Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast
Two regular guys talking to the biggest names in BBQ. Tips, techniques, recipes. We even cook against some of the best in the business in KCBS and SCA on occasion.
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 315: Ercole Chila tribute
07/23/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 315: Ercole Chila tribute
The competition BBQ world was rocked late last week by the tragic news that Ercole Chila from Uncle Pigs Barbecue Pit from Paulsboro, N.J., had been killed in an automobile accident. Two of Ercole’s shining accomplishments on the competition trail was Uncle Pig’s 2022 KCBS Team of the Year award and the 2023 Jack Daniels World BBQ Invitational championship. But beyond the smoke and tasty proteins was a man who was a friend to so many across the land. On Episode 315 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast we visit with two of Ercole’s close BBQ friends, Mike Licciardello and Dave Travis. They provide some insight on the man Ercole was and what made him special. We send our condolences to Ercole’s family and many friends. We also take a trip to Republic, Mo., for the latest happenings from The Grill Guys of Missouri and co-owner Charlie Wallace. Tailgate Guys co-host Lyndal Scranton reviews the team’s doubleheader last weekend at Smokin’ on the Osage, where the Tailgate Guys brought home a first-place in brisket. We also recap the latest episode of BBQ Brawl on Food Network where our buddy Brad Leighninger is headed to the three-person finale this Sunday. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Epsiode 314: Ashton Smith with O.G. Bandits
07/17/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Epsiode 314: Ashton Smith with O.G. Bandits
For Ashton Smith and Josh Farley, the idea of a BBQ restaurant and food truck seemed unlikely a couple of years ago. But after winning the Made for KC competition in 2023, earning naming rights to the BBQ restaurant in Kansas City International Airport for what turned out to be 18 months, the O.G. Bandits are more than a championship KCBS competition team - they’re now an award-winning restaurant with a retail line of rubs and sauces and perhaps bigger things are coming soon. On Episode 314 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Ashton tells us about a world-wide restaurant hospitality award the O.G. Bandits recently received and recaps their BBQ journey. We also take a trip to Republic, Mo., for the latest happenings from The Grill Guys of Missouri and co-owner Skyler Spartan. And the co-hosts recap the latest episode of BBQ Brawl on Food Network where our buddy Brad Leighninger wowed 'em with his Beef Ribs. The guys also review their cooking weeks and look ahead to the Tailgate Guys’ return to competition in a big doubleheader this weekend in west-central Missouri. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 313: Brant Champoux, Chuck Simpson
07/08/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 313: Brant Champoux, Chuck Simpson
Episode 313 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast takes us back “Under the Rader” to learn the story of an up-and-coming competition team. This time it’s Brant Champoux from Second Hand Smoke out of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Brant discusses his journey from the backyard division to taking on all four meats in 2025, with a terrific showing in his first KCBS competition of the season. There’s a terrific competition coming up in west-central Missouri. It’s the 7th annual Smokin’ on the Osage in Osceola with all the amenities a great contest needs. Chuck Simpson, who organizes the KCBS Masters and Backyard double with wife Jessica describes the ongoing battle to get teams to sign up in a timely matter and what is offered at this one. Chuck also is the coach of the Osceola High School BBQ teams, which have enjoyed tremendous success since starting the program five years ago. Charlie Wallace from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the area’s leading BBQ store, located in Republic, Mo., and co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks and the most-recent BBQ Brawl on Food Network where our buddy Brad Leighninger continues to advance. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 312: Joe Pearce, Skyler Spartan
07/02/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 312: Joe Pearce, Skyler Spartan
We catch up with one of America’s elite competition pitmasters and proprietor of Kansas City’s top BBQ restaurant on Episode 312 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Joe Pearce of Slaps BBQ is fresh off a Grand Championship at the 159-team Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, his 47th career KCBS Grand Championship. A three-time runner-up in KCBS Team of the Year standings, Joe tells us why that contest is special to him and talks about his decision to scale back his competition schedule. He’s also a former competitor on the Food Network program BBQ Brawl and gives his take on Season 6 and buddy Brad Leighninger’s showing so far. Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the area’s leading BBQ store, located in Republic, Mo., and co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks and preview the upcoming 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 311: Travis Clark, Charlie Wallace
