Popcorn lives on but now in a rural mountain in northern Tennessee. Even though technically he wasn't a member of "Moonshiners," his life and work inspired the series, which later kept his memory alive throughout its run. Famed Appalachian moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, whose incorrigible bootlegging ways were as out of step with modern times as his hillbilly beard and overalls, took his own life rather than go to prison for making white lightning, his widow says. Sutton's daughter later revealed that Sutton had once told her mother that he would prefer dying than going to jail. He will continue to teach distilling techniques to distillers in North Carolina, as well as his music, which will be featured at both the moonshiners reunion and the Mountain Music Festival. He was well-known in the entertainment industry for his stage name and custom copper stills, and he made a name for himself. As Popcorn once bragged, Im the only man I know of around here thats got a two-inch dick and a six-inch tongue and knows how to use both of em.[pagebreak] . He became well-known as a liquor king well into his 60s. The boy's mother's boyfriend has admitted to beating the child and is expected to face additional charges i too would have enjoyed meeting old popcorn,he was and will always be the man the myth the legend that is popcorn marvin sutton, Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. An incident report filed by the Cocke County Sheriffs Department says that Sutton was discovered dead in his 1982 Ford Fairmont when his wife, Pam Sutton, returned from running errands. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 828.452.4251. We have a lot of people come to Maggie Valley that want to meet Popcorn.. He is buried in the. A popcorn net worth of between one and seven million dollars is estimated for Sutton Popcorn. Filmed in one week in June, 2002, less than seven years before infamous moonshiner Marvin, People have been making moonshine almost since the day water started running downhill,, Attendees of this years Hillbilly Winter Jam kicked off the annual fest with a special, On a frosty Appalachian mountain morning in 1962, 22-year-old Waynesville man Charles. I was wondering if it was the last time the still was going to ever be use, why did they take the time, and hard work to break it down? But this wasnt Santa Clausit was the towns most notorious outlaw, Popcorn Sutton, and he was passing out his annual present: a shiny silver dollar for each cop on the force. Popcorn told him he sold that much all the time and, after bragging about his whiskey and his guns, sent the man away with 80 gallons of his own. When the sugar content of the spirit is too high, the sugar content of the spirit will be too sweet, while too little sugar will cause the spirit to ferment poorly. However, in what has become a Sutton civil war, Regina and her supporters, including Popcorns former girlfriend Ernestine Upchurch, are fighting to get his remains back to his empty grave at the Bend of the River and reclaim his brand name. On November 9, 2010, Hank Williams Jr. announced his partnership with J&M Concepts LLC and widow Pam Sutton to distill and distribute a brand of whiskey named after Sutton that was asserted to follow his legacy. Im here to follow the path of Suttons exhumed bones and unravel the mystery behind this modern-day legend. 4 mos. (February 10, 1944 - December 22, 2010) We were fortunate to have a woman at Lions Dragstrip who was so dedicated that she wanted to preserve the performance of every car that raced down the strip. His self-published autobiography, Me and My Likker, described the amazing journey of moonshine production. He seemed kind and good, not perfect but who is? Drinks for urban drinkers If you want a mason jar to store Popcorn Suttons XXX Tennessee White Whiskey, you can also get it. He was 62 years old. On February 7, 2008, a biker arrived at Popcorns house saying he wanted to buy more than 50 gallons of moonshine. He was selling some stuff. This is likely the event that spurred the internets 1983 search. Popcorn Suttons legal fight to legalize moonshine resulted in his suicide and subsequent criminal prosecution, but it was his legal fight to legalize the spirit that led to his death. Sky Moonshine, the estranged daughter of Sutton, published Daddy: The Story of Marvin Popcorn Sutton. Sutton's memorial grew in spectacle as country music singer Hank Williams Jr. flew in to pay his respects. One night I sit outside the Cocke County fire station, near Popcorns home in Parrotsville, Tennessee, swigging apricot moonshine with the fire chiefs stout, gray-haired wife. The couple had been married for 25 years and had three children together. But the truth is, moonshine is a dangerous health issue and breeds other