Single Tree Nation Show

Single Tree Nation sits down with Tim Hutchins, owner and pitmaster of Hutchins BBQ — the McKinney and Frisco, Texas institutions his father started on the side of the road in 1978. Tim was literally born into the business, living in a 10x10 room at the end of the barbecue joint as an infant, playing in cooled ash piles as a kid, and eventually taking over the family restaurant during one of the t...

This week on Single Tree Nation, we've got a rare two-guest show: musician Justin Andrews and coffee entrepreneur Darren Spicer — the duo behind Cowboy Mud Rub, a coffee-based spice rub built on Justin's grandfather's third-generation recipe. The backstory is a good one. Darren built a drive-through coffee company in the Carolinas and sold it to Dutch Bros. Justin grew up in Oklahoma in a family o...

Roger Vaughn has done just about every job in the meat business — driving no-AC box trucks for his family's sausage company, running the supply chain that fed KFC, Popeyes and Church's, brokering chicken loads from his car during COVID, even delivering pizzas on the side. Now his name is on the building at Off the Dock Foods in Nashville. In this episode of Single Tree Nation, Roger sits down with...

Single Tree Nation sits down with Brandon Hoy, co-founder of Roberta's Pizza in Bushwick, Brooklyn — the wood-fired pizza institution behind the legendary Bee Sting, the two-Michelin-star Blanca next door, and ten locations across the country including the Roberta's inside Urban Cowboy in Nashville. In this episode, Brandon walks Charlie Eblen and Derry Wells through a 35-year hospitality journey:...

Charlie Eblen and co-host Derry Wells welcome John Bates of Interstellar BBQ — the Northwest Austin joint that landed at #6 on Texas Monthly's Top 50 — for an hour on the craft, the grind, and the genius behind one of Central Texas's destination barbecue spots. John breaks down trading an eight-year scratch sandwich shop for brisket, the fleet of pits behind the smoke (from his beloved "Big Merc"...

Charlie Eblen and Derry Wells head to South Central Texas for an unforgettable conversation with Ernest Servantes , co-founder of Burnt Bean Co. — the Seguin-based craft BBQ joint that earned a spot on Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints: 2025 Edition . Ernest opens up about what it really takes to cook with live fire: the patience, the time, the feel, and the obsession with detail that turned a sma...

Charlie and Derry take Single Tree Nation on the road this week to The Trailer Park — Lebanon, TN's first permanent food truck park, just off Highway 109. 20+ trucks, a barn-sized event hall, fire pits, a playground, weekly bingo with 100+ teams, and a PB&J beer from Knoxville's Zool that outsells everything else on the bar. We pulled up a picnic table and sat down with three of the people making...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation, Trent sits down with Charlie Eblen and Derry Wells for a wide-ranging conversation about the mindset behind high performance — on the field, in business, and in life. Charlie and Derry unpack what it really means to thrive under pressure ("I don't function well without high pressure — at that point I don't even think about it, I'm lights out"), the trap of fo...

Charlie and Derry sit down with Evan LeRoy of Leroy & Lewis BBQ in South Austin — and the story is a masterclass in grinding it out. Evan walks us through the whole arc: cooking for college roommates, culinary school, baking bread and making sushi in New York, becoming pitmaster at Hill Country Barbecue, then back to Austin and Freedman's (where he helped build a cook team that reads like a who's-...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with legendary BBQ journalist Daniel Vaughn , the acclaimed BBQ Editor for Texas Monthly and one of the most respected voices in the world of barbecue. Known for shaping the conversation around Texas BBQ through his iconic rankings, road trips, and storytelling, Daniel shares what it's really like traveling the state searching for...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with world-renowned chef, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Robert Irvine for an unforgettable conversation about leadership, resilience, and building a life that truly matters. Best known as the host of Restaurant: Impossible , where he helped transform hundreds of struggling restaurants across the country, Robert brings decades of...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Bob Roberts , owner and pitmaster of Redwood Smoke Shack (@redwoodsmoke) , to talk all things barbecue, business, and the grind behind building a standout BBQ brand. Bob shares his journey into the world of smoked meat, how Redwood Smoke Shack came to life, and the dedication it takes to perfect the craft. From long hours at t...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Nolan Belcher , co-owner of B4 Barbeque , to hear the incredible story behind one of Texas' rising BBQ spots. Alongside his wife Emily, Nolan turned a simple food truck dream into a full-scale barbecue restaurant inside the historic Mabank Feed Store. Through hard work, dedication to craft, and a commitment to community, B4 BB...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry sit down with Kelly Sennatt Esten, CMO & COO of Enterprise at Toast Inc., to talk about the future of the restaurant industry and the technology powering it. As a leader at one of the most influential platforms in hospitality, Kelly shares insights into how Toast is helping restaurants streamline operations, improve guest experiences, and sc...

