With the Prohibition's ban on alcohol, many socialized together under the disguise of music. Like sharing alcohol at a bar, music became a way people could socialize. Jazz was quite popular at this time, so a nationwide underground nightclub culture was created in the 1920s. Jazz was heavily influenced by moonshine, creating a much-needed party era. After Prohibition, moonshine continued to be a favorite subject of singers and songwriters. 

Moonshiners and moonshine have been muses for songwriters and singers, who wrote folk songs such as the nineteenth-century folk ballad “The Kentucky Moonshiner” and “Good Old Mountain Dew,” Another popular moonshine song is “Copper Kettle” written by Albert Frank Beddoe in 1953 and later sung by Joan Baez(see the video on this page). Bob Dylan also sang “Moonshiner.”

Moonshine is a popular theme across genres. It is a particularly prevalent theme in Country Music: Dolly Parton’s “Daddy’s Moonshine Still” written by Dolly Parton (see on this page).

North Carolina Ramblers and Rosa Lee Carson (1909 – 1992) who was popular in the 1910s and 1920s, and assumed the stage name Moonshine Kate and included moonshine references in many of her songs. Some Country Music superstars even have direct links to the legacy of white lightning. Loretta Lynn’s husband and manager Doolittle Lynn previously made a living as a moonshiner. 

Bootleg recording has obvious connotations to moonshine running. Bootleg recording refers to a video or song that is unauthorized and released illegally just like the illicit moonshine.