Free Range Conversations, Episode 56
RISON - Rison Shine Community Development will kick off the fall season and fair month with the Rison BBQ Cook-Off Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.
The unique event combines a classic barbecue cook-off (and $1,000 prize) with a concert from the popular Arkansas-based band Midnight South.
The band, which previously performed at the Rison Fall Festival in 2023 opening for David Nail, is known for its blend of original music and covers that harken back to the sounds of 90s country and Southern rock.
Rison in the Fall Director Douglas Boultinghouse, as well as co-hosts Britt Talent and Roy Phillips, welcomed BBQ Expert and Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, as well as Matt Sammons and J.L. Jones from Midnight South to the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast.
The episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com below.
This year’s cook-off will feature a grand prize of $1,000 sponsored by Chris Reed Logging. Additional prizes per category (ribs, chicken or cooker’s choice) will be awarded based on participation.
A people’s choice contest will also take place. A portion of the entry fees and people’s choice ticket sales will kickstart funding for the 2026 Rison in the Fall Festival.
In addition to Chris Reed Logging, the 2025 Rison BBQ Cook-Off and Concert is sponsored by Premiere Poultry, Scharf Heat & Air, Rison Grind Gym & Fitness, Roy Phillips and Keden Shrum.
Boultinghouse shared during the podcast that from boosted posts on social media platforms, the Cook Off is garnering interest from across the state and beyond.
Contestants can enter in one or more categories. Multiple entries are allowed in each category but only one entry in each category will be calculated in the points system.
The entry fee is $50 per entry per category: (1) Chicken Halves, (2) Pork Ribs, (3) Cooker’s Choice (any type of meat other than ribs or chicken).
Boultinghouse noted that due to some feedback from the potential competitors, the previously-published “3-1/2 and down” size requirement for ribs has been removed. The contest will now accept any size ribs.
Set up will be allowed on Friday evening, Sept. 5, at the Fairgrounds. Campsites are available for an additional charge by contacting Fair Manager Roy Phillips.
Contestants can not begin cooking until after the pre-contest meat inspection is conducted between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
Entries will be judged on aroma, appearance, texture and taste. Chicken will be due at 3 p.m., Ribs at 4 p.m., and Cooker’s Choice at 5 p.m.
The competition will be blind-judged, meaning judges won't know whose food they're tasting, ensuring a fair contest. Roberts recalled a story where a "little girl with a $30 Weber grill" beat out a team with about $100,000 worth of equipment.
BBQ People’s Choice voting will run simultaneously with votes due by 6 p.m. at the start of the concert.
Those judging the contest will be paying a $10 fee to participate and half the money collected from the “People’s Choice” fees will go to the single cooker who receives the most votes from the participating members of the public.
Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Midnight South concert.
To enter the competition, visit www.clevelandcountyarkansas.com for forms and more details.
During the podcast, Roberts and Phillips reflect on what exactly qualifies as “Cooker’s Choice” sharing past stories. According to Roberts, those entries have ranged from a barbecue bacon-wrapped shrimp to an adventurous competitor who once cooked rabbit.
Roberts started his involvement of the Cook Off in the early 90s as a substitute tie-breaking judge. He eventually worked his way up to directing the event for many years before interest waned.
Now in its second year of a revived effort, the Rison Shine organizers are expecting bigger things, which is where Midnight South comes into the fold.
“We had a lot of great feedback after you guys performed (at Rison in the Fall)," Boultinghouse told the band. "We really felt like you guys were going to be the best fit to help us push this event and make it even bigger."
Midnight South's sound draws inspiration from big harmony bands like Diamond Rio Shenandoah, according to member J.L. Jones.
Band member Matt Sammons described their performances as high energy and crowds can expect to dance and sing along.
Jones and Sammons, along with band mates Darin Davis and Billy Lowe, will perform covers people know, as well as original music.
Some of their favorite covers to play are "Can't You See" by the Marshall Tucker Band and John Michael Montgomery's "Grundy County Auction."
They've also been recording new music, including a to-be-released party-style song called "Drink To Get Drunk."
Over the years, Midnight South has opened for a variety of contemporary acts like Flatland Cavalry and Parker McCollum. However, they've also had the opportunity to share the stage with some of their heroes such as Tracy Byrd and Kenny Chesney.
Throughout the podcast, the band members and organizers discuss their favorite types of barbecue, some of the side jobs they do in addition to music and more.