Sponsors – Swamp Boys BBQ

2017: Swamp Boys Year in Review

Contests, General, Sponsors No Responses »

Dec 212017

Swamp Boys bbq team had a very blessed year in 2017. The experiences I get to have with friends and family are truly unforgettable. I’m so thankful. I’m especially thankful for earning the Florida BBQ Association Team of the Year ’17. This marks my 3rd time winning it, in two different decades. Here’s my year by the numbers:

28 contests in 5 states – FL, GA, AL, TN, and CA
FBA TOTY
7 Grand Championships, 3 Reserve Grands
19 Top 5 Overalls
14 category 1st place calls
Vended as well as competed at 4 contests
Taught 3 Swamp Boys Q Schools

Final TOTY Standings. I was in 2nd place up until the final contest.

One of the things that won’t show up in the numbers that I’m really proud of was earning an invitation to every major invitational in the country. The American Royal, Sonny’s, The Jack, and the King of the Smoker. We were able to travel and compete in all but the American Royal.

Regarding KCBS I was able to compete in 5 contests. Out of over 2,200 teams in my division (5 or less contests) Swamp Boys placed 8th overall for the year, and we were the 2nd place rib team (Smithfield ribs baby!). I’m pretty happy with that considering 2 of those contests we were vending, which means I was cooking food for thousands of people, as well as the 6 judges.

Finally a big shout out to my amazing sponsors! Products from each of them are integral to my team, and I’m thankful for their support.

Deep South Smokers – simply the best quality and performance smokers. 100% usable interior space, the most even temp’d cooker I’ve ever used. Built by hand in the USA.
Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous aka West Coast Offense – some amazing rubs and injections from these 2. I use them every contest. So do the best teams in the country. Proud to be a West Coast Offense team!
Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal from Basques – Every time I cook. Clean and predictable sugar maple lump. Nothing else. Why would you cook on anything other than all wood?
Grizzly Coolers – I’m proud to be an ambassador for the best coolers on the market. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty. Try to top that.
The BBQ Guru – Hands down the best thermostat/draft system for smokers anywhere. I’ve been using them since they started back in the early 2000s. Makes minding your pit incredibly easy and produces consistent results.
Butcher BBQ – David Bouska has lived and breathed meat and BBQ most of his life and his products reflect that. He’s used his knowledge to produce some amazing injections, rubs, sauces and oils. I use his products every contest and am proud to be a Pro Staff team.
Smithfield – The best ribs and pork I can put my hands on. They just win. And they are super easy to find locally! Check your WalMart and Sam’s Clubs, they should carry Smithfield products.
Mac’s Meats and Produce – My favorite meat place ever! Family owned and operated, quality customer service and prices. Tell them I sent you.

Our Jack Experience

Contests, Jack Daniel's World Championship, Sponsors 4 Responses »

Nov 022017

Swamp Boys BBQ Team was blessed for the 2017 season. Because we won 6 State Championships for the season we had 6 “bungs” in The Draw for the 29th annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, held in Lynchburg TN.

Ms. Mary Bobo’s Boarding House

Lynchburg is where the famous whiskey has always been made and bottled. To most all professional barbecuers, “The Jack” is considered one of – if not the – premier contests in the world. So we were stoked when we found out we would be the team representing Florida.

We left straight from teaching on Tuesday and made it up to Marietta GA where we stayed the night. The next morning we got to Lynchburg and dropped the trailer at the house we rented and made our way to Miss Mary Bobo’s for a family style lunch. We shared our table with people from South Africa and Canada who were in town to buy an entire barrel of JD! The food and the company were both excellent, and we all agreed it was the best experience we have had there in our three times going.

After that we set the trailer up in our site, which has been the same each time. We love it there right up front and center so we can interact with the public and giveaway samples of our bbq after turn-ins are over. Great spot.

Thursday we walked over to the Jack Daniel Distillery for the tour. We had Jed as our guide and he did a great job. Just like lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s, we each thought this was the best tour we’ve had to date. Way to go Lynchburg! Then we made our way to the Lynchburg Winery and partook in a flight of five of the local wines.

Friday we took part in the Parade of Teams, following the Lynchburg High School marching band through the downtown to the Distillery. From there we loaded up on school busses which took us to the top of BBQ Hill. We were treated to a great Southern supper, live music, and free JD drinks. It was a lot of fun mingling with friends from the other teams. When that was over we went back down the hill to the cook site. The weather was rainy and in the 30’s overnight so most teams stayed warm and dry in their trailers without much socializing.

Saturday was of course turn-in day and overall things went very well. Chicken looked and tasted excellent. Ribs were darker than I prefer but the taste and tenderness were right where I wanted them. Pork was near perfect I thought. Brisket slices were money but the burnt ends had slightly too much fat in them. I liked them and was torn on whether to use them or not. I decided to NOT play it safe and added them to the box. In hindsight that was a mistake on my part. The killer brisket from The Butcher Shoppe was amazing straight from the package. I should have gone with only slices, it would have scored much higher. Lesson learned. I highly recommend The Butcher Shoppe for your high quality meat needs, and they ship! Email Kevin Green with your order and fantastic customer service.

As far as the scoring went, I came in 2nd on my tables in Chicken, Ribs, and Brisket. I came in 1st on my Pork table which was good enough for 2nd out of the 95 teams! We actually tied for 1st, but lost the tiebreaker. Regardless it was a very exciting call for us, and it pairs well with the 1st place call in Pork we received there in 2009. You may have heard me mention in the past that I am a devout Smithfield pork user. To make my point, I was unable to find the Smithfield butts I wanted locally, so I had my friends Pat and Mary bring some with them to Lynchburg from Wisconsin. And it paid off. Thanks so much Pat and Mary, and also thanks for the Wisconsin care package! #Smokinwithsmithfield #Showmeyoursmithfield

My other sponsors that I rely on and want to thank are West Coast Offense, Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal, Butcher BBQ, BBQ Guru, Grizzly Coolers, Mac’s Meats, and the one-two punch of my Gateway Drum Smokers and my Deep South Smoker. Stop by sometime and I’ll tell you what I like about them.

