Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Kevin Bludso.
Here’s a summary of MMCMC Script File 18, an episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushion McDonald, featuring special guest Kevin Bledsoe, founder of Bledsoe’s Barbecue and a two-time Hoodie Award winner.
🔥 Key Topics Discussed 1. The Hoodie Awards Legacy
- Kevin credits the Hoodie Awards for launching his national visibility.
- Describes the experience as “life-changing,” giving pride and validation to small business owners.
- Emphasizes how the awards brought community recognition, celebrity exposure, and lasting friendships.
2. Bledsoe’s Barbecue Journey
- Originated in Compton, CA, with family BBQ roots in Corsicana, TX.
- Now an international brand with locations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and even Melbourne, Australia.
- Known for slow-smoked meats, authentic Southern sides, and consistent quality.
3. Celebrity Support & Customer Experience
- Celebrities frequent Bledsoe’s, but Kevin emphasizes treating everyone with respect.
- Consistency in food and service is key: “Every plate looks immaculate.”
- Rushion shares personal stories of bringing military and corporate guests to the restaurant.
4. Television Career
- Kevin’s TV debut came unexpectedly via a producer who overheard him joking in the kitchen.
- Became a regular on Bar Rescue and now stars on Netflix’s American Barbecue Showdown.
- His authenticity and humor made him a standout personality.
5. Philanthropy & Community Impact
- Bledsoe’s has paid for funerals, provided scholarships, and supported local causes.
- Kevin believes in giving back: “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
- Emphasizes the importance of teamwork, community, and uplifting others.
6. Entrepreneurship Real Talk
- Warns aspiring entrepreneurs: “Owning a business is the hardest job you’ll ever have.”
- Shares his early grind—working 24-hour days between BBQ and DJ gigs.
- Encourages building a strong team and trusting the process.
7. Civic Engagement
- Passionate about voting rights and Black empowerment.
- Urges listeners to vote in person and stay informed about political and social issues.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
- “Are you ready to go eight years without a day off?”
- “The Hoodie Awards made us feel like celebrities—like we mattered.”
- “You need fans in the stands. That’s called customers.”
- “If I’m making it and my people aren’t, then I’m not making it.”
#BEST
#STRAW
#SHMS
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I am Rashan McDonald, a host of weekly Money Making
Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this show
provides are for everyone. It's time to stop reading other
people's success stories and start living your own. If you
want to be a guest on my show, please visit
our website, Moneymaking Conversations dot com and click the be
a Guest button. Chris submit and information will come directly
(00:23):
to me. Now let's get this show started. My next
guest is Kevin bloodsoe we go all the way back
to the Hoodie Awards in Los Angeles, California, before he
opened Bloodshows, Bar and Q on Lobrea, which I've been
too many times. In Los Angeles, Kevin to the Chef
Television Personnelity and two times Steve Harvey Hoodie Award winner.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
In two thousand and eight, he opened Blood.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Souls by BBQ and has since grown into an international empire.
Hear me when I say international, From Compton to international
with Bloodshols, Bar and Q, which I talked about earlier,
is right there on Librell Right there, man, you got
valet parking, everything, great food.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Every time I go there.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Man, it's a beautiful display of food or people in there,
cross sectional people concession standing at the LAFC Soccer Stadium,
a location in Proud Bird right there at la been
there many times. Catering and the sprawling restaurant and bar
called Santy Tone by blood Sol BBQ and the crowd
casino and Melbourne here y'all Millbourne, Australia. That's where the
(01:25):
international park come from. The legend of blood So BBQ
begins in coursa count of Texas. That's right south of Dallas, Texas.
The reason I know I'm from Houston, Texas, so I
passed through Court of Kyna many times.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I get up to Dallas.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Come on now where the Bloodso family has been perfecting
the craft of slow smoke meats for five generations. But
while his family roots are laid in Texas, Kevin himself
was born and raised in Compton, California.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
That's where I met him. Now he is a television star.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Like I said earlier, tell hey, big time television star
sitting up that man got make up and anything on.
You can catch him judging on Netflix The American Barbecue Showdown.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
I've seen every episode. I've also seen.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Him on the Food Channel, Cookie Network, I've seen him
on the bar rescue. I've seen his brother everywhere. Please
work in the money making conversations. I want to call
my a dear friend and a guy I feel so
blessed to talk to right now on my show today,
my man, Kevin Bloe.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Hew you doing, sir, man?
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I am good. Hey, after that introduction, I'm interview over.
I'm good smiling.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
I had to because I see you post a leg
on the on the on social media.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
You're gonna be talking to the legend on Thursday. I
saw that on social media.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I just file.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
I took a streenow.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Let me just let me, let me make it perfectly clear.
I would not be doing probably none of this extra
stuff if it wasn't so winning that first Hoodie award. Man,
I would never forget that. I remember talking to you
backstage Wrestler was so cool and it was like I
always knew you in Steve Too. But when me and
you hollered backstage and then you came and gave me
(02:55):
the hug, I was like, damn, my man. Here before
I just want to say, man, and I have and
I mean, you told me something that night, and I
don't know if you remember but you said you're gonna
be all right, always look out for your folks.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
You remember you told me absolutely absolutely believe that, man,
you know.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
And I just want to say, man, I appreciate you.
I appreciate everything you guys have done for me, man.
And I really really missed the hoodie. It was I
really do because win I lose. It was so much fun. Man.
How y'all take normal folks from the neighborhood and made
us feel incredible every time for those three and four days. Man,
(03:34):
I just always wanted to thank you guys. Man, it
was an incredible time. It was an incredible ride. And
even because I think I went to like sixth straight
or absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Remember we have those little meet and greets and all
that stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Remember, yeah, oh man, the green room in there.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Because walk your red comfort. Don't forget Kevin walk.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
The red carp for that, the red red carpet and
to get my first one for uh what was Sally
Richard and Bernie Mackett. I'm not Bernie back of George
Wallace clowning for thirty minutes and my pants falling down,
and memories, man, I'd share. It's this time real toe, you.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Know, So I have the video of of your winning
I don't know if you have that. I'm a send
it to you.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Please don't show that, man, Please, I'm.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Sending to you. I got them all. I got that
time history of the Hoodie Awards slash Neighborhood.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I got it.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
But you know something, Kevin, is the thing about it
is that that's what it was all about.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
It's always been about the people.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
It's always were recognizing the regular people, because you know,
we get so we get become like unknown, we get burdened,
like we're not even delivering a contributing And that's all
I was telling you back to say take care of
your people.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Because what we didn't know, you know, Steve.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Already I didn't know at the time, was that we
you know, I started this in Houston, Texas in nineteen
ninety seven, just as a I was a sidekick on
the radio show. And then what happened was Steve came
we got the radio gig in l A. He said,
we shut did you should do that.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Hoodie Award thing?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
I think I got to be big, And you know,
I would never as a as an individual, I could
never just go to the radio station. But Steve was
big enough to say, let's do this, let's do that.
I gotta give credit what credits due. And they went
another and they sold it, and we sold the idea.
We went to Vegas several times, went to the forum
several times, and then we went back to Vegas. And
(05:22):
so when you when you talk about it, you know,
because what I didn't see coming was how it affected
the business, how they enabled you can talk about how
the Hoodie Awards affected you guys with all that promotion,
Steve holling it out on them.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Here's the nominees, here's the nominees. Here's the top four,
here's the top four.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Talk about that, I mean, the pride that it I mean,
it's like people still to this day just talk about
when it was time to vote the first vote in
the second vote, and how genius was the way y'all
put that together to have the first vote in the
second vote. But then the pride of bringing people to
get other and people just want to be part of that.
(06:02):
And then when you win and and bring it home. Man,
it's like in the neighborhood, it's like, you know, winning
the national championship, you know, everybody want to come and
so many people would wait to hear if you won.
