Country music is coming back to the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival in Tryon and according to entertainment committee chairs Benton Wharton and Brook Hannon, it’s coming in grand style.

“We are so pleased to have Nashville Recording artist Chuck Wicks,” Wharton said. “He will be our headliner for the 2011 festival taking the stage at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10.”

Hannon added that Wicks has just released a single “Old School,” touted as the first “feel good” country song of 2011.

“Talk about good timing,” Hannon said, “we were on our way to the barbecue committee meeting last night to report the good news about signing Chuck, when we got a call to pick up a copy of USA Today. There was a ribbon ad across the bottom of the music/ entertainment page featuring Chuck’s photo and announcing the release of his new single.”

This year’s entertainment will satisfy a broad range of musical tastes, according to Wharton and Hannon. In addition to Wicks, featured artists will include North Carolina’s own new-grass pioneers, Acoustic Syndicate; funk-soul legend Charles Walker and his big band, the Dynamites; Devon Allman’s Honey tribe; The Shane Pruitt Band; Big Daddy Love and many more.

Wicks, a songwriter and vocalist, made an impression with his Top 5 smash, “Stealing Cinderella,” which was the fastest-rising single by a debut country act in 2007. Expanding upon his musical talents, that same year he was a celebrity cast member of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” then in its eighth season. He was recently voted AOL’s Sexiest Country Bachelor and made “People” magazine’s Sexiest Guys list. Wicks is also an avid hunter and can be seen on numerous hunting shows on TV.

Before arriving in Tryon for the festival, Wicks will be making appearances all around the Southeast, including the Hard Rock Café in Nashville and The Grand Ole Opry. For more information, go to www.chuckwicks.com or www.myspace.com/chuckwicks.

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival will be held at Harmon Field in Tryon on June 10 and 11. The event includes not only a cooking competition – sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society – and music (on two stages); but also a juried craft fair with more than 50 artists and crafters displaying, demonstrating and selling their art; carnival rides and games for kids of all ages; sponsor displays and, of course, food.

Saturday’s special events include the third annual Rubber Ducky River Race; a Classic Car Show, and “Hawg” Runs (motorcycle poker runs) originating in Greenville and Asheville and ending at the festival. Look for upcoming announcements about other attractions that are being added to the 2011 event.

The festival is conducted annually under the auspices of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the festival help support chamber operations, and additional proceeds go to the Carolina Foothills Chamber Foundation to be returned to the community through distributions to a variety of charitable and civic programs and projects throughout the county. Funds are generated by a modest admission fee, contestant entry fees and sponsorships.

For further information, call the festival office at 828-859-RIBS (7427) or visit BlueRidgeBBQFestival.com.