Tim Smith from Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners” reveals the incredible true story of how he became the face of modern moonshining on national television—and how he manages to stay out of jail while doing it. After a producer from McGill Entertainment showed up at his house looking for his father (who refused to participate and later passed away), Tim called back two months later and offered to show them the 300-year tradition that helped build America. He explains the fundamental economics of moonshining: no taxes, customized products tailored to established customers, and pure profit margins that legal distilleries can’t match. Unlike legal alcohol sitting on shelves relying on “pretty labels,” moonshine is sold through pre-existing relationships where the product is already contracted before it’s even made. Tim has never been arrested despite being on television because he follows one simple rule—only show where you were, never where you are or will be.
The interview takes fascinating turns as Tim reveals the extreme measures he takes to maintain his secrecy while starring in a reality show. He uses alias names, has no social media presence, no internet connection, and had to drive 12 miles just to get cell service for this interview. Tim explains how moonshining falls under multiple jurisdictions—local, state, federal, and specialized agencies like the ATF—but law enforcement can only arrest you in the act of committing a crime, not for what you did last year in a different location. He dismisses concerns about the IRS with a wry observation about accountability and knowing who you are, suggesting his hidden lifestyle protects him even while appearing on television. Tim’s operation continues a legacy passed down from his father, serving customers who have been buying for years in a cash business that exists entirely outside the system—proving that in America, some traditions are impossible to regulate away.