And I mean, I mean we had customers cry when
we lost.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
And uh, it's that I mean because like I said,
you don't have that much. Like I said, you don't
have that many shows that do that. Especially, I mean,
we barely got enough for real celebrities that they give
prompts to to have. You know, there's normal hard work
and people trying to run their businesses and all that,
doing their thing and getting award and and and like
I said, getting award from Sally Sally Richards and George
(06:42):
Wallace and the people I met backstage and just the
whole thing, man, is incredible. Man. I mean, it was
a it was a real beautiful time and it's just
the pride that it brings and then the customers that
you get. If you notice everything that I do, every
show that I say that I do say about winning
the Hoodie Award no matter what, they always take in Canada, Australia,
(07:05):
And like the lady told the Woody, I said, you know,
all over, always be a proper man, because like I said,
that was just a real exciting time. Man. It was
real fun, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And thank you you know, because of the fact that
the whole idea, man, was to celebrate the real stars
of the community. That was the basis of the Woody
Awards and the Neighborhood Awards because of the fact that
and my whole thought was that, Okay, instead of have
the celebrities being recognized for honor, let's use the celebrities.
It's almost like props to get people there, because you know,
(07:38):
if we said that we were just gonna be doing
best barbecue, best high school, would't nobody show up?
Speaker 3 (07:43):
But you got Steve avin Holst, and you.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Got the Sally just just Sally Richardson's on stage, you
got the George Wallace on stage. You GotoP Dog Ice
Q showed up one year, Magic Johnson showed up.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
When you get all these people, people going whoa, whoa,
what's going on here? What's going on here?
Speaker 1 (07:59):
And this to allow to be back like like in
the green like before the Wars, in the greenroom with them,
you know, having cocktails just like and everybody interacting. Man,
it was incredible, man, Like I say to even the
walk to the not just the red carpet, when we
walked through the casino or whatever, going inside, getting ready
(08:20):
to call in and walking inside that arena. Man, that
was like.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
That was that was that was That was major.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I did that.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
That was that was major because I, you know, the
thing about it, I would not share note I was,
and people come in there go man, this is produced
better than the Emmys, dude. This is produced better than
because I because I had to do that. The worst
thing in the world, man, is for us as black people,
you know, to say you're gonna do something good for
us and didn't do it half.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
I didn't do it.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Slopping, and that's what that was my greatest love, man,
because to see the look on y'all faces because y'all
didn't believe it. Okay, this will always chump me out, man.
It was those acceptance species. I wasn't ready for that.
Kevin So I wasn't ready for because I told Steve Harrison, look, man,
I got the fact we're gonna nominate him. I got
the fact we're gonna vote vote. I said, I don't
know what they're gonna say when they get up there.
(09:06):
May y'all got up there, man, and it was like
they brought me to tears many times, man, because I
didn't realize.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
The impact of a of a war. A community award.
That's what it was.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
It was a community award, and how it affected it.
You know, when I because I always like, you know,
because I was a regular guy. Steve was still a
star and way back then, but I could go to
a restaurant and I went by your place one time
back in the hood. And then when and then and
then I found out my girl, Candy, he used to
do my backstage celebrity uh streaming.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
She said, she said, we.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Shank shank Kevin is on the Brea, I said. She
said he got a spot on le bre.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
I didn't even know Kevin. I didn't even know you
had that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
She was so cool. That's my baby sister now. Man
that she is so cool, always so professional, man, and
just incredible. You know. I mean, your whole staff was
just like you know, oh man, I mean, and I
mean when you guys came out and did the video
of me, uh and I was still in concery man
and uh and I didn't even know what And you know,
(10:09):
Candy don't give no information. You know. I used to
find my fatigu. I said, we have something. So she said, boy,
you think I'm gonna lose my job over, you know,
something like that. So she said about the video. When
y'all did the video, she said, well she well, I
don't want to say she lied, but she lies like, Oh,
we do this with all the contestants with people don't
get on the video at the lunch. And then I
(10:30):
was on the lunch and I didn't even know till
I got there, you know. I mean, everything y'all did
was it was just it was it was for even
like the waiting like like like and that first time.
I mean, I'm I'm nervous. I'm sweating like a brother
out of clan with a white woman. You know what
I'm saying. I'm sweating and nervous. And I said, man,
I ain't been this nervous since football days. And it
(10:51):
was just uh and and I'm not even putting too
much on it. Man. It was other contestants that I met,
and then the friendships the people that I met from
other businesses that we are still good friends to this day. Man.
That's what that's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Man.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
I mean, I hear like the morning show sometimes and
I get nervous because I remember during the time when
it's voting time, because you know, we have vered. The
coach got us about a few hours so they had
already started absolute. I just remember that one year, it
was six forty five, they was about to go off
the air and uh, and it was this crypt Tomy said, uh,
(11:24):
he was doing the top three or whatever, the top four,
and we was number three already in Tom Steve said,
now that's a Now that don't make no sense. Bluss
those number three and them brothers in LA.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
That's right. So let's just gonna explain everybody. See what
happened was from two thousand and one to two thousand and.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Five we were in LA. It was an LA based
radio station. Steve three and and Kevin and all everybody
was in LA. So in two thousand and five we
left and went to New York. Were based in New
York for two years. So for one year we took
a year off. Two thousand and six, we didn't even
do it. We didn't even do it, and we're trying
to figure out what we had to do with our
own career. We were struggling to try to come up
(12:00):
after that run. And then two thousand and seven we
brought it back. And so with freak me and Steve.
I was like, okay, they in LA and so you know,
you guys, and like you said, y'all were three hours
difference and y'all were voting.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Y'all was seriously voting Kevin.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, we had him.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
We had everybody, every old college people, everywhere, everybody we
knew all over the United States. We had them going. Man.
But like I said, and you'd be surprised. I mean,
people still come and tell me how much they missed that.
And I missed those weeks of the hoodie was I
and so many people when you in it would go
and I remember being you know, like I said, it's started.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
In LA, and did you did?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
But I remember being in. I remember, you know, a
couple of times bloods Its was the only one in.
I remember one time we was the one my first
year we wanted and Crench Shaw High won it. And
then after that it got so big. It was people
don't know how hard.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
It is to four man. You know. Yeah, it was like,
you know, because you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Because two thousand and seven, two thousand and eight, that's
when the you know, it became really national because we
started out syndicating to all these markets New York, Chicago, Philadelphia,
you know, Charlotte, Miami, all these different market Dallas and
so it wasn't just La anymore. That's why I still
trip that you guys were able to win before it
(13:23):
really exploded. And when it really exploded, it was like, Wow,
this is something that was just just a cool idea
that's become worldwide. That but that kind of like prepared
you for what you're doing now as a as they said,
international brand.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Talk about the stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
We talked about, the hoodies, we talked about coming out
of Compton, you know, open up your shop. You got
this beautiful restaurant. I'm gonna just tell you all about
the food. Okay at uh Blood Soe Bar and Q
Bar and Q that's on Lebrea. But I would go there,
and you know, I'm telling you something. I'm type of
buy candy, candy, candy. She goes by candy man now
(14:00):
because I represent her as an actress and and uh
talk to Holst and producer. She took me there the
first time, she said, she said, Kevin said he got
you on this Rashan. I said, you know, I don't
like that. I don't like that and said I don't
go ahead and so and so.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
So.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
You know, every time I go in there, I don't
tell nobody I'm going. I've taken the air force in there.
Air force in there because I had a big contract
air force. And then I was doing a base like
two hours away and uh in the month of March,
two hours away, and I told him, I said, I
want you to go to La and All and get
and pick up this barbecue run. They said, Rashan, really,
(14:37):
I said, yes, bloodsoe on le Brea. I said them,
Colin Green's is gonna kill you. They're gonna mess you up. Now,
I said, Colin Greens gonna mess you up. And they
said when I they two hours down, two hours back,
was nobody disappointed? They went, Wow, I see why you went.