06/25/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 311: Travis Clark, Charlie Wallace
When you think of Oklahoma sports, you think of college with the Sooners or Cowboys and even Golden Hurricane. But these days, the Oklahoma City Thunder have turned the state into a pro basketball-frenzied state and to measure the enthusiasm we check in with Hall of Fame pit master Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ. Along with basketball, we visit with Travis about his restaurants, memories of his historic 2017 KCBS Team of the Year season and what he misses about the competition circuit. Charlie Wallace from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the area’s leading BBQ store, located in Republic, Mo., and co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks and preview the upcoming 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 310: Under the Radar with Three Stooges BBQ
06/19/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 310: Under the Radar with Three Stooges BBQ
Episode 310 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast features a trio of guys from the St. Louis area who are having fun while learning the ropes of competition BBQ. Chris Flanders, Jason Adams and Rodney Adams are Three Stooges BBQ and they’re determined to make an impact against the big teams after learning the ropes in the backyard division. Go go “Under the Radar” to learn more about My Three Stooges. Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the BBQ store in Republic, Mo., and co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks and preview the upcoming 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 309: Josh Schluterman, Lawson Parker
06/11/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 309: Josh Schluterman, Lawson Parker
On Episode 309 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk tailgating with one of the best in college sports. Josh Schluterman and Ben Crozier are Baum BQ Squad out of Fayetteville, Ark. The duo are top-notch Steak Cookoff Association and Rib Cookout Association contestants, but the avid, long-time Arkansas Razorbacks fans throw some of the best tailgates around. Josh joins us to talk about their two favorite passions and the upcoming trip to the College World Series in Omaha where the Razorbacks will be the team to beat. The “Under the Radar” segment returns where an up-and-coming team shares its story. This week it’s Lawson Parker of SouthInUrMouth, who jumped right into the deep waters of the American Royal World Series of BBQ for his first competition in 2019. Since that time Lawson, an oral surgeon by day and open-fire cooking enthusiast by nights and weekends, has worked on his BBQ game to the point of now getting calls on a regular basis as a one-man team. Charlie Wallace from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the BBQ store in Republic, Mo., including details of a class with Josh DeWitt and Jeremy Williams this weekend. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve also review their cooking weeks and preview the upcoming weekend. Also, Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 308: Alby Ranson, Thomas Gearhart
06/04/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 308: Alby Ranson, Thomas Gearhart
Alby Ranson and Scuffletown Smokers don’t cook every weekend, like many championship-level BBQ teams. But the southern Indiana team makes the most of its opportunities, notching another World Championship recently at the KCBS World Invitational. On Episode 308 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Alby reviews the winning cook and talks about how the title compares to winning The Jack Daniels World Invitational last fall. We also talk it over with Thomas Gearhart of Mudville BBQ, the 2019 American Royal World Series of BBQ Open Grand Champion. Thomas is still winning, but most the conversation this time focuses on his role on the KCBS Board of Directors, where he authored a report on a proposal to re-make the model of how Masters and Backyard teams are defined. It’s a long ways from the finish line, but Thomas explains the process. Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the BBQ store in Republic, Mo. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking weeks and preview the upcoming weekend, plus happenings in the sports world. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 307: Brian Peyton, Aaron Huentelman
05/29/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 307: Brian Peyton, Aaron Huentelman
One of the new world champions from last week’s KCBS World Invitational joins us on Episode 307 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Brian Peyton from Meat Me In St. Louis earned the Grand Championship in the Open portion of the weekend and also had a solid coon in the Invitational. Brian breaks down his weekend and reviews his competition career with some insight into his cook process. We also have a special appearance from Aaron Huentleman with breaking news of a partnership between Mister Brisket and the American Royal World Series of BBQ. Mister Brisket will become the official meat supplier of The Royal, offering competition baskets of all four meats at this November’s American Royal for a nifty price of $399 - delivered to The Royal. Charlie Wallace from The Grill Guys of Missouri fills us in on his recent trip to Smokeslam in Memphis and has the latest happenings from the Republic, Mo., BBQ store. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their weeks and look ahead to sunshine and cooking 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 307: Brian Peyton, Aaron Huentelman
