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dhagood
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Fishin’ & ‘Queing
Athens, AL……….“Alright Cooks – listen up”, is not exactly a phrase you might expect to hear at the Bassmaster Weekend Series sign-in for their weekend tournament orientation meeting. But, get used to it, anglers, because American Bass Anglers and the Kansas City Barbeque Society have partnered together to promote – well, fishing tournaments and barbecue competitions. What could be more American!
Named “American Bass Anglers Barbeque Cook-off”, sponsored by Early Times Kentucky Whisky, they will be held the same day of, and in association with Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series events and this years’ American Fishing Tour National Championship.
Back in 1986, the Kansas City Barbeque Society first incorporated and in 2011 will celebrate their 25th year. The brain-child of Gary & Carolyn Wells, Rick Welch and approximately 30 metropolitan Kansas City original members, this barbecue society has grown to a world-wide society with members in all 50 states of the United States, each of the Canadian Provinces and about fifteen or so foreign countries. This year alone, the KCBS will sanction over 300 barbecue competitions from sea to shining sea. Want to know a little more about the KCBS? It’s easy! Just plunk down a $30 annual membership fee and receive, among other things, the BULLSHEET, which is their monthly publication. With the BULLSHEET in your hands, you’ll always be informed about barbecue happenings throughout the year.
On a typical barbecue weekend, barbecue Pit Bosses and Team Members begin arriving at the cooksite usually Wednesday or Thursday before the actual competition gets underway on Friday. It is not mandatory to compete in each of the four meat categories – chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket -- only if you want a chance at winning the overall Reserve Grand Champion or Grand Champion of the event. Since a significant portion of the winnings are with these two kahunas, be assured, most of the competition teams will be competing for a chance at the overall winnings. For the record, each of the 2009 ABA/KCBS competitions are also Governor Proclamated State Championship events which means the winner of those events automatically receives an invitation to compete in The Invitational at the American Royal in Kansas City the first weekend in October.
And, there’s talk of possibly one or more Ancillary categories for next year. These categories can be anything except one of the Saturday competition meats. So maybe a grilled or smoked fish category might be included – imagine that. It just keeps sounding better and better.
So where does the adventure lead? The five contests already on the 2009 books begin the weekend of July 17th and 18th in Paris, Tennessee. Then in August the trail leads to Kuttawa, Kentucky the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd. September lists two events and both are in Alabama. The first one is in Guntersville the weekend of September 18th and 19th followed by Florence the very next weekend. This years’ trail will culminate in Russellville, Arkansas the weekend of November 6th and 7th. If you can, come on out and join us for one or more of these events. And just in case there is not an event too close to you this year – don’t worry, because the chances are we’ll get a little closer to your area next year.
I’ll look forward to getting to know the anglers and cookers somewhere out there on that ole fishing and ‘Que trail. Until then be blessed. Down the road my friends.
Ronnie Harwell, KCBS Rep
The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 10,000 members worldwide.
KCBS sanctions almost 300 barbeque contests coast-to-coast throughout America. From volunteering to actual event production, our members also offer assistance to civic and charitable organizations who organize events.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament organization for the weekend angler, offering more than 1,000 events across the US. American Bass Anglers operates the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, the American Couples Series, Military Bass Anglers, and the American Bass Anglers BBQ Tour Sponsored by Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Each tour is designed specifically for the weekend angler offering low cost and close to home events so anglers can qualify for larger championships. For more information on American Bass Anglers visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
For more information about the American Bass Anglers Barbeque Cook-offs visit www.ababbq.com