That's how powerful I believe in your brand. That's how
(14:58):
good your brain is. Tell everybody about the menu that
you have, the type of food that you serve on
your menu.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Kevin, like I always say that we do it right,
low and slow, like a six vote. You know what
I'm saying, Right, take that time. The brisket is fifteen hours,
the ribs is four to five hours. You know we
you know I'm a firm believer. It's ain't broke, don't
fix it. You know. I still do it the way
Willie May feels used to do it when I would
come in to spend my summers in Corsicana. You know,
(15:24):
she would take her time and do it right, you know.
And I just try to I just try to keep
that going at every spot that we got, you know,
and like I say, just knowing incredible people like you.
And it's so funny you bring up because I had
a discussion about that with a younger guy who just
opened up the spot, and he was saying, you know, say,
you know, sometimes celebrities come in and this and that,
(15:48):
this and that. I said, let me just tell you
one thing. I don't care who they are, whatever whatever,
you give them that option, because celebrities are different. Some
of them are just like you, who's like I want
to pay some of them don't, you know, But you
being you need you need them more than they need you.
And like on any field, you got cool people and
(16:10):
you got uh, you know, people who's tripping or whatever. Whatever,
but you that's on you to understand that. But a
celebrity coming in there, it's going to look out for
your business, but you have to respect just like they
respect your work as a chef and they come to
your spot, you have to respect they work. Like these
people don't want to deal with people sometimes, but they
take the time to come come to you and come
(16:32):
to your spot. And sometimes us as business owners have
to really quick speaking on people's pocketbooks and all that.
And one tweet are some of the like when you
talk about free advertisements or are some of the stuff
that you do. I can never pay for.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
That right right?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Because I post every time I post the post a
couple of last month and I hadn't even been there,
and I act like I was there.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more
money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making
Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. Money Making Conversations Masterclass
continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making
(17:17):
Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
You know, I mean, we got all huge celebrities coming there.
I can not do the same thing with all of them, right,
all of them right. You know, I'm not gonna drop
no names, but I'm talking about fools. You know, some
of the best artists we ever had, foods from the
Titanic and everything coming that spot and they all look out.
But you better give them, you know, take care of them, man,
because these people are gonna you neque that. Who wasn't
(17:43):
for that? And the Hoodie Awards and getting to know that.
I mean, it was so many celebrities that come to
the Hoodie Awards that came to the restaurant. Afterworld I
got to come see what this is aboue.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Absolutely absolutely, and that's that's called community. But the thing
about it, let me just tell you, let me che
you some real talk here. Every time I been I've
been there over a dozen times. Okay, I brought people
with me. I went in there and by myself and
just got the vegetables spread because when you get the
vegetable spread in the meat, it's just too much. And
I'm always traveling and I don't really I'm in a hotel,
so I can't do it to go, okay, and so
(18:15):
so so sometimes I come in there and give me
some corn bread and then I give me the the
you know, some collar greens and beans, and so I
just break it up like that. Or sometimes it's coming
and get me a sandwich. And so but every time
I go in there, the service is always on point.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Kevin.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
The meal looks exactly the same of quality separation, I mean.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Picture, I take pictures of your food and then people do.
People go, Okay, it looked like that, I said all
the time, all the time.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
I remember when I brought the Air National Guard in there,
you know, was we were staying way in Long Beach
for for a conference.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
I said, they said, it's where were gonna eat? I said,
We're going to uh bloodte bar and q in l
A said all the way over that.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I said, yes, we're gonna go over there, went up
and there, man, they went wow after because because the
beauty about the beautiful things about coming to this place,
like when you get your meal, you get that double
meat of triple meat. All the because I'm telling the
guy man, people A would say, man, you're small, you
eat all that food. Hey, hey, stay off my plate,
Stay off my plate.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Stay we need to switch that up.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
And so what happens when you have bout five people
at the table, okay and all that food come to
the table, you get attention, man, because it looks so
beautiful because every one of the plates is look immaculate,
as far as we won't say your word is immaculate.
Everything is nothing running off the sides, nothing too small,
The portions are good.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
That's why I just love what I what I eat.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
That's why when I kind of sneak in, because I'm
gonna tell Kevin, you know, hey, went problem.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Because it's about the respect.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
That's why I started the Hoodie Awards, man, because it's
about showing love.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
The fact that you guys, you still believe in it
just excites.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Me even more. Man.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
And the fact that in the fact that you're doing
so well and your TV so talk about how did
the television stuff start for you.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
And how would you how would you were you nervous?
Did you know?
Speaker 1 (20:15):
What?
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Did you? Did you play it off? How did it
all kick off for you? Kevin?
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Well, my first one, and it's so funny, my niece,
because I'm just like, shoot, this is maybe twenty ten, Kevin.
I'm I'm still knee deep in the Contert location. So, uh,
this producer call and said, hey, we really want to
get you know, Kevin bluffing. He happened to be at
the restaurant. I didn't know who he was. And you know,
(20:40):
in the restaurant, in the kitchen, we clown in the back,
we clown and cracked jokes and bags. So the dude
heard me back there clown and so I never even
seen it, didn't know who he was. And uh, he
kept calling, and he kept always He got my niece
itself on the meat ice call and she was like,
this guy wants you for a TV show. And I
was like, what TV show? Bar Rescue? I never heard
of it, you know, never heard of the show. And
(21:02):
that and that. He kept calling, and then one day
she said, look, this dude need a video. We' finna
go to your house and do this video. So we
we went to the house and started the video of
just you know, me interviewing and whatever whatever. But before
the thing was even set up, it's me cussing her
out and I don't know who he's sow and so
is and this that. So when she fit it, she
sent the whole thing and John Taffer seen it and
(21:25):
he ti, now I gotta have this, dude, I gotta
have them, damn dam damn uh And I got this
a funny store. I'm gonna keep the showup. But from
my first episode was in h Kansas City. Uh, I
think it was called Boondocks or whatever. The show never
was supposed to air because so we saved this bar.
I'm thinking, this dude is That's when I learned to
(21:45):
between like old Southern races are a Southern rocker. This
dude was a Southern rock and we we actually are
good friends now and you know, southern rocker. They like
rap and country and on it thinking he was a racist.
But anyway, we get into it on the show. I'm like,
you know, I'm goinna put hands on this food and
it's all on the show. But he didn't have no reverse.
He didn't have no reverse, so he wasn't no pump.
(22:07):
You know what I mean. I'm gonna I'm gonna get
you it you're gonna get But anyway, so it's so crazy.
So it takes about a couple of months for them
to do it. So the night before the show was
supposed to have, which was Thanksgiving weekend that year, I
can't think of the exact year, he was having a
party at his bar and got a guy was smoking,
big time country singer at his bar, and they got
(22:27):
into it, had a fight to do, kind of got
the best of Chris Chris Shott and killed the dude
wow the knife before the show was supposed to end,
so they had to pull up the show. But the
show accidentally aired on the replay later on that night,
and it was a big old thing and all that.
But I'm saying, I'm getting into this food, this wool
go to. He could have went to the back and
got a gun on me, you know, but that was
(22:50):
my first episode, my first shot. And then John Tapper
is like huge in my life, like you guys. So
I mean, this dude is as far as busy, this
and bars and the things that he knows. And like
I said, fifteen episodes later, man, he keeps me busy.
In fact, he called me the other day to congratulate
me because the Netflix show is doing so good. It
(23:11):
is number one half the last week is the number
one unscripted show on Netflix, and dude is doing well. Man.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
First of all, that we're talking about the American Barbecue
show down, okay, and they got some characters on there,
and your girl from Mississippi, she's the real dead who
cooks the whole hall. Did you know of before the
show or of just.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
New off I knew ever, I knew over that was
our first time meeting. And uh, she's incredible. I mean
she's a legend. She's a legend. And uh and you'd
be surprised some of those cooks to be first time.
I mean they did such a good job of getting
that cast to get you know.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
And uh, well be a part of well, you know you.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
I know you'll be back because it's part of your brain,
it's part of you, it's part of what you do.
And that like like you know, when I put the
press for lead at police out, you know, they say,
I said, well, his name first, Kevin Bloodsoe's name first
on the Preferre Leau. That Fresh Release was reached one
hundred million people.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Wow, that Fresh Relief picked them.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
When you start talking about audience picked up by different websites,
they started putting that number together, one hundred million people.
And that's what relationships do, Kevin. And that's what you're
talking about this whole conversation is that you respect the process,
you understand the process. Just drop some jewels on people
about the value of relationships, Kevin.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
I mean, like I said, when you say, look look out.
I would not be here if it wasn't for people
looking out for me. And you know, saying I always
say Russia's uh, I don't give to be blessed. I'm blessed,
so I give. You know, it's not no secret recipe
that this, you know, it has to come from your heart.
Like I try to tell people, love to talk about
(24:51):
all the funerals and stuff we paid for, you know,
with blood cells, but okay, let's also talk about the
scholarships and how many kids we put through college too.
It's more of the good things that our weigh the
bad things, right, and God had put me in position
to help like that, and that's what I'm saying. And
it it comes, and that's what it's like. It's so weird,
(25:13):
it's just And I try to tell people it has
to come from your heart and it's natural. The blessing
is gonna keep bringing in if you do what you're
supposed to do. And how was you raised you was
raised to give? You know, miss us as black folks,
I mean, you know, coming up, what we had, all
we had was food and and love and hugs and
all that, and like we gotta we gotta go back
to that, man, we gotta go back to that, and
(25:35):
you gotta want to put the work in. It's hard work.
Like people want to get a business. I know, you know,
a business is gonna be the hardest job you ever
had in.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
Your life, right right, And if you.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Don't have that, that's why everybody can't do it. A
business is gonna be the hardest job in your life.
I mean, I said that, dude to me, I want
to be like you. I want to you know, be
able to live in Texas and this and that, this
and that. I said, Okay, well you ready to go
eight years without off day? You know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
I'm gonna I'm gonna post that on a motivational card, Kevin,
I'm gonna put that on my work. Are you ready
to give eight years without off day?
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Well? Yeah? Let me tell you. When I first opened
up Blood Shock, I was still djaying, so I would
have a I would I would get to Blood Thos
at four o'clock on a Saturday morning and uh be
there until seven o'clock. Go home at night, go home,
take a shower, pack my gig up, and go do
(26:31):
a DJ gig. Get back about two three in the morning,
take a shower and go up to blood Thoes to
take briskets off and get ready for the day, twenty
four hours straight. And that went on for the first
almost year and a half of my business because I
was at one time I was just DJing and catering,
so I was booked, you know, But I had to
(26:52):
do what I had to do. I mean, my daughter
wrote one of the cub wish I had it. She said,
my daddy, if you knew the work my daddy, it
was called my Daddy's not overnight success. It would come
in at three four in the morning. I would just
hope my father got at least one hour of sleep,
and I know he didn't. My Daddy's not an overnight success.
And they got to know. Everybody's path is not going
to be that way, you know. But it's tough especially
when you and I would and I know you know
(27:14):
when you know money making conversations. I would tell anybody,
if you can, please have the money and the back
end to start, because when you start on a shoestring budget,
that's why a lot of them don't make it, because
you need that. And us as a community, that's why
we need our own banks and we need because we
can't these younger they can't get the loans. You know.
They want you to be experienced to get a small
(27:35):
businessman loan, but you you need the small businessman loan
to get going. Yeah, right, And they and they and
they have to understand that. Then as you grow, get
get you know, get with a good team. I have
a good team behind me. There's no way I could
do what I'm doing if I didn't have the team
that I have working, you know with with you know,
the bloodshows, LLC. The people that we have, the things
(27:57):
that have been done, the doors that have open to
get tied straight, to get on the braid, to get
in those conversations that we need to be in so
we can have a voice, you know. And that's the
whole thing. You have to have a good team, man,
And you've got to trust the team. You might be
the quarterback, but you need.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Some goods linemen, running backs, coaches, you know, on the sidelines,
cheering your own.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Cheerleaders, all that stuff, man. And more importantly, you need
fans in the stands. That's called customers, right, people.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
And how you keep them by putting out a good product?
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Absolutely, Kevin, I just want to thank you man, and look,
we don't hang out, come and wrap up the show.
I want to get the number and so we can
stay in touch. But I just love you, man, I
just love you man.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
You know, man, I got so much love and respect
for you. Bro, It's like it's unwavering man, real toale.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
You know, because of the fact that I know where
you came from.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
I know, I know, and I know that what I've
been doing all my life, people I've been doing.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
This is all eighteen years old. For some reason, God
just just said just to what you do. You uplift people.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
You don't when somebody's behind you, you don't run off
and leave them. You extend on right hand. And that's
what the Neighborhood Awards is. That's what the Hoodie Awards was.
And to see you have such a reaction in it,
and there's a lot of people like that.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
Man.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
I'll be in DC.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
People come on that you ain't gonna bring it back.
Come on that shop, shut shut. I'm talking about barbershops.
Just I'm talking about high school churches, Detroit and Lama
all over this country. Stop me go shout for real, man,
for real? I said, look it well, we're thinking about it. Man,
I got something else gonna They're gonna jump off, but
(29:34):
we'll talk about a brother, because I understand exactly what's
going off, what's going on in life, and I know
it's needed, especially during these times and black unrest, because
we got to go out there and vote. We got
to register the vote, and I'm voting in person, my friend,
I am voting any person. I'm not messing around with
no mail in ballot. I'm not messing around with that.
And I want somebody to go, here's your card. Sure
(29:56):
you've officially voted. Because I want to people understand that
that if you want something in life, no matter what
it is, a business, you want to graduate, you want
to be in a relationship for a long time, it's
hard work. It's hard work, and voting is hard. If
he got standing that line, if it's raining, if it's storming,
standing that line, because if I don't make a change,
it's going to be a four more years of a
(30:18):
life that would never be good, especially in people you
aren't making it. And I'm just talk about you know,
we've crossed a little line there, Kevin.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
We can survive the inference.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
I'm not here but see again, if I'm making it
and my people ain't making it, then I'm not making it.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
That's right. You ain't making it, because that's that's a burden,
you know. And I always say too, And I know
we rapping, But it wasn't that long ago when we
talk about standing the lines. I me and my son
was at a play football at Utah and he called
me one day and he was just upset and he
was like Dad, he was one to sixty five. I said, yeah, Mark.
He said the Voters Act was made June or whatever six.
(30:54):
I said, yeah, whatever it was. He said, so when
you was born, black people couldn't vote. I said no.
So he said my granting them couldn't vote. I said no,
And it hit home with them. He knows people. He
couldn't believe that he knew black people that couldn't vote
at the time. Right, And if people don't think certain
things can happen again. Like I tell people all the time,
I'm not a conspiracy theorist, theory of ferist or whatever.
(31:17):
I said. But when they came to and got them
brothers from Africa for slavery, I said, they were living
normal lives.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
Yes, they were normal live.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
I said, please look at the big picture on everything.
Please look at people trying to line up with Russia
and things like that. Just always look at the big picture, man,
and get out there and vote. Man, it's this I
never thought we would be to this time again, and
we are. And if this don't bring us all together,
And like I said, you can't say certain things aren't different,
(31:46):
because I mean, I was in LA for the ninety
two rides. You know what I mean. You know, brothers
and Hispanics out there, But now look at who's out
there now. It's white, black, Hispanic together. And like I said,
maybe not in all lifetime, but I feel like once
you have kids, ain't novice about maybe in the lifetime,
in a lifetime after that, racism might not exist no more.
