Who will be the next deep-fried BBQ champion?

Contestants compete to see who can eat the most deep-fried barbecue bites in 10 minutes during the 2013 inaugural competition. 

Do you love barbecue? Have you tried it deep-fried? Registration is now open for those wishing to compete in this year's Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship. The competition will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 24, during the Exit 56 Blues Fest held at the  Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Drew Magruder of Brownsville, Tenn., won the title of champion last year when he was able to eat 60 deep-fried barbecue bites in 10 minutes. Magruder was among four who competed for the title during the inaugural event.

"People are always asking about our deep-fried barbecue," says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. "It's really delicious and if you're a barbecue fan, you can't help but like the deep-fried version."

Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and will have 10 minutes to eat as many deep-fried barbecue bites as possible. Water and sauce will be plentiful to help wash it down. There is a $5 entry fee and the lucky winner will receive a trophy, t-shirt and prize package. Interested parties are asked to pre-register for the competition by May 23. Complete rules and registration can be found at www.exit56blues.com.

Along with great barbecue, festival attendees can spend the afternoon and evening listening to the Blues. Performers such as the Bonafide Blues Band, Eric Hughes, Elam McKnight, Lorina McMinn and the Myxx and headliners Little Boys Blue will delight with their special mix of authentic Blues music.

Car enthusiasts can cruise-in from 1-3 p.m., to compete for recognition such as "Cool Chrome" "Most Likely to Get a Ticket" and 12 other fun titles. There is no entry fee and motorcycles are welcome, too.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon for those wanting to add a little shopping to the Blues mix. Jewelry, woodwork and paintings are just a few of the items you'll find.

Admission to the festival is free. A complete schedule is available online at www.Exit56Blues.com.

Exit 56 Blues Fest announces music line-up

Little Boys Blue will headline this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest May 24. The festival is free and held annually on the grounds of the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Blues fans will gather May 24 at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville for the 4th Annual Exit 56 Blues Fest. The music festival continues to attract Blues enthusiasts from all over the region and is West Tennessee's only dedicated Blues festival outside of Memphis. The event is Saturday, May 24 and begins at noon. It will feature arts and crafts, car and motorcycle cruise in, a deep-fried barbecue eating competition and an eclectic gathering of West Tennessee Blues men and women.

This year's music line-up opens with Memphis Jones, a regular a B.B. Kings in Memphis and music historian who entertains the audiences with stories about the songs he sings. Also performing throughout the afternoon is West Tennesseans Lorina McMinn and The Myxx and  Dorothy Guinn and Savannah Shoals; along with Mississippi's Sean Apple and his All Night Long Blues Band.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the Elam McKnight Band will take the stage with a set of their own before backing up West Tennessee Bluesman Dudley Harris. Also making a first time appearance at the festival  is Tennessee Sax and the Blues Gentlemen. Many will know Tennessee Sax as Linzie Butler, a Jackson native who has performed all over the world.

The Eric Hughes Band takes the stage at 7 p.m. Hughes has played the festival since its inception in 2011 and this year brings his complete band to entertain with his special blend of Delta and urban blues. He recently released his fourth CD entitled "Drink Up."

Headlining this year's festival is Little Boys Blue, a band formed in 1993 by the award-winning team of Jimmy D. Taylor, of Brownsville, and Jackson's Steve Patterson. Accompanied by Mark Brooks, Dave Mallard, Dave Thomas and Alex Taylor, this band does "boogie blues with an attitude," encompassing a mixture of electric, acoustic country blues, rhythm and blues and Americana roots music. The group has just finished working in the studio and will soon release their newest CD, "Bad Love," on the Jaxon Record label.

Admission is free. A complete schedule can be found at www.Exit56Blues.com.

And the winner is ....

Miss Mary was busy in the kitchen getting ready to cook deep-fried BBQ for the contestants in the first ever Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship during the Exit 56 Blues Fest May 25, 2013.

Miss Mary

We all pitched in to help in the kitchen ...
too many cooks didn't spoil he stew this time.

Four contestants vied for the title of Champion. With competitors from Oklahoma, Arkansas and two local boys.

Each competitor started with 25 deep-fried BBQ bites ... and plenty of sauce and water!

Competitors dive in!

25 down and ? to go..

Taking his time and enjoying every bite.

And the winner is ..... Drew Magruder.

Drew Magruder wins after eating 60 bites, in 10 minutes, to become the first Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Champion.

Miss Mary presents Drew with his trophy!

