Ray is one of the eighteen participants. It's a pretty damn good group of cooks. Here are the ones I can remember:
Ray Lampe aka Dr. BBQ
Fast Eddy Mauren - Fast Eddy/Cookshack
Mike Davis - Lotta Bull BBQ
Johnny Trigg - Smokin' Triggers
Earnie Miller - Memphis In May cook (I think)
Jack McDavid - Chef, TV Star, etc.
Joe Davidson - Oklahoma Joe
Byron Chism - Buttrub.com
Bart Clark - Twin Oak Smokin' Crew
Myron Mixon - Jack's Old South
Adam Perry Lang - Chef, celebrity, etc.
Mike Wosniak - Bar-B-Quau
Then there are six wildcards. David Britt is one of them. Mr. Earl from the Egg forum is another. I don't know all six of them. In addition, these guys get to bring some backstage help. So, you might be seeing a few more common faces peeking out from behind the curtain during the show. . . . Should be fun!
Rod