(32:07):
You know what I mean. And that's what I try
to work forwards. Man. But we gotta do.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
It, you know, Yes, Kevin, I want to appreciate you
coming on money making conversations with her.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
Two time, I said, two time. Steve Harvey Hoodie Award winner.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
From Los Angeles Catholic for in aka Compton, California aka
of course a count of Texas just south of Dallas
for dogs who.
Speaker 3 (32:29):
Don't know I forty five. See he know, I know,
he know, I.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Know n J Times graduating class, official college.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
My sister went to school bisch Of College. I know
what you're talking about, man, right rock.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass
hosted by me Rashaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests
on the show today and thank you I was listening
to your audience now. If you want to listen to
any episode I want to be a guests on the show,
visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Our social media handle is Moneymaking Conversations.
Join us next week and remember to always leave with
(33:09):
your gifts.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
Keep winning
Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I am Rashan McDonald, a host of weekly Money Making
Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this show
provides are for everyone. It's time to stop reading other
people's success stories and start living your own. If you
want to be a guest on my show, please visit
our website, Moneymaking Conversations dot com and click the be
a Guest button. Chris submit and information will come directly
(00:23):
to me. Now let's get this show started. My next
guest is Kevin bloodsoe we go all the way back
to the Hoodie Awards in Los Angeles, California, before he
opened Bloodshows, Bar and Q on Lobrea, which I've been
too many times. In Los Angeles, Kevin to the Chef
Television Personnelity and two times Steve Harvey Hoodie Award winner.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
In two thousand and eight, he opened Blood.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Souls by BBQ and has since grown into an international empire.
Hear me when I say international, From Compton to international
with Bloodshols, Bar and Q, which I talked about earlier,
is right there on Librell Right there, man, you got
valet parking, everything, great food.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Every time I go there.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Man, it's a beautiful display of food or people in there,
cross sectional people concession standing at the LAFC Soccer Stadium,
a location in Proud Bird right there at la been
there many times. Catering and the sprawling restaurant and bar
called Santy Tone by blood Sol BBQ and the crowd
casino and Melbourne here y'all Millbourne, Australia. That's where the
(01:25):
international park come from. The legend of blood So BBQ
begins in coursa count of Texas. That's right south of Dallas, Texas.
The reason I know I'm from Houston, Texas, so I
passed through Court of Kyna many times.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I get up to Dallas.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Come on now where the Bloodso family has been perfecting
the craft of slow smoke meats for five generations. But
while his family roots are laid in Texas, Kevin himself
was born and raised in Compton, California.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
That's where I met him. Now he is a television star.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Like I said earlier, tell hey, big time television star
sitting up that man got make up and anything on.
You can catch him judging on Netflix The American Barbecue Showdown.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
I've seen every episode. I've also seen.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Him on the Food Channel, Cookie Network, I've seen him
on the bar rescue. I've seen his brother everywhere. Please
work in the money making conversations. I want to call
my a dear friend and a guy I feel so
blessed to talk to right now on my show today,
my man, Kevin Bloe.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Hew you doing, sir, man?
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I am good. Hey, after that introduction, I'm interview over.
I'm good smiling.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
I had to because I see you post a leg
on the on the on social media.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
You're gonna be talking to the legend on Thursday. I
saw that on social media.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I just file.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
I took a streenow.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Let me just let me, let me make it perfectly clear.
I would not be doing probably none of this extra
stuff if it wasn't so winning that first Hoodie award. Man,
I would never forget that. I remember talking to you
backstage Wrestler was so cool and it was like I
always knew you in Steve Too. But when me and
you hollered backstage and then you came and gave me
(02:55):
the hug, I was like, damn, my man. Here before
I just want to say, man, and I have and
I mean, you told me something that night, and I
don't know if you remember but you said you're gonna
be all right, always look out for your folks.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
You remember you told me absolutely absolutely believe that, man,
you know.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
And I just want to say, man, I appreciate you.
I appreciate everything you guys have done for me, man.
And I really really missed the hoodie. It was I
really do because win I lose. It was so much fun. Man.
How y'all take normal folks from the neighborhood and made
us feel incredible every time for those three and four days. Man,
(03:34):
I just always wanted to thank you guys. Man, it
was an incredible time. It was an incredible ride. And
even because I think I went to like sixth straight
or absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Remember we have those little meet and greets and all
that stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Remember, yeah, oh man, the green room in there.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Because walk your red comfort. Don't forget Kevin walk.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
The red carp for that, the red red carpet and
to get my first one for uh what was Sally
Richard and Bernie Mackett. I'm not Bernie back of George
Wallace clowning for thirty minutes and my pants falling down,
and memories, man, I'd share. It's this time real toe, you.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Know, So I have the video of of your winning
I don't know if you have that. I'm a send
it to you.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Please don't show that, man, Please, I'm.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Sending to you. I got them all. I got that
time history of the Hoodie Awards slash Neighborhood.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I got it.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
But you know something, Kevin, is the thing about it
is that that's what it was all about.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
It's always been about the people.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
It's always were recognizing the regular people, because you know,
we get so we get become like unknown, we get burdened,
like we're not even delivering a contributing And that's all
I was telling you back to say take care of
your people.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Because what we didn't know, you know, Steve.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Already I didn't know at the time, was that we
you know, I started this in Houston, Texas in nineteen
ninety seven, just as a I was a sidekick on
the radio show. And then what happened was Steve came
we got the radio gig in l A. He said,
we shut did you should do that.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Hoodie Award thing?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
I think I got to be big, And you know,
I would never as a as an individual, I could
never just go to the radio station. But Steve was
big enough to say, let's do this, let's do that.
I gotta give credit what credits due. And they went
another and they sold it, and we sold the idea.
We went to Vegas several times, went to the forum
several times, and then we went back to Vegas. And
(05:22):
so when you when you talk about it, you know,
because what I didn't see coming was how it affected
the business, how they enabled you can talk about how
the Hoodie Awards affected you guys with all that promotion,
Steve holling it out on them.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Here's the nominees, here's the nominees. Here's the top four,
here's the top four.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Talk about that, I mean, the pride that it I mean,
it's like people still to this day just talk about
when it was time to vote the first vote in
the second vote, and how genius was the way y'all
put that together to have the first vote in the
second vote. But then the pride of bringing people to
get other and people just want to be part of that.
(06:02):
And then when you win and and bring it home. Man,
it's like in the neighborhood, it's like, you know, winning
the national championship, you know, everybody want to come and
so many people would wait to hear if you won.
And I mean, I mean we had customers cry when
we lost.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
And uh, it's that I mean because like I said,
you don't have that much. Like I said, you don't
have that many shows that do that. Especially, I mean,
we barely got enough for real celebrities that they give
prompts to to have. You know, there's normal hard work
and people trying to run their businesses and all that,
doing their thing and getting award and and and like
I said, getting award from Sally Sally Richards and George
(06:42):
Wallace and the people I met backstage and just the
whole thing, man, is incredible. Man. I mean, it was
a it was a real beautiful time and it's just
the pride that it brings and then the customers that
you get. If you notice everything that I do, every
show that I say that I do say about winning
the Hoodie Award no matter what, they always take in Canada, Australia,
(07:05):
And like the lady told the Woody, I said, you know,
all over, always be a proper man, because like I said,
that was just a real exciting time. Man. It was
real fun, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And thank you you know, because of the fact that
the whole idea, man, was to celebrate the real stars
of the community. That was the basis of the Woody
Awards and the Neighborhood Awards because of the fact that
and my whole thought was that, Okay, instead of have
the celebrities being recognized for honor, let's use the celebrities.
