The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast · Episode 102 · October 13, 2026 · 30 min
What’s Next for Country Style? Art Fennell on 10 Years & the Future
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 After six episodes, Stories From the Smoke: A Country Style Series comes to a close with the man who started it all — Art Fennell. Black Smoke Media spent Country Style 2026 in Blenheim, South Carolina, documenting the pitmasters, personalities, food and community that have made this event something much bigger than a barbecue competition. There was just one conversation we didn't get to have that weekend. Art was a little busy running Country Style. So Tee and Charlie sat down with Art after the event to look back at the 10th anniversary of Country Style, how it grew from a gathering of local grill masters into a community that reaches far beyond South Carolina, and what the future may hold. Art also gets into a conversation that every barbecue lover can appreciate: competition barbecue, backyard barbecue, who gets to define the “standard” — and why everybody's barbecue came out of the backyard first. But this conversation goes beyond barbecue. Art shares what Country Style has meant to people who've turned to the event during some of the hardest moments in their lives, and why he believes what they've created has become bigger than any one person. This is the final chapter of Stories From the Smoke: A Country Style Series. 🔥 In this episode: • Art reflects on 10 years of Country Style • How Country Style grew into a nationwide community • The culture behind the cook-off • Competition BBQ vs. backyard BBQ • Why different styles of barbecue deserve a place at the table • The future of Country Style • What could change after the 10th anniversary Thank you to everyone who welcomed Black Smoke Media into the Country Style family and everyone who followed this journey through all six episodes. And special thanks to our sponsors, Exhibit Supply and Harder Charcoal, for supporting Black Smoke Media. Subscribe for more stories about the people, places and culture behind barbecue. BLACK SMOKE MEDIA We tell the stories behind the smoke. #CountryStyle #ArtFennell #BlackSmokeMedia #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BBQ #Barbecue #BBQCulture #SouthCarolinaBBQ Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue 00:00 Introduction | Art Fennell & the Series Finale 01:24 Celebrating 10 Years of Country Style 03:14 How Country Style Became a BBQ Family 08:26 More Than Barbecue: Stories That Matter 15:02 Art's Country Style Podcast & the People 17:23 Sanctioned BBQ vs. Backyard BBQ 18:04 Art Fennell on KCBS & Barbecue Standards 19:59 Country Style Judging, Creativity & Tradition 21:48 The Growth and Future of Country Style 22:38 Big Changes Ahead: A New Location 24:33 Will Country Style Stay in Blenheim? 25:57 Where to Follow Art Fennell & Country Style 27:18 Closing Out Stories From the Smoke