Pamela M. Sutton-Wallace serves as Director of the Company. He apparently got right back to work. 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. after being convicted of offenses related to moonshining and illegal firearm possession. Copyright 2023 Distractify. He made his home in Cocke County, where cockfighting and moonshining are legend. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/popcorn-sutton-46282.php. "He couldn't go to prison. [23], A conventional grave marker was used at the head of Sutton's grave, reading "Marvin Popcorn Sutton / Ex-Moonshiner / October 5, 1946 / March 16, 2009". Knoxville marveled at the wood-burned sign over the bedroom doorway inside that read this is a watch yourself fuck and eat pussy bedroom. Popcorns homemade cunnilingus contraption hangs in the doorway to this day, as I see when his widow, Pam Sutton, a heavyset, short-haired woman in a sleeveless brown shirt and jean shorts, gives me a tour of the cabin her husband built by hand. To start the business, Sutton borrowed money from Nick Price. "[21][22], Sutton's body was initially interred at a family graveyard in Mount Sterling, North Carolina. Since his death, a new company, as well as an associated whiskey brand, has been launched in his memory. According to filmmaker Neal Hutcheson, Sutton remains an intriguing figure. His wife, Pam Sutton, whom he married just two years prior, had returned from running errands when she found him. Following this, he featured in another of Neal's documentaries, titled 'This Is the Last Dam Run of Likker I'll Ever Make,' which was a cult classic of the time and eventually caught the attention of many TV producers in Boston and New York. Its a phrase he cut into his headstone when he was still alive. The net worth of Andy Sutton is unknown, but some sources claim that he was worth as much as $13 million when he died in 1993. [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. Filmed and released in 2002, the film quickly became a cult classic and over time drew the attention of television producers in Boston and New York. In 2017, Sutton's Parrottsville estate caught fire. That man went out in a blaze of glory, and flipping his finger as we went," she said. Offers may be subject to change without notice. You can also show off your personality to your friends and family by tasting it in a different way than any other spirit. pic.twitter.com/V7dUdlJWQ8. He received the nickname of Popcorn after he attacked a faulty popcorn vending machine with a pool cue out of frustration. The nickname "Popcorn" was given to him in the 1960s or the 1970s, after Sutton attacked a broken popcorn vending machine with a pool cue. by Loyola Martinez | Dec 28, 2022 | Popcorn. Even when he came to federal court, he was wearing bib overalls. 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. He gained fame as a moonshiner and bootlegger in the United States at a time when illicit businesses were the norm. In December 2016, Popcorn Sutton Distillery was sold to the alcoholic beverage company 'Sazerac Company.'. His gravesite footstone reads "Popcorn Said Fuck You.'' The charges also included tax evasion and transportation of an illegal substance. Popcorn Sutton Whiskey, Once Moonshine, Is Now Legal - The New York Times Read on for all the details about her life now. His money was running out, and many of his friends, he lamented, had stopped coming around. No bootlegger, however, would become as enigmatic as Popcorn. However, she and her father were not very close. Sutton appeared in several documentaries including This is the Last Dam Run of Likker Ill Ever Make (featured below). Surprisingly, this list doesnt include any states with the highest moonshiner rates per capita. Made a still for a museumJohn Rice Irwin, founder of the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn., recalled that Sutton made a still for the museum in the 1990s. After he attacked a popcorn vending machine with a pool cue in the 1960s or 1970s, he was dubbed Popcorn by the media. Pam Sutton, who became Sutton's fourth wife in 2007, said carbon monoxide may be the method but that's not what killed him. Dean Sutton of 39 years and his wife, Christine Sutton; their son, Ian; mother, Bessie Wimer; and sister,Brenda Oswald, all of whom preceded her in death, are among those who have passed away. Popcorn Sutton was married to Pam Sutton. Per NBC News, the famed moonshiner and bootlegger Popcorn Sutton died by suicide, possibly to avoid serving time in federal prison. But how well do you really know the legend of Popcorn Sutton? Originally, he was buried in an isolated plot in western North Carolina near the graves of his parents. Ever since the death of her former partner Jim, Pam gradually avoided appearance in the media. Dean Sutton of 39 years and his wife, Christine Sutton; their son, Ian; mother, Bessie Wimer; and sister,Brenda Oswald, all of whom preceded her in death, are among those who have passed away. The wife of Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton died Tuesday at a Tulsa hospital after suffering a stroke in December, according to officials at Ninde Brookside Chapel. That's a big problem because now look where we're at. Later, in 1981, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony possession of a controlled substance. Popcorn Sutton was a moonshiner who was born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The new law wasnt enacted to honor Popcorns legend, though. [3] [4] [5] He wrote a self-published . Popcorn Suttons wife, Maybelle, died in 2012 after a long illness. His health was failing. On March 16, 2009, the 48-year-old Sutton committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. "He would tell you exactly what he thought, whether you wanted to hear it or not. Previously, Pam was Chief Executive Officer at the University of Virginia Medical Center. 