Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast

There's no question that team participation in BBQ competitions has been trending downward in recent years. There are no magical solutions as various factor come into play, with economics probably No. 1. On Episode 361 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we take a stab at examining - from a contest organizer's point of view - what makes for a good comp, a not-so-good comp and all points in between with long-time organizer Carl McBee. We hope our listeners will add to the conversation in the comments section, though transparent and frequent communication along with bang-for-your-buck prize funds certainly seem to be at the top of everyone's lists. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their Father's Day cooking results and preview what's ahead as the weather heats up in the short stretch run up to the 4th of July weekend. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Mat Bonville hasn't been doing competition BBQ for long, but the pitmaster of Phantom Smoke & BBQ from Kipling, Saskatchewan had a memorable cook at one of the world's foremost contests a couple of weeks ago. Bonville scored a whopping 707.97 at the KCBS World Invitational in Lebanon, Tennessee - roughly a 24-drive from home - to earn Reserve Grand honors and qualify for next spring's BBQ World Cup. On Episode 359 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Bonville tells us about his journey, what it was like hearing his name alongside some of the world's best and what's ahead for his one-man team. We also welcome Joel Fleetwood back to the show to discuss Meat Rushmore BBQ's latest release in its product lineup, the Midwest Heat Sauce. Joel also shares his thoughts on the World Cup, which is coming to Kansas City for Group matches beginning next week, and the enthusiasm that international visitors are bringing to mid-America. Co-host Lyndal and Steve recap their BBQ weekend and give opinions on some sports headlines. We hope everyone has a chance to fire up the grill or smoker this weekend! A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Episode 357 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast brings back our popular "Under the Radar" segment where we find out more about up-and-coming competition teams. Jordan Williams and Richard Smith comprise BBQ Pit Bros out of Des Moines, Iowa. They began cooking KCBS backyard comps in 2021 and, after multiple Grand Championships and Reserves, the team has taken the plunge into the KCBS 4-Meat Masters Series in 2026. Jordan and Richard talk about the journey and how their contrasting personalities keep the team in balance. We also talk about the growing popularity of high school BBQ with Chuck Simpson, head coach of the Missouri champion Osceola High School "Serial Grillers," an all-girl team comprised of three freshmen and a senior. Chuck and wife Jessica also organized the mid-July KCBS Masters and Backyard doubleheader "Smokin' on the Osage" in their hometown. This will be the 8th annual and Chuck is pleading with teams to avoid waiting until the last minute to enter, so he and Jessica can plan with less stress. The entry form and info can be found at smokinontheosage.com. The co-hoists review their Memorial Day cooking plans and go through "news and notes" from the BBQ world in the opening segment, with a quick look at sports to close things out. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

North Dakota is not the warmest open-fire cooking climate in the country, but Nick and Shannon Holman are doing their best to put the Minot, N.D. team Burnt Trees BBQ on the competition map. The husband-wife duo last week came away from the 77-team Minnesota in May with a Grand Championship, their fourth in 50 career KCBS competitions. Consistency is a key for the couple, who have turned countless highway miles on the BBQ trail into quality time. The Holmans talk about they've been able to achieve success on Episode 355 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ podcast, also telling the story behind their converted horse trailer that serves as a weatherproof BBQ wagon. We also take a trip to Republic, Mo., to visit with Skyler Spartan and Charlie Wallace about what's coming up at The Grill Guys of Missouri, a go-to spot for all things BBQ. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks and preview what's ahead on their smokers this weekend. Check out the show on your favorite #podcast platform or on our Facebook page. Also find all 355 episodes at tailgateguysbbq.com A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

As the 2026 competition season gets rolling, a team to watch is Can Country Outlaw led by Jason Halterman. After a breakthrough 2025 season, which saw Can Country Outlaw win three KCBS Grand Championships plus a first-place 180 brisket at the American Royal World Series of BBQ Invitational, Jason is looking for even bigger things in 2026. On episode 343 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with Jason about his BBQ career and the key elements in making huge strides last season with 20 top-10 overall finishes in 30 events. Jason also reveals a lofty goal that he would like to become the first to achieve. Check out the show on your favorite #podcast platform or on our Facebook page (link in IG bio). Also find all 343 episodes at tailgateguysbbq.com A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Call this one the bonus show! Unplanned, but here we are! Episode 341 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast is our annual Super Bowl preview edition, from both football and foot angles. Representing the Seattle Seahawks out of the Pacific Northwest is Seattle Food Truck owner Jason Hester, Rolling Smoke BBQ & Co. Jason gives his game breakdown and offers up some Seattle-themed food ideas for game day in your backyard, along with a breakdown of his BBQ background. Then we're off to Boston to chat with 2026 KCBS Hall of Fame Bill Gillespie of Smokin' Hoggz BBQ after another banner 2025 season for the former American Royal Invitational and Jack Daniels Invitational Grand Champion. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve give them takes on the big game as well. Additionally, I want to give a big "thank you" to all who have sent warm wishes and prayers during my recovery from surgery. Doing this show is a great way to have a realm of normalcy and that is what this week - with a weak voice - has provided. Thanks to the guests and listeners to putting up with the struggling and tired-sounding voice. I hope to do better next week, and beyond. Check out Episode 341 - or any of the previous shows - on your favorite #podcast platform in find out Facebook link (in IG bio). Thanks as always to our sponsors/marketing partners: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #MeatRushmoreBBQ LovelyJubblyBBQ #LovelyJubblyBBQ Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

On Episode 339 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we welcome our friend Richard Fergola back to the show. The pitmaster of Fergolicious BBQ already has had an eventful 2026 with a vacation to Kenya before teaching a full-on competition BBQ class in Louisville. Now "Fergie" is off for a 10-day BBQ excursion to Costa Rica and Panama. There's never a dull moment when Fergie is around and he also breaks some news of two new Richard Fergola BBQ sauces that are nearing release. Joining the show for the first time is Mitch Heath of new show partner Lovely Jubbly BBQ out of Wisconsin. Along with competition cooking, Mitch has a lineup of Lovely Jubbly rubs and gives us a rundown, plus an overview of his BBQ background - and how in the world he came up with his team name. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks, news and notes from the BBQ world and breakdown the busy weekend in pro and college football. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

While we're on a holiday break before starting Season 8 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, it's a special edition with two of our most-listened-to guests from 2025. First up is Brad Leighninger of Gettin' Basted with a recap of his runner-up finish on the Food Network show BBQ Brawl. The July conversation also touches on Brad's in-progress run to an unprecedented 4th KCBS Team of the Year title … A few weeks later, the #GOAT of Q joined us. Darren Warth from Iowa Smokey D's showed in 2025 that he was reinvigorated about competition BBQ and we talked to him shortly after his 80th career KCBS Grand Championship, a $15,000 prize from the Grand American World Championship in Port Jarvis, N.Y. Check out the show in the link below or on your favorite #podcast platform. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife We'll be back soon to start Season 8 of the show. Until then you can check out all 337 episodes of the show on your favorite #podcast platform. For now, have a happy new year and as always - #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm