Eric Manes' bio: Digger from Moonshiners' wife, illness, net worth, funeral home
Eric Manes has been on the Moonshiners docudrama show on the Discovery Channel (USA) since its debut on 6 December 2011. The docuseries follows people who brew moonshine, an illicitly distilled alcohol in the US. Eric is among the legal moonshine distillers who keep centuries-old traditions alive. Explore Eric Manes' bio to learn more about his life.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Eric Manes' biography
- Facts about Eric "Digger" Manes
- FAQs
- Where do Mark and Digger live?
- Does Mark and Digger have wives?
- What does Eric "Digger" Manes' wife do for a living?
- Is Eric Manes still alive?
- How old are Mark and Digger Manes?
- What do Mark and Digger do for a living?
- Is Digger from Moonshiners terminally ill?
- What was Diggers from Moonshiners diagnosed with?
- Where do Moonshiners live?
- Are Mark and Digger a couple?
- Who is the most wanted moonshiner?
- Who died on Moonshiners?
- Who is the most famous moonshiner?
Key takeaways
- It is unclear how Eric Manes from the Moonshiners show earned the nickname Digger, which he might have had from a young age.
- Digger has been in the business for about 40 years, producing a variety of fine qualities of brews and wines.
- He makes moonshines in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Profile summary
| Full name | Eric Manes |
| Nickname | Digger |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth year | February 20, 1964 |
| Age | 61 (as of June 2025) |
| Birthplace | Newport, Tennessee, USA |
| Residence | Newport, Tennessee, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height | 6'0" (183 cm) |
| Hair/eye | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Children | 1 |
| Profession | Moonshiner, embalmer, TV personality, and entrepreneur |
| Famous TV show | Discovery Channel's Moonshiners show |
| Years active | 2015 (season 4) - present |
| Business partner | Mike Ramsey |
| Net worth | $300K (approx.) |
| @markanddigger | |
| @markanddigger |
Eric Manes' biography
Eric Manes, also known as "Digger" is a celebrity moonshiner who is famous for his role on the Discovery Channel show called Moonshiners.
What is Digger Manes' real name?
The American celebrity's real name is Eric Manes.
What is Eric Manes' age?
The TV personality is 61 years old as of June 2025. He was born on 20 February 1964 in Newport, Tennessee, USA.
What is the highest level of Eric Manes' education?
Eric keeps his education private. Nevertheless, his skills make it evident that the Discovery Channel's TV personality is well-educated.
Eric "Digger" Manes' wife and children
Digger has been married to Allison Metcalf Manes since June 16, 2004. They have a son named Beck Manes who was born in April 2005. Allison Metcalf frequently accompanies her husband to various moonshining events.
What does Eric "Digger" Manes' wife do for a living?
Eric Digger’s wife runs a clothing boutique called the Fruit Jar Alley in Newport, Tennessee's sleepy, smoky mountain town.
Source: UGC
Career history
Eric Manes was a teenager when he joined his father's funeral parlour. He would help his dad with embalming, and with time, Eric got a license.
Growing up, he was drawn to moonshiners around his home and decided to venture into the business for experience, not money. Later, it became a reliable job and source of income.
Eric Manes was mentored by Popcorn Sutton, a legendary American moonshiner and bootlegger who ended his life by carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2009, aged 62.
Sutton killed himself to avoid imprisonment after being convicted of offences related to moonshining and illegal firearm possession.
Popcorn encouraged Manes to join the Moonshiners show on Discovery Channel, but Sutton was dead when Eric joined the show.
Manes first appeared on the show in 2015, during its fourth season. As he continued to explore the industry, he perfected his moonshine brewing craft—typically made from corn, sugar, and water—and even became Mark Ramsey's business partner.
Digger Manes and Mark Ramsey share the same passion and enthusiasm for moonshining. The two have partnered on several projects, including a 2015 collaboration with Sugarland's Distilling Company.
Besides the Moonshiners, Digger has appeared in other shows like Moonshiners: Shiners on Shine and the Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund. Nonetheless, the Discovery Channel's Moonshiners show remains his most famous.
Source: UGC
Eric Manes' businesses
Digger sells moonshine beer and wine supplies from his store, The Back Alley Grainery. He opened the business in 2018 with his distilling partner, Mark Ramsey.
The duo have developed innovative techniques and ways to develop unique products. Mark & Digger’s Hazel Nut Rum and the Apple Rye Brandy are some of their liquor brands.
Does Digger from Moonshiners own a funeral home?
