Conversations with Richie Lister

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richie Lister.

Hi Richie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My two brothers and I live in East Nashville. We are the Lister brothers: Jeremy, Jonathan, and my name is Richie. We’re all musicians who have found other avenues to explore during the pandemic. But, I suppose Blister Hot Sauce first began with my love for growing my own food in the backyard, especially chili peppers.

At my first attempt at growing them, I ended up with all these peppers and needed to put them to good use. Lots of jalapeños, poblanos, cayenne, anaheim and habaneros. Also during this time, I had really gotten obsessed with my new electric smoker, so I started smoking the peppers and experimenting with smoky hot sauce recipes.

My brother, Jeremy, would come over and taste all the sauces I’d been tinkering with and add his suggestions on what flavors to tweak. Soon, we had the green and red versions of our hot sauce perfected. Jeremy told me, “Richie, we have to sell this stuff. It’s the best hot sauce I’ve ever had.” That was a big deal for me to hear because all three of us are very much connoisseurs of all things spicy. So, I agreed that we should start a business.

Since then, the third Lister brother, Jonathan, has joined us, which really completed the hot sauce power trio. As I mentioned before, we had the green sauce, “Jalapeño Business,” and the red, “Blister Original,” and now, as we’ve added the third brother, we’ve released a third super hot flavor, “Carolina Weeper.”

It has occurred to me recently that there’s a pattern of three’s with Blister Hot Sauce: Three brothers, three flavors, and a blend of three types of peppers in each sauce. This is pretty cool, but I guess we can’t put a fourth flavor out now or it would ruin everything. Haha.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We’ve had a few challenges along the way that have made me question whether or not to keep pursuing the hot sauce business. For one thing, we do every single thing ourselves. No sourcing out. So, it’s a lot of work, but nothing has kept us from keeping on keeping on, so far.

There’s a passion there, for sure. Of course, being brothers, we’re going to have our share of sibling squabbling. That’s all part of it though and, more than anything, it’s a real joy to work together in a family business.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I mentioned that the three of us are musicians. Jeremy has made a pretty nice career in town as a singer/songwriter and performer. I’ve joined him for a lot of that— playing keys and singing background vocals— as has Jonathan. Jonathan is a really good drummer, guitar player, and vocalist.  We’ve also had some success in the past 10 years with our ACappella group, Street Corner Symphony.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy has changed as I’ve gotten older. What used to be touring the country, playing live music, and drinking copious amounts of alcohol has become, what I think, is a deeper and more fulfilling happiness… serving our dark lord, Beelzebub. I’m joking, of course (Or am I?) No, the things that really make me happy now are being at home with my wife and kids and making hot sauce with my brothers. I really don’t need anything more than that.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.blisterhotsauce.com
• Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/blisterhotsauce
• Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/blisterhotsauce

Image Credits
Danielle Shields Photography