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] The man behind the raid was one of the countrys most infamous ATF agents, James Cavanaugh (a fellow Tennessean, who became known for leading the Waco and Unabomber raids), and he vowed to take Popcorn down. Though Popcorn left no suicide note, his dramatic exit has transformed him into a martyr for his cause and solidified his legacy as the little guy whod rather die than let the Feds beat him. We have a lot of people come to Maggie Valley that want to meet Popcorn.. To the fans and celebs who came from around the world to buy his booze, Popcorn was the banjo-picking cracker with the long beard, grimy overalls, and bawdy stories. It was said he did this to avoid the federal prison term that was supposed to start a few days later. 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. Others view him as a criminal. But so did the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who launched a full-scale investigation, including undercover agents that struck deals to buy large quantities of moonshine from him. He considered moonshining his birth rite. This charge would eventually cause him to fall. In fact, he came from a long line of bootleggers. She hadn't seen him since she was 2, though they had talked on the phone. Pam Sutton sits down with Rick to discuss Popcorn Sutton When she was just sixteen, Pam married Popcorn Sutton, a man eighteen years her senior. Joe and Pam were not present for Kobe's final NBA game, nor were they in attendance for his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Buyers came from miles around to sample his goods, and Popcorns celebrity grew. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. Despite being on probation, Popcorn defiantly refused to give up his trade. 1929 wheat penny. [34] Country music stars attending the launch event included Martina McBride, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Zac Brown, Josh Thompson, Kentucky Headhunters, Little Big Town, Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, and Lee Brice. Pam was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer in January 2014. Crime, whiskey & homemade sex machines: The life, death and legacy of Popcorn Sutton, Americas greatest moonshiner. His white lightning wasnt just potent and sweetit was illegal. 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. A long illness claimed the life of a beloved son on December 1, 2021. 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. [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. Sutton was convicted of tax evasion after his property was damaged by fire in 2007. Probably because its still illegal to make shine. She has no doubt Sutton died on his own terms. How Did Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton From 'Moonshiners' Die - Distractify After meeting at a New Year's Eve party in 1994 . The revised version of the book includes details of his death. The lawsuit was settled in 2014. Sutton's memorial grew in spectacle as country music singer Hank Williams Jr. flew in to pay his respects. It received a 2009 Southeast Emmy Award. During a fire in one of Suttons properties in 2007, firefighters discovered a large cache of untaxed liquor hidden in the attic. Every time Sutton finished filling a barrel, he would give Nick a gallon and sell the rest to him. Why not just leave it up in a shrine like ritual for all to see?? As a popcorn treat, a pound of moonshine is served. 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. Spring 2023 enrollment at Western Carolina Univers Waynesville is Haywood Countys only municipal g Jake Tallent vividly remembers the impact that the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority received a v Book reading, film screening to commemorate Popcorn Sutton, As long as water runs downhill: The story of Popcorn Sutton, Hillbilly Jammers get high on the mountain, Pardon me? Sutton was born Marvin Sutton, on October 5, 1946, in the tiny town of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, to Bonnie and Vader. 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. [20] Mrs. Sutton said, "He called it his three-jar car because he gave three jugs of liquor for it. Is Pam Sutton Still Alive Photo by - wp On December 1, 2021, a long illness claimed the life of a dear friend. Sutton began his moonshining and bootlegging empire with just one barrel, that too, at a time when they were considered illicit businesses in the US. To make a 5 gallon batch of moonshine, 201 pounds of corn must be used. When I heard how Popcorn was treated and that he wanted me to be involved in carrying on his legacy, I was immediately in. Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton (October 5, 1946 March 16, 2009) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger. Kobe Bryant and his family (Getty) This led to yet another conviction on a number of charges. Suttons money has been used to fund the production of moonshine and to support the people who make it. Soon after Sutton's demise, there were rumors that suggested his grave had been vandalized. IE 11 is not supported. Stanley established The Starchild character for his Kiss persona. The pulley consists of two ropes attached to a pair of Timberland boots, so that Pams legs could be more easily hoisted in the air. View the web story version of this article here. 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. Its easy to spot Popcorn Sutton, also known as Marvin, if youre looking for legendary moonshiners. If Suttons prison sentence seems light considering his many crimes, it was in part due to his age. DE, Popcorn Suttons XXX Tennessee White Whiskey can also be purchased in a mason jar. Kobe Bryant's Parents: Where Are They Now? | Heavy.com I met Popcorn in a restaurant in Maggie Valley around 1997. The couple had been married for over 50 years and had three children together. 