OCALA, FL (352today.com) – If you’ve been lucky enough to experience Stagecoach Music Festival with a plate of smoked perfection in hand, there’s a good chance it came from Rashad Jones, the pitmaster behind Big Lee’s and his “Cue Crew.”
We caught up with Rashad backstage at Guy’s Smokehouse to talk smoked meats, music memories, and what it means to bring Florida flavor to California’s biggest country party.
A Pitmaster’s Big Break
“It all started in December 2022,” Rashad told us. “Guy texted me late one Friday and asked what I was doing the next day. He came to Ocala, brought a few friends, including Lee Majors, and tried our barbecue. After walking through our smoke yard, he asked if I’d ever heard of Stagecoach, then said, ‘Do you want to go?’” By Monday, Rashad was officially in.
Guy followed up with a second question: Had Rashad ever been on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives? “I laughed and said, ‘Come on, man, you know I haven’t!’” Rashad recalled. “He made another quick call and said, ‘Done.’ He’d be back next month to shoot the episode.”…