So once again we had a fantastic time in Lynchburg and are thankful we had the opportunity to go. Lots of friends, laughs, fun, and memories. That’s what it’s all about.

Ready for the Distillery Tour

Thank you Phillip and Kathy!

A few of my Webers and Ed

Thanks to My Sponsors for Another Great Year

BBQ Sauce, Big Poppa Smokers, General, Sponsors No Responses »

Dec 212016

I have been competing professionally in barbecue contests for 13 years now. I have tried a large majority of the bbq products out there. Some are good, some are great, and some are just a bad idea. I am very thankful that I have been able to align myself with some great companies and products. These companies and their products are great, I wouldn’t use them if they weren’t. Thanks for your support.

Deep South Smokers – simply the best quality and performance smokers. 100% usable interior space, the most even temp’d cooker I’ve ever used. Built by hand in the USA. Look for some exciting new pits in ’17.

Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous aka West Coast Offense – some amazing rubs and injections from these 2. I use them every contest. So do the best teams in the country. Proud to be a West Coast Offense team!

Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal from Basques – Every time I cook. Clean and predictable sugar maple lump. Nothing else. Why would you cook on anything other than all wood?

Grizzly Coolers – I’m proud to be an ambassador for the best coolers on the market. Keeps all of my meats, drinks and injections cold, for a long time. That’s one less thing I have to worry about. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty. Try to top that.

Master Purveyors – If it walks, flies, crawls or swims – they have it! Not to mention the best competition briskets (A-9) available anywhere. Get in touch and tell Carey I sent you. They ship.

The BBQ Guru – Hands down the best thermostat/draft system for smokers anywhere. I’ve been using them since they started back in the early 2000s. Makes minding your pit incredibly easy and produces consistent results. I’ve tried others, this is the best.

Butcher BBQ – David Bouska has lived and breathed meat and BBQ most of his life and his products reflect that. He’s used his knowledge to produce some amazing injections, rubs, sauces and oils. I use his products every contest and am proud to be a Pro Staff team.

Swamp Boys Rub and Sauces – Yes I sponsor myself. Yes I use my rub (ribs) and my sauce every contest. It works, you should try it.

2016: That’s a Wrap

Contests, General, Sponsors 2 Responses »

Dec 202016

People often ask me if I still enjoy BBQ competitions and BBQ life. My answer is always a big heck yeah! The friendships, experiences, and travel are amazing. The opportunities that come up are incredible. This past year has been no exception. Here it is by the numbers:

26 contests in 4 states – FL, GA, AL, KS
3 Grand Championships, 3 Reserve Grands
Mary, Pat, Woody and Tammy were all able to join us in KS for The Royal.
17 Top 5 Overall including 5 times 3rd
4 Perfect Scores including 2 Perfect-Perfect FBA
16 category 1st place calls
Vended as well as competed at 5 contests
2nd place FBA team of the Year
Recorded my 50th career Grand Championship (now at 51)
Taught 3 Swamp Boys Q Schools

Had I chose to not compete in the American Royal Invitational and Open, we would have come in the top 5 for KCBS TOTY for teams with 5 or less contests. The American Royal blew that all to heck though! But I wouldn’t trade the time with friends for anything.

Pro Grand Championship #50

Other fun events for ’16:

Did an onsite promo for Bass Pro Shops
Got to BBQ with a Special Olympian in Venice, and he won!
Launched “Rub’s Original Rub“
Won GC using a 7th different style smoker
Plans in the works for a class in Australia

And as always, a big Thank You to my sponsors. Every one of them matter.

Deep South Smokers – simply the best quality and performance smokers. 100% usable interior space, the most even temp’d cooker I’ve ever used. Built by hand in the USA. Look for some exciting new pits in ’17.
Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous aka West Coast Offense – some amazing rubs and injections from these 2. I use them every contest. So do the best teams in the country. Proud to be a West Coast Offense team!
Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal from Basques – Every time I cook. Clean and predictable sugar maple lump. Nothing else. Why would you cook on anything other than all wood?
Grizzly Coolers – I’m proud to be an ambassador for the best coolers on the market. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty. Try to top that.
Master Purveyors – If it walks, flies, crawls or swims – they have it! Not to mention the best competition briskets (A-9) available anywhere. Get in touch and tell them I sent you. They ship.
The BBQ Guru – Hands down the best thermostat/draft system for smokers anywhere. I’ve been using them since they started back in the early 2000s. Makes minding your pit incredibly easy and produces consistent results.
Butcher BBQ – David Bouska has lived and breathed meat and BBQ most of his life and his products reflect that. He’s used his knowledge to produce some amazing injections, rubs, sauces and oils. I use his products every contest and am proud to be a Pro Staff team.

Great Q School Weekend!

Classes, General, Sponsors 2 Responses »

Mar 142016

We had a fantastic class this past weekend, learning the finer points of BBQ set up lakefront in Winter Haven, FL. Twenty-three people came in from 5 states, plus São Paulo Brazil! The fellowship, weather, and food was all first rate. Thanks to all for coming, and special thanks to Chris, Garrett and Tracy for helping out. You guys were great.

Also a big thanks to our sponsors that added great value to the class: Big Poppa Smokers, Butcher BBQ, Deep South Smokers, Grizzly Coolers, Simply Marvelous BBQ, Bad Byron’s Butt Rub, and Swamp Boys BBQ Sauce.

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