BURNT ENDS #10 by Doug Worgul

H SMOKY CRUNCHY BITS OF

KANSAS CITY BARBECUE

! y e H Hey! ! y He Hey

Goin’ to

Kansas City CH -C H -CH-C H A N GES. O UR N E W N A M E E XPLA INED. PAGE 2 ---J O E ’ S I N K C H I S T O R Y. PA G E 4 ---G O O D N A M E S . B E T T E R N A M E S . PA G E 7

AN OCCASIONAL PUBLICATION OF RECIPES, MUSIC, LORE, USELESS INFORMATION, SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION AND QUESTIONABLE ADVICE, FROM THE GOOD FOLKS AT ---- JOE’S KANSAS CITY BAR-B-QUE ----

SAME GREAT FOOD. SAME FRIENDLY FOLKS. BETTER NAME! H

Also the same sauce, the same smoke, the same aromas, the same memories, the same owners, and yes, the same long lines. It’s all the same. All except the name.

And here are the facts. We don’t own the name Oklahoma Joe’s. We never did. We were kind of just renting it. It’s a long story. But imagine for a moment if your name was owned by somebody else, or, worse yet, by some big faraway corporation. You probably wouldn’t like it, and if you could, you’d change it. You’d change your name to something all your own. A name that says something about your character, your personality, your identity. You’d choose a name that you could own, that was yours and yours alone.

Oklahoma Joe’s was a good name. We’ll always be proud of it. But for us, as a Kansas City owned and operated company for more than seventeen years, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is a better name. It better reflects who we are and where we are. Kansas City is our home. There’s no place we’d rather be, and we want our name to say that. Kansas City is the Barbecue Capital of the World and we want our name to communicate our pride at being a part of Kansas City’s long and deep barbecue tradition. This is the truth at the heart of our decision to change our name.

That’s just what we’ve done. We’ve chosen a name that we can own, and own up to. A name we can be even more proud of. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que.

2011: Our logo with the now familiar red shield is first introduced.

2012: Knowing that we were moving toward a name change, we begin to alter the logo, shifting the OKLAHOMA up into the arch of the shield.

2012-2013: The transition continues. The new name and logo are used on sauce labels and to-go boxes.

November 2014: The transition is complete. See what we did there?

HHHHH KANSAS CITY’S One of the main reasons we’re changing our name is that Kansas City has always been our home and we want our name to reflect that. Of course, we’re not the only Joe to have called Kansas City home. There have been famous and infamous others.

J O E “ S C A R FAC E ” D I G I O V A N N I, also known as Joe “Church”, is widely considered to have been the first Mafia crime boss in Kansas City. He arrived from Palermo, Sicily, in 1912, on the lam from a murder investigation. He promptly seized control of the notorious Black Hand syndicate and, with his brother Peitro, ran organized crime in Kansas City until his death in 1971.

JOES You could almost put together an entire team of baseball players named Joe who’ve lived in Kansas City at one time or another, starting with S M O K Y J O E W O O D . Wood, a pitcher, joined the Boston Red Sox in 1908 when he was only 18. In 1911, Joe won 23 games — including a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns — compiling an earned run average of 2.02. The nickname “Smoky Joe” was not barbecue-related, but was given to him by his teammates because of his blazing fastball. Then there was J O E G R E E N E , a catcher for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1939-42 and from 1946-47. Between his stints as a Monarch, Greene fought in World War II as an anti-tank gunner in Italy and Algiers. Hall of Famer, J O E G O R D O N , managed the Kansas City Athletics in 1961 and the Royals in 1969. More recently, Kansas City has laid claim to baseball stars J O E C A R T E R , and J O E R A N D A .

Joe Carter

Though he clearly left his heart in San Francisco, former 49er quarterback J O E M O N T A N A finished his career as a Kansas City Chief, leading the team to the playoffs in 1993 and 1994.

One of the greatest Kansas City Chiefs of all time was J O E D E L A N E Y , a star on the gridiron, but a hero in life. Delaney’s records as a running back stood for decades, but it was his selfless act of bravery on June 29, 1983, when he leapt into a pond to rescue three drowning children that he will be remembered for. His heroism cost him his life and earned him a place of honor in the hearts of Kansas Citians, forever.

Smoky Joe Wood

Joe Greene

KANSAS CITY JOE

HHHH

Perhaps the most beloved journalist in Kansas City history was J O E M c G U F F , a world-class sportswriter who served as editor of The Star in the late Eighties and early Nineties. Joe threw the honorary first pitch in the seventh game of the 1985 World Series.

Considered by most of his readers and many of his peers to be the best sportswriter in the business, J O E P O S N A N S K I rose to national prominence while writing for The Kansas City Star in the late Nineties and early 2000s. After a stint as Senior Columnist for Sports Illustrated, Joe is now national sports columnist for NBC News.

