Marvin Sutton
Encyclopedia
Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton was an American
Appalachia
n moonshiner
originally from Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
Sutton's career in bootleg
ging—and getting caught for it—extended back to the 1970s. In 1999, Sutton published Me and My Likker, an autobiography and guide to moonshine production. He was featured in a 2007 documentary Hillbilly: The Real Story, on The History Channel
. In 2008, he was featured in the documentary The Last One, filmed by Neal Hutcheson. In November 2010, Hank Williams, Jr.
announced a partnership (including Sutton's widow) to distill and distribute Sutton's whiskey legally for the first time.
Sutton considered moonshine production a legitimate part of his heritage, being as he was Scots-Irish and descended from a long line of moonshiners. In January 2009, after an ATF raid led by Jim Cavanaugh of Waco fame
, Sutton was sentenced to eighteen months in a federal prison for illegally brewing spirits and possession of a firearm as a felon. Sutton, 62 and recently diagnosed with cancer, pleaded with the U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer
to let him serve his sentence under house arrest. Several petitions were made in attempts to reduce or commute Sutton's sentence, to no avail. In sentencing, the judge specifically referred to the documentary about him.
by carbon monoxide poisoning on March 16, 2009, apparently to avoid a federal prison term due to begin a few days later. On October 24, 2009, Sutton's body was relocated from his original grave site in Mt. Sterling, North Carolina, to his home in Parrotsville, Tennessee, providing an opportunity for the first public memorial service to be held. He traveled to his final resting spot by horse and carriage. Sutton's memorial grew in spectacle as country music singer Hank Williams, Jr.
flew in to pay his respects. It was a small memorial only for close friends and family.
announced his partnership with J&M Concepts LLC and widow Pam Sutton to distill and distribute Sutton's whiskey legally for the first time. Dubbed "Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey," it is produced on stills designed by Sutton prior to his death, using his secret family recipe and techniques Sutton entrusted to former Supercross professional Jamey Grosser
of J&M Concepts. Country music stars attending the launch event included Martina McBride
, Kid Rock
, 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
. According to press reports, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey will be initially distributed in Tennessee
and throughout the southeast. The copper stills were handcrafted by Vendome Copper and Brass in Louisville, KY.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Appalachia
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
n moonshiner
Moonshiner
Moonshiner may refer to:*Moonshiner, one who makes moonshine, illegal distilled alcohol*"The Moonshiner", a traditional folk song...
originally from Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
Sutton's career in bootleg
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
ging—and getting caught for it—extended back to the 1970s. In 1999, Sutton published Me and My Likker, an autobiography and guide to moonshine production. He was featured in a 2007 documentary Hillbilly: The Real Story, on The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
. In 2008, he was featured in the documentary The Last One, filmed by Neal Hutcheson. In November 2010, Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams, Jr.
Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
announced a partnership (including Sutton's widow) to distill and distribute Sutton's whiskey legally for the first time.
Sutton considered moonshine production a legitimate part of his heritage, being as he was Scots-Irish and descended from a long line of moonshiners. In January 2009, after an ATF raid led by Jim Cavanaugh of Waco fame
Waco Siege
The Waco siege began on February 28, 1993, and ended violently 50 days later on April 19. The siege began when the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attempted to execute a search warrant at the Branch Davidian ranch at Mount Carmel, a property located east-northeast of Waco,...
, Sutton was sentenced to eighteen months in a federal prison for illegally brewing spirits and possession of a firearm as a felon. Sutton, 62 and recently diagnosed with cancer, pleaded with the U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer
J. Ronnie Greer
James Ronnie Greer is a United States federal judge.Born in Mountain City, Tennessee, Greer received a B.S. from East Tennessee State University in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1980. He was a Special assistant, Gov. Lamar Alexander, Nashville, Tennessee from...
to let him serve his sentence under house arrest. Several petitions were made in attempts to reduce or commute Sutton's sentence, to no avail. In sentencing, the judge specifically referred to the documentary about him.
Death
Sutton committed suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by carbon monoxide poisoning on March 16, 2009, apparently to avoid a federal prison term due to begin a few days later. On October 24, 2009, Sutton's body was relocated from his original grave site in Mt. Sterling, North Carolina, to his home in Parrotsville, Tennessee, providing an opportunity for the first public memorial service to be held. He traveled to his final resting spot by horse and carriage. Sutton's memorial grew in spectacle as country music singer Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams, Jr.
Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
flew in to pay his respects. It was a small memorial only for close friends and family.
Nickname
In the 1960s or 70s, Sutton was given the nickname of "Popcorn" Sutton after damaging a bar's faulty popcorn vending machine with a pool cue.Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey
On Nov. 9, 2010, Hank Williams, Jr.Hank Williams, Jr.
Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
announced his partnership with J&M Concepts LLC and widow Pam Sutton to distill and distribute Sutton's whiskey legally for the first time. Dubbed "Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey," it is produced on stills designed by Sutton prior to his death, using his secret family recipe and techniques Sutton entrusted to former Supercross professional Jamey Grosser
Jamey Grosser
Jamey Grosser, originally from New Hope, Minnesota is a former professional Supercross racer and current serial entrepreneur. As a racer, Grosser competed on the AMA Supercross and Motocross Championship tours from 1996 to 2008 where he earned the nickname People's Champ...
of J&M Concepts. Country music stars attending the launch event included Martina McBride
Martina McBride
Martina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
, Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson is an American Grammy Award nominated country music artist. Signed to BNA Records in 2005, Johnson made his debut with his single "The Dollar," the title track to his 2006 album The Dollar...
, Randy Houser
Randy Houser
Shawn Randolph "Randy" Houser is an American country music artist. Signed to the Universal South Records label in 2008, he charted the single "Anything Goes" that year...
, Travis Tritt
Travis Tritt
James Travis Tritt is an American country music singer from Marietta, Georgia. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 2000s, he released two albums on Columbia Records and one for the defunct...
, Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
, Zac Brown, Josh Thompson
Josh Thompson
Joshua Eric Thompson is a professional American football defensive tackle free agent. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Auburn. He has also played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.-External links:***...
, Kentucky Headhunters, Little Big Town
Little Big Town
Little Big Town is an American country music vocal group. Founded in 1998, the group has comprised the same four members since its inception: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet. The quartet's musical style relies heavily on four-part vocal harmonies, with all...
, Colt Ford
Colt Ford
Jason Farris Brown known professionally as Colt Ford, is an American country music artist and former professional golfer. He has released three albums via his own Average Joe's label, and has charted four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts...
, Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry is an American country music duo composed of vocalists Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. The two began performing in the 1990s as part of a band which also included Eddie Montgomery's brother John Michael Montgomery, and founded the existing duo in 1999.Signed to Columbia Records,...
, Jaron and the Long Road to Love
Jaron and the Long Road to Love
Jaron David Lowenstein is an American singer who formerly recorded with his identical twin brother, Evan, in the musical duo Evan and Jaron. As Jaron and the Long Road to Love, he released his debut single, "Pray for You," to country radio in November 2009...
and Lee Brice
Lee Brice
Lee Brice is an American country music artist. Signed to Curb Records' Asylum-Curb division since 2007, Brice has released four singles to country radio, all four of which have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The fourth of these, "Love Like Crazy," holds the record for the...
. According to press reports, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey will be initially distributed in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and throughout the southeast. The copper stills were handcrafted by Vendome Copper and Brass in Louisville, KY.