Who is Popcorn Sutton?
Popcorn Sutton is currently considered as the face and image of moonshining. He made his own moonshine stills and concocted his own recipes. He didn’t just make moonshine or whiskey, he believed he was continuing the tradition handed down to him by his Scots-Irish ancestors. Making moonshine was a part of his heritage and he was convinced it needed to be continued.
Despite his death by carbon monoxide poisoning, his moonshine recipes and legacy lives on. Country music superstar Hank Williams, Jr attended his funeral along with Popcorn Sutton’s close friends and family.
Why “Popcorn”?
Marvin Sutton was given the name “Popcorn” during the 1960s or 1970s when he damaged a faulty popcorn vending machine in a bar using a pool cue.
Born October 5, 1946, Popcorn was originally from North Carolina. But it was in Tennessee’s Cocke County where he learned how to distill moonshine. Since then, he has been known as a warm-hearted rebel that makes powerful and excellent tasting corn whiskey.
He lived by his own terms and did whatever it is he wanted.
His bootlegging career began as early as the 1970s. It was also at this time when he was starting to get the attention of authorities. This didn’t stop him though from producing what he referred to as the best “likker” around. He built his moonshine stills up on a wooded hill inside his cluttered cabin.
The Infamy of Popcorn Sutton
In 1999 he published his own autobiography entitled “Me and My Likker.” His book was also a guide to producing moonshine. He also made a home video with the same title. In 2002, he made his broadcast premiere in the documentary “Mountain Talk.” After which, he appeared in two films that further gave him the notoriety he deserved. He made “This is the Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make” and “The Last Run” both of which became cult-classics. Footage from his interviews in this film were included and re-worked in the 2008 award-winning documentary entitled “The Last One.”
The History Channel also made a 2007 documentary feature on Popcorn Sutton called, “Hillbilly: The Real Story.”
All these came to a halt in 2008 when a raid was done on Sutton’s premises. Popcorn was later sentenced to 18 months in federal prison because of firearms possessions and because of him illegally distilling spirits. At that time, Sutton was already 62 years old and suffering from cancer. He requested the United States District Judge to allow him to be under house arrest for the duration of his sentence. His petition was not granted.
Rather than giving himself in the hands of the authorities, Popcorn Sutton on March 16, 2009 decided to take his own life. He parked his green Ford Fairlane in his yard, rigged a pipe through the back seat and committed suicide.
Life goes on
Sutton passed onto his apprentice, whom he refers to as “grocery boy” all his life’s work. Also, Hank Williams Jr. along with Sutton’s widow Pam has partnered to distill and distribute Popcorn’s whiskey legally.
After Sutton’s death, Tennessee law allowed micro-distilleries in the state. Officials in Cocke County now see Popcorn’s legacy as a rich source of tax revenue.
Despite his death by carbon monoxide poisoning, his moonshine recipes and legacy lives on. Country music superstar Hank Williams, Jr attended his funeral along with Popcorn Sutton’s close friends and family.
Why “Popcorn”?
Marvin Sutton was given the name “Popcorn” during the 1960s or 1970s when he damaged a faulty popcorn vending machine in a bar using a pool cue.
Born October 5, 1946, Popcorn was originally from North Carolina. But it was in Tennessee’s Cocke County where he learned how to distill moonshine. Since then, he has been known as a warm-hearted rebel that makes powerful and excellent tasting corn whiskey.
He lived by his own terms and did whatever it is he wanted.
His bootlegging career began as early as the 1970s. It was also at this time when he was starting to get the attention of authorities. This didn’t stop him though from producing what he referred to as the best “likker” around. He built his moonshine stills up on a wooded hill inside his cluttered cabin.
The Infamy of Popcorn Sutton
In 1999 he published his own autobiography entitled “Me and My Likker.” His book was also a guide to producing moonshine. He also made a home video with the same title. In 2002, he made his broadcast premiere in the documentary “Mountain Talk.” After which, he appeared in two films that further gave him the notoriety he deserved. He made “This is the Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make” and “The Last Run” both of which became cult-classics. Footage from his interviews in this film were included and re-worked in the 2008 award-winning documentary entitled “The Last One.”
The History Channel also made a 2007 documentary feature on Popcorn Sutton called, “Hillbilly: The Real Story.”
All these came to a halt in 2008 when a raid was done on Sutton’s premises. Popcorn was later sentenced to 18 months in federal prison because of firearms possessions and because of him illegally distilling spirits. At that time, Sutton was already 62 years old and suffering from cancer. He requested the United States District Judge to allow him to be under house arrest for the duration of his sentence. His petition was not granted.
Rather than giving himself in the hands of the authorities, Popcorn Sutton on March 16, 2009 decided to take his own life. He parked his green Ford Fairlane in his yard, rigged a pipe through the back seat and committed suicide.
Life goes on
Sutton passed onto his apprentice, whom he refers to as “grocery boy” all his life’s work. Also, Hank Williams Jr. along with Sutton’s widow Pam has partnered to distill and distribute Popcorn’s whiskey legally.
After Sutton’s death, Tennessee law allowed micro-distilleries in the state. Officials in Cocke County now see Popcorn’s legacy as a rich source of tax revenue.