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. In March 2008, Sutton informed an undercover federal officer about the moonshine gallons in Tennessee and Maggie Valley, which he wanted to trade. Then there was the alleged attack on Willie Ferguson, a local musician who reportedly made the mistake of crossing Popcorn. Sutton was sentenced to 18 months in prison in January 2009 for tax evasion. Pam Sutton is a much loved and valued member with the Inner West Police Area Command. Urban drinks are featured. But the truth is, moonshine is a dangerous health issue and breeds other crime. If you want to find legendary moonshiners, you should look for Popcorn Sutton, also known as Marvin. In 2010, she began distilling and distributing Hank Williams Jr.s whiskey with him. Pam Sutton had that steadfast determination and through her incredible penmanship, we can still see just how fast and who won and who . To Grosser it seemed less like a sellout than the last swift move of a sharp entrepreneur. To collect Popcorns original bottles, you can purchase them from eBay. Moonshiners distillers JB and Bill from Connelly Springs, NC, are now teaching their distilling techniques in both states. [40] The CEO of Popcorn Sutton Distilling is Megan Kvamme. 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. Sutton Popcorn Company retains the right to use the name in some capacity. "And then he got into it in such a big way. I wander up a grassy hill and read it there where hes now buried, the same spot where his still had gone up in flames. Bill, who played guitar and harmonica on the show, died in early 2019 after a lengthy battle with cancer. But the young cop, whod seen the ravaging effects of drugs and alcohol on the locals, didnt comply. Sutton was convicted multiple times for selling moonshine without a license. While some revile the folkloric status Popcorn has achieved, denouncing him as a common criminal, few can argue that Popcorn was a bridge to the past, a window on a vanishing part of Appalachian culture. This time, the local cops would be of no help. He was a short, skinny fella, who always wore his hat that was kind of his claim to fame, his hat that he always wore. On October 24, 2009, his body was moved to his Parrottsville estate. 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. In 2007, 'The History Channel' featured Sutton's next documentary, 'Hillbilly: The Real Story.' From back rooms to barrooms, locals tell me sordid tales of Popcorns violent temper. 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. In 2007, a fire on Sutton's property in Parrottsville led to firefighters discovering 650 gallons of untaxed alcohol there, for which he was convicted and put on probation again by Cocke County authorities. 4 mos. I dont believe it or not, but the vast majority of it happened in the last few decades. Pam was a loving wife and mother who was always there for her family. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I can relate to that, as I am the same way. 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. At the center of it all was a guy who, right up until his bizarre death, defied his stereotype as much as he seemed to fulfill it. The grave of the last American outlaw sits off a dirt road in the backwoods of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, the hillbilly haven where Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, the most notorious moonshiner. As I discover over several sweltering days and clandestine jugs of moonshine, Popcorn left a twisted trail: scorned women, abandoned kids, complicit cops, even homemade sex machines, exploding stills, and the tale of a throat-slit fiddler on the side of the road. He was a moonshine maker as well as Popcorn Sutton Moonshines creator, collaborating with his father. Released in 2008 and broadcast on 'CBS,' the documentary received a 'Southeast Emmy Award' in 2009. Popcorns attire rarely varied: overalls, a flannel shirt and gray brimmed hat, occasionally adorned with a squirrel tail. Pamela and Tommy had a whirlwind romance. Word soon spread that Popcorn and another man cut him after a fight and took his fiddle. His recipe, on the other hand, still lives on and is produced at Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Kentucky. His mind would just not accept it. On March 16, 2009, Sutton, a resident of Northbridge, England, died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. The Feds killed him. In 1999, he launched his self-published autobiography, 'Me and My Likker,' which also chronicled the incredible journey of moonshine production. This is the Last Dam Run of Likker Ill Ever Make, The Greenbrier Gatlinburg: The best and most haunted restaurant in town, Dign Zone construction theme park coming soon to Sevierville TN, Is Mountain Monsters Real? Pass the Mountain Dew! She believes in elegance through simplicity, with designs that reflect harmony with nature and the occasional sly sense of humor. 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 . He was a whole lot smarter than people gave him credit for. Grosser returned on March 16, 2009 to finalize the deal with Popcorn, who was scheduled to go to prison four days later. But even for this seasoned veteran of the force, Popcorn stood out. Grosser was just like any other fanboy whod come to meet the living legend and buy some hooch. Since his death, he has been honored with a new company and whiskey brand named after him. His daughter claimed that he had told her in advance that he would kill himself rather than go to jail. We can conclude from this that moonshine culture is still thriving in the southern United States. His parents lived in a wooden house in a mountain perched beside a tumbling stream. Patsy Sutton, wife of Eddie Sutton, dies at 74 | RSN 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? [8][16][17], In March 2008, Sutton told an undercover federal officer that he had 500 gallons of moonshine in Tennessee and another 400 gallons in Maggie Valley that he was ready to sell. 