crime. Popcorns attire rarely varied: overalls, a flannel shirt and gray brimmed hat, occasionally adorned with a squirrel tail. He was handed down light charges at the time, netting nothing more than probation. He was convicted of moonshining and illegal firearm possession offenses and was scheduled to report to federal prison in March 2009, but he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. Manhunt: What happened to Colin Sutton? Where is he now? As industrious about marketing his booze as he was about making it, Popcorn spent decades traveling the South, stealthily pawning jars from the back of his vintage rides. View the web story version of this article here. Could it still be set up, as a shrine monument?? "He tried every way in the world to get them (federal authorities) to leave him on house arrest," she said. The two made a deal to open Popcorn Sutton Distilling and sell his whiskey on the open market, taxes and all. He always lived a death-before-dishonor kind of life." During a fire in one of Suttons properties in 2007, firefighters discovered a large cache of untaxed liquor hidden in the attic. Popcorn Suttons wife, Maybelle, died in 2012 after a long illness. But while the cops may not have pursued his bootlegging aggressively, Popcorn got himself in hot water nonetheless. His wife reported that he had once told her that he would do this, rather than go to jail. That man went out in a blaze of glory, and flipping his finger as we went," she said. All Rights Reserved. While his standard moonshine tasted like sweet, buttery corn, his infusionspears, peaches, figs, black cherriescemented his greatness. The federal govt. What does this report reveal about the states with the most moonshiners? Originally, he was buried in an isolated plot in western North Carolina near the graves of his parents. In 1999, he launched his self-published autobiography, 'Me and My Likker,' which also chronicled the incredible journey of moonshine production. The new law wasnt enacted to honor Popcorns legend, though. He gained fame as a moonshiner and bootlegger in the United States at a time when illicit businesses were the norm. Popcorn Suttons moonshine was renowned for its high quality, and he was known for his careful and traditional methods of production. He often bragged that he ran more whiskey than Jack Daniel. He detailed his brew-making exploits in the book Me and My Likker, and in a self-produced video The Last Run of Likker Ill Ever Make. Hes even been known to autograph Mason jars of moonshine. The couple had three children together, but Popcorn Suttons moonshining operation often took him away from home for long periods of time. Helps Continue Popcorn Sutton's Moonshine Legacy", "Popcorn Sutton's whiskey goes legit with Hank Williams Jr.'s stamp of approval", "Hank Williams, Jr. Gets into the Moonshine Business", "Jack Daniel's in legal fight with small distiller", Dickel master distiller leaving to head Popcorn Sutton, "Sazerac Expanding into Tennessee Whiskey with Distillery Purchase", "Hank Tips a Hat and a Glass To Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey", "Another Dickel Distiller, Alisa Henley, Leaves for Popcorn Sutton", Obituary Of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, A Tennessee Moonshiner, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Popcorn_Sutton&oldid=1131948838, People from Maggie Valley, North Carolina, Articles with dead external links from October 2010, Articles with dead external links from May 2013, Short description is different from Wikidata, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from September 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Sutton's long-estranged daughter Sky Sutton wrote a self-published book in 2009 entitled, Some of the prior Hutcheson documentary footage of Sutton was used in the 201112 season of the, A brief photographic book about Sutton was released in 2012 , Another Hutcheson documentary about Sutton was released in 2014 called, This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 15:01. Then there was the alleged attack on Willie Ferguson, a local musician who reportedly made the mistake of crossing Popcorn. "All the rest of them that I know are dead," Sutton said in the profane, not-for-primetime clip. But as Popcorn discovered, the buyers were federal agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Americas most notorious moonshiner was under arrest. Per NBC News, the famed moonshiner and bootlegger Popcorn Sutton died by suicide, possibly to avoid serving time in federal prison. Seussian contraptions of barrels and metal tubing, Popcorns stills could be set up and dismantled quickly at the riverside, just in case the cops screeched up. He honed the perfection of the craft, much like his father and grandfather had before him. I enjoyed watching his video it was entertaining to watch this man a Legend from the past a way of life how he fed and took care of his family. Throughout his life, Sutton proudly held on to his Scotch-Irish American ethnicity and boasted about the fact that he had moonshining in his blood. Popcorn Suttons real name is Marvin Sutton. Popcorn Sutton and his moonshine: 6 surprising facts (with pictures) He published the book at his junk shop in Maggie Valley. Marvin was a kind of cultural icon and an embodiment of moonshine yore when it comes to producing the liquor. Sutton was arrested by an undercover police officer in 2008 after he admitted to storing large amounts of illegal alcohol in another location. 