Meet the Guys behind Country's Barbecue
Hey y'all! I'm Jim Morpeth. I started Country’s Barbecue back in 1975 at our Mercury Drive location, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride. Before diving into the world of barbecue, I spent years working as a computer programmer and systems analyst. But deep down, I always had this dream of starting my own business—something real, something that felt like home. Country’s was the answer to that dream, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible folks who’ve joined us along the way. These days, when I’m not tinkering with new recipe ideas or filming our famously quirky commercials, you’ll find me sailing, kayaking, cooking up something at home, or just enjoying time with my family.
Then there's Grif. He’s been part of this business since he was 12 years old. If you’ve ever met Grif, you know—if you can’t get along with him, you probably can’t get along with anybody! He’s got a natural gift for people, for food, and even for computers (guess he got that gene from me). Grif’s got a degree in Computer Information Management from Columbus State University, and we’re thankful he’s put those smarts to use making Country’s better every day. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with his wife and young kids—or out on the water, keeping up with the family sailing tradition.
Now, there's the longer haired fella —Scott Ressmeyer—well, he’s been with us since the early days of Country’s. He came on board as a young teenager, just looking for some part-time work, and boy, did we have dishes for him to wash! Over the years, Scott has done just about everything there is to do at Country’s, and he’s become more than just an employee—he’s one of the owners and a close friend. But Scott’s not just known for his work at the restaurant—he’s a hero in the community. He’s the man behind The Midnight Express, The Reindeer Run, and Scott’s Ride for Miracles. If there’s a charity event or a community cause, you can bet Scott’s involved.
Lastly, we got the youngest guy out of us barbecue fellas —Cash— he's grown up in the business as well. He's the kind of guy you'll be pressed to find someone say they don't like him! The love for smoked meats was in his genes from the day he was born. Just like the rest of us, he's done pretty much everything in the business from washing dishes at 16, to catering, to serving tables. Cash has a Business Management degree from Auburn as well as an MBA from Columbus State University. He'll be continuing the Country's tradition on further down the road!
