Tailgate Guys Bbq Podcast

On Episode 352 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with two big winners from last weekend. First up is the story of fast-rising High on the Hog BBQ out of St. Louis, which won its first KCBS GC in Edina, Missouri, in just its sixth KCBS competition. Shawn Campbell and Rich Alexander reveal how they've been able to achieve big-tie success in just their second full-time season. The segment beings at the 9:02 mark.  We then take a trip to central Texas to hear from Matthew Frazier and Justin Payne of Smokin' Aces BBQ after their $5,000 GC at the Rib Cookoff Association World Championships. Justin and Matthew talk about the subtle differences in cooking Baby Backs and St. Louis spares and how the RCOA comps compare to other sanctioning bodies, in both taste and tenderness, plus presentation. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks, including the Tailgate Guys' first competition of the year,  and give a quick rundown of the sports scene.  Check out the show on your favorite #podcast plat

The guys from Blind Fox BBQ haven't been doing competition cooking for long, but it's clear they rise to the occasion in big contests. Two years after finishing sixth at their first American Royal World Series of BBQ Open (444 teams) Joe Rickfels and Adam Burch won their first Grand Championship at last weekend's 103-team Smoke in the Spring in Osage City, Kansas. Not only was it the first GC, it gave the guys a ticket into the American Royal Invitational and an auto bid into the inaugural BBQ World Cup next spring in Las Vegas. On Episode 351 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with Joe and Adam about their BBQ journey and their expectations for the rest of 2026. We also check in with Aaron Huentelman, competition meat director for Mister Brisket about a chance to win some cool prizes in a new promotion. Aaron also updated us on Mister Brisket's plans for the competition game in 2026 and an overview of the market and prices as a whole.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks, talk about

There are many tremendous cooks in the Backyard Division of the KCBS who often are overlooked in a competition world in which the Masters division gets most of the attention for master all four meats. On Episode 350 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast we talk it over with one of the best in the two-meat (chicken and ribs) division and that's Bill Toth whose Dawg's BBQ out of Minneapolis, Minn., is coming off a rare 180/180 for a perfect 360 total at the Iowa State BBQ Championships in Altoona. Bill gives the backstory on how he and wife Shelly got started in competition cooking and touches on how thick the level of competition is in Backyard, while addressing the question of if he's considering turning to the four-meat side any time soon.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks, talk about how your smoker doesn't have to be limited to cooking meat, but can add a smokey twist to just about anything be it sides or desserts The guys also review the finish of March Madness and big-league baseball. Chec

Everywhere Paul Russell goes in competition BBQ from his home base in Conway, Arkansas, he consistently gets the question about his team's unique name. But Kermit's Ex BBQ is more than a neat name and logo, it's also a consistent contender on the KCBS circuit. On Episode 349 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with Paul about his latest success, a Grand Championship at the Kickin' It On Route 66 BBQ Challenge in St. Robert, Mo., plus his upward trend to become a serious contender anywhere he competes.  We also check in with Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri, who are cooking up several hundred pounds of BBQ to serve at this weekend's Man Show Expo in Springfield, Missouri, and what's coming up in April at their BBQ shop in Republic. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their recent cooking adventures and talk a little sports headed into Final Four weekend. Check out the show on your favorite #podcast platform or on our Facebook page (link in IG bio). Also find all 349 episodes at tailgateguysb

Think you need a fancy toy hauler or trailer to succeed in competition BBQ? To that, we present Drew Davis, the king of canopy cooking. On Episode 348 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Davis and his simple approach with Razorracks BBQ proved again last weekend - winning the 125-team KCBS Smoke on the Shores in Lebanon, Tenn., that less can be more. Drew, one of the nation's best comp cooks for more than a decade, talks about his approach to success and why Smoke on the Shores was a special win to him. We also talk it over with Craig Verhage, the Chief BBQ Officer of Royal Oak Charcoal. Craig, with an extensive competition BBQ background, reveals how he got the monicker "The BBQ Ninja" and gives us a rundown of what's new in the Royal Oak lineup of products for 2026.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their recent cooking adventures, plus talk March Madness and opening day in Major League Baseball.  Check out the show on your favorite #podcast platform or on our Facebook page (link in IG bio). Also find all 34