On this special revisit episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit back down with BBQ legend Carey Bringle , owner of Peg Leg Porker . Carey is a world-renowned pitmaster, published author, entrepreneur, and one of the most recognizable names in Nashville's food scene. In this episode, the guys dive into everything from barbecue and bourbon to business, branding, and the growth of Nashv...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Daniel Frazier , the man behind one of Nashville's most iconic burger spots, Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden . Daniel shares the story behind Pharmacy Burger, from its early days to becoming a staple in the Nashville food scene. The conversation dives into what it takes to build a standout restaurant in a competitive mark...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Derry rides solo as he sits down with Anthony Scotto III , co-owner of Avenue T Hospitality Group and one of the key leaders behind the company's exciting growth. Anthony comes from a legendary restaurant family with deep roots in New York City's hospitality scene , and he shares the journey that brought the Scotto family to Nashville to open the now-beloved...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation, Derry is flying solo on this one as he sits down with Cooper Abercrombie from Bar-A-Que in Texas for a conversation packed with barbecue, business, and the relentless grind it takes to succeed in the world of smoked meat. Cooper shares his journey into Texas BBQ culture, what it takes to cook at a high level day in and day out, and the lessons learned from bu...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Ben, the founder of Ben's Backdraft , to talk about the passion, grit, and fire (literally) behind his growing BBQ brand. Ben shares how he got started, what inspired the name Backdraft , and how he turned a love for cooking with fire into a serious business. From learning the craft and perfecting technique to navigating the c...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with acclaimed pitmaster and restaurateur Matt Horn , the visionary behind Horn Barbecue . Matt shares the real story behind his rise from backyard barbecue enthusiast to one of the most talked-about names in American BBQ. This conversation dives into the grind, the sacrifices, and the faith it took to build Horn Barbecue into a na...

On this powerful episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Brent Phillips , founder of Milk & Honey Ranch , for a conversation that goes far beyond business. Brent shares the incredible journey that led to the creation of Milk & Honey Ranch — a place rooted in faith, restoration, family, and purpose. From personal trials and leadership lessons to building something that impac...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , it's just Charlie and Derry catching up and getting real about life, work, and what it actually takes to keep showing up when things get busy, challenging, or uncertain. The guys dive into a wide-ranging conversation that blends humor with perspective — touching on discipline, mindset, consistency, and the importance of staying grounded while chasing big goa...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Amy Mills , co-owner of the legendary 17th Street BBQ , to hear an incredible story of family, resilience, and barbecue excellence. Amy shares what it was like growing up in the BBQ world alongside her father, Mike Mills , one of the most respected and decorated pitmasters of all time. From competition barbecue dominance to bu...

On this episode of Single Tree Nation , Charlie and Derry sit down with Jake Kouns , the founder of Dead Meat Society , to unpack a powerful story rooted in purpose, craftsmanship, and respect for where our food comes from. Jake shares the why behind Dead Meat Society — a mission-driven brand built on honoring the animal, supporting ethical sourcing, and educating people on the true value of meat...

In this episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry welcome the legendary Rodney Scott, James Beard Award-winning pitmaster and the force behind Rodney Scott's BBQ. Known for perfecting the art of whole hog barbecue, Rodney shares his incredible story — from growing up in his family's BBQ business to becoming one of the most recognized names in the culinary world. Together they dive into: 🔥...