Bowling Green, Ky.'s "Jimmy "D's" Bar-B-Que": Some Damn Good BBQ!

     I haven't written a blog about BBQ in a while.  I just love how BBQ is spelled or displayed in many different ways in our American society-BBQ, Barbecue, Barbeque, Bar-B-Q, Bar-B-Que or even Bubba Chew.  (Being a Southerner, I made that one up-"Bubba Chew."  lol.)  But anyway, lately I have found myself becoming more of a "purest," or more simplified if you will, going more for the straight, hardcore BBQ.  I have reflected myself lately away from the hot sauces and sticking more with the mild sauces.  I am even keeping my menu choices down because of costs, trying to watch my weight and mainly because I want to try taste the full flavor or essence of BBQ that I have chosen to purchase and eat.

   There's one particular BBQ place in Bowling Green that I find myself keep going back to over and over especially when I'm in a hurry.  It's Jimmy "D's" Bar-B-Que located at the corner Scottsville and Plano Roads.  Like Jimmy's motto says on the outside of the building in big letters that hangs over the front door, "It's Habit Forming"  Boy, it sure is. Jimmy used own the grocery store that is located there for many years but he sold it Houchens Industries several years ago and now it's IGA Crossroads Market and Subway.  Jimmy had a reputation for the best steak cuts in the area.  People would drive for miles to buy his steaks.  I know I used to drive clear across Warren County to purchase them. However, after Jimmy sold to Houchens, he retained some of the land where he now has a rental storage business, a car lot and best of all, as far as I'm concerned, a BBQ place!   And he smokes and serves some of the best damn BBQ in Bowling Green and Southcentral Kentucky!
  The only thing about Jimmy "D's" Bar-B-Que, it is not a sit-down style restaurant.  You walk in, go to the counter, place your order, check out, take it home with you, eat in the car or sit at one of three picnic tables just outside the building to eat at.  If all three tables are all occupied (which they usually aren't), then you have to eat it in the car or take it to a park to eat if the weather is nice.  I don't have a problem with it because it's quick and easy. He's got everything in there to choose from.  BBQ beans, several different types of potato salads, slaw, chips, cookies, cooked green beans, BBQ ribs, BBQ beef brisket, jams, candy and etc. There's hundreds of choices and lots to types of foods that are in containers in the big glass coolers as you'll see when you walk in.  It's easy for you to pick from and take home with you.  By the way, I love all of Jimmy's old school, hand written signs on butcher paper.  I think it's dying art form that you don't see many places anymore.
    But my favorite choice every time is just the straight pulled pork BBQ sandwich with mild sauce, a pickle and an onion slice, a small bag of Lays Classic Potato Chips and a 12 oz. can Coke.  You can get all that for under $5 and it will fill you up because Jimmy puts a lot pork on that sandwich.  If you decide to try Jimmy "D's" Bar-B-Que, tell him, "Galen" sent you.  And he'll know who you're talking about!

Starry Nights Music + Arts Festival: Bowling Green, Ky., Sept. 28 & 29

BOWLING GREEN, KY. _ Indie Rock invades Southcenteral Kentucky again!  And all eyes in the rock world will be on us! The 2012 Starry Nights Music + Arts Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-as4PLTgHDY will be happening at Ballance Farms on U.S. 31-W several miles outside of Bowling Green, Sept. 28 & 29.  I was able to attend two years ago when it was out on Morgantown Road, northwest of Bowling Green to see indie rock bands Sleeper Agent and Cage The Elephant perform because a friend gave me a press pass from a local political party at the last minute.  Actually, I went to see my son, Tony Smith perform, who is a member of Sleeper Agent. But was I really impressed too when I saw Cage The Elephant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX5OOJ-IdfE&feature=relmfu perform for the first time.

 "This hometown music festival is Cage The Elephant's baby and they will curate Starry Nights again this year. CTE band members which include brothers Matt and Brad Shultz, Lincoln Paris, Daniel Tichenor and Jared Champion, are known to give back to the Bowling Green music scene by curating Starry Nights and helping other local bands get their start in the industry." 

     I had a chance to talk with Bryan Graves, founder of the music festival about a week ago and he said tickets sales are going great and they have festival goers from 32 states so far who plan to attend and as far as away as Australia.  This hometown music festival is Cage The Elephant's baby and they will curate Starry Nights again this year. CTE band members which include brothers Matt and Brad Shultz, Lincoln Paris, Daniel Tichenor and Jared Champion, are known to give back to the Bowling Green music scene by curating Starry Nights and helping other local bands get their start in the industry.  They are responsible for helping Bowling Green's Sleeper Agent get their first recording contract and are currently helping other bands with the same process too.
    However, 15 local band who are not currently on the line-up, have a chance to be voted on by fans to perform at Starry Nights this year.  Starry Nights officials have held five slots for Bowling Green's favorite local acts, but the final decision is up to the fans.  Go to the Starry Night'ss web-site to vote and fans can vote up to five times per band.  Voting will close on Friday, Sept. 7th at 11:59 p.m. CST.  Here's a list of local bands that you can vote for: Billy Swayze, The Black Shades, Buffalo Rodeo, Canago, DroBot, Fair-Weather Kings, Heavy Chase, The Japanese School Girls,  Mahtulu, Opossum Holler, Patson, Rainbow Kitty Kitty, Schools, The Sex Bombs and Technology vs. Horse.
And here is the line-up of the of international and nationally known bands that are already scheduled to perform during  the two day event:  Cage The Elephant (of course!), Sleeper Agent, Portugal The Man, Manchester Orchestra, Mimosa, Justin Townes Earle, The Whigs, Moon Taxi, Jeff  The Bortherhood, Margot and The Nuclear So and So's, Morning Teleportation, Wild Belle, Space Capone, Pujol, The Kingston Springs, Five Knives, Bad Cop and more.  Ticket are $45 and camping is included.

For more information, go to their web-site at http://www.starrynightsfestival.com/