It's almost like props to get people there, because you know,
(07:38):
if we said that we were just gonna be doing
best barbecue, best high school, would't nobody show up?
Speaker 3 (07:43):
But you got Steve avin Holst, and you.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Got the Sally just just Sally Richardson's on stage, you
got the George Wallace on stage. You GotoP Dog Ice
Q showed up one year, Magic Johnson showed up.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
When you get all these people, people going whoa, whoa,
what's going on here? What's going on here?
Speaker 1 (07:59):
And this to allow to be back like like in
the green like before the Wars, in the greenroom with them,
you know, having cocktails just like and everybody interacting. Man,
it was incredible, man, Like I say to even the
walk to the not just the red carpet, when we
walked through the casino or whatever, going inside, getting ready
(08:20):
to call in and walking inside that arena. Man, that
was like.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
That was that was that was That was major.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I did that.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
That was that was major because I, you know, the
thing about it, I would not share note I was,
and people come in there go man, this is produced
better than the Emmys, dude. This is produced better than
because I because I had to do that. The worst
thing in the world, man, is for us as black people,
you know, to say you're gonna do something good for
us and didn't do it half.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
I didn't do it.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Slopping, and that's what that was my greatest love, man,
because to see the look on y'all faces because y'all
didn't believe it. Okay, this will always chump me out, man.
It was those acceptance species. I wasn't ready for that.
Kevin So I wasn't ready for because I told Steve Harrison, look, man,
I got the fact we're gonna nominate him. I got
the fact we're gonna vote vote. I said, I don't
know what they're gonna say when they get up there.
(09:06):
May y'all got up there, man, and it was like
they brought me to tears many times, man, because I
didn't realize.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
The impact of a of a war. A community award.
That's what it was.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
It was a community award, and how it affected it.
You know, when I because I always like, you know,
because I was a regular guy. Steve was still a
star and way back then, but I could go to
a restaurant and I went by your place one time
back in the hood. And then when and then and
then I found out my girl, Candy, he used to
do my backstage celebrity uh streaming.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
She said, she said, we.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Shank shank Kevin is on the Brea, I said. She
said he got a spot on le bre.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
I didn't even know Kevin. I didn't even know you
had that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
She was so cool. That's my baby sister now. Man
that she is so cool, always so professional, man, and
just incredible. You know. I mean, your whole staff was
just like you know, oh man, I mean, and I
mean when you guys came out and did the video
of me, uh and I was still in concery man
and uh and I didn't even know what And you know,
(10:09):
Candy don't give no information. You know. I used to
find my fatigu. I said, we have something. So she said, boy,
you think I'm gonna lose my job over, you know,
something like that. So she said about the video. When
y'all did the video, she said, well she well, I
don't want to say she lied, but she lies like, Oh,
we do this with all the contestants with people don't
get on the video at the lunch. And then I
(10:30):
was on the lunch and I didn't even know till
I got there, you know. I mean, everything y'all did
was it was just it was it was for even
like the waiting like like like and that first time.
I mean, I'm I'm nervous. I'm sweating like a brother
out of clan with a white woman. You know what
I'm saying. I'm sweating and nervous. And I said, man,
I ain't been this nervous since football days. And it
(10:51):
was just uh and and I'm not even putting too
much on it. Man. It was other contestants that I met,
and then the friendships the people that I met from
other businesses that we are still good friends to this day. Man.
That's what that's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Man.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
I mean, I hear like the morning show sometimes and
I get nervous because I remember during the time when
it's voting time, because you know, we have vered. The
coach got us about a few hours so they had
already started absolute. I just remember that one year, it
was six forty five, they was about to go off
the air and uh, and it was this crypt Tomy said, uh,
(11:24):
he was doing the top three or whatever, the top four,
and we was number three already in Tom Steve said,
now that's a Now that don't make no sense. Bluss
those number three and them brothers in LA.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
That's right. So let's just gonna explain everybody. See what
happened was from two thousand and one to two thousand and.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Five we were in LA. It was an LA based
radio station. Steve three and and Kevin and all everybody
was in LA. So in two thousand and five we
left and went to New York. Were based in New
York for two years. So for one year we took
a year off. Two thousand and six, we didn't even
do it. We didn't even do it, and we're trying
to figure out what we had to do with our
own career. We were struggling to try to come up
(12:00):
after that run. And then two thousand and seven we
brought it back. And so with freak me and Steve.
I was like, okay, they in LA and so you know,
you guys, and like you said, y'all were three hours
difference and y'all were voting.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Y'all was seriously voting Kevin.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, we had him.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
We had everybody, every old college people, everywhere, everybody we
knew all over the United States. We had them going. Man.
But like I said, and you'd be surprised. I mean,
people still come and tell me how much they missed that.
And I missed those weeks of the hoodie was I
and so many people when you in it would go
and I remember being you know, like I said, it's started.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
In LA, and did you did?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
But I remember being in. I remember, you know, a
couple of times bloods Its was the only one in.
I remember one time we was the one my first
year we wanted and Crench Shaw High won it. And
then after that it got so big. It was people
don't know how hard.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
It is to four man. You know. Yeah, it was like,
you know, because you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Because two thousand and seven, two thousand and eight, that's
when the you know, it became really national because we
started out syndicating to all these markets New York, Chicago, Philadelphia,
you know, Charlotte, Miami, all these different market Dallas and
so it wasn't just La anymore. That's why I still
trip that you guys were able to win before it
(13:23):
really exploded. And when it really exploded, it was like, Wow,
this is something that was just just a cool idea
that's become worldwide. That but that kind of like prepared
you for what you're doing now as a as they said,
international brand.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Talk about the stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
We talked about, the hoodies, we talked about coming out
of Compton, you know, open up your shop. You got
this beautiful restaurant. I'm gonna just tell you all about
the food. Okay at uh Blood Soe Bar and Q
Bar and Q that's on Lebrea. But I would go there,
and you know, I'm telling you something. I'm type of
buy candy, candy, candy. She goes by candy man now
(14:00):
because I represent her as an actress and and uh
talk to Holst and producer. She took me there the
first time, she said, she said, Kevin said he got
you on this Rashan. I said, you know, I don't
like that. I don't like that and said I don't
go ahead and so and so.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
So.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
You know, every time I go in there, I don't
tell nobody I'm going. I've taken the air force in there.
Air force in there because I had a big contract
air force. And then I was doing a base like
two hours away and uh in the month of March,
two hours away, and I told him, I said, I
want you to go to La and All and get
and pick up this barbecue run. They said, Rashan, really,
(14:37):
I said, yes, bloodsoe on le Brea. I said them,
Colin Green's is gonna kill you. They're gonna mess you up. Now,
I said, Colin Greens gonna mess you up. And they
said when I they two hours down, two hours back,
was nobody disappointed? They went, Wow, I see why you went.
That's how powerful I believe in your brand. That's how
(14:58):
good your brain is. Tell everybody about the menu that
you have, the type of food that you serve on
your menu.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Kevin, like I always say that we do it right,
low and slow, like a six vote. You know what
I'm saying, Right, take that time. The brisket is fifteen hours,
the ribs is four to five hours. You know we
you know I'm a firm believer. It's ain't broke, don't
fix it. You know. I still do it the way
Willie May feels used to do it when I would
come in to spend my summers in Corsicana. You know,
(15:24):
she would take her time and do it right, you know.
And I just try to I just try to keep
that going at every spot that we got, you know,
and like I say, just knowing incredible people like you.
And it's so funny you bring up because I had
a discussion about that with a younger guy who just
opened up the spot, and he was saying, you know, say,
you know, sometimes celebrities come in and this and that,
(15:48):
this and that. I said, let me just tell you
one thing. I don't care who they are, whatever whatever,
you give them that option, because celebrities are different. Some
of them are just like you, who's like I want
to pay some of them don't, you know, But you
being you need you need them more than they need you.