It's fun to talk it over with one of America's top up-and-coming competition pit masters on Episode 347 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Chase Muninger of Munny's Stove BBQ in Wichita, Kansas, has won five KCBS Grand Championships since 2024 with his latest in a stacked 37-team field at Boots, Brews & BBQ in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Chase talks about his background in barbecue and how the competitive nature of it appeals to him. A member of the Kansas Air National Guard, Chase said he uses a "hybrid" cooking style with different kinds of smokers to achieve his success and explains how that works.  We also visit with Richard Fergola just ahead of a new product launch in his growing Richard Fergola Barbecue lineup as his first two sauces join six spice rubs already popular in the backyard and competition circuit. He also previewed an upcoming pairing with Sterling Smith of Loot n Booty for a KCBS comp in Fargo, N.D. next month.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their recent cooking adventures, plus give a

It's fitting that on Episode 346 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast - our 500th show when combined with three years on local radio - that our long-time friend Brad Leighninger joins us. Brad came on the show often in 2016 when we started the show and those who follow competition BBQ will enjoy the various topics that he touches on, including thoughts on the current state of KCBS and its leadership, plus what drives him to seed a fifth Team of the Year championship. We also get Brad's thoughts on his upcoming induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.  We also talk it over with the man who made the origins of our show possible. Ryan McCoy was the owner of the original Countryside BBQ Pro Shop, our title sponsor in the early days. Once a BBQ competitor himself, we find out what Ryan is doing these days and if he still has the itch to compete. We owe a lot to Ryan for his support in helping launch the Tailgate Guys Show a decade ago. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their recent cooking adventures, plus run

We've met J.P. Parran on the competition circuit and he's truly one of the most enthusiastic people out there, guaranteed to bring a smile to all and some great BBQ to the judges. On Episode 345 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, JP stops by to talk about his BBQ journey and how he and wife Colleen, who form Bourbon and Blues BBQ out of Wilmington, N.C., have made a successful leap from the KCBS two-met backyard series to the four-meat Masters. It's particularly timely as Bourbon and Blues is coming off back-to-back Reserve Grand Championships on the KCBS circuit. It's also time for our monthly visit with Charlie Wallace and Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri, where something tasty is always happening from great deals on grills to a new addition to their Vegan Recovery Center. Check out this month's segment.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss the transition of seasons while discussing their recent cooking adventures, plus some news and notes from the sports world. Check out the show on your favorit

On Episode 344 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we take a trip to Texas to learn about up-and-coming team Smokin' Aces BBQ. Led by friends Matthew Frazier and Justin Payne, Smokin' Aces is fresh off a Champions BBQ Alliance Grand Championship in Giddings, Texas, boosting the team to second in the early season CBA points chase. Matthew and Justin break down how they got started competing and how they've meshed into one to be reckoned with. We also welcome Joel Fleetwood back to the show for his monthly Meat Rushmore BBQ appearance. With the World Cup coming to Kansas City for six games this summer, Joel touches on some ideas for tweaking the menu at the Meat Rushmore BBQ restaurant in Kansas City International airport Terminal B with tens of thousands of international visitors coming to town. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss the transition of seasons that is nearing, putting BBQ back in the forefront of backyard cooking. Check out the show on your favorite #podcast platform or on our Facebook page. Also, fin

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

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

Episode 340 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast features Chris Salsberry, whose Fred Vegas Smokers captured the Grand Championship at last weekend's 63-team Lakeland Pig Festival. That earned Chris an auto bid into the inaugural BBQ World Cup in 2027, an event that he says is getting people excited in the competition world. We learn about the origin of the name Fred Vegas Smokers while Chris takes us through his background in the competition world, ranging back to the early days in 2012. It's also time for our monthly trip to the Grill Guys of Missouri for the latest from Charlie Wallace and Skyler Spartan, co-owners of one of the region's hottest stores for all things BBQ. And co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their weeks, with news and notes from the BBQ world and a breakdown from the AFC and NFC championship games - with some early thoughts on Patriots vs. Seahawks for the big game on Feb. 8.  Check out the show on your favorite #podcast platform and find all 340 episodes since 2019 at tailgateguysbbq.com  A b

