Turn It, Don’t Burn It
Hosted by “The Cowboy Cook” Jeff Tracy, “Barbecue Nation” is the only nationally syndicated radio show covering cooking techniques and the outdoor lifestyle. Each week JT interviews a BBQ pit-master, celebrity chef, food icon, or an interesting personality from the world of cooking. The show also includes segments featuring Meathead from AmazingRibs.com, Kansas City BBQ Society updates, and National Barbecue News.
The popularity of cooking networks has never been bigger, and The Cowboy Cook brings a great passion and love for barbecuing to his listeners. “Barbecue Nation” is about bringing people together and building relationships that last. It’s easy cooking for everyone, not just those living an outdoor lifestyle.
At a time when people are looking for a meaningful way to connect with others, “Barbecue Nation” reminds us that sitting down for a good meal is a great way to slow down and spend time together.
“Barbecue Nation” airs live on the SmartTalk Radio Network Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central and on WCGO Radio Chicago Saturdays from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Central. Find episodes below. Get the latest one here.
ABOUT THE HOST
What could be more fun and rewarding than having a great passion and love for your job? That’s the way JT (Jeff Tracy), the host of “Barbecue Nation,” feels about his show.
Known as The Cowboy Cook, JT has fond memories of sitting at the dinner table with his family. Changing this world, one recipe at a time, Jeff intends to support listeners’ cooking desires by bringing famous and infamous guests to “Barbecue Nation.” Where else will you find the likes of Aaron Franklin, Steven Raichlen, Graham Kerr (“The Galloping Gourmet”), Tuffy Stone, Wayne Mueller, Meathead Goldwyn, Amy Mills, Carolyn Wells, along with dozens of other notables from the BBQ world? Nowhere other than “Barbecue Nation,” and that’s a fact.
At a time when people are looking for a meaningful way to connect with others, “Barbecue Nation” reminds us that sitting down for a good meal is a great way to slow down and spend time together. “BBQ is about bringing people together and building relationships that last” says JT. “It’s easy cooking for everyone, not just those living an outdoor lifestyle.”
Earning his reputation in the entertainment industry, JT appeared in movies and was part of a reality series for Discovery Channel; he has also appeared in many TV commercials, along with making regular TV appearances as The Cowboy Cook on ABC affiliates across the West Coast over the past 18 years. JT’s extensive experience in syndicated radio includes four previous shows in syndication.
In his spare time (of which he has little), JT has written for several magazines with stories focused on food and fun. He is also a rabid golf enthusiast and hosts the radio show “Grilling at the Green.”
The moniker The Cowboy Cook is not only derived from where and how JT grew up but was influenced by his competing in the horse world, where he won a number of national championships and world titles starting at the age of 16.
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EPISODES
NOVEMBER 21, 2020
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so this week on “BBQ Nation,” friend of the show Meathead Goldwyn from Amazing Ribs.com joins JT to talk turkey, side dishes, desserts . . . and we only got off track a couple of times — really! In the show’s second hour, Spencer Deftly joins JT to talk about his new almond wood pellets for your pellet smokers. Spencer liked the idea some much he built his own pellet processing plant.
NOVEMBER 14, 2020
This week Malcom Reed from How to BBQ Right and Killer Hoggs Competition team joins JT to talk Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Super Bowl dinners and snacks from the grill.
In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Carolyn Wells, founding member of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Carolyn gives us a bit of KCBS history and what’s in the organization’s future.
NOVEMBER 7, 2020
On this week’s "BBQ Nation," Alan Dickson from Pig Out Roasters in St. Catherine’s, Ontario talks about emigrating from Scotland and starting a catering/BBQ business and developing the Pig Out Roaster.
In the show’s second hour, JT will be joined by author, pit master and BBQ champion Bill Gillespie from Smokin Hoggz BBQ.
OCTOBER 31, 2020
This weekend on “BBQ Nation,” Stan Hays from Operation BBQ Relief gives us an update on the number of meals served by BBQ Relief and how they are gearing up for the winter storm and hurricane season. In the show's second hour, JT is joined by Rick Hamilton from the Montana Outlaws BBQ team to discuss their completion cooking and their new media project.