And like on any field, you got cool people and
(16:10):
you got uh, you know, people who's tripping or whatever. Whatever,
but you that's on you to understand that. But a
celebrity coming in there, it's going to look out for
your business, but you have to respect just like they
respect your work as a chef and they come to
your spot, you have to respect they work. Like these
people don't want to deal with people sometimes, but they
take the time to come come to you and come
(16:32):
to your spot. And sometimes us as business owners have
to really quick speaking on people's pocketbooks and all that.
And one tweet are some of the like when you
talk about free advertisements or are some of the stuff
that you do. I can never pay for.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
That right right?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Because I post every time I post the post a
couple of last month and I hadn't even been there,
and I act like I was there.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more
money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making
Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. Money Making Conversations Masterclass
continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making
(17:17):
Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
You know, I mean, we got all huge celebrities coming there.
I can not do the same thing with all of them, right,
all of them right. You know, I'm not gonna drop
no names, but I'm talking about fools. You know, some
of the best artists we ever had, foods from the
Titanic and everything coming that spot and they all look out.
But you better give them, you know, take care of them, man,
because these people are gonna you neque that. Who wasn't
(17:43):
for that? And the Hoodie Awards and getting to know that.
I mean, it was so many celebrities that come to
the Hoodie Awards that came to the restaurant. Afterworld I
got to come see what this is aboue.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Absolutely absolutely, and that's that's called community. But the thing
about it, let me just tell you, let me che
you some real talk here. Every time I been I've
been there over a dozen times. Okay, I brought people
with me. I went in there and by myself and
just got the vegetables spread because when you get the
vegetable spread in the meat, it's just too much. And
I'm always traveling and I don't really I'm in a hotel,
so I can't do it to go, okay, and so
(18:15):
so so sometimes I come in there and give me
some corn bread and then I give me the the
you know, some collar greens and beans, and so I
just break it up like that. Or sometimes it's coming
and get me a sandwich. And so but every time
I go in there, the service is always on point.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Kevin.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
The meal looks exactly the same of quality separation, I mean.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Picture, I take pictures of your food and then people do.
People go, Okay, it looked like that, I said all
the time, all the time.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
I remember when I brought the Air National Guard in there,
you know, was we were staying way in Long Beach
for for a conference.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
I said, they said, it's where were gonna eat? I said,
We're going to uh bloodte bar and q in l
A said all the way over that.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I said, yes, we're gonna go over there, went up
and there, man, they went wow after because because the
beauty about the beautiful things about coming to this place,
like when you get your meal, you get that double
meat of triple meat. All the because I'm telling the
guy man, people A would say, man, you're small, you
eat all that food. Hey, hey, stay off my plate,
Stay off my plate.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Stay we need to switch that up.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
And so what happens when you have bout five people
at the table, okay and all that food come to
the table, you get attention, man, because it looks so
beautiful because every one of the plates is look immaculate,
as far as we won't say your word is immaculate.
Everything is nothing running off the sides, nothing too small,
The portions are good.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
That's why I just love what I what I eat.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
That's why when I kind of sneak in, because I'm
gonna tell Kevin, you know, hey, went problem.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Because it's about the respect.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
That's why I started the Hoodie Awards, man, because it's
about showing love.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
The fact that you guys, you still believe in it
just excites.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Me even more. Man.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
And the fact that in the fact that you're doing
so well and your TV so talk about how did
the television stuff start for you.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
And how would you how would you were you nervous?
Did you know?
Speaker 1 (20:15):
What?
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Did you? Did you play it off? How did it
all kick off for you? Kevin?
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Well, my first one, and it's so funny, my niece,
because I'm just like, shoot, this is maybe twenty ten, Kevin.
I'm I'm still knee deep in the Contert location. So, uh,
this producer call and said, hey, we really want to
get you know, Kevin bluffing. He happened to be at
the restaurant. I didn't know who he was. And you know,
(20:40):
in the restaurant, in the kitchen, we clown in the back,
we clown and cracked jokes and bags. So the dude
heard me back there clown and so I never even
seen it, didn't know who he was. And uh, he
kept calling, and he kept always He got my niece
itself on the meat ice call and she was like,
this guy wants you for a TV show. And I
was like, what TV show? Bar Rescue? I never heard
of it, you know, never heard of the show. And
(21:02):
that and that. He kept calling, and then one day
she said, look, this dude need a video. We' finna
go to your house and do this video. So we
we went to the house and started the video of
just you know, me interviewing and whatever whatever. But before
the thing was even set up, it's me cussing her
out and I don't know who he's sow and so
is and this that. So when she fit it, she
sent the whole thing and John Taffer seen it and
(21:25):
he ti, now I gotta have this, dude, I gotta
have them, damn dam damn uh And I got this
a funny store. I'm gonna keep the showup. But from
my first episode was in h Kansas City. Uh, I
think it was called Boondocks or whatever. The show never
was supposed to air because so we saved this bar.
I'm thinking, this dude is That's when I learned to
(21:45):
between like old Southern races are a Southern rocker. This
dude was a Southern rock and we we actually are
good friends now and you know, southern rocker. They like
rap and country and on it thinking he was a racist.
But anyway, we get into it on the show. I'm like,
you know, I'm goinna put hands on this food and
it's all on the show. But he didn't have no reverse.
He didn't have no reverse, so he wasn't no pump.
(22:07):
You know what I mean. I'm gonna I'm gonna get
you it you're gonna get But anyway, so it's so crazy.
So it takes about a couple of months for them
to do it. So the night before the show was
supposed to have, which was Thanksgiving weekend that year, I
can't think of the exact year, he was having a
party at his bar and got a guy was smoking,
big time country singer at his bar, and they got
(22:27):
into it, had a fight to do, kind of got
the best of Chris Chris Shott and killed the dude
wow the knife before the show was supposed to end,
so they had to pull up the show. But the
show accidentally aired on the replay later on that night,
and it was a big old thing and all that.
But I'm saying, I'm getting into this food, this wool
go to. He could have went to the back and
got a gun on me, you know, but that was
(22:50):
my first episode, my first shot. And then John Tapper
is like huge in my life, like you guys. So
I mean, this dude is as far as busy, this
and bars and the things that he knows. And like
I said, fifteen episodes later, man, he keeps me busy.
In fact, he called me the other day to congratulate
me because the Netflix show is doing so good. It
(23:11):
is number one half the last week is the number
one unscripted show on Netflix, and dude is doing well. Man.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
First of all, that we're talking about the American Barbecue
show down, okay, and they got some characters on there,
and your girl from Mississippi, she's the real dead who
cooks the whole hall. Did you know of before the
show or of just.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
New off I knew ever, I knew over that was
our first time meeting. And uh, she's incredible. I mean
she's a legend. She's a legend. And uh and you'd
be surprised some of those cooks to be first time.
I mean they did such a good job of getting
that cast to get you know.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
And uh, well be a part of well, you know you.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
I know you'll be back because it's part of your brain,
it's part of you, it's part of what you do.
And that like like you know, when I put the
press for lead at police out, you know, they say,
I said, well, his name first, Kevin Bloodsoe's name first
on the Preferre Leau. That Fresh Release was reached one
hundred million people.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Wow, that Fresh Relief picked them.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
When you start talking about audience picked up by different websites,
they started putting that number together, one hundred million people.
And that's what relationships do, Kevin. And that's what you're
talking about this whole conversation is that you respect the process,
you understand the process. Just drop some jewels on people
about the value of relationships, Kevin.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
I mean, like I said, when you say, look look out.
I would not be here if it wasn't for people
looking out for me. And you know, saying I always
say Russia's uh, I don't give to be blessed. I'm blessed,
so I give. You know, it's not no secret recipe
that this, you know, it has to come from your heart.
