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The Rockin Rib-Off Festival and Rick Carter Songwriter Festival gives recording artist Ben Brooks another chance to visit and perform in his hometown. 

On Saturday, Brooks will be joined by members of “The Big Nekkid,” Roger Jones and Will Sommerville, and producer Alex Ruth.

Brooks, a 2003 graduate of Morgan Academy, said he never gets tired of performing in Selma. He currently lives in Nashville. 

“I love coming home to Selma,” Brooks said. “Selma has been so good to me over the last 20 years I’ve been playing there. There’s nothing like a hometown show audience. I play in Selma about once a year, and I’ve played several events for the charity organization Black Belt Benefit Group.”

Brooks will perform several songs from his debut CD, latest single “Long Hard Winter” and several unreleased songs. Brooks co-wrote “Long Hard Winter” with Nashville recording artist E.G. Vines.  

Selma City Councilman Clay Carmichael of the BBCF said it’s always great to have Brooks sing in the Queen City.

“We’re excited to have Ben back playing with the guys from big Nekkid,” Carmichael said. “He’s a good friend and an even better musician. He has come a long way with his songwriting and stands out alongside Rick and Charlie as some of the best songwriters to come out of our area.”

The KFC songwriter stage begins at 1 p.m. with Jack Bearden, followed by Rick Carter and Larry Mitchell in the writer’s round at 1:15 p.m. Megan Lea and Mutt Cooper will perform at 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively. 

The Bridgetender Stage starts at 2:30 p.m. with the Debbie Bond Blues Band, followed by Earl “Guitar” Williams at 3:45 p.m. Mose Stovall at 5 p.m., Jess Meuse at 5:45 p.m., Ben Brooks at 6:15 p.m., Taylor Hollingsworth at 7 p.m. Rolling in the Hay with Donna Hall at 7:30 p.m. Charlie Argo Band at 8:45 p.m. 

Presented by Black Belt Benefit Group, the Rib-Off benefits the Winston Williams Homeless Shelter and ATAP. 

The Children’s Dentistry for Alabama, 100.9 FM Alex FM, Murphy Family Restaurants and Mark’s Mart are the sponsors.