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. How Old Is Pam St. Clement? Its empty. "The way she's breathing is just freaking me the f-k out, man" Josh said during the scary experience. When Popcorn Sutton died in 2009, he left behind a large sum of money. 1. Pamela Sutton We found 100+ records for Pamela Sutton in NY, MI and 41 other states. moonshine was made from a recipe passed down through the generations and was sold in the back of his Ford Model A truck. "She's stiff as a board. From that moment on, the locals called him Popcorna reminder that this was one moonshiner you didnt want to cross. After Popcorn Suttons death in 2009, Pam Sutton took over the family business and has continued to produce moonshine using her husbands recipes and methods. Neal used footages from 'Mountain Talk' in his next documentary, 'The Last One.' Whiskey production became ingrained in early Appalachian culture, thanks in part to the regions perfect climate for growing sweet corn. [7] This led to a raid of his property by the ATF, led by Jim Cavanaugh of Waco siege infamy. Sutton conceded he was part of a dying breed in an interview last year with actor Johnny Knoxville for a video posted on Knoxville's "Jackass" Web site. [39] At the time of the announcement, it had not been decided whether the Popcorn Sutton brands would continue to be produced under contract by the distillery or not.[39]. In 2010, Hank Williams, Jr. announced a partnership with J.M. 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. On the day of his death, a fan wrote on Twitter, "Toasting the passing of the famous moonshiner Popcorn Sutton. And Popcorn, who refused to pay taxes and considered moonshine part of his dont tread on me heritage, wore his rebel badge with pride. As of 2022, she has not appeared in the media for a long time. Whiskey consumption has grown over the last few years as people seek out new flavors and styles of moonshine. He was convicted in 1974 of selling untaxed liquor[3][7] and in 1981 and 1985 on charges of possessing controlled substances and assault with a deadly weapon, but received only probation sentences until the 1985 arrest, after which he served time in the Craggy Correctional Center in Asheville. Popcorn Sutton married Pam Sutton in 2007 just two years prior to his death. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has released a report ranking the top moonshine states. Let us know in the comments. However, Popcorn's estranged daughter Sky Sutton believed her father died by his terms. Sutton, an infamous moonshiner, had been trying to outrun revenuers for more than three decades now. His archive footages were featured in the 2016 docuseries 'Moonshiners.'. 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. Hutchesons coffee table book style biography, The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton is a glimpse into Popcorns wit, jokes and hillbilly way of life. Shit while they were focused on him how much herion coke pills ? A scrawny teen with big ears and droopy eyes, he had just watched the machine eat his quarters without dispensing his popcorn, so he whacked it repeatedly with his pool stick and broke the dang thing. On February 7, 2008, a biker arrived at Popcorns house saying he wanted to buy more than 50 gallons of moonshine. Later that day his wife came home from work to find him dead. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. 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. gotta love popcorns sarcastic wit. Authorities suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. But while the cops may not have pursued his bootlegging aggressively, Popcorn got himself in hot water nonetheless. In 2009, he chose suicide in order to avoid going to prison, and he was diagnosed with cancer the following year. He was placed on probation. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Since his death, a new company and associated whiskey brand have been named after him. He also had a coffin ready in his living room. He was handed down light charges at the time, netting nothing more than probation. In this article we'll look back at her success and reveal what comes next for the hard-working Black actress. "He was a true moonshiner," his widow added. JB, who was best known for his role as Shin Shinshiners in the reality show, died late last year from a long illness. His self-published autobiography, Me and My Likker, described the amazing journey of moonshine production. Birthday: May 21, 1942. The boy's mother's boyfriend has admitted to beating the child and is expected to face additional charges He hated the persona, says his widow, Pam Sutton. His most recent conviction for selling over 650 gallons of moonshine resulted in him being placed on probation. To elude the cops, he switched up the cars oftenit was a 46 Willis Jeep one trip, a 53 Ford convertible the next. [7], Sutton died by suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on March 16, 2009, apparently to avoid a federal prison term due to begin a few days later. People in the community didnt know how close we was, and I wouldnt tell em, Moore admits. However, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) raided the spots. He had a wood burning stove inside. It was Popcorns daddy, Vader, who taught him how to make and run the moonshine as deftly as the Suttons before him. 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. I can't be the only one that misses Popcorn Sutton.I would have loved to pick his brain. Newport Plain Talk, Cocke Countys local newspaper, originally reported the following arrests and convictions. In Maggie Valley, he opened an antique shop as a front, soon a destination for eager buyers from across the region. Sutton was first interred at a family graveyard in Mount Sterling, North Carolina. He seemed kind and good, not perfect but who is? Is Pam St. Clement Dead or Still Alive? 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