Like I try to tell people, love to talk about
(24:51):
all the funerals and stuff we paid for, you know,
with blood cells, but okay, let's also talk about the
scholarships and how many kids we put through college too.
It's more of the good things that our weigh the
bad things, right, and God had put me in position
to help like that, and that's what I'm saying. And
it it comes, and that's what it's like. It's so weird,
(25:13):
it's just And I try to tell people it has
to come from your heart and it's natural. The blessing
is gonna keep bringing in if you do what you're
supposed to do. And how was you raised you was
raised to give? You know, miss us as black folks,
I mean, you know, coming up, what we had, all
we had was food and and love and hugs and
all that, and like we gotta we gotta go back
to that, man, we gotta go back to that, and
(25:35):
you gotta want to put the work in. It's hard work.
Like people want to get a business. I know, you know,
a business is gonna be the hardest job you ever
had in.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
Your life, right right, And if you.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Don't have that, that's why everybody can't do it. A
business is gonna be the hardest job in your life.
I mean, I said that, dude to me, I want
to be like you. I want to you know, be
able to live in Texas and this and that, this
and that. I said, Okay, well you ready to go
eight years without off day? You know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
I'm gonna I'm gonna post that on a motivational card, Kevin,
I'm gonna put that on my work. Are you ready
to give eight years without off day?
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Well? Yeah? Let me tell you. When I first opened
up Blood Shock, I was still djaying, so I would
have a I would I would get to Blood Thos
at four o'clock on a Saturday morning and uh be
there until seven o'clock. Go home at night, go home,
take a shower, pack my gig up, and go do
(26:31):
a DJ gig. Get back about two three in the morning,
take a shower and go up to blood Thoes to
take briskets off and get ready for the day, twenty
four hours straight. And that went on for the first
almost year and a half of my business because I
was at one time I was just DJing and catering,
so I was booked, you know, But I had to
(26:52):
do what I had to do. I mean, my daughter
wrote one of the cub wish I had it. She said,
my daddy, if you knew the work my daddy, it
was called my Daddy's not overnight success. It would come
in at three four in the morning. I would just
hope my father got at least one hour of sleep,
and I know he didn't. My Daddy's not an overnight success.
And they got to know. Everybody's path is not going
to be that way, you know. But it's tough especially
when you and I would and I know you know
(27:14):
when you know money making conversations. I would tell anybody,
if you can, please have the money and the back
end to start, because when you start on a shoestring budget,
that's why a lot of them don't make it, because
you need that. And us as a community, that's why
we need our own banks and we need because we
can't these younger they can't get the loans. You know.
They want you to be experienced to get a small
(27:35):
businessman loan, but you you need the small businessman loan
to get going. Yeah, right, And they and they and
they have to understand that. Then as you grow, get
get you know, get with a good team. I have
a good team behind me. There's no way I could
do what I'm doing if I didn't have the team
that I have working, you know with with you know,
the bloodshows, LLC. The people that we have, the things
(27:57):
that have been done, the doors that have open to
get tied straight, to get on the braid, to get
in those conversations that we need to be in so
we can have a voice, you know. And that's the
whole thing. You have to have a good team, man,
And you've got to trust the team. You might be
the quarterback, but you need.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Some goods linemen, running backs, coaches, you know, on the sidelines,
cheering your own.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Cheerleaders, all that stuff, man. And more importantly, you need
fans in the stands. That's called customers, right, people.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
And how you keep them by putting out a good product?
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Absolutely, Kevin, I just want to thank you man, and look,
we don't hang out, come and wrap up the show.
I want to get the number and so we can
stay in touch. But I just love you, man, I
just love you man.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
You know, man, I got so much love and respect
for you. Bro, It's like it's unwavering man, real toale.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
You know, because of the fact that I know where
you came from.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
I know, I know, and I know that what I've
been doing all my life, people I've been doing.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
This is all eighteen years old. For some reason, God
just just said just to what you do. You uplift people.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
You don't when somebody's behind you, you don't run off
and leave them. You extend on right hand. And that's
what the Neighborhood Awards is. That's what the Hoodie Awards was.
And to see you have such a reaction in it,
and there's a lot of people like that.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
Man.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
I'll be in DC.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
People come on that you ain't gonna bring it back.
Come on that shop, shut shut. I'm talking about barbershops.
Just I'm talking about high school churches, Detroit and Lama
all over this country. Stop me go shout for real, man,
for real? I said, look it well, we're thinking about it. Man,
I got something else gonna They're gonna jump off, but
(29:34):
we'll talk about a brother, because I understand exactly what's
going off, what's going on in life, and I know
it's needed, especially during these times and black unrest, because
we got to go out there and vote. We got
to register the vote, and I'm voting in person, my friend,
I am voting any person. I'm not messing around with
no mail in ballot. I'm not messing around with that.
And I want somebody to go, here's your card. Sure
(29:56):
you've officially voted. Because I want to people understand that
that if you want something in life, no matter what
it is, a business, you want to graduate, you want
to be in a relationship for a long time, it's
hard work. It's hard work, and voting is hard. If
he got standing that line, if it's raining, if it's storming,
standing that line, because if I don't make a change,
it's going to be a four more years of a
(30:18):
life that would never be good, especially in people you
aren't making it. And I'm just talk about you know,
we've crossed a little line there, Kevin.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
We can survive the inference.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
I'm not here but see again, if I'm making it
and my people ain't making it, then I'm not making it.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
That's right. You ain't making it, because that's that's a burden,
you know. And I always say too, And I know
we rapping, But it wasn't that long ago when we
talk about standing the lines. I me and my son
was at a play football at Utah and he called
me one day and he was just upset and he
was like Dad, he was one to sixty five. I said, yeah, Mark.
He said the Voters Act was made June or whatever six.
(30:54):
I said, yeah, whatever it was. He said, so when
you was born, black people couldn't vote. I said no.
So he said my granting them couldn't vote. I said no,
And it hit home with them. He knows people. He
couldn't believe that he knew black people that couldn't vote
at the time. Right, And if people don't think certain
things can happen again. Like I tell people all the time,
I'm not a conspiracy theorist, theory of ferist or whatever.
(31:17):
I said. But when they came to and got them
brothers from Africa for slavery, I said, they were living
normal lives.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
Yes, they were normal live.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
I said, please look at the big picture on everything.
Please look at people trying to line up with Russia
and things like that. Just always look at the big picture, man,
and get out there and vote. Man, it's this I
never thought we would be to this time again, and
we are. And if this don't bring us all together,
And like I said, you can't say certain things aren't different,
(31:46):
because I mean, I was in LA for the ninety
two rides. You know what I mean. You know, brothers
and Hispanics out there, But now look at who's out
there now. It's white, black, Hispanic together. And like I said,
maybe not in all lifetime, but I feel like once
you have kids, ain't novice about maybe in the lifetime,
in a lifetime after that, racism might not exist no more.
(32:07):
You know what I mean. And that's what I try
to work forwards. Man. But we gotta do.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
It, you know, Yes, Kevin, I want to appreciate you
coming on money making conversations with her.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
Two time, I said, two time. Steve Harvey Hoodie Award winner.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
From Los Angeles Catholic for in aka Compton, California aka
of course a count of Texas just south of Dallas
for dogs who.
Speaker 3 (32:29):
Don't know I forty five. See he know, I know,
he know, I.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Know n J Times graduating class, official college.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
My sister went to school bisch Of College. I know
what you're talking about, man, right rock.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass
hosted by me Rashaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests
on the show today and thank you I was listening
to your audience now. If you want to listen to
any episode I want to be a guests on the show,
visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Our social media handle is Moneymaking Conversations.
Join us next week and remember to always leave with
(33:09):
your gifts.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
Keep winning
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!