64 years of Barbecue entertainers include country music’s finest

DECATUR — The Decatur Barbecue has hosted some top-notched entertainment since 1953. Listed below are the many Nashville talents that graced the stage at Old City Park and Veterans Park in Decatur.

Decatur Barbecue’s past headliners:

1953-1972: Leon McAuliffe 1973: Hank Thompson 1974: Tommy Cash

1975: Wanda Jackson 1976: Stonewall Jackson 1978: Tommy Cash

1979: Tommy Overstreet 1980: Hank Thompson 1981: Cal Smith

1982: David Houston 1983: Porter Wagoner 1984: Rex Allen Jr.

1985: Rex Allen Jr.

1986: Charly McClain and Wayne Massey

1987: Bill Anderson 1988: Keith Whitley 1989: Lorrie Morgan 1990: Eddy Raven

1991: Mark Collie

1992: Sammy Kershaw 1993: Martin Del Ray 1994: Michael Martin Murphy

1995: Dan Seals-Radio Heart 1996: Rhett Akins

1997: Daryl Singletary 1998: Jeff Carson

1999: Bobby Bare

2000: Ricochet

2001: Warren Brothers 2002: Jeff Carson

2003: Steve Azar-Cate Brothers

2004: Bobby Bare

2005: Asleep at the Wheel — Back Forty

2006: Jeff Bates

2007: Chris Young

2008: Bryan White

2009: John Conlee

2010: Buddy Jewell

2011: Marty Stuart

2012: James Wesley

2013: Johnny Dale Roberts and Along for the Ride 2014: Backroad Anthem 2015: Jesse Whitley

2016: Drew Baldridge 2017: The Reeves Brothers

Westside Eagle Observer/Submitted Photo From 1953 to 1972, Leon McAuliffe and His Cimarron Boys entertained Decatur Barbecue crowds with his unique style of country music.