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 #blueshognat

Season 8 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast begins and we're thrilled to be back, looking to bring open-fire cooking knowledge to our listeners. That's best done by having great guests and we kick off the new year with two of the best. Leading off Episode 338 is Bill Purvis of Chicken Fried BBQ, who's not only a world champion but one of the best content producers around. We visit with Bill about his 2025 season, the year ahead and  his line of rubs and sauces, which continue to grow.  We also talk it over with Joel Fleetwood of Meat Rushmore BBQ, one of our new partners for the show. Meat Rushmore is well into its 18-month run as the brand-name at the BBQ Experience restaurant inside Terminal B at Kansas City International airport. Meat Rushmore also had a popular line of rubs and sauces - the same stuff they use in competition and in the restaurant recipes - that is available for backyard cooks worldwide. Joel tells us about developing those products.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve recap their cooking experiences

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 #clarkcrewb

We wrap up Season 7 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast with champion guests from from far north and south of the competition spectrum. First up at the 8:30 mark on Episode 336 of the show is Janice Smella, head cook of SmellaQue out of Calgary, Alberta. Smellaque recently was crowned Team of the Year in the Canadian BBQ Society for the fifth time. Janice reviews her 11-year history in competition BBQ and some of the travels that have taken her family team tens of thousands of miles over the years to enjoy the BBQ lifestyle. Then it's a trip to south Texas to learn about Carl Davis of Cast Iron Cookers, Team of the Year in the Texas-based Champions BBQ Alliance. Beginning at 35:48, Carl talks about his love for cast iron skillets - hence the team name - and his quick rise in the competition ranks since starting just two years ago.  Skyler Spartan of The Grill Guys of Missouri also stops by and co-hosts Lyndal and Steve preview Christmas cooking plans and talk about the Kansas City Chiefs demise.  We'll return in

Not to toot our own horn, but the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast has a pretty good track record when spotting upcoming talent in our "Under the Radar" segment. This week's featured guest, Dan Wright of Take it Easy BBQ, is the latest example. Since appearing on the show in March, Dan posted his first two KCBS Grand Championships, 11 top 10 overall finishes and a sixth-place in the KCBS Chicken Team of the Year standings. Dan rejoins the show to discuss his BBQ journey this week on Episode 335.  We also talk it over with Charlie Wallace from the Grill Guys of Missouri about the latest happenings from the BBQ store in Republic, which should be appointment-shopping for those seeking to please their grilling friends. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve recap their latest cooking ventures and talk about the Kansas City Chiefs' demise.  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 Charc

On Episode 334 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with the husband-wife due of Dave and Shirin Mara of Meat Candy Q out of San Diego. It was a banner 2025 season as Meat Candy Q won California BBQ Association Team of the Year honors for the third time in four years and also wound up seventh in the KCBS Team of the Year standings. They had a remarkable stretch of 15 consecutive top-10 finishes during the season and talk about the keys to consistency and how they deal with extensive travel that competition BBQ often requires.  We also have the latest news from The Grill Guys of Missouri in Republic, Missouri and co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their Thanksgiving weekend cooking results and take a tour of the sports world.  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 Misso

Before getting to the preview of Episode 333 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we send wishes for a "Happy Thanksgiving" to all. May your feast be plentiful and your family time blessed, not only on Turkey Day but every day as we head down the home stretch of 2025. Leading off the guest lineup this week is Chase Willard, pitmaster of Squealin' N Dealin' BBQ out of Independence, Missouri. Chase and team had a breakout season, with three Grand Championships and three RGCs in 19 KCBS events, finishing 21st in the Team of the Year standings. Chase - a Tailgate Guys 'Under the Radar' guest in 2021 -  reviews some of the highlights and how he was able to achieve seven 700 scores and six perfect 180s, including in brisket at the American Royal World Series of BBQ Open.  We also get the latest news on The Grill Guys of Missouri from Charlie Wallace, who has the scoop on some terrific sales at the Republic, Missouri, BBQ specialty store. Finally, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve preview their turkey day game plans, review r