Popcorn Sutton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Marvin Sutton October 5, 1946 |
| Died | March 16, 2009 (aged 62) Parrottsville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Moonshiner, bootlegger |
| Notable work | Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey |
| Spouse | Pamela Sutton |
| Children | 1 |
Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton (October 5, 1946 – March 16, 2009) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger. 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.[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]
Sutton died by suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2009, aged 62, rather than report to federal prison[7] after being convicted of offenses related to moonshining and illegal firearm possession. Since his death, a new company and associated whiskey brand have been named after him.
- ^ Motsinger, Carol (November 10, 2014). "New Movie Focuses on WNC Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
- ^ Roberston, Campbell (February 20, 2012). "Yesterday's Moonshiner, Today's Microdistiller". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Stephen (March 20, 2009). "Legendary Tennessee Moonshiner Plied His Trade to the End". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ Mansfield, Duncan (March 19, 2009). "Widow: Moonshiner took his life to avoid prison". San Francisco Chronicle. The Associated Press. Retrieved March 21, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Stroud, Emily (March 17, 2009). "Family of legendary moonshiner hoped his sentence would be reduced". WBIR-TV. Retrieved March 21, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton | IndieBound.org". www.indiebound.org. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ Morrison, Clarke (March 26, 2009), "Legendary Moonshiner is Laid to Rest", Asheville Citizen-Times, Asheville, NC, p. 22, retrieved August 13, 2023