SHINE & IRON

M nshiners and Motorcycles

I have been out and about enjoying my new “Celebrity “ status as a Moonshiners Master Distiller. I just attended the Winter Hillbilly Jam in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Many of the Moonshiners and Master Distillers from the Discovery Channel show were in attendance. The evening events were held at The Smoky Falls Lodge and Valley Tavern on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Saturday Afternoon, A Meet-N-Greet event was held at The Elevated Mountain Distillery. Many of the Moonshiners and Master Distillers set up a booths to sign autographs, sell merchandise and take photos with their fans. People came from all over the United States for the event. I spoke with people who had traveled from Texas, California, Florida, and Nebraska. The Meet-N- Greet event at Elevated Mountain Distillery was a fund raiser for Paws, a local no kill animal shelter. The $3 admission to the event and donated items auctioned went to the shelter. Over $5000 were raised for the shelter. Being a mechanic by trade, I spent some time talking with Tom Sarmento, the lead mechanic for the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard TV series that aired from 1979-1985. He kept all the cars from the TV show in working order. He said that over 300 General Lee cars were used on the set and only a few have survived. He drove one down to the Meet-N-Greet. “Moonshiner Kelly”, Kelly Williamson spoke about his new distillery called Adventure Distilling Company in Cosby, TN and announced the grand opening will be June 10th. He will have the Ryan Perry Band. It will be the Popcorn Sutton Jam Weekend Pre-Party kick-off event. The Adventure Distilling Company will be a great ride destination. The Summer Hillbilly Jam will be held July 22-24th. The event will have vendors, bands and of course, Moonshiners and Master Distillers, and a large car and bike show. They also have a Veterans Ride that ends at the festival grounds on Saturday. Rooms are booking fast, so make your reservations. Don’t miss out on the party of the year! Shine On and Ride Safe TRO “Moonshiner Doug”