Deep-fried barbecue makes debut at Exit 56 Blues Fest

Do you love barbecue? Have you tried it deep-fried? Attendees to this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest will get an opportunity to try the bite-sized, deep-fried barbecue nuggets and even compete to see who can eat the most. The Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and will have 10 minutes to eat as many deep-fried barbecue bites as possible. Water and sauce will be plentiful to help wash it down. There is a $5 entry fee and the lucky winner will receive a trophy, t-shirt and prize package. Interested parties are asked to pre-register for the competition by May 23. Complete rules and registration can be found at www.westtnheritage.com/exit56.

Along with great barbecue, festival attendees can spend the afternoon and evening listening to the Blues. Concerts will be performed from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home and features performers such as Sean "Bad" Apple, Bluesberry Jam Band, Little Boys Blue and headliner TeeDee Young.

Car enthusiasts can cruise-in from 1-3 p.m., to compete for titles such as "Cool Chrome" "Most Likely to Get a Ticket" and 12 other fun titles. There is no entry fee and motorcycles are welcome, too.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon for those wanting to add a little shopping to the Blues mix. Jewelry, woodwork and paintings are just a few of the items you'll find.

Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. A complete schedule is available online, or by calling the Delta Heritage Center at 731-779-9000.

Memorial Day Weekend means Exit 56 Blues

  

Brownsville will celebrate its blues heritage Memorial Day weekend with the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 25, at the Delta Heritage Center. The annual event will include an arts and crafts show, car cruise-in and live Blues music from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home. The first performers will take the stage at noon and headliners Little Boys Blue and TeeDee Young hit the stage at 7 p.m.

Dylan Whitney performs at 1 p.m.

There will be several newcomers to the Exit 56 stage this year. Fifteen year old Dylan Whitney of Bixby, Ok., known as the "Whiz Kid of Blues" may be young but he is a very mature guitar player. Tyler Goodson of Jackson, Tenn., has been playing guitar most of his life, but didn't start "giggin" until he was 21. Now the 26-year-old plays regularly in Jackson and on Beale Street. Bluesberry Jam Band is a group of West Tennessee natives working to preserve the blues and roots tradition of the region. Pep Rally Losers, a duo with a West Tennessee connection, prides itself on playing the raw blues with a sprinkle of rock.

Sean "Bad" Apple performs at 3 p.m.

Clarksdale, Miss., performer Sean "Bad" Apple has studied at the feet of many historical bluesmen for more than two decades and is a regular performer at Ground Zero Blues Club. He'll reach back and draw from inspiration of blues past to deliver another high energy, driving performance at this year's festival. Northwest Tennessee band Blind Red Rooster is back for a repeat performance on the porch. They'll deliver their unique blend of Texas and Delta Blues.

Opening for the evening's headliner is Little Boys Blue, featuring the award-winning duo of Brownsville's own Jimmy D. Taylor and Jackson's Steve Patterson. Traveling and playing with some of the industry's finest has helped this duo hone their skills and develop a unique style that pays homage to the country blues tradition of the region.

Little Boys Blue - Steve Patterson and Jimmy D. Taylor
will perform at 7 p.m.

Headlining the Exit 56 Blues Fest is TeeDee Young. Young's dynamic stage presence and energy will put you in the mood for dancing. A native of Lexington, Ky., he has been performing since he was 14. By the time Young was 20, he was performing in such venues as The Cotton Club and later at B.B. King's. He maintains an authentic Blues style while writing and performing his own music, and is known for his command of the guitar, using it like a weapon to "fire down" the blues.

TeeDee Young
takes the stage at 8 p.m.

Select arts and crafts vendors will be onsite during the event and car and motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in for the music from 1-3 p.m., and compete for some unique titles. Registration is free and can be made online or day of the event. You'll also find favorite festival foods and of course barbecue!

Admission is free and open to the public. A complete schedule can be found by visiting the Center's website, www.westtnheritage.com/exit56, or by calling 731-779-9000.

Brownsville celebrates the Blues Memorial Day weekend

Elmo Lee Thomas has been the driving force behind one of the Mid-South’s most popular bands, Elmo and the Shades, for over 25 years. He is a Memphis native, a high-energy blues shouter and soul singer and one of the region's top harmonica talents. Elmo and The Shades will take the stage at this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 26.

Brownsville, Tenn., will once again celebrate its blues heritage during the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 26, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Festivities will include an arts and crafts show, art exhibition, cruise-in and live music. The daylong event will run from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The Center will open at 9 a.m. with self-guided tours of the museums. "Sonnets to Orpheus," a mixed media art exhibition by Jackson native Lendon Noe will also be on display for attendees to enjoy.