'Moonshiner' Josh Owens Is Seemingly Prone to Injury, Here's Exactly How the 'Moonshiners' Avoid Getting Arrested. If Suttons prison sentence seems light considering his many crimes, it was in part due to his age. Paul Stanley (born Stanley Bert Eisen; January 20, 1952) is an American musician who is the co-founder, frontman, rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss.He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's most popular songs. His daughter claimed that he had told her in advance that he would kill himself rather than go to jail. He was eating a piece of Blueberry pie. I picked one up and realized the man sitting in the corner bye himself was the Legend ! Interestingly, just a year after Sutton died, moonshining was legalized in the US. Over the course of his infamous career, Sutton faced a number of criminal complaints and convictions for moonshine-related crimes. And the skirmishes continue: After his daughter Regina fulfilled his lifelong wish by burying him next to his parents at the Bend of the River, Pam Sutton exhumed his remains and buried him back in her own front yard at an elaborate ceremony attended by many, including Hank Williams Jr. Over a jar of moonshine at Popcorns cabin, Pam tells me with tearful eyes that his grave site had been getting desecrated, and she wanted him close to home. On December 1, 2021, a long illness claimed the life of a dear friend. He was a folk hero. Even in death his battles wage on: Popcorns whiskey recently became available legally for the first time, but a family feud over his legacy shows no signs of resolution. But the young cop, whod seen the ravaging effects of drugs and alcohol on the locals, didnt comply. Here are six interesting facts about his life that might just surprise you. View the profiles of people named Pam Sutton. Sutton was found at the age of 62 in his parked green Ford Fairmont with the engine running. Through it all, there was just one thing that guided him: his likker (as he liked to spell it). hates you. Its empty. My mother-in-law Pam Sutton suffered a massive stroke on 9/15/22. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On March 16, 2009, the 48-year-old Sutton committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the report, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama have the most moonshiners, with a combined total of 1,634 stills seized by law enforcement. Sutton's last arrest followed a raid in which authorities found nearly 1,700 gallons of moonshine in Parrottsville and a storage unit in Maggie Valley, N.C., three stills, supplies, firearms and ammunition. Pam Sutton: The Wife Of A Moonshining Legend | Popcorn Carnival However, she and her father were not very close. Sutton was convicted of tax evasion after his property was damaged by fire in 2007. "[3] His daughter said he had told her in advance that he would die by suicide rather than go to jail, adding that he had "the strength to die the way he lived: according to his own wishes and no one else's. moonshine must be made from cracked corn, and the kernels must be large enough to break down into sugar during fermentation. Who died on Moonshiners? - Biography Research They had two daughters. We dont plan to change that model. Moonshiners distillers JB and Bill from Connelly Springs, NC, are now teaching their distilling techniques in both states. Famed Appalachian moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, whose incorrigible bootlegging ways were out of step with modern times, took his own life rather than go to prison, his widow says. Sutton was first interred at a family graveyard in Mount Sterling, North Carolina. They aint no damn body that can beat me making likker. And, in the end, he chose to die rather than get beat. It received a 2009 Southeast Emmy Award. Some Popcorn Sutton branded products can still be purchased directly from the original company. He wore a long gray beard, faded overalls, checkered shirt and feathered fedora. His widow, Pam, told the outlet that he'd just received a letter to report to prison for an 18-month sentence