Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton remembered in book

10:32 PM, May 1, 2012   |    comments
  • This image of Popcorn Sutton, copyright 2007 Don Dudenbostel, has been displayed at memorials for Sutton. See more of Dudenbostel's work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/7168285@N04/ .
    
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Two men who spent years photographing and interviewing East Tennessee moonshiner Popcorn Sutton shared their stories Tuesday night.

Tom Jester and Don Dudenbostel talked about their new book "Popcorn Sutton: The Making and Marketing of a Hillbilly Hero" during a dinner event at The Grill at Highlands Row in West Knoxville.

At the event, which was themed "sweet corn and popcorn," they talked about the years they knew Sutton.

They say he was often erratic, and a true Appalachian.

Jester and Dudenbostel say keeping the story of Popcorn Sutton alive is also a way to record the history of Appalachia.

A portion of Tuesday's dinner and book sales will benefit the East Tennessee history center.

Sutton took his own life in 2009, just before he was set to report to federal prison.

His moonshine is now legal in Tennessee.