05/29/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 307: Brian Peyton, Aaron Huentelman
One of the new world champions from last week’s KCBS World Invitational joins us on Episode 307 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Brian Peyton from Meat Me In St. Louis earned the Grand Championship in the Open portion of the weekend and also had a solid coon in the Invitational. Brian breaks down his weekend and reviews his competition career with some insight into his cook process. We also have a special appearance from Aaron Huentleman with breaking news of a partnership between Mister Brisket and the American Royal World Series of BBQ. Mister Brisket will become the official meat supplier of The Royal, offering competition baskets of all four meats at this November’s American Royal for a nifty price of $399 - delivered to The Royal. Charlie Wallace from The Grill Guys of Missouri fills us in on his recent trip to Smokeslam in Memphis and has the latest happenings from the Republic, Mo., BBQ store. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their weeks and look ahead to sunshine and cooking 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 306: Bo Wheless, Heath Riles encore
05/22/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 306: Bo Wheless, Heath Riles encore
One of our favorite segments on the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast over the last couple of years has been “Under the Radar” where we visit with up-and-coming pit masters. Many of them have gone on to achieve success and we visit with one on Episode 306 this week. Bo Wheless of Bocephus BBQ out of Mayetta, Kansas, was on the show two years ago. He’s since won three KCBS Grand Championships, including last week’s Smokin’ Hot Cars & BBQ in Iola, Kan., where he soared past 700 to pick up the win. We visit with Bo this week to learn about his success and how he’s been able to pull it off. We also review Memphis in May where Heath Riles earned his long-sought Grand Championship along with a third world ribs title in four years. It’s an encore presentation of portions of Heath’s appearance on the show earlier this month where he talked about why winning MIM would be so special. We’re back next week. Until then, enjoy your Memorial Day 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 305: Steven Raichlen, Tim Scheer
05/13/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 305: Steven Raichlen, Tim Scheer
One of the world’s foremast authorities joins us on Episode 305 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Steven Raichlen is a multi-award winning writer and television host and we visit with Steven about his latest book, Project Griddle. It’s filled all you need to know about cooking on a flat-top, from expertly cooking meat, veggies and even desserts. We also ask Steven what’s left on his BBQ bucket list that he wants to accomplish. It’s Memphis in May week and we bring back an encore of our conversation with Tim Scheer, 2022 champion at the world’s most-prestigious competition. Tim breaks down his prep for MIM and the latest on his Blues Hog lineup of sauces. Meanwhile, there’s big news from our show sponsor The Grill Guys of Missouri and co-owner Skyler Spartan fills us in on some big awards the outdoor-grilling store recently won.Finally, co-hosts Steve and Lyndal also recap their latest cooking adventures Lyndal previews the Tailgate Guys excursion to eastern Kansas to compete 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 304: Heath Riles, Brad Vollmer
05/07/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 304: Heath Riles, Brad Vollmer
On Episode 304 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, one of the world’s open-fire cooking experts joins us. It’s Heath Riles, who’s headed to Memphis in May next week looking to bring home his first overall MIM Grand Championship after winning the Ribs championship two of the last 3 years. Heath will tell us how he’s been prepping for the world’s most-prestigious competition and his busy world, in which he has little down time with his cooking, shooting Youtube channel videos, promoting his product brand and recording his weekly Shootin’ the Que podcast. We discuss it all with one of the great people in BBQ. We also go back under the radar this week, with Brad Vollmer from the Missouri team Meats my Mistress BBQ, learning his BBQ story. Then it’s time for our weekly trip to the Grill Guys of Missouri as Charlie Wallace has the latest from the southwest Missouri BBQ store. Finally, co-hosts Steve and Lyndal also recap their latest cooking adventures and break down the latest BBQ news, including the list of nominees for the American Royal World Series of BBQ Hall of Fame Class of 2025. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Mini-Episode 303: The Grill Guys of Missouri
04/30/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Mini-Episode 303: The Grill Guys of Missouri
