They should of left him alone he was part of our great history, 2021 The Smoky Mountain News. People had to make a living somehow back then I guess.
TULSA, Okla. (AP) Patsy Sutton, the matriarch of a family of college basketball coaches, has died in Oklahoma at age 74. 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. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. I dont believe it or not, but the vast majority of it happened in the last few decades. 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. It was an absolute honor to meet him. Interestingly, just a year after Sutton died, moonshining was legalized in the US. 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. [8][9] In 1998 his roadside store in Maggie Valley, NC was searched by state agents, who seized a moonshine still and sixty gallons of moonshine, and Sutton was again placed on probation with a suspended sentence. When Popcorn Sutton was sentenced to jail in 2009 for moonshining, Pam stood by her husband. However, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) raided the spots. 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? Read on for all the details about her life now. However, Popcorn's estranged daughter Sky Sutton believed her father died by his terms. Whether people associate his name with criminal or star, no one can deny he's one of the only Cocke County, Tenn., residents to rise to fame. Since his death, he has been honored with a new company and whiskey brand named after him. For now, let's learn about Popcorn Sutton and his cause of death. He was 62 years old. Heres What You Should Know, 29 Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Ranked [2023], Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance Fees, What You Should Know, Smoky Mountains in March: Events in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge [2023], A Simple Guide to Smoky Mountain Parking Passes, Park it Forward. 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. It was composed by photographer Don Dudenbostel. Popcorns nickname dates to a barroom brawl between himself and a popcorn machine. Pam Grier is the undisputed queen of the 1970s Blaxploitation films. Shit that kills a whole other generation. [39] Copper stills for the facility were made by Vendome Copper and Brass in Louisville, Kentucky. Hutchesons coffee table book style biography, The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton is a glimpse into Popcorns wit, jokes and hillbilly way of life. "It was beyond surreal," she said Wednesday. The couple had been married for 25 years and had three children together. 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. 4 mos. What To Know About the Shows Creatures, Is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Worth It? 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. Authorities suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. . We can conclude from this that moonshine culture is still thriving in the southern United States. Since 2011, the show has followed the lives of individuals who produce moonshine in the Appalachian Mountains. His mind would just not accept it. I can relate to that, as I am the same way. In January 2009, Sutton was charged with illegal distillation of spirits and firearm possession. Concepts LLC and Pam Sutton, the widow of Hank Williams, to create a line of whiskey named after her. He hated the persona, says his widow, Pam Sutton. Popcorns wife used both original bottles and they are currently available for eBay purchase. The most notable thing about the grave? A moonshine is a spirit created by fermenting cane juice. DK. To distinguish himself from the competition, he took pride in quality. [33] Dubbed "Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey", it was marketed as having been produced on stills designed by Sutton using his secret family recipe and techniques Sutton entrusted to former Supercross professional Jamey Grosser of J&M Concepts. He received a five-year sentence. Angel Sutton is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Glen Sutton. 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). To make a 5 gallon batch of moonshine, 201 pounds of corn must be used. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the states with the most illegal stills are Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. Authorities began to investigate him without his consent.
Is Cutie Pie on 'Moonshiners' Still Alive? An Update on - Distractify She underwent surgery and began her first round of chemotherapy. Fermented corn mash is used to make moonshine. 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. Though distilling moonshine is illegal, that doesn't stop the Discovery Channel from glorifying the concept in its docudrama series Moonshiners. His moonshine was made from a recipe passed down through his family and sold in the back of his Ford Model A truck. But Popcorn had fallen on hard times and ended up drinking and talking with Grosser for days.
Widow: Moonshiner took his life to avoid jail [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. 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. Whiskey consumption has grown over the last few years as people seek out new flavors and styles of moonshine. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News. Some people have questioned whether or not Pam Sutton is worthy of the money she has been left. He honed the perfection of the craft, much like his father and grandfather had before him. 'Moonshiner' Josh Owens Is Seemingly Prone to Injury, Here's Exactly How the 'Moonshiners' Avoid Getting Arrested.
Kobe Bryant's Parents: Where Are They Now? | Heavy.com Popcorn Sutton was married to Pam Sutton. At a time when moonshining and bootlegging were considered illicit in the United States, Sutton established his empire with just one barrel. Originally, he was buried in an isolated plot in western North Carolina near the graves of his parents. Pam Suttons moonshine is still highly sought-after, and she has won multiple awards for her products. He was just a skinny little farmer-looking guy who would come around and talk and cut up, he explains. 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. Here are six interesting facts about his life that might just surprise you. We have a lot of people come to Maggie Valley that want to meet Popcorn.. In addition to organizing the Mountain Music Festival and the Moonshiners Reunion, Bill plays the guitar and organizes gig events. 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. He comes from the old era, said Maggie Valley Police Chief Scott Sutton, describing Popcorn Sutton as the last of his breed. But the truth is, moonshine is a dangerous health issue and breeds other crime. He had a wood burning stove inside. In 2010, Hank Williams, Jr. announced a partnership with J.M. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. IE 11 is not supported. However, he always received only probation sentences. No bootlegger, however, would become as enigmatic as Popcorn. This led to yet another conviction on a number of charges. Did Popcorn ever have a wife? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. , Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, The Dangers Of Popcorn Lung: E-Cigarette Use Linked To Fatal Respiratory Illness, How To Prepare Your Airless Sprayer For Spraying Popcorn Ceilings, Adding Subtitles To A Movie On Popcorn Time, Popcorners: A Healthier Alternative To Traditional Snacks, Hoyts Offers Delicious Gluten-Free Popcorn For Movie-Goers With Dietary Restrictions, Sorghum Popcorn: A Delicious And Healthy Snack, The Shulmans Skinny Popcorn Is A Healthier Alternative To Traditional Popcorn, How Much Salt In Orville Redenbacker Popcorn. However, most believe it was either due to vandalism of the original site or a family dispute with his widow. Authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. While Popcorn was under house arrest, motocross star Jamey Grosser showed up unannounced at the cabin one day. There arent any more not in his form or fashion, thats for sure., Julia Merchant contributed to this article. While unscrupulous moonshiners distilled their booze through antifreeze-caked radiator pipes (capable of killing a drinker), Popcorn used only new copper tubing. He wore a long gray beard, faded overalls, checkered shirt and feathered fedora. Regina Sutton, his eldest daughter, recalls a time in her youth when her mom opened the cabin door to find a man with a butcher knife sticking out of his neck. He was a part of the 2002 Neal Hutcheson film Moon moonshine, which focused on the illegal moonshine trade. 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.