Smoking Ed’s BBQ Book Signing
There’s a first for everything and today is my first Barbecue Book signing. We’re at Smoking Ed’s in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
My agent called some time back. “Can you do a book signing at lunch before the Mountain Opry at Signal Mountain that night?”
“Sure, boss, as long as it’s bluegrass.”
“Whadda ya mean?”
“Well, first off, it needs to be barbecue.”
“No problem. We’ve got plenty of barbecue in Chattanooga.”
“Great. But, it has to be true bluegrass.”
“How’s that?”
“Of course it has to be good cue. That’s a given. Barbecue is one of the four food groups in bluegrass.”
“Okay, what else?”
“Gotta have a train.”
“Shouldn’t be problem there. This is Chattanooga. Anything else?”
“Yeah, boss. Really need a church on the hill and a graveyard.”
“Good Lord, son. You gotta be so contrary?”
“I’m bluegrass, boss.”
He drove me out to the place. Smoking Ed’s. We no more than got there and the Norfolk Southern rolled by and blew the whistle. “Looks good, boss.”
“Son, look up on the hill.”
It was a graveyard and a country church.
“Boss, as Earl said about Vassar Clements, this’ll do. I wish Norman Blake could see this. He loves trains.”
The first customer was a young lady who asked for “The Kentucky Waltz.” Very cool. Smoking Ed’s BBQ, 1:30. It looks just like the set on “Fried Green Tomatoes.” Y’all come out.
Dr. B
Tags: Bluegrass Barbecue Book Gig
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
July 30, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Y’all it was a fine gig. Lots of great BBQ, plenty of good jamming, sold a bunch of books. One lady said she had more fun than any book signing she’d ever been to. That tickled me. At my age if it’s not fun, I don’t plan on doing it.
Dr. B
July 30, 2010 at 8:39 pm
We had a blast, Dr. B. Barbara loved seeing you, all the other folks and dancing with the little girl. I haven’t seen here smile that much this summer.
Wonderful. And we got to hear you play. A great day all around.
July 30, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Felix,
We had a ball. I look forward to the writer’s conference. Reserve a spot at your table for me if you can.
Dr. B
July 30, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Me and the family had a blast today at the BBQ. The little one’s were worn completely out, especially my daughter. I guess the dancing did the trick for her.
It was great to pick a bit with you even though I don’t know any real songs. I can’t wait till the little one’s are in the bed tonight, I’m anxious to jump into the book.
July 30, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Tim,
Much, much, fun. Enjoyed the picking. The kids always seem to love the music. We loved Chattanooga and will be back.
Dr. B
July 30, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Dr. Bibey,
Congratulations on the book! You visited my Blog of playlists, and left a comment about my radio show a while back, and I thought I’d see what you were up to…If you’d like some of my radio programs, let me know. Good Luck with everything..!
Dan Wargo ‘The Hayride’ Yellowstone Public Radio (www.ypr.org) Saturday nights
danielwwargo2002@yahoo.com
http://www.PRX.org
http://www.BigIslandRadio.com
July 30, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Dan,
The book has taken off beyond my expectations. So far we have only traveled with it on the East Coast, but I expect to get out further over the next few years. Keep me in mind. As far as I know I am the world’s only physician bluegrass fiction writer, and it seems to be a curiosity if nothing else.
Dr. B
July 31, 2010 at 11:30 am
Dr B,
Dang, Connie and I were in Chattanooga yesterday (finally on the way home after MACC) and would have certainly stopped in. Hope everything is going well.
Ron Tyrie
July 31, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Ron,
If our paths had intersected out on the road it’d a been the perfect gig. All is well and having fun.
Dr. B