We've been without power going on 36 hours following severe thunderstorms in our neck of the woods and were unable to complete recording for this week's show. But we do have an abbreviated Episode 303 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast with Charlie Wallace of The Grill Guys of Missouri, previewing a backyard Ribs and Brisket class coming to the store taught by none other than "Fergie" Richard Fergola. Look for a new, full-edition show next week. Thanks for listening and thanks to our sponsors and marketing partners: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 302: Jeff Fitter
04/23/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 302: Jeff Fitter
Operating a successful BBQ restaurant in 2025 can be a difficult endeavor with rising food costs and fielding a dependable work force, not to mention producing consistently, quality food. To overcome the many challenges, Jeff Fitter has transformed one of the long-time BBQ institutions of the St. Louis area into a new model with a combination of offerings. So far, it’s been a hit with customers and on Episode 302 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with Jeff about Papa’s Diner/Super Smokers BBQ where patrons can order breakfast all day, grab traditional diner food or enjoy some of the traditional championship BBQ that Super Smokers is known for. We also take our weekly trip to Republic as Skyler Spartan brings us the latest from The Grill Guys of Missouri. Co-hosts Steve and Lyndal also recap their latest cooking adventures and recap another Grand Championship on the competition circuit by our hometown friend Brad Leighninger. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 301: Steve Smith of Mad Dog BBQ
04/16/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 301: Steve Smith of Mad Dog BBQ
On Episode 301 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we learn the background of Steve Smith, a Florida pitmaster who’s had two portions of a competition career. Smith’s current team, Mad Dog BBQ, is ranked second in the 2025 KCBS Team of the Year standings behind the runaway freight train that is Brad Leighninger and Gettin’ Basted. Steve tells us about the season to this point and about his backstory, going back to the Days he was Blazin’ 7s BBQ and a teammate of Lynnae Oxley on the All-Star season of BBQ Pitmasters, when they advanced to the finals of the popular Destination American television program. We also take our weekly trip to Republic as Charlie Wallace brings us the latest from The Grill Guys of Missouri. Co-hosts Steve and Lyndal also recap their latest cooking adventures with Steve offering some tips on how to make that holiday ham extra flavorful from the grill or smoker. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 300: Tim Scheer, Richard Fergola
04/09/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 300: Tim Scheer, Richard Fergola
Helping us celebrate Episode 300 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast is one of busiest and move-innovative people in the open-fire cooking world. Tim Scheer, owner of Blues Hog and Marble Ridge Farms joins us to discuss Blues Hogs’ sponsorship of a NASCAR team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., plus five new sauces unveiled this week to bring the lineup to a dozen. How does he come up with sauce ideas and take them to brain to palate? He discusses the process. Tim also tells us about a new partnership with Smokin Brothers, which will manufacture Gateway Drum Smokers. And finally, Memphis is May is a month away and Team Blues Hog has its sights set on regaining the World Championship it brought home in 2022. Also joining us is long-time show friend Richard Fergola of Fergolicious BBQ, who’s especially upbeat after his Florida Gators brought home an NCAA basketball championship. “Fergie” has a new direction in his BBQ journey in 2025 as he’s taking his teaching skills on the road, with a special emphasis on helping the backyard cook. He also is expanding the branding of Richard Fergola BBQ Rubs into more and more locations. (Note: Fergie has a Ribs and Brisket class scheduled for May 1 at The Grill Guys of Missouri). Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve break down their recent BBQ adventures and take a quick tour of the sports world. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 299: The Baseball and BBQ duo
04/02/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 299: The Baseball and BBQ duo
As we kick off the month of April, we discuss two of our favorite past times with the guys from the Baseball & BBQ Podcast. Jeff Cohen and Leonard Aberman have channeled a love for two of their favorite passions into a show that’s mirrored our time in the podcast world and on Episode 299 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we have a fun conversation with the two New Yorkers. Meanwhile, Lyndal recaps the debut of the Tailgate Guys competition team’s cooking season and Steve reviews his latest open-fire cooking adventure in his backyard. We also take our weekly trip to Republic where Charlie Wallace has the latest from The Grill Guys of Missouri. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq Mister Brisket #thighlife Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 298 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 298: Rod Gray, Kevin Green
03/26/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 298: Rod Gray, Kevin Green
