Barbecue and the Blues

Grain and corn fields covered the area when Johnny Harper opened his barbecue restaurant in 1965.

Many years and thousands of slabs of ribs later, Johnny's Bar-B-Q Pit in Pharr continues to draw a crowd both for the food and the Wednesday night blues sessions open to anyone with an instrument.

Born and raised in the city, Johnny credits his family with getting him started in the restaurant business.

"When I was young, I used to help my aunt barbecue ... you always get plenty to eat that way," he says, adding he used to help his father work a combine in the fields now replaced by neighborhoods.

His son now helps him run the restaurant, leaving Johnny Sr. with more time for his collection of bass guitars and his family and friends. Gesturing to a wall covered in photos of musicians, he recalls meeting B.B. King, Guitar Shorty and Freddy Fender.

When asked about the secrets of his barbecue, Johnny cracks a dismissive smile.

"Nothing's secret about it. You just try to cook it the best way you can."

Alex Jones is a staff photographer at The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4851.