Much of life's goodness is forever tied to wood-fired cooking for Charlie Eblen, founder and president/operator of Single Tree BBQ, a veteran-owned and operated, low-and-slow barbecue and catering service.
Following initial operations as a food truck and catering business during 2020, Charlie, along with partner executive Brent O'Dell, opened their first brick-and-mortar 1,700-square-foot location during 2023 at 2805 Old Fort Parkway in Murfreesboro.
"The restaurant business means long hours and a lot of effort. I couldn't do it all without the dedicated team we have. But the ability to put smiles on the faces of people who enjoy our barbecue makes it worthwhile," Charlie confides.
Named after "Single Tree Farm," property in Bell Buckle that belonged to Charlie's grandfather, Papa George, Charlie says his cherished memories of the farm were anchored by one particular tree that stood taller than all the others on the ridgeline.
As a person whose love language is barbecue, Charlie affirms that his mission is to honor his grandfather's legacy and help build and grow the Murfreesboro community through food and beverages. Continuing that legacy is Charlie's 20-year-old son who just began the culinary program at Nōssi College of Art & Design, who is "falling for barbecuing at a rapid pace."
"Purists in barbecue cook with live fire, and I enjoy the whole barbecue process, which is incredibly challenging. The term 'pitmaster' is very interesting to me, because it's impossible to control fire. I've learned to better manage fire over time," he ponders. "Staring into fires is like being able to transport back in time to when I was 9 or 10 years old, and I still have a wooden bench by my pit. This type of barbecuing allows me to get up every day to do something I love."
Charlie says he spent his entire career in the restaurant industry, except when serving in the U.S. Army as a Cavalry Scout. "Following my mantra of F.E.E.D. (Focus, Effort, Enthusiasm and Discipline), we work to produce and serve the best plate of BBQ every time, all while giving top-tier service and hospitality for all of our customers."
Snack items, as a whole delicious category in and of themselves, on the Single Tree BBQ menu include fried pickles, chicken wings, loaded pork fries, smoked salsa, bologna burnt ends, BBQ pork nachos, and unique, signature deep-fried potato salad with chipotle mayonnaise, which Charlie says look like "perfect little golf balls with the just-right amount of crunch."
Stemming from food truck days, Single Tree established a solid reputation as providing a leading brisket, which is created through 10-hour undertaking. Other original menu items were sausage, pork and chicken wings. Current meat choices span a pulled pork plate, smoked sausage plate, sliced brisket plate, chicken plate, smoked turkey plate and rack of spare ribs. Sampler options include multiple meats plus sides, which range from beans, mac 'n cheese, coleslaw and jalapeños. Other side orders are fries, green beans, cornbread and potato salad. Premium side orders are smoked baked beans, house salad, garlic mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese.
Charlie says one popular entree is named redneck taco, which is served on a griddled hoecake topped with hickory-smoked pulled pork and Single Tree's original barbecue sauce, served with coleslaw and jalapeños. Other entrees are hand-breaded chicken tenders coated in hot honey, BBQ burrito and buffalo mac 'n cheese.
Among sandwiches are a bourbon bacon jam burger, smoked pulled chicken, smoked bologna, smoked turkey wrap and 'The Porch Burger' with smoked pepper cheese.
Desserts also are memorable: deep-fried apple jacks, Oreo pudding and the 'dark side of the moon,' which features a warm moon pie with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
For catering or large celebrations, meats can be secured in bulk per pound and sides by the quart.
Looking to the Single Tree future, Charlie says they're planning to add a new Sunday brunch menu from 9-11 a.m. Among those new items may be what he's calling cowboy quiche, which is an egg-based and bacon dish made in a castiron skillet. 'We'll also likely have a breakfast burrito, hoecakes and Hollandaise as a play on eggs Benedict, cornbread waffles, brisket gravy for biscuits and maybe country ham."
Additionally, as the founder and host of Single Tree Nation ESPN Radio/Podcast, Charlie also leverages his culinary arts background and ServSafe certification to create engaging and informative content about food, hospitality and community. "With over a year of podcasting experience, I've grown a loyal and diverse audience that shares my passion and vision for storytelling and social impact," he adds.
Regarding the impending Veterans Day Parade that Charlie's been working on since October 2025, Atmos Energy and Country Financial stepped up as host partners. Additional sponsors include Redstone Federal Credit Union, Pepsi, RCVC, Minutes Wisely, Single Tree BBQ and Ole South.
MTSU Color Guard members will present the flags, and JROTC and ROTC groups throughout Rutherford County have been invited to participate. A Veteran of the Year recipient will be announced at the conclusion of the parade. Volunteers are still needed to help staff the route on parade day, or to enter organizations, vehicles or groups to march in the parade itself. "People are calling daily about the parade, and the event is gaining momentum," says Charlie, who also serves as co-president of the Rutherford County Veterans Coalition.
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"Around my grandfather's outdoor fireplace was where stories were told while cooking and laughing, lessons learned, all while trying to solve the world's problems."
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
(First Annual) Veterans Day Parade
Charlie Eblen was instrumental in establishing Murfreesboro's first-annual salute to local military heroes through the upcoming Veterans Day Parade. Invited volunteers include marching bands, veterans' units, vintage vehicles, scout troops and first responders proceeding down Main Street to celebrate service and community.
"We hope this becomes a hometown tradition. Proceeds support local veterans' programs through Minutes Wisely," Charlie adds.
The privately funded parade starts at 10 a.m./MTSU, marching Baird Lane to Church Street, ending at noon at The Square with a moment of remembrance. At 1 p.m., music and awards occur.