Photo by Don Dudenbostel.
Remember Popcorn Sutton?
He was the gun totin’, model T driving, quick witted, self promoting moonshiner that I featured last year. In his life, he became a local legend because he was unapologetic about making liquor, which he likened to a calling. In death, he’s now approaching folk hero status.
No less than three songs have been written about Popcorn. One is from a man who knows a thing or two about legends–Hank Williams Jr. Two others are from local songwriters in the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains. They all tell the story of a man who lived proud, did what he loved, and bucked a crooked system the only way he knew how–by taking his own life.
Take a listen and vote for the best Popcorn Sutton Song.
You might also like Wendell Scott’s Speed Trials
I found that the young feller with a guitar had the best of these three songs! I felt the lyrics were geared more towards Popcorn, where the other two, more towards the shine. I felt Hank was just tryin’ to get the crowd goin’ by shoutin’ whiskey. Bob would come in second. But my vote for 1st is goin’ to the young fella with a guitar! He had it all! Great lyrics, well song & ONE HELLAVA PICKER!!! Just my opinion. Thanks. Joe B.
I must choose none of the above and cast my vote for
Moonshiner’s Blues by Hank Williams III.
Ali Randolph has an awesome live song on youtube way better than any of the others. http://www.popcornsuttonsong.com and it is on iTunes
I had my share o’ moonshine and I gotta say that some of it was downright nasty! BUT….then there was this shine I drank from Tenn. that would absolutely take your breath away, but it would let you catch your breath just enough to laughingly take it from you again on your next drink. I think I give $20 for a qt. jar (but that was from friend) I remember drinkin’ a good sized gulp on a bet w/a buddy and that was all I could handle…once my breath finally came back. Then this fella sold me a pint o’ shine that he had mixed in a little maraschino cherry juice. Now that tasted good. But I knew to just sip it. In about 3 or 4 li’l sips, my tongue got to where I just couldn’t talk straight, as hard as I tried. I could walk (some) but absolutely could not make my tongue work right. We laughed about that for a long time. Ya gotta respect what you’re drinkin’ w/good shine.
i agree w/Meyers, Hank 3 is the shit. He’s the reason i looked up this sight and “Popcorn”. please don’t get me wrong the others are also good, just not as good
Try Model A Ford- Not Model T. Quit trying to cheapen the legacy. Get your facts straight.
ALI RANDOLPH NAILED IT HANDS DOWN
She knew him, wrote the song before he killed himself & had a add verse after he died , & sang it at the age of 19 at the Memorial Servie by the Request of Popcorn`s Wife Pam…w Hank Williams Jr in the front row….
Ali Randolph sounds like a man and her stuff is not that good
The photo of Popcorn is one I made for a documentary project in 07 “vanishing Appalachia” hosted by the Museum of East Tn History and is currently touring other southern museums. If you are going to use my copyrighted image without asking permission please give my a credit line, photo by Don Dudenbostel. O
Hi Don. Thanks for letting me know. The photo has been used so widely on the internet, I thought it was a headshot available for general use. I’ve updated the photo to credit you. Thank you for permitting me to continue using it. It is a wonderful, understated shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW1zwaqeL9g
http://www.outtaluckband.com
Jason, get HELP QUICK son..
ali sings like a MAN? ridiculous. she has power and determination and that in a woman is BEAUTY !
Jason I think Popcorn would only have one thing to say to you!
My vote goes to the young feller with a guitar, seems his heart was really in his song. Love hank, jr., but did not hear it coming from his heart and the last guy was good, but the young feller was better.