This year's arts and crafts fair will open at 10 a.m., and artisans will showcase their special handcrafted items until 6 p.m. Among the featured items this year are quilts, baby items, jewelry, aprons, paintings, wind chimes and specialty wood items. Delta-themed folk art and specialty clothing will also be available, along with your favorite festival foods, including barbecue and pork rinds.

Blind Red Rooster

Musical entertainment begins with the first performers taking the stage at 1 p.m. Local and regional favorites will perform from the porch of the home of Blues pioneer "Sleepy" John Estes. This year's Haywood's Got Talent winner Hannah Smith will take the stage first, followed by Sleepy's Jug Band All Stars, a group of Brownsville musicians who will pay homage to the old country blues style of music. Union City's Blind Red Rooster will make a return appearance at this year's festival.

Other performers for the evening include a host of accomplished bluesmen such as Brownsville's Jimmy D. Taylor and Jackson's Steve Patterson. Theo D "The Boogieman" and Sean "Bad" Apple from Clarksdale, Miss., will share their special Delta Blues style. Opening for the evening's headliner is Eric Hughes, harmonica player and favorite on the Memphis blues scene. At 8 p.m., some of Memphis' best known and most talented musicians, Elmo and The Shades, will take the stage.

Blueshine Duo
Steve Patterson & Jimmy D. Taylor

Car enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in for the music and compete to take home some unique awards during the Exit 56 Cruise-In from 2-6 p.m. Participants are asked to check in or pre-register online to qualify for awards. Registration is free and includes recognition for "Cool Chrome," "Most Likely to Get a Ticket," "Oldest Ride" and more.

Another special event of the day will be the debut of West Tennessee's newest magazine, Good Ol' Boys. Good Ol' Boys Magazine is a monthly publication for those who enjoy the southern lifestyle of good times, good food, and good friends. The magazine will be given away during the Cruise-In.

Festival admission and concerts are free and everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a day celebrating the Brownsville blues. The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s. For more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com/exit56/.

Crafters invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Exit 56 Blues Fest

A Cut Above's Joe Adams won the Most Creative Item Award for his scroll saw wood puzzles at the 2010 Exit 56 Blues Fest.

Calling all outside arts and crafters. The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is seeking do-it-yourselfers and traditional and non-traditional crafters who create high quality, one-of-kind items to take part in the Exit 56 Blues Fest Arts and Crafts Show May 26, in Brownsville, Tenn.

Cookbook author Pamela Whinnery, talks about her Tennessee celebrity cookbook with a festival attendee at the 2010 Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville, Tenn.

The show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is limited to the first 50 applicants. Application deadline is May 1. The location, just off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, offers crafters a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and wares to visitors traveling through West Tennessee, as well as residents of the region.

This is a non-juried event, but special care will be taken to ensure that a good selection is available without an over abundance of any one particular items.

"The Blues Fest is planned for Memorial Day weekend, which is the first big travel weekend of the year," says center director Sonia Outlaw-Clark.

The event attracted more than 400 attendees in its first year and is expected to grow substantially over the next few years, according to Clark. Planners are already working on how they can increase the festival area to accommodate more activities.

In addition to the Arts and Crafts show, live Blues music will be performed from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home from 1-9 p.m. A car cruise-in, special exhibits inside the Center, festival foods and a kid's area are also planned for the event.

Crafters may download an application by visiting the Center's website at www.WestTNHeritage.com and click on the Exit 56 logo. For more information or questions, email info@westtnheritage.com, or call the Center at 731-779-9000.

Exit 56 Fun!

We had a blast Saturday at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center's first Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville! Over 400 people turned out throughout the day for arts and crafts, good food, and great blues music. If you weren't here, this is what you missed!

Jackson's Ronnie Thompson performing during the Exit 56 Blues Fest.

Blind Red Rooster singing Sleepy John Estes' "Going to Brownsville"

Blind Red Rooster

The crowds gathered in the shady spots to enjoy the blues music.

Haywood's Got Talent winner Clifton Smith really puts some feelings into his music.

Author Pamela Whinnery discussed her Tennessee Celebrity Cookbook with a festivalgoer.

A Cotton Boll Quilt on display in the West Tennessee Cotton Museum. Part of the "Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee" exhibit.

It was a good night to cruise-in for the Blues. Many came from the Memphis and  Jackson area .

The Diverse Five, featuring Clifton Smith.

Joe Adams of A Cut Above won the "Most Unique Item Award" for his wood puzzles.

Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore, founding members of the group Tucson Simpson, put on a great show.

The quilt exhibit got a lot of attention and drew viewers from all over West Tennessee. It was sponsored by Pat's Fabrics.

A few of the quilts on display at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

Haywood County Reading Railroad's booth won "Most Creative Booth."

Another view of  Reading Railroad's whole tent.

