The Great American Backyard BBQ is an unabashed “Star-Spangled” salute to good music and great food!  Live country and blues entertainment on three outdoor stages includes “up and coming” country artists, established country stars, and regional blues entertainers.  And, being served up as a tasty side dish at this new festival – BBQ cooked outdoors on the Boardwalk!

The heart and soul of the Great American Backyard BBQ is the food.  BBQ vendors participating at the event include Sticky Bones BBQ, Country Boys BBQ, Cutlass Grille, Beach Smokehouse, and Fiesta Chicken.

Country artists taking the stage over the weekend include Steve Azar, Keith Anderson, Sammy Kershaw, Earl Thomas Conley, Colt Ford, and Jason Michael Carroll.
Sammy Kershaw will take the 17th Street Stage on Saturday, May 23, from 9:30-10:45pm.  Since his debut on the music scene in the early 90’s, Kershaw has remained one of the most consistent power-hitters in country music – both with a chain of major hit records and sold-out touring schedules.  His current album, “Honkytonk Boots,” features a soulful sound with a Cajun vocal kick.  Often referred to as the “heir apparent” to the legendary “voice” himself – George Jones – Sammy Kershaw helped make the 90’s a shining decade for country music.

Blues artists at the Great American Backyard BBQ include Roomful of Blues, Elvin Bishop, and Marcia Ball.  

Born into a musical family, Marcia Ball began playing piano at age 5, and showed an early interest in New Orleans-style piano playing as exemplified by artists like Fats Domino.  Her performance style has developed to include elements of zydeco, swamp blues, Louisiana blues, and boogie woogie.  Ball was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 1990.  Marcia Ball will be featured at the 31st Street Stage on Sunday, May 24, from 9:15pm-10:45pm.

This free event also includes the “Heroes Walk” banners on display from 17th to 31st Streets.  These banners contain original essays written by local high school honors students that can be read by passers-by.  Each describes one of the military conflicts the United States has been involved with throughout history.  Covering such conflicts as the Battle of Vicksburg, Vietnam War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, they help to remind us of the price that has been paid and is still being paid today by the United States military.
On Sunday, May 24, fireworks will cap off a great weekend of festivities.  The fireworks show, at 10:0pm, will be launched from a barge off 20th Street, and may be viewed from the entire Boardwalk!  

Entertainment Schedule

Friday, May 22:
BBQ vendors 5:30pm-11:00pm

17th Street Park

8:00pm-9:00pm, Katie Armiger (Country)
9:30pm-10:45pm, Steve Azar (Country)

24th Street Park

8:00pm-9:00pm, Jessica Andrews (Country)
9:30pm-10:45pm, Keith Anderson (Country)

31st Street Park

7:30pm-8:45pm, The Michael Clark Band (Blues)
9:15pm-10:45pm, Roomful of Blues (Blues)

Saturday, May 23:
BBQ vendors 1:00pm-11:0pm

17th Street Park

8:00pm-9:00pm, River City Gang (Country)
9:30pm-10:45pm, Sammy Kershaw (Country)

24th Street Park

8:00pm-9:00pm, Danielle Peck Trio (Country)
9:30pm-10:45pm, Earl Thomas Conley (Country)

31st Street Park

7:30pm-8:45pm, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Little Smokey Smothers (Blues)
9:15pm-10:45pm, Elvin Bishop (Blues - 2009 Grammy Nominee)

Sunday, May 24:
BBQ vendors 1:00pm-11:00pm

Fireworks, 10:00pm

17th Street Park

8:00pm-9:00pm, Sean Patrick McGraw (Country)
9:30pm-10:45pm, Colt Ford (Country)

24th Street Park

8:00pm-9:00pm, River City Gang (Country)
9:30pm-10:45pm, Jason Michael Carroll (Country)

31st Street Park

7:30pm-8:45pm, John Mooney and Bluesiana (Blues)
9:15pm-10:45pm, Marcia Ball (Blues - 2009 Grammy Nominee)