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Rick Carter performs with the Selma Boys.| Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Carroline Shines sings on the main stage. | Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Donna Hall sings alongside Rick Carter and the Selma Boys. | Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

The Selma Boys joined by Rick Carter and Donna Hall perform for the crowd on Washington Street beside the St. James Hotel during the Rockin’ Rib-Off and Rick Carter Songwriter Festival on Saturday evening. | Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Debbie Bond performs alongside her saxophone player.| Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Debbie Bond performs alongside her saxophone player.| Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

The soloist performs for the crowd.| Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

The saxophone soloist performs for the crowd.| Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Attendees enjoy the music on Washington Street. | Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Carroline Shines performs with Debbie Bond on the main stage Saturday afternoon. | Mike Cadicamo | Special to The Selma Times Journal

Debbie Bond was happy to be in Selma on Saturday for the Rockin’ Rib-Off and the Rick Carter Songwriter Festival sponsored by the Blackbelt Benefit Group.

“Selma has such a rich history when it comes to music, especially the blues,” Bond said. “It’s such an honor to be here at this great festival and to perform with Carroline Shines.”

This was one of the final stops for Bond and Shines before they head to Europe for a six-month tour. The songwriter festival featured a number of acts that have ties to Alabama and locally. Some of the local acts included The Selma Boys, Necie Sounds and Larry Mitchell. The headliner act was Dalton Bush.

“They do a great job with this festival,” Bond said.

In addition to the music, the food cooked by the 14 teams also wowed the crowd. The Selma Lions Club received the titles of Best Ribs and People’s Choice. The Runner-up was the Dave’s Market team titled Full Grown BBQ, featuring Matthew Smyly and friends. The second runner-up was the Cosby-Carmichael Inc. team led by Alex Goodwin.

The Most Liveliest Party Team trophy went to The Pit Masters team with Boo Boo Farley and Friends.

Blackbelt Benefit Group President and Co-Founder Josh Wilkerson said that this was the most teams they’ve ever had show up.

“And the best part is that all of the winning teams donated their winnings back to the Blackbelt Benefit Group,” Wilkerson said. “That will go toward our Rise and Recover Selma. We thank everyone for coming out here and supporting us.”

The judges for the contest were Bob “Uncle Buck” O’Connor, Councilwoman Christie Thomas, Coach Adrian Holloway, Brent Maze, Judge Jimmy Nunn, and Emily Hancock.

Here are more photos of the event:

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