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. The story of the life of Popcorn Sutton shows that Americans are still not really free! I bought a couple items and he talked to me. Pam Sutton had that steadfast determination and through her incredible penmanship, we can still see just how fast and who won and who . I can brag about one thing, Popcorn once said in his thick Southern drawl. Even when he came to federal court, he was wearing bib overalls. Pam was a loving wife and mother who was always there for her family. He had a wood burning stove inside. On October 25, 2013, Tennessee whiskey brand Jack Daniel's Properties sued Popcorn Sutton's whiskey brand for copying their newly redesigned bottle. The charges also included tax evasion and transportation of an illegal substance. 1. "And then he got into it in such a big way. When he took it back home what happen to it?? We have found 168 people in the UK with the name Pamela Sutton. Sutton was first interred at a family graveyard in Mount Sterling, North Carolina. In 2012, Hillbilly Hero and Tom Wilson Jester teamed up to release a photographic book about Sutton, 'The Making and Marketing.' 4 mos. [3] In the 1960s or 1970s, Sutton was given the nickname of "Popcorn" after his frustrated attack on a bar's faulty popcorn vending machine with a pool cue. DK. Back then, he lived on Snowbird Mountain. 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. He went to his grave in a pine casket he bought years ago and kept in a bedroom. On October 24, 2009, his body was moved to his Parrottsville estate. He always stayed true to his craft, Upchurch tells me, which was making liquor. But the young cop, whod seen the ravaging effects of drugs and alcohol on the locals, didnt comply. They should have been focused on crimes that out weighed hi. His wife reported that he had once told her that he would do this, rather than go to jail. Told to report to prisonSutton's widow said he'd just gotten a letter to report Friday to a medium-security federal prison in south Georgia to begin an 18-month sentence for illegally producing distilled spirits and being a felon in possession of a gun. Authorities suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. 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. But Popcorn had fallen on hard times and ended up drinking and talking with Grosser for days. On February 7, 2008, a biker arrived at Popcorns house saying he wanted to buy more than 50 gallons of moonshine. In addition to being a wife and mother, Pam also worked as a waitress and a cook to help make ends meet. He later paid him back with liquor. I can't be the only one that misses Popcorn Sutton.I would have loved to pick his brain. Pamela Anderson is alive and well. He was a moonshiner and bootlegger from the United States Appalachian region. Sutton also produced a home video of the same name, which he released on VHS tape. I dont want moonshine to die with me, he told Grosser as they stood near the casket that Popcorn kept in his house for his final day. "[21][22], Sutton's body was initially interred at a family graveyard in Mount Sterling, North Carolina. An hour after Grosser left the cabin with his paperwork, Popcorn built his final contraption. Born In: Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States, place of death: Parrottsville, Tennessee, United States, See the events in life of Popcorn Sutton in Chronological Order, (American Appalachian Moonshiner and Bootlegger), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tyS_HvhtyU&list=PLHk8dXrmYkn-hhIVi9dwmgJzD4v1sr35c&index=2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13PsE_rQ74k, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohiSPSoG8tY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glQjCKAI4gA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfUDVqWMhWs&list=FL8CkDIqZ9eTNus6-gghDO_w&index=24. 'Moonshiner' Josh Owens Is Seemingly Prone to Injury, Here's Exactly How the 'Moonshiners' Avoid Getting Arrested. He is buried in the. A few hours earlier she had buried Sutton, 62, in a private ceremony in the mountains around Haywood County, N.C., where he grew up. The new law wasnt enacted to honor Popcorns legend, though. [4] The source footage from the 2002 documentary was also re-worked into another Hutcheson documentary, The Last One, which was released in 2008 and was broadcast on PBS. 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. The lawsuit was settled in 2014 with undisclosed terms,[37] and as of May 2016, the Sutton brand's bottle design has been substantially changed. Bill, who played guitar and harmonica on the show, died in early 2019 after a lengthy battle with cancer. 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. But the real question isnt what he did in 1983 its about the many bouts with the law throughout the 1970s, 1980s and early 2000s. Bell Mary. moonshine must be made from cracked corn, and the kernels must be large enough to break down into sugar during fermentation. But how well do you really know the legend of Popcorn Sutton? He would sell a gallon of alcohol for just 6 dollars. He'd gotten probation before, but U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer said he couldn't do that again, despite Sutton's age and physical infirmities. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/popcorn-sutton-46282.php. As part of his undercover investigation, an undercover federal officer discovered that Sutton had 500 gallons of moonshine in his possession. Suttons exhumed body was transported via horse-drawn carriage to his property in Parrotsville, Tenn., where he remains today. I dont believe it or not, but the vast majority of it happened in the last few decades. His body was carried to its new resting spot by horse and carriage. Pam creates handmade art glass and jewelry. [40] The CEO of Popcorn Sutton Distilling is Megan Kvamme. Pam St. Clement was born on May 21, 1942 and is 80 years old now. With all his knowledge about shine and his love for animals, especially cats, that makes him number one in my book. "I think most people have a warm feeling for him, but he bragged so much about it (moonshining)," Irwin said. Buyers came from miles around to sample his goods, and Popcorns celebrity grew. On March 16, 2009, the 48-year-old Sutton committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. A small memorial was also held for close friends and family. [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." Pass the Mountain Dew! A third-generation moonshiner, born in 1946, Popcorn spent his life distilling the secret recipe for corn whiskey that his Scotch-Irish forefathers brought over centuries ago. But Popcorn, who seemed unusually sullen to Grosser, had other plans. 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 gained fame as a moonshiner and bootlegger in the United States at a time when illicit businesses were the norm. Surprisingly, this list doesnt include any states with the highest moonshiner rates per capita. Could it still be set up, as a shrine monument?? One year later, while still on probation from the previous charge, an undercover agent working for the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission discovered 500 gallons of moonshine being housed and produced by Sutton. Born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, [1] [2] he grew up, lived and died in the rural areas around Maggie Valley and nearby Cocke County, Tennessee. Sutton Popcorn Company retains their original use of this name. He wore a long gray beard, faded overalls, checkered shirt and feathered fedora. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. His zodiac sign was Libra, which is distinguished by assertiveness and submissiveness on both sides. [3][4] Before his rise to fame at around 60 years of age, he had been in trouble with the law several times, but had avoided prison sentences. IE 11 is not supported. In January 2009, Sutton was charged with illegal distillation of spirits and firearm possession. He was a friendly fellow, and of course every time you would talk to him, he would say, "Ray, I've run my last run of moonshine, I'm not gonna do it anymore, I'm just getting too old to be doing this stuff.". Popcorn Sutton was a moonshiner who was born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. They should of left him alone he was part of our great history, 2021 The Smoky Mountain News. Pam Sutton sits down with Rick to discuss Popcorn Sutton The Rick Dollar Show 836 subscribers Subscribe 913 Share 124K views 7 years ago Pam Sutton discusses Popcorn Sutton and her. He wasn't just a poor old moonshiner trying to make a few dollars.". According to the Internal Revenue Service, the estate of Kate Sutton is valued at around $500 thousand. I can relate to that, as I am the same way. Popcorn Suttons moonshine was renowned for its high quality, and he was known for his careful and traditional methods of production. Offers may be subject to change without notice. . Read Also: Is Moonshiners real? No bootlegger, however, would become as enigmatic as Popcorn. The Feds killed him. Popcorn was one of a kind, a man who told it like it was! says Williams. The most notable thing about the grave? For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Inspired by the story, Grosser suggested they partner on a distillery and sell Popcorns moonshine legally. The epitaph on his footstone reads "Popcorn Said Fuck You".[14][25]. [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. ", Popcorn's death remains a topic of discussion this year, as another supporter said, "Remember the Feds killed Popcorn Sutton just because he made his own whiskey on his own land. He also appeared in the Western 'Ghost Town: The Movie.' If you are going to produce moonshine, you must carefully follow his recipe and instructions. Since 2011, the show has followed the lives of individuals who produce moonshine in the Appalachian Mountains. She was taken to upstate where she remained there for a a week and worked so hard to come home. DE, Popcorn Suttons XXX Tennessee White Whiskey can also be purchased in a mason jar. You can also show off your personality to your friends and family by tasting it in a different way than any other spirit. 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 ran a PVC pipe from the exhaust of his Ford Fairlane into his window and sealed it up with duct tape. Facebook gives people the power to. If he liked you he liked you, and if he didnt, you better stay away, recalled Carver. Born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina,[1][2] he grew up, lived and died in the rural areas around Maggie Valley and nearby Cocke County, Tennessee. That year, his conviction led to a sentence by federal authorities of 18 months in federal prison which leads us to our next Sutton factoid . . