE FORGOT OUR WELDING HELMET AND OUR WELDER,
BUT WE GOT SOME CAR BATTERIES AND A COUPLE 70-18 WELDING RODS.
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL SEE WHAT WE GET COOKING HERE.
WELL, THIS IS NOT YOUR USUAL WAY OF WELDING.
AIN'T NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT WORK.
Narrator: JOSH IS WELDING THE PULLEY TO THE ALTERNATOR SHAFT.
AS THE WATER WHEEL ROTATES,
THE ATTACHED PULLEY WILL TURN THE ALTERNATOR,
GENERATING ELECTRIC POWER.
COME ON.
COME ON, YOU BASTARD.
THAT'S IT. OH, YEAH.
WE'RE GETTING IT, MAN.
A MOONSHINER HAS TO BE A JACK OF ALL TRADES.
THAT'S GOING TO WORK PERFECT.
HE HAS TO BE ABLE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.
THAT'S JUST PART OF BEING AN OLD COUNTRY BOY.
ONCE THAT WHEEL STARTS SPINNING, WE SHOULD HAVE POWER.
THIS LIGHT'S GOING TO LIGHT UP RIGHT HERE.
THAT'S WHAT I BOUGHT THAT LIGHT BULB FOR.
LISTEN, I'M GOING TO RUN UP HERE
AND BUST THIS DAM LOOSE REAL QUICK.
YOU HOLLER WHEN SHE STARTS WORKING.
ALL RIGHT.
THIS IS IT.
WE'VE WORKED OUR DAMN ASSES OFF, AND WE BUILT ALL THIS.
WE SPENT ALL THIS TIME AND MONEY ON THIS PROJECT,
AND, WELL, IF THIS DON'T WORK, THERE'S NO PLAN "B."
I JUST BROKE THE DAM LOOSE ON OUR WATER.
SHE'S FLOWING NOW.
COME ON, BABY. COME ON.
âªâª
COME ON, BABY.
Narrator: COMING UP, SOUL SEARCHING IN VIRGINIA.
Tickle: I KNOW I JUST LET YOU DOWN.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONE THING --
AIN'T NOTHING LIKE TAKING A DUMP IN YOUR OWN TOILET, MAN.
[ LAUGHS ] I MEAN, REALLY.
SIT ON THIS JAIL TOILET, AIN'T GOT NO LID ON IT.
THERE'S TWO OTHER GUYS IN THE CELL WITH YOU.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO DOOR OR ANYTHING THERE.
SO YOU'RE JUST USING THE BATHROOM RIGHT THERE,
AND THERE'S TWO OTHER GUYS RIGHT THERE.
YEAH, THERE'S TWO OTHER GUYS RIGHT THERE.
YOU KNOW? YEAH.
I MEAN, EVERYBODY TRIES TO USE THE BATHROOM
BEFORE THEY LOCK YOU DOWN AT NIGHT,
BUT SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW...
THE OLD SAYING [BLEEP] HAPPENS, RIGHT?
YEAH.
IT'S TRUE.
[ LAUGHS ]
Josh: SHE'S FLOWING NOW.
Chuck: COME ON, BABY. COME ON.
âªâª
Josh: THAT'S WORKING PERFECT.
COOL. OH, THIS IS WORKING GREAT.
WE GOT D/C POWER, A/C POWER. WE CAN RUN ELECTRIC PUMP.
WE CAN RUN BATTERY-OPERATED PUMPS.
WELD.
[ LAUGHS ]
NO [BLEEP] RIGHT?
IF I START SOMETHING, I GOT TO FINISH IT.
IF A JOB'S WORTH DOING, IT'S WORTH DOING RIGHT.
YOU CAN'T CUT ANY CORNERS.
ALL RIGHT, BIG CHUCK. LET ME PLUG A HEATER IN.
WE'RE GOOD, MAN. SO WE GOT POWER.
YEAH. SHE'S BUZZING.
HOT DAMN. WE'RE DONE. WE DONE IT.
Narrator: JOSH AND CHUCK'S HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE ENOUGH KILOWATTS
TO POWER SEVERAL LIGHTS AND A SMALL SPACE HEATER.
YEAH, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ALL DAY.
MMM.
OHH!
HEY, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THICK AND THIN, BUDDY.
I CAN'T BELIEVE WE FINALLY PULLED IT OFF.
THAT WAS A LOT OF WORK, THERE.
WE HAD SOME DOWNFALLS TOO, MAN.
IT LITERALLY TOOK ALL SEASON TO GET GOING.
I'LL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST TIME YOU SAID,
"HEY, BIG CHUCK,
WHY DON'T YOU STOP OVER MY HOUSE AND TALK TO ME?"
IF I'D HAVE KNOWN THAT ALL THIS [BLEEP]
WAS GOING TO COME WITH THAT CONVERSATION,
I'D HAVE PROBABLY NEVER COME OVER AND TALKED TO YOU.
IT'S BEEN A HARD ROAD TO HOE, HASN'T IT?
AWE, MAN. WE WORKED OUR ASSES OFF.
ALL IN ALL, I HAD A GOOD TIME, MAN.
I HAD FUN.
IT HASN'T BEEN EASY COME, THOUGH.
I KNOW IT.
AT LEAST WE GOT EVERYTHING UP AND RUNNING.
THIS IS A DAMN AWESOME SETUP,
BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO DAMN REINFORCE THIS FLOOR SOME MORE,
GO GET SOME GIANT STAINLESS TANKS,
AND BUILD A BIG-ASS DAMN STILL IN HERE.
