This was the 5th year I've been with my dad for the annual Staunton BBQ Cooking Contest. Staunton is in Illinois (about 5 1/2 hours North of Memphis) and I usually take the trip by myself so I can "concentrate" on the cooking and fun. My father has become quite a cook over the years and thanks to his stint one year as a guest judge at the Memphis in May BBQ Cooking Competition he has refined his craft. Luckily, the temperature gauge was right, the BBQ seasoning was good, and he took my advice adding a bit of salt on the finished product. I think pouring the juices over the final product also helped. I won't give away any of our other secrets!
I hope YOU have a great rest of the summer! It's hard to believe but school is almost here for my son, Jake, and my wife and I are making our end of summer/beginning of Fall plans. My next trip that I personally look forward to is the "dove hunt" trip to my dad's farm.
My other job on 929 FM ESPN is programming and producing. I recently put together a "celebrity week" and had the pleasure of working with Jerry Lawler, who has done quite a few shows on 94.1, but also Chris Wallace from the Grizzlies, Dennis Philippe, the one and only Josh Pastner, and the new football coach at Memphis Justin Fuente.
Justin and I are about the same age and have had similar experiences, outside of the fact he makes a lot more money than I do coaching football! But he's traveled around the country for his job and met his wife pretty close to where I grew up (he was an Asst. Coach at Illinois State University). It was great to meet Coach Fuente and hear his story. It sounds like he has a terrific family and I look forward to watching his progress at the University of Memphis as Head Football Coach.
In other news, it's hot! 100+ for the last week and likely for the next couple. Gearing up for tomorrow night's Collierville Independence Celebration. This will be my 8th year hosting that event, and it's always terrific. Great fireworks, great food, and one of my favorite local bands "Dr. Zarr's Amazing Funk Monster". They used to play the rooftop party at the Peabody all the time when I worked for 94.1 The Buzz.
I'm starting to plan late summer/Fall Vacation time. Already looking forward to seeing family and friends, the annual pilgrimage to various BBQ events in and around the region, and then it'll be time for dove hunting in September. Wow. Before you know it, football!!!
Enjoy the tunes. This is the greatest music ever made, and we play it for you. Live and Local!
~Brad
ps- A Happy 40th Anniversary to Maurice and Libby Buring! And a thank you. What a party (WITH CHICAGO!!!!) WOW.