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In March 2008, they raided his home and seized 800 gallons of the illegal liquor, three stills with 1,000-gallon capacities, hundreds of gallons of moonshine-making ingredients such as mash and many guns. The brand now uses a clear, round bottle with a smaller label. Whiskey is a great beverage to try if youre looking for something different. Singer-songwriter Hank Williams III attended Sutton's funeral and later sang 'Moonshiner's Life,' a song about Sutton, which is part of the singers 2010 album 'Rebel Within.'. Clearly, the actress is still alive and well today, and she's been in remission for the . Sutton followed her husband to coaching stops at College of Southern Idaho, Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and . Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. 'It was beyond surreal'When he pleaded guilty, it was his fifth conviction. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Since his death, he has been honored with a new company and whiskey brand named after him. His gravesite footstone reads "Popcorn Said Fuck You.'' 33 Years old foodie & cookie lover. The lawsuit was settled in 2014. Moreover, there were several petitions made to reduce his sentence. Showed how to make moonshineHe wrote a paperback called "Me and My Likker" and recorded videos on how to make moonshine. She suspected even then that her daddy might be responsible. His estranged daughter Sky Sutton, 35, of Northampton, Mass., had just completed a book about him, titled "Daddy Moonshine," the day he died. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. Others view him as a criminal. Every time Sutton finished filling a barrel, he would give Nick a gallon and sell the rest to him. Birthday: May 21, 1942. The family descended from the wave of immigrants who brought their whiskey recipes to the area when they arrived in the 1700s. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Willie Nelson had him onstage at a local show, and Johnny Knoxville taped a visit to Popcorns cabin. I walked over and asked if he was the man on the Postcard. Distractify is a registered trademark. In 2009, Sutton's estranged daughter Sky published a book titled 'Daddy Moonshine: The Story of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton,' which gave a lot of details about her father's life. A moonshine is a spirit created by fermenting cane juice. He made his home in Cocke County, where cockfighting and moonshining are legend. What finally brought him down, however, was a fire at his own home in April 2007 when a still exploded. In 2017, Sutton's Parrottsville estate caught fire. I remember the blood gushing everywhere, she says. Over the course of his infamous career, Sutton faced a number of criminal complaints and convictions for moonshine-related crimes. All rights reserved. On October 25, 2013, Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc. filed suit against the distiller of Popcorn Sutton's whiskey, claiming that the newly redesigned bottle, with its square shape, beveled shoulders, and white-on-black label, too closely resembled their own. View the profiles of people named Pam Sutton. When he was sentenced to federal prison for possession of illegal firearms and moonshining, he chose to commit suicide rather than report to prison, at the age of 62. But even for this seasoned veteran of the force, Popcorn stood out. American moonshiner and bootlegger (19462009), "New Movie Focuses on WNC Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton", "Yesterday's Moonshiner, Today's Microdistiller", "Legendary Tennessee Moonshiner Plied His Trade to the End", "Widow: Moonshiner took his life to avoid prison", "Family of legendary moonshiner hoped his sentence would be reduced", "The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton | IndieBound.org", "Golden Moment: Bulletin: NC State University", "Cane In Hand, 'Popcorn' Sutton Is Sentenced To 18 Months", United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, "Waco 20 Years Later: The ATF Raid - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com", "Daughter says independence likely led to moonshiner's suicide", "Estranged daughter remembers 'Popcorn' Sutton", "Hundreds honor memory of legendary moonshiner", "6 surprising facts about Popcorn Sutton and his moonshine", "16th Annual Winners | National Indie Excellence Awards | California", "Hank Williams, Jr. Suttons money has been used to fund the production of moonshine and to support the people who make it. 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. I said, Im sorry, Im not going to turn a blind eye like the others. He arrested Popcorn, who got two years probation for possession of untaxed liquor. Living in this area, he made friends with all the sheriffs and local leaders, Fontes, stocky and dark-haired, tells me one afternoon in his wood-paneled office. Read Also: Legend or lawbreaker: The real story of Popcorn Sutton. Bills organizing of the Moonshiners Reunion and Mountain Music Festival will continue, and he will perform at R.J. Rockers Brewery in honor of his music and life. Sutton was sentenced to 18 months in prison in January 2009 for tax evasion. [35] According to press reports, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey would be initially distributed in Tennessee and throughout the southeast. Marvin " Popcorn " Sutton (October 5, 1946 - March 16, 2009) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger. If the strangers seemed trustworthy, Popcorn would take their cash, about $40 per gallon at his peak, and tell them to pick up their moonshine from one of his secret drop boxes hidden in the woods: a baby casket or an old toilet. RIP. In addition to serving probation after being caught with over 650 gallons of moonshine, he was