I MEAN A DAMN BIG ONE, WHERE WE CAN RUN OFF
DAMN 1,500 GALLONS AT A TIME OR SOMETHING.
YOU COME UP WITH THESE IDEAS,
AND YOU WORK THE [BLEEP] OUT OF ME.
I'LL GO WITH YOU ON THEM.
IF YOU DON'T THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX,
BIG CHUCK, YOU'LL NEVER GET OUT OF IT.
Josh: THIS HAS BEEN MY TOUGHEST SEASON YET.
IT'S BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER,
AND I COME REALLY CLOSE TO QUITTING.
BUT MOONSHINING'S JUST -- WELL, IT'S JUST A PART OF ME.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M NEVER GOING TO QUIT.
Narrator: FROM THE HILLS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
TO THE LOUISIANA BAYOU,
THE APPROACH OF WINTER HAS CLOSED THE CURTAIN
ON ANOTHER SHINE SEASON.
Patti: WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS HERITAGE,
AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT, IS SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY
AND CARRYING ON YOUR HERITAGE.
IT'S CLEAR THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING,
AS FAR AS PICKING THE HARVEST CYCLE, IS WORKING,
SO THAT'S A GOOD, POSITIVE THING FOR NEXT SEASON.
Narrator: WHILE SOME STRUGGLE ON,
OTHER MOONSHINERS USE THE COLD MONTHS AHEAD
AS A TIME FOR REFLECTION...
Ramsey: WE'RE READY TO BE DONE FOR THE SEASON.
IT'S BITTERSWEET. IT'S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, YOU KNOW?
IT'S KIND OF LIKE EMPTY-NEST SYNDROME, I GUESS.
YOU KNOW? IT'S A LITTLE EMOTIONAL FOR US.
Narrator: ...AND A CHANCE TO DEVISE EVEN BIGGER DREAMS FOR NEXT SPRING.
Digger: FOR ME, IT'S NOT THE MONEY.
IT'S TAKING THE CRAFT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.
Narrator: FOR ONE WAYWARD SHINER, THE END OF THE SEASON
MARKS A NEW BEGINNING AND A SHOT AT REDEMPTION.
Tickle: BOY, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.
DO YOU KNOW ONE THING I MISS?
BEING ABLE TO LOOK UP AND SEE THE STARS AND THE MOON.
OH, I KNOW. IT'S BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN LOCKED UP.
YEAH, MAN.
SO DID YOU EVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRAILER HERE?
I DID. IT'S OVER HERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MOM AND POP'S LAND.
HOW DID IT GET OVER THERE? I WAS UP IN JAIL,
AND I WASN'T PAYING THE RENT OVER THERE ON THE PROPERTY.
SO MAMA AND DADDY HAD IT MOVED UP HERE.
THAT'S BETTER THAN SOMEBODY REALLY TAKING IT.
YEAH, THAT'S A REAL GOOD THING.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, SO EVERYTHING'S WORKING OUT.
MM-HMM.
TIM, I'M NOT GOING TO LIE TO YOU.
I GOT TO GO FORWARD IN A POSITIVE WAY.
WELL, I THINK SO, TOO.
YOU'VE BEEN MY BROTHER THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
YEAH. MM-HMM.
I KNOW I JUST LET YOU DOWN BIG TIME WHEN YOU NEEDED ME.
YEAH.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN...
OKAY. ...IF YOU NEED ME.
WELL, IF YOU CAN STAY STRAIGHT, I NEED YOU.
THAT'S WHAT I'M ABOUT NOW.
I'VE LOST TOO MUCH, YOU KNOW, BEING THE WAY I WAS.
OH, YEAH. YOU LOST A WHOLE LOT OF TIME.
WELL, IT'S NOT JUST TIME THAT I LOST, TIM.
YEAH.
I LOST A PIECE OF MYSELF.
I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MANY THINGS I TOOK FOR GRANTED
WHEN I WAS ON THE OUTSIDE.
LITTLE SMALL THINGS, LIKE BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT THE STARS.
FREEDOM IS A HUGE THING
THAT I THINK EVERYBODY TAKES FOR GRANTED.
I'M TIRED OF THE WAY I WAS. YEAH.
AND I WANT TO BE DIFFERENT. IT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO DO.
WELL -- I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU,
AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.
I WANT TO BE STANDING THERE, I GUESS BE THE GUIDE, I GUESS.
YOU KNOW? BUT YOU GOT TO DO IT YOURSELF.
I HAVE NO IDEA IF I COULD DO WHAT TIM'S DOING --
WORKING LEGAL.
ALL I'VE EVER DONE IS BEEN IN THE WOODS.
BUT TO BE HONEST, IT WOULD DO MY HEART A WHOLE LOT OF GOOD
TO BE BACK RUNNING THE STILL WITH TIM AGAIN.
I KNOW YOU'RE HERE TO HELP ME AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
WELL, I'M TRYING.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO HELP ME BECAUSE YOU SAY,
"THAT'S TICKLE AND I NEED TO HELP HIM."
YOU'RE MY BROTHER.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.
TICKLE'S HIGH RISK. HE CAN GET HISSELF IN TROUBLE,
AND HE CAN GET YOU IN TROUBLE REAL FAST.
BUT WE GO WAY BACK.
TICKLE'S A REAL SMART GUY, GOT A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE.
I'VE KIND OF PICKED OUT A JOB FOR HIM.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN HOLD IT TOGETHER,
KEEP HIM POSITIVE IN IT, IN A STRAIGHT LINE,
AND WE CAN PULL THIS THING TOGETHER.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU BE GOOD. ALL RIGHT.