In 2009, an accidental carbon monoxide overdose claimed the life of the actor. In addition to being a wife and mother, Pam also worked as a waitress and a cook to help make ends meet. [7] This led to a raid of his property by the ATF, led by Jim Cavanaugh of Waco siege infamy. Kobe Bryant and his family (Getty) 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. The family descended from the wave of immigrants who brought their whiskey recipes to the area when they arrived in the 1700s. And his bib overalls he always wore bib overalls. There is no doubt that JB and Bill will be fondly remembered as two exceptional individuals. Lawlessness around here still persists, with poverty, crystal meth, and alcoholism rampant. Now 62 and fighting kidney failure, Popcorn faced 15 yearslikely his last onesbehind bars. When the federal government tried to tax the stuff in the late 1700s, the mountainside distillers violently fought back in what became known as the Whiskey Rebellion. Join Facebook to connect with Pam Sutton and others you may know. Most of it happened in the last 20 years, if not longer. Paul Stanley - Wikipedia Sutton was convicted multiple times for selling moonshine without a license. [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]. 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. The couple had three children together, but Popcorn Suttons moonshining operation often took him away from home for long periods of time. June 5, 2022 Posted by: Category: Uncategorized; No Comments . Its easy to spot Popcorn Sutton, also known as Marvin, if youre looking for legendary moonshiners. Some Popcorn Sutton branded products can still be purchased directly from the original company. In 2007, 'The History Channel' featured Sutton's next documentary, 'Hillbilly: The Real Story.' 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 made his first film appearance in 2002, with Neal Hutcheson's documentary 'Mountain Talk.' Its empty. Popcorn ran an antique shop in Maggie Valley as recently as a few years ago, where one could supposedly buy a jar of moonshine it they asked the right way. Fundraiser for Glen Sutton by Angel Sutton : Pam Sutton DE, Popcorn Suttons XXX Tennessee White Whiskey can also be purchased in a mason jar. "The way she's breathing is just freaking me the f-k out, man" Josh said during the scary experience. Sutton was in a live-in relationship with Ernestine Upchurch, who later helped him write his autobiography. moonshine was made from a recipe passed down through the generations and was sold in the back of his Ford Model A truck. In December 2016, Popcorn Sutton Distillery was sold to the alcoholic beverage company 'Sazerac Company.'. 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. Fontes hadnt anticipated adding to Popcorns criminal record until April 24, 2007, when he spotted smoke billowing up from the woods. In January 2009, Sutton was charged with illegal distillation of spirits and firearm possession. Facebook gives people the power to share. 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. His moonshine was made from a recipe passed down through his family and sold in the back of his Ford Model A truck. Popcorn Sutton Whiskey, Once Moonshine, Is Now Legal - The New York Times 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. 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. It is impossible to overstate the importance of the life and persona of Marvin Popcorn Sutton, a legendary moonshiner and North Carolina native who died in an automobile accident. JB, who was best known for his role as Shin Shinshiners in the reality show, died late last year from a long illness. It is critical to follow his instructions and recipe in order to produce a moonshine that has the same flavor and characteristics as him. The money has also been used to support the families of those who have been killed or incarcerated because of their involvement in the moonshine business. An incident report filed by the Cocke County Sheriff's Department says that Sutton was discovered dead in his 1982 Ford Fairmont when his wife, Pam Sutton, returned from running errands. She added that the prison sentence and a cancer diagnosis might have had influenced his decision. Join Facebook to connect with Pamela Sutton and others you may know. The book also offers a better understanding of how the people of the region survived. "And then he got into it in such a big way. "He couldn't go to prison. pic.twitter.com/V7dUdlJWQ8. It took his money, but didnt produce popcorn, eliciting a few swift blows from Sutton to crack open the machine. Probably because its still illegal to make shine. 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. As one legislator put it, The law is not making legal someone who wants to open a distillery in their barn. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Aside from his white lightening, Popcorn was known for his crass language and feisty manner. He was convicted of moonshining and illegal firearms possession as a result of his moonshining conviction. Marvin Popcorn Sutton, 62, was found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a car near his Parrotsville, Tenn., residence, days before he was to begin serving an 18-month prison sentence for large-scale moonshine operation. Since his death, Popcorn's persona and work have only garnered more attention due to a whiskey company named after him, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey, and as we said before, his posthumous appearances on Moonshiners. She underwent surgery and began her first round of chemotherapy. Fontes arrived to find Popcorn Sutton fanning the flames of a still, which had exploded from a gas leak. From back rooms to barrooms, locals tell me sordid tales of Popcorns violent temper. Word soon spread that Popcorn and another man cut him after a fight and took his fiddle. What finally brought him down, however, was a fire at his own home in April 2007 when a still exploded. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Small batches of this alcohol are typically made and can contain 40 to 80 percent alcohol by volume. 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. 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. Let us know in the comments. 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'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. Popcorn Sutton is an American legend! 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. Yes, I do, Grosser replied.Then come on in. He wore a long gray beard, faded overalls, checkered shirt and feathered fedora. The new law wasnt enacted to honor Popcorns legend, though. 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. Drinks for urban drinkers If you want a mason jar to store Popcorn Suttons XXX Tennessee White Whiskey, you can also get it. Monday, April 25, 2022 New Haven, CT (April 25, 2022) - After an extensive search, Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS) today announced that Pamela M. Sutton-Wallace, MPH, has been selected as its chief operating officer (COO), effective July 11, 2022. He received a five-year sentence. Suttons exhumed body was transported via horse-drawn carriage to his property in Parrotsville, Tenn., where he remains today. 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? Regina has plans to release her own moonshine based on her dads secret recipe with a local microdistillery near her home in Anchorage, where she now works as a trauma surgeon (a job that was inspired by the day she saw the guy at her daddys house with a knife in his neck). I met him once at his little shack in Cherokee. [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. In Maggie Valley, he opened an antique shop as a front, soon a destination for eager buyers from across the region. It was Popcorns daddy, Vader, who taught him how to make and run the moonshine as deftly as the Suttons before him. Inspired by the story, Grosser suggested they partner on a distillery and sell Popcorns moonshine legally. 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. This charge would eventually cause him to fall. Click here to find personal data about Pamela Sutton including phone numbers, addresses, directorships, electoral roll information, related property prices and other useful information. I walked over and asked if he was the man on the Postcard. Is Pam Sutton Still Alive Whiskey is a great beverage to try if youre looking for something different. 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. 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, most believe it was either due to vandalism of the original site or a family dispute with his widow. When Popcorn Sutton was sentenced to jail in 2009 for moonshining, Pam stood by her husband. 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. As Fontes learned, Popcorn had a long history of cozying up to the police and avoiding prosecution for making untaxed whiskey. by Loyola Martinez | Feb 25, 2023 | Popcorn. In March 2009, Sutton, 62, died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Popcorns wife used both original bottles and they are currently available for eBay purchase. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. 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. Popcorn Sutton was a well-known moonshiner in the Appalachian region of the United States, and his wife was often involved in his business. On February 7, 2008, a biker arrived at Popcorns house saying he wanted to buy more than 50 gallons of moonshine. The couple had been married for 25 years and had three children together. Could it still be set up, as a shrine monument?? Though distilling moonshine is illegal, that doesn't stop the Discovery Channel from glorifying the concept in its docudrama series Moonshiners. Who died on Moonshiners? - Biography Research The revised version of the book includes details of his death. That man went out in a blaze of glory, and flipping his finger as we went," she said. Pam Sutton - Lions Automobilia Foundation In a cabin Popcorn built in the woods, I swill from an old jar of his cinnamon and cider apple pie moonshine with Ernestine Upchurch, a bawdy older woman in white pants and a polka-dot shirt, who dated Popcorn prior to his marriage and describes herself as the love of his life. 4 mos. Sutton Popcorn Company retains the right to use the name in some capacity. All Rights Reserved. There were so many doctors just jotting shit down on a piece of paper making herion legal in a pill form and they already new this. . His wife reported that he had once told her that he would do this, rather than go to jail. 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. Sutton earned massive fame as a liquor king by the time he turned 60. [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.