Episode 298 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast features a conversation with Rod Gray, CEO of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. During his nearly three years in leading the world’s largest competition BBQ organization, there have been ups and downs and we cover some of those with Rod after he gives us a preview of the 7th annual KCBS World Championships coming up in May in Lebanon, Tenn. We also welcome back Kevin Green from show sponsor The Butcher Shoppe with a rundown on the meat industry and what trends he’s seeing in 2025, plus a review of his business for those who aren’t familiar with it. Meanwhile, Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri has the latest from the Republic, Missouri, BBQ store. And co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their own cooking weeks and discuss March Madness plus the start of the Major League baseball season. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Mister Brisket Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 298 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 297: Dan Wright, Aaron Huentelman
03/19/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 297: Dan Wright, Aaron Huentelman
One of the most-popular and enjoyable recurring segments of the show the last couple of years have been the “Under the Radar” looks at up-and-coming competition teams. This week on Episode 297 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we go Under the Radar with Dan Wright of Take it Easy BBQ from the St. Louis area. Take it Easy BBQ is making big strides after winning St. Louis BBQ Society Rookie Team of the Year in 2023 and is ready for a big run at a busy KCBS schedule this season. We also welcome a new show sponsor, Mr. Brisket out of Ohio. Competition meat director Aaron Huentelman serves up some knowledge about Mr. Brisket, the “Official Chicken Thighs Sponsor” for the Tailgate Guys BBQ competition team in 2025. Check out misterbrisket.com for more info about the store. Meanwhile, we check in with Charlie Wallace for the latest from The Grill Guys of Missouri while co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their own cooking weeks and make their March Madness bracket picks. (Find our show on your favorite #podcast platform or on our Facebook page (link in IG bio) 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 294 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 296: Josh DeWitt
03/12/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 296: Josh DeWitt
We talk spice rubs on Episode 296 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast with one of the best in the business. Josh DeWitt began experimenting with spice combinations in his kitchen several years ago to begin a path that led to winning one of the industry’s biggest awards when his JDQ Spicy was named Best Rub on the Planet in 2023 by the American Royal World Series of BBQ. Josh recently added a new JDQ Sweet Garlic rub to his lineup of JDQ Sweet and JDQ Spicy and he talks about the evolution of his still-one-man business - and touches on his competition cooking with teammate Jeremy Williams in a fun segment. In a couple of weeks, Josh and Jeremy will bring the JDQ knowledge to The Grill Guys of Missouri for a class on chicken and pulled pork for the backyard cook. Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys also stops by with the latest news from their store in Republic, Mo., including a new product from Gozney that has attracted lots of attention. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their own cooking weeks and visit about March Madness, one of the best times of the year for sports fans. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 294 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 295: Josh Hale, Ken Seales
03/05/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 295: Josh Hale, Ken Seales
On Episode 295 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with BBQ’s new world champions. That’s Josh Hale from Sure Shot BBQ out of Leander, Texas, who teamed up with wife Stacy and Reagan “No Shoes” Broesche - cooking on behalf of Always Able But Confused Cookers - to win Grand Championship honors at the 248-team Houston Livestock Rodeo and BBQ last weekend. Cooking at the massive event for just the second time, Sure Shot was Pure Shot in taking home overall honors in one of competition BBQ’s majors. Josh tells us how it went down and about his team’s background in the sport. We also continue our “Under the Radar” segment, learning about new or up-and-coming teams with a trip to northern Indiana. Ken Seales of Porkasaurus Rex BBQ and his crew have mostly focused on KCBS Backyard division comps since getting started a couple of years ago, but have started to jump into the Masters’ Series with plans to do a few more of those in 2025. Our weekly stop with The Grill Guys of Missouri finds Charlie Wallace providing the latest rundown from the Ozarks’ fast-rising BBQ store. Co-host Lyndal Scranton reviews a great time at Chris Schafer’s Heavy Smoke BBQ competition class and Steve Koehler reviews his week cooking on the back deck, with a suggestion of chuck roast as a cheaper sub for brisket. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 294 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 294: Stevo Nieto, Jacob Watt
02/26/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 294: Stevo Nieto, Jacob Watt
