R.I.P. Popcorn

[NuTcAsE]

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990316082

Haywood County moonshine legend Marvin “Popcorn†Sutton was found dead Monday in his home in Parrottsville, Tenn., friends and family said.

Sutton, 62, was facing 18 months in federal prison on moonshining and weapons charges and had told a judge at his sentencing he was sick and would rather die at home than in jail.

His wife, Pam Sutton, declined to discuss the circumstances of his death Monday night while it was still under investigation by the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office.

“He was a good man, he really was,†Pam Sutton said.

No one at the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office could be reached for comment Monday night.

Sutton’s lifelong moon shining career brought him fame and several criminal convictions dating to the 1970s.

Federal authorities arrested him last March on charges of running a moonshine operation that produced hundreds of gallons of liquor.

A judge in January sentenced him to 18 months in prison, rejecting arguments that Sutton had learned his lesson and was too ill to serve time.

“I’d like to die at home instead of in a penitentiary,†Sutton said in court at the sentencing.

Nearly 1,500 people had signed petitions asking for leniency in his sentence.

Born near Maggie Valley, Sutton was considered an Appalachian for preserving a dying piece of mountain history.

His reputation grew beyond the mountains through a book and film he produced about his craft and Internet and cable TV documentaries in which he demonstrated how to make his famous liquor.

Popcorn evoked curiosity from people around the world, drawing tourists to places like the Misty Mountain Ranch Bed and Breakfast in Maggie Valley, which has a suite dedicated to the moonshiner.

“He made a very big impact on the whole world because people have called me from all different countries, all over the U.S., asking for his books and tapes and anything you could tell him about Popcorn,†said Misty Mountain co-owner Karen Hession.

Karen Hession and her husband, Peter, had been friends of Popcorn for more than 10 years.

Hession said he captured the spirit of the mountains, but there was also a gentle side to the man that those close to him knew well.

“He was a very kind, thoughtful person. I wish everybody knew him like we did,†Hession said.

[Guest tnmale46]

saw a story on tv about him a couple years ago -- rip popcorn

[Guest shadow12]

Now where do I get the good "water" to drink?

He was a decent man, just made stuff that the gov. didn't like.

[Jasongar8]

Anyone know where to find his book Me and My Likker? Ihave been looking for it for a while with no luck. I would like to find some of his dvd's. RIP Popcorn, he was just doing what he knew.

-Jason G

[Guest tadams]

Anyone know where to find his book Me and My Likker? Ihave been looking for it for a while with no luck. I would like to find some of his dvd's. RIP Popcorn, he was just doing what he knew.

-Jason G

Are you sure you wanted to ask?

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p0.m38.l1313&_nkw=me+and+my+likker&_sacat=See-All-Categories

They were just signed last week, though. That's pretty cool.

Edited March 17, 2009 by tadams

[Cajun]

R I P

[Guest m&pc9]

He made the best applebutter. He used to sell it at the smoky mt flea market. I went there one weekend bought a jar and later that night I saw he got busted for selling moonshine from his spot at the flea market. R.I.P.

[Guest Bluemax]

This is a good interview but somewhat graphic. RIP popcorn. http://www.jackassworld.com/blog/2009/02/20/popcorn-sutton/

[Garufa]

RIP.

That man was a true character and a testament to individualism.

The Mason Jar was cracked for a wee sip in his honor (of his very own elixer).

Edited March 17, 2009 by Garufa

[Guest m&pc9]

This is a good interview but somewhat graphic. RIP popcorn. http://www.jackassworld.com/blog/2009/02/20/popcorn-sutton/

That was very funny.

[Mike.357]

I have been reading this stuff since this morning.

The guy was a lifelong criminal. So he made bootleg liquor. I understand everyone is all warm and fuzzy about it and all. He was on TV and semi-infamous.

What if he spent his lifetime growing pot? Would there still be all these sappy sad testimonials?

Personally I do not see why distilling some alcohol is that awful, and I could care less if someone grows acres of weed. I just really don't get the mourning over some old ass bootlegger.

[Guest Bluemax]

Yes, it was funny but also very ironic in that Popcorn already had his casket and footmarker ready and waiting. It really is a shame that it took his death for everyone to question the severity of his sentence. Popcorn was practicing a lost art, not cooking up drugs in a bathtub as we so frequently hear about.. I guess you could say that Popcorn had the last word as evidenced by the message on his footmarker.

It would really be great if someone..an HONEST someone were to help the family profit from his legacy without exploiting it or them.

[Jasongar8]

I have been reading this stuff since this morning.

If you dont undersand it or "get" it then why have you been reading about it all day? I dont understand why people look at somthing by their own free will then bitch about it being on here. Rant off....

-Jason G

[Mike.357]

If you dont undersand it or "get" it then why have you been reading about it all day? I dont understand why people look at somthing by their own free will then bitch about it being on here. Rant off....

-Jason G

There has been a series of articles in the News Sentinel as well.

I don't care for Obama or his policies, I don't like these gov't bailouts, but I do read the news to see what is going on in the world. Do you read a headline and then stick your head in the sand?

Where is the bitching anyway? All I did was comment same as anyone else in this thread.

[jughead]

i have no problem with the true "moonshiners". the ones that use car radiators or what ever they can that poisons their customers are the ones that i cant stand. just an old mans opinion that has stayed away from the stuff for 72 years