B I G J O E T U R N E R concludes our list. We saved the best for last. One could make a very strong case that Big Joe Turner invented rock ‘n’ roll. Big Joe bellowed out his unique brand of jump blues and boogies right here in Kansas City in the late Forties and early Fifties when America’s youth was tiring of tame big bands and tepid crooners and was eager for something with more energy and edge. Big Joe’s in-your-face delivery rocked and rolled with bravado and sexual innuendo and together with Louis Jordan and Chuck Berry was one of the Founding Fathers of the musical revolution that changed America and the world. 6

GOOD . E M A N R E T T E B . E M A N Na m e s a r e i m p o r t a nt . For better or worse, our names help shape our identities and our destinies. For example, things started looking a lot brighter for the brash and brilliant tech start-up named Back Rub once it changed its name to Google. And James Butler Hickok, who was already a badass gun slinging lawman, became the stuff of legend after folks began calling him Wild Bill. Consider these examples of other people and enterprises with perfectly good names whose destinies were altered by a better name. Turn the page to see what we mean... 7

GOOD NAME: James Butler Hickok BETTER NAME: Wild Bill Hickok

G O O D N A M E S : Robert Leroy Parker and Harry Alonzo Longabaugh B E T T E R N A M E S : Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid

G O O D N A M E : Leslie King B E T T E R N A M E : Gerald Ford

Butch

Sundance

G O O D N A M E : Prince N O T S O G O O D N A M E : The Artist formerly known as Prince B A D N A M E : symbol, see left B E T T E R N A M E : Prince

G O O D N A M E : Wizards B E T T E R N A M E : Sporting Kansas City

GOOD NAME: Isabella Baumfree BETTER NAME: Sojourner Truth

G O O D N A M E : Marion Morrison B E T T E R N A M E : John Wayne B E S T N A M E : Duke G O O D N A M E : Terry Bollea B E T T E R N A M E : Sterling Golden B E S T N A M E : Hulk Hogan

ans as Tex l l a D iefs : ity Ch NAME C D s O a s O G : Kan NAME R E T BET

EXIT 96

Goin’ to Kansas City AN

ABBREVIATED HISTORY It’s become something of a cliché. At some point

in nearly every performance, nearly every musician who comes to play in Kansas City feels obliged to offer their own rendition of the Leiber & Stoller classic “Goin to Kansas City”. Which is quite alright, because it’s a great song. A great song for a great city.

J E R R Y L E I B E R and M I K E S T O L L E R wrote the song in 1952 and titled it “K.C. Lovin’. It was recorded later that year by L I T T L E W I L L I E L I T T L E F I E L D , the first artist to cover the tune. Little Willie’s record was popular in a few local markets, but never reached the national charts. In 1955, L I T T L E R I C H A R D recorded two quite distinctly different versions of the Here, pop song masters Jerry Leiber song. The first was and Mike Stoller confer with Elvis Presley. essentially a straightWe can find no evidence forward cover of the that Elvis ever recorded a version of “Kansas City”. Leiber & Stoller song as it was originally written. The second was a freely improvised and interpreted version that featured the “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!” refrain that would later appear in subsequent covers of the song by other artists.

Jump blues shouter, J I M M Y W I T H E R S P O O N , cut a record of the song in 1959 when he was fronting Jay McShann’s Kansas City band. This version features jazz giants Ben Webster on tenor sax and Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax. Witherspoon’s peer, B I G J O E T U R N E R , also covered the song in 1984, late in his career. It’s not a particularly good singing performance, but it does feature some great gut-bucket tenor sax soloing.

B R E N D A L E E (“I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”) made a spirted and energetic recording of “Kansas City” in 1961. Her version features a kickass harmonica solo which captures the blues essence of the song better than previous covers. For most Kansas Citians, however, the sentimental favorite is T H E B E A T L E S raucous rendition. Paul McCartney has long acknowledged that one of his early and most important musical influences was Little Richard, and when The Fab Four performed at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium in 1964, during their first American tour, they opened the concert with Little Richard’s version of “Kansas City”, with McCartney on lead vocals. The Beatles later included the song on their album “Beatles For Sale” and it is this joyful, playful, unhinged, version that is blasted out over the public address system at Kauffman Stadium after each Kansas City Royals victory. “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!” indeed.

In 1959, W I L B E R T H A R R I S O N made his recording of the tune. Titled “Kansas City”, the record became a nationwide hit. Little Willie Littlefield It’s a straightforward performance and on the left jumping & shouting his way compared to later cover versions might even be through a tune. considered a bit boring. But its gentle rocking delivery has stood the test of time and remains the version widely considered to be the standard rendition. 10

G O O D N A M E : The Blackjacks B E T T E R N A M E : The Quarrymen B E S T N A M E : The Beatles

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that Jeff and Joy Stehney, the owners and operators of Joe’s Kansas City, started competing in barbecue contests. And like all competition barbecue cooks, for them, the number 180 holds special significance. 180 is a perfect score.