On Episode 294 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we learn the story of Stephen Nieto - or “Stevo” as he’s known on the competition trail. Stephen and his Stevo’s BBQ Team out of Henderson, Nevada is coming off his third career Grand Championship as the Best in the Southwest in Yuma, Ariz., beating out a star-studded lineup. Stevo is a military veteran who not only has become a champion in the BBQ world, he’s used competition BBQ as a springboard to successfully combat his post-military PTSD. We also go back Under the Radar with Jacob Watt from Kansas City team Smoke This Drink That BBQ. Jacob has gone from the Backyard to Masters series and quickly found success and he tells us about why he and wife Paige enjoy competition BBQ so much. We also check in with Skyler Spartan for the latest news from The Grill Guys of Missouri in Republic, where they have a couple of new rubs on the shelves to join the more than 300 already available. And co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking week, which included some tasty vittles grilled in the suddenly warmer Midwest weather. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 294 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 293: Tommy Blackmon, Josh Lenhart
02/19/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 293: Tommy Blackmon, Josh Lenhart
We’ve had the honor of talking to numerous BBQ champions on a regular basis over the years. Sometimes, we also have brought you champions before they emerged. On Episode 293 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we offer up a double-dose of “Under the Radar” with the stories of a pair of up-and-coming competition pitmasters - Tommy Blackmon of Blue Smoke Q out of Georgia and Josh Lenhart of Ohio’s Buckeye Flavor BBQ. We also check in with Charlie Wallace for the latest news from The Grill Guys of Missouri in Republic, where they want to see what you’ve been cooking in the Midwest snow. And co-hosts Lyndal and Steve preview warmer days ahead and take a quick tour of the sports world. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 293 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 292: Nicholas Owensby
02/12/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 292: Nicholas Owensby
On Episode 292 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, the guys review the big football game (which turned into a Super Dud) and how the food was the definite star of the day. We also talk it over with Nicholas Owensby from Sailor Nick’s BBQ about happenings in the Great Lakes BBQ Association, with a big Competition BBQ 101 class coming up soon. We check in with Skyler Spartan for the latest news from The Grill Guys of Missouri in Republic, where a couple of big classes have been scheduled that you will want to sign up early for. Learn more on the segment or check out grillguys417.com for more info. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 292 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 291: Breana Via & Brad Colter
02/05/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 291: Breana Via & Brad Colter
The biggest football game of the season is this week and with it comes the biggest food day of the year for many. On Episode 291 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we try to help make Super Bowl Sunday a Super Food Sunday by bringing in the powerhouse duo from Smoke ’n Magic BBQ, Breana Via and Brad Colter, with some suggestions on how to plan for - and then execute - a game-day menu. Make sure to check out their YouTube channel. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve take a look at the match-up between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles and also make their fearless picks for Super Bowl LIX. We also check in with Charlie Wallace for the latest news from The Grill Guys of Missouri in Republic. if you need something to make sure you’re ready for Super Sunday - or any day of the week to break out the smoker - The Grill Guys have it. 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 290 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 290: Buddy Hammett
01/29/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 290: Buddy Hammett
Nebraska in January to cook BBQ? It doesn’t sound like a dream scenario - especially after blowing out a trailer tire early during a projected 11-hour drive. But everything came up paradise for Buddy Hammett of Shiggin’ Ain’t Easy BBQ from Westland, Mich., who captured Grand Championship honors at the SVJ Winter Rub in Omaha. On Episode 290 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with Buddy about his sixth career Grand Championship, what he overcame to achieve it and his BBQ journey since it began six years ago. We also take a trip to The Grill Guys of Missouri where Skyler Spartan tells us what’s happening this week at the outstanding BBQ supply store in Republic. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve celebrate warmer temps with upcoming cooking plans and look ahead to how they plan to watch the Super Bowl (hint: nothing personal, but you won’t be receiving an invitation to their viewing parties). 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 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 290 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 289: Brad Leighninger
01/22/2025