Eric Digger's Manes Funeral Home, Inc., is in Newport, Tennessee, USA. He grew up watching and helping his dad run the place. Before he became a moonshiner and reality TV star, Eric worked as a licensed embalmer at his father's funeral home.
What is Digger Manes's net worth?
Eric "Digger" Manes’ net worth is around $300,000. Besides having worked as a licensed embalmer and moonshiner for decades, Manes has been featured on Discovery Channel's Moonshiners show for over eight years.
Digger has been running his liquor business with his partner, Mark Ramsey, for almost six years. He has earned a fortune through his career and business.
How much do the Moonshiners get paid per episode?
The cast members of the Discovery Channel's docudrama show earn $30,000 per episode as per Life and Style Magazine.
Source: UGC
Is Digger from Moonshiners dying?
Eric "Digger" Manes revealed to his co-star, Mark Ramsay, on the Moonshiners season 13 premiere that he had little time left. After the episode aired, Digger clarified via Facebook on 3 January 2024 that the episode made his illness look more severe than it was. Part of his post read:
Hey guys Digger here… I want to follow up with the news that the show aired tonight. The production company did film Mark and myself when I gave him the news after I first received my diagnosis of Leukemia. We only see the episodes when everyone else does so we don’t know what exactly they have on film or even what of it they use in the Final Cut.
What is Digger from Moonshiners' illness?
The Discovery Channel television personality is suffering from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). His Facebook post on 3 January 2024 continued to say:
After more extensive tests my definite diagnosis is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia a condition that is not terminal (ain’t no fun though) probably will just make me miserable until something else kills me! Your prayers you’ve extended are more than welcomed and felt. Keep em coming! God is always in control! Continue to watch this season Shine On! Love Y’All!
Most fans who commented on the post were delighted to know that Eric Manes' sickness was not terminal.
Does Eric Manes have a blood disease?
Eric Manes' disease, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Although his condition is not terminal, it can get worse over time.
Source: UGC
Facts about Eric "Digger" Manes
- He works as a licensed embalmer when not shooting the Moonshiners docuseries for Discovery Channel.
- Eric carries the craftsmanship of his mentor, Popcorn Sutton, forward with distinctly delicious recipes.
- Digger sometimes feels frustrated that making moonshine is illegal in the US because he grew up learning how to do it.
- Manes finds it somewhat offensive that he is often labelled a criminal for making moonshine.
- He believes there's no shame in making illegal moonshine to put food on the table and keep a roof over one's head.
FAQs
Where do Mark and Digger live?
These moonshine distilling partners live in Newport, Tennessee, USA.
Does Mark and Digger have wives?
Mark Ramsey's wife is called Sally Jane Clark. Digger also has a spouse but has never shared her name with the public.
What does Eric "Digger" Manes' wife do for a living?
Eric Digger’s wife runs a clothing boutique called the Fruit Jar Alley in Newport, Tennessee's sleepy, smoky mountain town.
Is Eric Manes still alive?
Yes, he is still alive.
How old are Mark and Digger Manes?
There is very little information regarding Mark Ramsey's true age. However, both reality TV stars are assumed to be in their early 60s.
What do Mark and Digger do for a living?
The two are moonshiners. They also operate a liquor business together.
Is Digger from Moonshiners terminally ill?
No, he said that his condition is not terminal.
What was Diggers from Moonshiners diagnosed with?
He was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Where do Moonshiners live?
They live in Newport, Tennessee.
Are Mark and Digger a couple?
Eric Digger and Mark Ramsey, the Moonshiners cast members on Discovery Channel, are only business partners and great friends. Through their moonshine brewing skills, they have co-founded several liquor brands. Moreover, their shared Facebook account shows a committed friendship and partnership.
Who is the most wanted moonshiner?
Tim Smith, a cast member of Discovery Channel's Moonshiners, is America's most wanted moonshiner. Both law enforcement and alcohol enthusiasts are after him because his liquor is among the best in the world. Smith pot-distills his whiskey like his family has done for many generations.
Who died on Moonshiners?
Jim Tom Hedrick, a Discovery Channel's Moonshiners docudrama cast member, died of kidney cancer on 6 September 2023, aged 82.
Who is the most famous moonshiner?
Eric "Digger" Manes' mentor, Popcorn Sutton, was the most famous personality in modern moonshiner in the US until he died in 2009. As a young man, Eric was introduced to the local moonshine expert and mastered the trade through hands-on experience.
Eric Manes' bio is anything but ordinary. An American TV personality and moonshine legend, he began his career as an embalmer in his father's funeral home. He later rose to fame as a cast member of the Discovery Channel's Moonshiners docuseries, capturing the world's attention with his unique journey.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
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