OCTOBER 24, 2020
This week Robert Moss, who just released the revised edition of Barbecue: The History of an American Institution, joins JT to talk about some tasty parts of BBQ history and culture. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Stan Hays from Operation BBQ Relief.
OCTOBER 17, 2020
On this week’s show JT talks with Brigit Binns (pictured), author of 29 cook books for Webber and Sonoma Williams, a radio and TV personality, and owner of Refugio Paso Robles in California.
In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Max Good from Amazing Ribs to give us his analysis on what are the best grills and BBQ’s for your house.
OCTOBER 10, 2020
This week JT talks with John "Spinaker" Bowlsby, an expert in Dutch oven and cast iron cooking and a pit master and panelist at AmazingRibs.com.
In the show’s second hour, JT is joined Christie Van Over, pit master, competitor and brand ambassador from Girls Can Grill.
OCTOBER 3, 2020
This time on “BBQ Nation,” JT talks with Angela Iversen from the Sunshine State of Florida. Angela is a BBQ competitor and event organizer. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined David Farrell, author of The Old Fat Guy’s Guide to Smoking Meat.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
This week on “BBQ Nation,” JT talks with Steven Raichlen, author of The BBQ Bible, host of multiple shows on TV, and creator of BBQ University. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined Jamie Pruviance, author of the Webber BBQ cookbooks and master chef.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020
This week JT talks with Diana Koss, creator of Koss Sauce, from Louisa, Virginia. Diana discusses how a family recipe is making its way to the national stage.
In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Will Homer from Painted Hills Natural Beef, in beautiful Fossil, Oregon. Will chats with JT about the ups and downs of the cattle business and how that affects the price you pay for beef at your local grocer.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020
On this episode: JT welcomes the blonde whirlwind herself, Lee Ann Whippen, who shares her BBQ secrets and insight on the restaurant business. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Malcom Reed from How to BBQ Right.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2020
This week the Baron of BBQ Paul Kirk joins JT. Paul Kirk is a BBQ Hall of Fame member, chef, author and one who always speaks his mind. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Bill Wheeler, pit master and member of Myron Mixon’s Texas BBQ Posse. Find out what it’s like to work with Miron.
AUGUST 29, 2020
With Labor Day rapidly approaching, it’s time for the last BBQ of the summer. JT and Meathead Goldwyn cover a number of holiday treats and how to make them happen on your own grill at home. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Ray Sheehan from BBQ Buddha. Ray created some exceptional BBQ sauces and rubs, and his first BBQ cookbook hit the shelves this year.
AUGUST 22, 2020
On this episode: In Hour 1, JT talks with Bob Healy from GrillBlazer. Bob invented the Grill Gun, the newest and fastest way to get your charcoal hot and ready to cook on. In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Lynnae Oxley Loupe, pit master, TV personality and owner of Sugars BBQ/catering. Lynnae has appeared on the hit TV series “Pitmasters” and “Chopped.”
AUGUST 15, 2020
On this episode: Amy Mills, TV personality, KCBS judge and BBQ Heiress, talks to JT about how BBQ has changed over the last few years and what she is doing now. In the show's second hour, JT is joined by The Cajun Ninja himself, Jason Derouen. Jason is a YouTube sensation with his Cajun cooking and technique.
AUGUST 8, 2020
Here's what “BBQ Nation” is cooking up this week:
In the first hour JT talks with Spencer Defty of Knotty Wood BBQ in California. Spencer stepped up and built his own BBQ pellet manufacturing plant. Knotty Wood is the world’s only producer of almond pellets.
In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by former Army Ranger Tom Gearheart, a pit boss and restaurant owner. Tom and his crew have won BBQ championships across the country. Tune in to hear his story.
AUGUST 1, 2020
Here's what “BBQ Nation” is cooking up this week: In Hour 1, Mark Graham, big boss and lead designer of Grilla Grills in Michigan, joins JT to discuss his unique grills and smokers and how he transitioned from working in the automotive world to designing and building BBQs.
In the show’s second hour, JT is joined by Jeff Thiessen, CEO of Pit Boss and Louisiana Grills. Pit Boss is one of the largest manufacturers of pellet and charcoal grills in the country.
