Ricky Young of the Wild Feathers

Of secret bbq and tacos

As we all know, Nashville lacks for musicians like DC lacks for lawyers. (A big reason why I prefer the former to the latter.) But living a life of music-making is often not an easy one: Touring is tough; gigging is grueling; sessions are sapping. Calories are consumed in the cauldron of creativity. So what keeps a good rocker rolling? I recently sat down with Nashville's Ricky Young of The Wild Feathers to find out what yummy goes in the thirty-threeyear- old singer's tummy when he’s not on the road.

Edible: What's your favorite place to eat?

Ricky Young: That's easy. Mr. G'z Bbq on Gallatin Avenue. It's everything good bbq. My favorite dish is not even on their regular menu. But Mr. G'z has a "secret menu" with Shoulder Mac on it. It’s a layer of pulled pork smoked on the grill covered with a layer of homemade mac and cheese covered with more pulled pork covered with yet another layer of mac and cheese and topped off with the house dry rub. The whole thing is baked with love and served with a side of their homemade cornbread.

Edible: Isn't pork bbq an a bit exotic for a boy from Texas?

Ricky Young: Yeah, kind of missed beef brisket when I first got here five years ago. It's all pork here. That's why I bought a stupid-big-oversized pit trailer smoker. When we're not on the road, a bunch of musicians meet in someone's backyard and share recipes. Beef and pork – simple and Texas style as possible. We call it the Tennessee Smoke Club.

Edible: Where else?

Ricky Young: Oh, yeah. There is Mas Tacos Por Favor over on the east side. We [The Wildfeathers] travel all over the place and we try to find places to beat Mas Tacos, pero no es possible. Also a shout out to Hattie B's. Love me some of their hot chicken. I mean, how could I not?

Edible: Local suds of choice?

Ricky Young: I like Mickey's Tavern and tend toward Yazoo's brews, particularly their hefeweizen. And, of course, there is Dino's with its ice cold beers and the best. burger. in. town.

Edible: So do you eat out or bbq all the time?

Ricky Young: Oh, no. My fiancee, Haylee, [wedding is September 5th!] is a nurse practitioner and makes sure I also eat healthier foods like roasted cauliflower and sweet potatoes. She tries to make me eat as much fruit as possible, too. My favorite is pineapple. We get it at our local Inglewood Market.

RICKY'S PICKS

G'z Bbq & Catering
925 Gallatin Ave

Mas Tacos Por Favor
732 Mcferrin Ave
615-543-6271

Mickey’s Tavern
2907 Gallatin Pk
615-852-5228

Dino's
411 Gallatin Ave
615-226-3566