also convicted of selling alcohol without a license. [3] [4] [5] He wrote a self-published . Since his passing, his fame has only become more widespread with a new whiskey company that bears his name and numerous mentions on Discovery Channels popular show Moonshiners. On the day of his death, a fan wrote on Twitter, "Toasting the passing of the famous moonshiner Popcorn Sutton. Popcorn had just one question for the stranger. Pam Sutton. Over the next few weeks, Sutton sold more than 100 additional gallons of moonshine each to two different men and showed another guy the barn where three working stills and 500 gallons of moonshine sat, ready to roll. by Loyola Martinez | Dec 28, 2022 | Popcorn. Her husbands whiskey was produced and sold by Hank Williams Jr. and she began selling it as a stand-alone product in 2010. See top. In this article we'll look back at her success and reveal what comes next for the hard-working Black actress. While the series typically follows current moonshiners, part of the show features the late Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton. 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? Sutton's widow said he'd just gotten a letter to report Friday to a medium-security federal prison in south Georgia to begin an 18-month sentence for illegally producing distilled spirits and. He also had a coffin ready in his living room. [3][4][5] He wrote a self-published autobiographical guide to moonshining production, self-produced a home video depicting his moonshining activities, was the subject of several documentaries, including one that received a Regional Emmy Award, and is the subject of the award-winning biography and photobook The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton.[6]. She has a Netflix doc, 'Pamela, A Love Story,' and book out now. Almost everyone who grew up in and around Cocke County, Tennessee is familiar with the legend of Popcorn Sutton. He was a part of the 2002 Neal Hutcheson film Moon moonshine, which focused on the illegal moonshine trade. Beside his grave is a marker that reads, Popcorn said [f] you.. As the story goes, Fergusons body was found on the side of the road, left for dead after having his throat slit. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the states with the most illegal stills are Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. [2][7] Sutton, 62 and suffering from a long illness that his doctors had failed to diagnose, asked the U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer to allow him to serve his sentence under house arrest, and several petitions were made by others requesting that his sentence be reduced or commuted, but this time to no avail. Sky Sutton, Suttons daughter, is the daughter of Sky and Betty. Popcorn may no longer be around to weigh in, but his final words appear by his new resting place near his cabin in the woods. 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. pic.twitter.com/V7dUdlJWQ8. One of Popcorns closest and oldest friends was the countys most legendary sheriff, Tooney Moore, who shared his conviction that moonshine was an important part of the local heritage. From that moment on, the locals called him Popcorna reminder that this was one moonshiner you didnt want to cross. Join Facebook to connect with Pamela Sutton and others you may know. Making moonshine is relatively simple and inexpensive if you have a pot that can hold at least 5 gallons of liquid and enough space to store the finished product. Sutton appeared in several documentaries including This is the Last Dam Run of Likker Ill Ever Make (featured below). Pamela Sutton's passing has been publicly announced by Good Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc. in Reamstown, PA.Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Pamela in the Gue moonshine is still a popular drink in the region, and visitors can still taste it. Is Pam Sutton Still Alive Photo by - wp On December 1, 2021, a long illness claimed the life of a dear friend. She was one of six children born to a sharecropper and a housewife. He always lived a death-before-dishonor kind of life." Many moonshiners associate Popcorn Sutton with moonshine. He made his first film appearance in 2002, with Neal Hutcheson's documentary 'Mountain Talk.' JB, who was best known for his role as Shin Shinshiners in the reality show, died late last year from a long illness. Fans Want to Know Why 'Moonshiners' Star Tickle Was in Jail Again! But he was also the sweetest, kindest, most loving man I ever met in my life.". People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. She underwent surgery and began her first round of chemotherapy. 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. He hated the persona, says his widow, Pam Sutton. Pam Sutton was born in 1951 in the small town of Maggie Valley, North Carolina. 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] However, since he was diagnosed with cancer, Sutton requested US District Judge Ronnie Greer to grant him house arrest instead of sending him to prison. Previously, Pam was Chief Executive Officer at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Sutton then wrote a self-published autobiography and guide to moonshine production called Me and My Likker, and began selling copies of it in 1999 out of his junk shop in Maggie Valley. 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. He seemed kind and good, not perfect but who is? As a result, the judge had reason to show him leniency.
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