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 289: Brad Leighninger
We kick off Season 7 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast with a friend of the show going back to our early days on local radio in 2016. Not only is he a hometown hero, but Brad Leighninger is arguably the best to light a pit - and he’s never been better than currently. Brad and Gettin’ Basted already has three Grand Championships since the KCBS points season began in November and is off and running toward a fourth Team of the Year honor. The new KCBS Hall of Famer from the organization’s inaugural 2025 induction class touches on a variety of subjects, including the possibility of cooking Memphis in May under the Gettin’ Basted banner for the first time, tweaking competition flavors and his various restaurant endeavors. Meanwhile, Skyler Spartan from show sponsor The Grill Guys of Missouri stops in to tell us about some new products at the southwest Missouri store. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve catch up on their winter cooking adventures and make their NFL predictions for the respective AFC and NFC championship games. As a new season begins, a big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Marty "Sign Man" Prather Domino’s #pizza Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 289 editions are archived. Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Epsiode 288: Mike Wozniak, Richard Fergola
12/18/2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Epsiode 288: Mike Wozniak, Richard Fergola
First of all, the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast wishes all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are grateful to all our listeners, sponsors and marketing partners who dialed up the show in 2024 and we finish off Season 6 with a Hall of Fame featured guest. Mike Wozniak and Quau BBQ out of Brimfield, Ill., is one of the many great inductees in the inaugural KCBS Hall of Fame class coming up in January. On Episode 288 of the show, we talk it over with Mike about his competition career, which ran from 2001-2021 and included 76 Grand Championships. Mike discusses what competition cooking was like in the early days and the ways it differs from today. Also stopping by as we close out the year is Richard Fergola of Fergolicious BBQ. “Fergie” is sure to be one of the hottest free agents in BBQ with the recent announcement that Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions is closing at the end of the month. He’s been marketing director at Proud Souls the last two years and has a wealth of knowledge about the industry. We talk to him about what’s next, including his tell-all competition classes. We also take a trip just down the road from our home base to check in with Skyler Spartan from The Grill Guys of Missouri. The specialty BBQ store in Republic, Mo., has some dandy holiday specials going on and Skyler fills us in. Stop in and see The Grill Guys for all your open-fire shopping needs whether it’s grills, smokers, seasonings, sauces or accessories. Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ - where all 288 editions are archived. We’ll return in a few weeks to kick off Season 7. Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making Season 6 of the show possible: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #TeamRoyalOak2024 #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Smoke ’n Magic BBQ #SmokenMagic Vietti Marketing Group Marty "Real Sign Man" Prather #pizza Have a great BBQ holiday season! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 287: Craig Verhage, The Grill Guys of Missouri
12/11/2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 287: Craig Verhage, The Grill Guys of Missouri
We’re back from a break - some of it by choice for Thanksgiving, some not due to some personal issues that needed attention - for Episode 287 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. One of our favorites, “The BBQ Ninja” Craig Verhage, joins us for an always-fun conversation. Craig, who’s been involved heavily in BBQ competition and marketing for more than two decades, discusses how he’s able to be every-day-Craig along with his alter-ego of The BBQ Ninja. As marketing director for Royal Oak Charcoal since 2020, Craig discusses another strong season in various sanctioning bodies for Team Royal Oak. He also gives us a few hints about some new products coming down the line in 2025. We also take a trip just down the road from our home base to check in with Charlie Wallace from The Grill Guys of Missouri. The specialty BBQ store in Republic, Mo., has some dandy holiday specials going on and Charlie fills us in. Stop in and see The Grill Guys for all your open-fire shopping needs whether it’s grills, smokers, seasonings, sauces or accessories. Remember, you can find us on your favorite #podcast platform by searching Tailgate Guys BBQ. We’ll return next week for the final show of 2025. Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making Season 6 of the show possible: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #TeamRoyalOak2024 #charcoalofchampions The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Smoke ’n Magic BBQ #SmokenMagic Vietti Marketing Group Marty "Real Sign Man" Prather #pizza Have a great BBQ week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm
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