for illegally distilling spirits, as well as felony possession of a firearm. He was really just a back hill shiner. Popcorn had just one question for the stranger. Her family includes her husband Dean Sutton of 39 years, son Ian Sutton, daughter Bess Wimer, brother LaRue Breasette, Sister Brenda Oswald, and son Rick Oswald. Probably because its still illegal to make shine. Months before his conviction, Sutton reportedly had a mental breakdown after being diagnosed with cancer. [24] He had also prepared a footstone in advance for his gravesite, and for years he had kept it by his front porch and had kept his casket ready in his living room. is pam sutton still alive - Hansmoeskraal.com The charges also included tax evasion and transportation of an illegal substance. "You might say he embodied a kind of Appalachian archetype, a character trait of fearlessness and fierce loyalty to regional identity even in the face of personal persecution and stereotyping," said Ted Olson, a regional writer and faculty member in East Tennessee State University's Department of Appalachian Studies. "He did it his way. But Popcorn, who seemed unusually sullen to Grosser, had other plans. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Though distilling moonshine is illegal, that doesn't stop the Discovery Channel from glorifying the concept in its docudrama series Moonshiners. [36] The lawsuit said that the design "is likely to cause purchasers and prospective purchasers of the product to believe mistakenly that it is a new Tennessee white whiskey product in the Jack Daniel's line." [35] According to press reports, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey would be initially distributed in Tennessee and throughout the southeast. Several seasons ago, Cutie Pie almost died after getting bit by a snake while exploring a possible still site with Josh, who had to rush her to the nearest veterinarian office. When she was just sixteen, Pam married Popcorn Sutton, a man eighteen years her senior. The fire tipped authorities off that Popcorn was still at it, and wasnt merely producing the occasionall jar here and there but cranking out hundreds of gallons. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the most interesting monsters mentioned on Travel Channel's Mountain Monsters (media photo from Travel Channel, werewolf rendering from Adobe stock), The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is one of the main attractions in Bryson City, North Carolina (photo by Alaina O'Neal/TheSmokies.com), I would love to have drank some of his moonshine ll0, I wud love to have met Popcorn. [7], Sutton was featured in the 2007 documentary Hillbilly: The Real Story on The History Channel. Popcorn Sutton Whiskey, Once Moonshine, Is Now Legal - The New York Times "Of course he did. Even though he is no longer alive, his legacy of moonshine production lives on. This is one of the internets most popular searches about Sutton. In 2009, he committed suicide to avoid going to jail, and because of his cancer diagnosis, he died. As a result, the judge had reason to show him leniency. Son, he asked, do you eat pussy? However, prior to his death, she had not seen him in years. [37] In July 2016, it was announced Allisa Henley, long time employee and Master Distiller at George Dickel, would join John Lunn at Popcorn Sutton Distilling. Join Facebook to connect with Pamela Sutton and others you may know. Pam Sutton - Lions Automobilia Foundation As Sutton's business continued to flourish, he got involved in several legal issues, such as selling untaxed liquor, possessing controlled substances, and assaulting with a deadly weapon (between 1981 and 1985). His widow, Pam, told the outlet that he'd just received a letter to report to prison for an 18-month sentence for illegally distilling spirits, as well as felony possession of a firearm. Pam St. Clement was born on May 21, 1942 and is 80 years old now. Others view him as a criminal. He was convicted of moonshining and illegal firearms possession as a result of his moonshining conviction. In a move to perhaps cement his legendary status for all of eternity, Popcorn Sutton committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning just days before his federal prison term was scheduled to begin in 2009. He was a part of the 2002 Neal Hutcheson film Moon moonshine, which focused on the illegal moonshine trade. However, he always received only probation sentences. Personally I think they should have left him alone and focus on what there real job is he didn't hurt nobody. [39] Copper stills for the facility were made by Vendome Copper and Brass in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents lived in a wooden house in a mountain perched beside a tumbling stream.
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