Friday Find: Ardie Davis is Rewiring!

Barbecue Hall of Famer Remus Powers is hanging up his bowler hat

This article was written by Kell Phelps and originally appeared in the November 2023 issue of Barbecue News Magazine.

Ardie Davis, also known as Remus Powers, is truly remarkable, and his contributions to the BBQ and Grilling world are immeasurable. For many years, he's worked tirelessly behind the scenes with some of the biggest names and events in our #BBQfamily. In addition, Ardie has authored a remarkable 11 BBQ and Grilling guidebooks, all aimed at helping readers find greater success in outdoor cooking and expanding their menus with shared recipes. But even these accomplishments can’t fully capture the extent of his impact on the barbecue world.

During the 34th Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational contest, Ardie made it known that he was planning to "rewire" a bit from his usual routines. "Rewire" is a term unique to Ardie, or Ardieism, distinct from retirement. His aim is to focus on new projects that will keep him closer to home while staying deeply involved in the BBQ and Grilling community. One of these projects includes helping to write the KCBS 40th Anniversary Cookbook.

There's no need to worry about missing out on the traditions Ardie helped establish at major events across the country. His Diddy-Wa-Diddy National Barbecue Sauce Contest is in good hands, as the American Royal has taken it on and now crowns the best sauce and rub annually. The "Magic Hickory Nut" tradition will carry on at the Jack Daniel’s Invitational, thanks to Brian Nowotny and his team. As for the tradition of administering the judge's oath at these events, it's likely to continue in some form.

Ardie has been a faithful contributor to the Barbecue News since April 2006, and it's hard to imagine an issue without his Hall of Fame presence gracing the pages. His reminiscences and insights about the future of barbecue and grilling will always be a highlight.

Here's to our great friend and BBQ mentor, Ardie Davis, "rewiring" like no one else ever has, while continuing to impact more and more people for the greater good, just as he has been doing since his birth in 1941!

Kell Phelps, Barbecue News Magazine