Introducing

The 180 Room A special event space from Joe’s Kansas City

“It’s such a great feeling when a panel of contest judges gives your brisket, pork, chicken, or ribs a score of 180,” says Jeff. “That 180 means that, on that day at least, as far as those judges were concerned, your barbecue was perfect. Or pretty close to it. “Over the years, here at Joe’s, the number 180 has become code for our aspiration to excel in all that we do. It’s what we strive for everyday in our food, in our service, and in our relationships with our customers and staff. ” It’s only natural then, that when Jeff and Joy decided it was time to open a private dining and event space that they would name it The 180 Room.

Meet The 180 Room Team Erin Nelson & Dan Drake The 180 Room features the world-class barbecue of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, served alongside a menu of chef-prepared side dishes and desserts, an extensive wine and beer list, and a full-service bar, in a beautiful, well-appointed space.

The 180 Room seats up to 100 guests, with a minimum of 50 guests required to book the entire space. The 180 Room may also be divided into two smaller rooms, seating 50 guests each, with a minimum of 30 guests required to book a smaller room. There is a room fee charged for each room configuration. We do our best to match your event with the room that best meets your needs. Menus at The 180 Room may be tailored to the requirements of your event — whether it be an intimate cocktail party or a large business meeting with a sit-down dinner. Our menus provide a wide variety of options, and may be adapted to accommodate dietary restrictions. A variety of bar packages are available.

“We’re so pleased to be offering this special space to our customers,” says Jeff. “The name represents our goal. In The 180 Room, as in all that we do, it’s our hope and our expectation that our food and our service are worthy of a 180.” “I love the thought of all the memories that will be created in this new venue,” says Joy. “It’s such a warm and inviting space. It’s really perfect for all those special once-in-a-lifetime family events; rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, graduation and retirement parties.” Joy is quick to add that The 180 Room is also perfect for business meetings, and corporate events. “The space features state-of-the-art video and sound capability,” says Erin Nelson, Event Coordinator for The 180 Room. “We’ve got everything you’d need for a great PowerPoint sales presentation or to show a wedding or graduation video. “Of course, our customers know our barbecue,” Erin says, “But in The 180 Room, in addition to our barbecue, we offer some delicious menu items not featured in our restaurants. Plus we offer a wonderful wine list, a fantastic selection of beers, and a full-service bar. And it’s all served in one of the prettiest spaces in the Kansas City area. If you’re planning an event, stop in and see us. See the room. Let’s talk about how to make your event extra special.” 14

ERIN NELSON

DAN DRAKE

Event Coordinator Erin works with customers and meeting planners to create a right menu and atmosphere for each event.

Chef Dan learned his craft at the famed Culinary Institute of America and perfected it as an executive chef in top flight resorts and some of Kansas City’s leading restaurants.

“I believe The 180 Room’s best attributes are its flexibility and ambiance, and, of course, our excellent food and service,” Erin says. “The room can be dressed up for rehearsal dinners or corporate cocktail parties or down for birthday or family gatherings.”

“Cooking for guests of The 180 Room gives me the opportunity to showcase the best barbecue in Kansas City,” says Dan. “And also to add some personal touches from my own repertoire as a chef.” Our customers can personalize the menu for their event. They can share Joe’s great food with their friends or associates or clients in a surprisingly attractive and welcoming space.”

Before joining The 180 Room team, Erin was a manager at The American Restaurant in Kansas City and Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, among other prestigious venues. “The events we host here are often very meaningful occasions,” says Erin. “It’s so rewarding when we can provide the perfect food and environment for these special memories to unfold.”

To inquire about booking events at The 180 Room call Erin at 913-390-0180 or visit www.the180room.com The 180 Room 11944 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS 66062 (Next door to our Olathe restaurant)

CHARLIE

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que 3 Locations Original “Gas Station” Location 3002 West 47th Ave. Kansas City, Kansas 66103 913-722-3366

Olathe 11950 S. Strang Line Road Olathe, Kansas 66062 913-782-6858

Leawood 11723 Roe Avenue Leawood, Kansas 66211 913-338-5151

www.joeskc.com Book your next event at

next door to our Olathe restaurant 913-390-0180 • www.the180room.com

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Jeff and Joy Stehney Owners & Proprietors

Steve Querrey and Ryan Barrows Directors of Operations

BURNT ENDS WAS WRITTEN AND EDITED BY DOUG WORGUL, JOE’S WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE, WWW.DOUGWORGUL.COM, AND DESIGNED BY CRAIG BISSELL, WHO HAPPENS TO BE THE LAST HUMAN BEING ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH WITHOUT A WEBSITE.