Exit 56 Blues Fest Schedule of Events Saturday, May 28

Get ready for the first Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, Tenn. The day will be filled with arts and crafts, a special quilt exhibit, car and motorcycle cruise-in, special cookbook signing and live music from the porch of Blues pioneer Sleepy John Estes' last home.

• ALL DAY
• Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee
•  A special display of heirloom and modern quilts lovingly made in West Tennessee. On display inside the Delta Heritage Center. Exhibit is free.
• Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In
• A day of fun, music, and vehicles. Bring your car, truck, or motorcycle to join in the fun of showing off your ride. Register for door prizes and bring your blanket or lawn chair and stay and stay for the evening concerts.
• 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Arts and Crafts Show
• Over 15 vendors will  be showcasing their handmade wares: Items will include handmade hairbows, aprons, jewelry, quilts, handbags, totes, and much more.
• 10 a.m.: Cookbook signing
• Pamela Whinnery, author of Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities" will be on hand to sign copies of her latest cookbook.
• 4:30 - 9 p.m.: Live Blues Music
• 4:30 - 5 p.m.: Clifton Smith
• 5-6:30 p.m.: Tucson Simpson's Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore
• 6:30 - 7 p.m.: Ronnie Thonpson
• 7-9 p.m; Blind Red Rooster.

Tucson Simpson members to perform at Exit 56 Blues Fest

Here's a little background on Tucson Simpson. Two of its members, Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore will be performing at this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, 2011, in Brownsville, Tenn. Their performance begins at 5 p.m.

Kevin Kilgore

Graham Perry

Tucson Simpson is a roots rock combo based out of Memphis Tennessee.   Featuring Graham Perry (vocals, guitar), Kevin Kilgore (backing vocals, guitar), Steve McCraw (backing vocal, lead guitar), and Steve Hearn (Bass), and backed by drummers including Memphis favorites Anthony Barrasso, Bill Frazier and Harry Peel, the band’s style is an eclectic mix of Delta Blues, Commercial Pop and Roots Rock. The band has enjoyed success on the Midsouth’s club circuit and Memphis in May Bar-B-Que Festival network as a headline act.

Drawing from experience acquired as a songwriter for Crutchfield Music, Perry (a PhD Candidate at The University of Memphis) joined forces with Kilgore, Hearn and Frazier in 1999 with now deceased guitarist Sam Plumlee to release two CDs, Drawn & Ready (EP) and Hot Town (LP), the latter of which was the #14 add the week of its release on the CMJ Charts in 2003.  Soon after the death of Plumlee during the recording of Hot Town, McCraw joined the band, taking the band’s sound to new heights.

While, Hot Town is a well-rounded collection of powerful electric and acoustic guitars, soulful melodies, and catchy hooks that portray the varying life-experiences of the musicians, their latest release, Rainshine, in 2010 has been a watershed for the band-members, having taken seven difficult years to complete.  This latest release has received airplay at more than 150 stations college and community radio stations nationwide, charting in St. Louis, MO, Machias, ME, Peoria, IL, Pittston, PA, Farmville, VA, Brookville, NY, Waukesha, WI, Newton, MA, Moscow, ID, and San Marcos, CA.

Blues Fest revived in Brownsville

Blind Red Rooster will perform live at the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, beginning at 7 p.m. Members of the group from Northwest Tennessee are Smokin' Joe Watts, Rick Casey, Coby Watts and Rob Kingrey.

Brownsville will once again celebrate its blues heritage during the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Festivities will include an arts and crafts show, quilt exhibit, book signing, cruise-in and live music. The day long event will run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Artisans will showcase their wares from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Items for sale will include sunglasses, handmade ribbons and bows, aprons, boutique dresses, flower arrangements, jewelry, handbags, wood products, quilts and more.

Heirloom and more modern quilts will be on display inside the Center as part of the “Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee” special exhibit sponsored by Pat’s Fabrics of Brownsville. Also on exhibit will be the winning art projects of the Haywood County School children for the recent Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

Author Pamela Whinnery will be present from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., to sign copies of her latest cookbook “Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities.” The recipe collection includes recipes from Elvis, Trace Adkins, President Andrew Jackson and more.

Beginning at 5 p.m., local and area artist will perform from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home, located on the grounds of the Center. Memphis musicians Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore, members of the group Tucson Simpson will perform at 5 p.m. Brownsville’s own Clifton Smith will take the stage at 6:30; and Union City Blues band Blind Red Rooster will perform at 7 p.m.

Car and motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in for any or all of the festivities.

Festival admission and concerts are free and everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a day celebrating the Brownsville blues. The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s. For more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com.