FEBRUARY 13-14, 2026

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Smokin on the Rio

Smokin’ on the Rio, now a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ Cook-Off, was established in 2004 by a group of local businessmen with the goal of raising money in support of youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley.

William Beckmann

594075501 1383713667098661 6247926201665561871 nMaking modern country music with a refined edge, emerging Warner Records Nashville artist William Beckmann embodies timeless, sophisticated swagger, with songs built for the mainstream, but also built to last. With his first major label album, Whiskey Lies & Alibis, the young Texas native joins a retro revival in the modern format’s core, and pushes it further down the road. A student of the classics – from classic country to classic pop, classic rock, and even classic mariachi – Beckmann grew up in the border town of Del Rio, Texas, enamored with the classic cool of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Frank Sinatra, plus the Eagles, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Strait, and the traditional Mexican music of his bilingual roots. Developing a deep, dark-honey baritone with natural vibrato, he first found a foothold on the Texas tour circuit, dressed to kill and with a timeless sound to match. After catching the attention of hometown hero Radney Foster (who helped dial in his classically-charged songwriting), and Randy Rogers (who took the young artist on tour, helping craft a stately stage magnetism), two self-styled EPs and a 2023 Opry debut built Beckmann’s buzz, along with tours with Parker McCollum, Charley Crockett, and more. Co-writing eight of 12 songs with elite hit makers such as Jessie Jo Dillion, Jesse Frasure, and Rhett Akins, Beckmann’s neo-classic signature is clear on Whiskey Lies & Alibis. With an organic sound defined by dusky baritone guitars and pedal steel, plus a rumbling, resonate vocal, it captures the vast loneliness of a windblown desert landscape, and the throbbing pulse of a honky tonk with equal power. And central to each track, lies the bitter sting of lost love. After playing more than 100 shows a year in 2022 and 2023, Beckmann now returns to the road with a bold mission in mind: Not just to cosplay the classic country style, but to bring its values back, with head held high.

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Smokin on the Rio Sponsors

Grillin' Supporters

  • Billie D Simpsom
  • CoBank
  • Depot Crop Ins
  • Doggett - John Deere
  • HEB
  • K-K Polled Brahmans
  • Lone Star Citrus Growers
  • MVEC
  • Ross Gin
  • Texas First Rental
  • Weslaco Elk's
  • Texas Regional Bank
  • Rio Bank

Smokin On The Rio 2026 Sponsors

HEB
City of Mercedes
Development Corp of Mercedes
Billie D Simpson
Cita's Boutique - Weslaco
Timothy Belcher Farms
Doggett - John Deere
Davis Equity
Chuck Sellman and Family
Glazer's Beer & Beverage
Burton Companies
Listos Properties LTD
Border Melon Company
MVEC
Rios of Mercedes Boot Co
Gowan Seed Company

Weslaco Elk's Lodge 2057
Frontera Materials
L&F Distributors
Paul and Connie McDaniel
A-W Produce
Valent USA, LLC
Texas National Bank
Bradford Farms
Texas First Rental
D&D Farms
Chapotal Farms
Cita's Boutique - Brownsville
Cropguard Group, Inc
Texas Regional Bank
Cita's Boutique - Harlingen
Rio Bank

Helena
The Law Office of Alex Martinez
Foremost Paving
Progreso International Bridge
Sally Ross
Capital Farm Credit
KBW Supply
Rio Rico Farms
Wadkins & Assoc Ins
Texas Farm Credit
Payne Auto Group
Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Montalvo
Mark & Melody Brunnemann
Dickerson Farms
Billie D Simpson
Krenmueller Farms

Hollon Oil
Depot Crop Ins
Simplot
Ricky Rod Law Firm Group
Bullrider
Southern Star Transport, LTD
Xtreme Outdoors
Amigo Loan LP
Cooper Concessions
Ross Gin
Hanka Sod LLC
Richard and Jennifer Garza
Maka Logistics
South Texas Auctioneers, LLC
Doggett Freightliner of S. TX

Smokin' on the Rio

Smokin’ on the Rio World Championship BBQ Cook-Off was established in 2004 by a group of local businessmen with the goal of raising money in support of youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley. 

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