Johnny Trigg. Today we continue the countdown of the Most Influential People in BBQ with the 19^th Most Influential Person in BBQ. Coming in as the 19^th Most Influential Person in BBQ is pitmaster of Smokin’ Triggers, Johnny Trigg.

Trigg, better known as the Godfather of BBQ, is unquestionably a living legend on the competition barbecue circuit, driving thousands of miles and cooking dozens of contests each year since 1990. Trigg’s competition team, Smokin’ Triggers, comprised of Trigg and wife Trish, hold the distinct honor of being the only team to win the Jack Daniel’s World Championship BBQ Invitational in Lynchburg, TN twice, in 2000 and 2003. Trigg is also widely known as one of the best rib cooks in the history of competition barbecue.

Want to hear from Johnny Trigg, the Godfather of BBQ?  Here is Pork Barrel BBQ's interview with Mr. Trigg:

Over the past few years Trigg has become a mainstay on barbecue related television shows including his appearance as one of the original cast members of BBQ Pitmasters in 2009. Trigg returned to an updated BBQ Pitmasters format in 2012 and was crowned BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion. 

In 2010 Trigg along with well-known pitmasters Myron Mixon, Jamie Geer, & Tuffy Stone traveled to Kuwait to feed U.S. troops serving in the Middle East. This trip has recently been turned into a documentary film, The Kings of BBQ: Barbecue Kuwait, by BBQ Pitmasters producer John Markus.

Trigg’s influence in the world of barbecue was recognized and had an exclamation point added to it in 2012 when he was inducted into the National Barbecue Hall of Fame at the 2012 American Royal. If that isn’t enough to convince you of Trigg’s influence on the world of barbecue spend a few minutes observing his cook site at a barbecue contest and you’ll see Trigg’s countless admirers seeking a picture or a few minutes to chat with one of BBQ’s living legends.