Fred Smith held his 89th barbecue Monday night in Smithfield.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate addressed a crowd of more than 380 during the campaign stop in Johnston County, which was catered by White Swan, a local restaurant.

Rudy Renfer, chairman of the Johnston County Republican Party, kicked off the event by urging everyone to vote in the primary on May 6.

Following a prayer, Johnston County Commissioner Cookie Pope led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Smith's wife, Ginny, then sang the national anthem.

After the jump, more scenes from the barbecue.

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* U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole backs Sen. Richard Burr's bid to become the policy chair for Senate Republicans, saying it would be good for North Carolina. (N&O)

* At N.C. Farm Bureau's annual meeting, Dole says that Farm Bill is problematic, argues agricultural sector needs "a reliable immigrant worker program" now. (News 14)

* At national meeting, state Reps. Phillip Frye and Pryor Gibson push interstate crackdown on the use of cash grants and tax credits to lure businesses. (AC-T)

* GOP gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith's wife Ginny to campaign for him at Al-Pam Republican Club's annual Christmas banquet in Plymouth. (GDR)

Lee Greenwood debuted his newest song yesterday — and it's about Sen. Fred Smith.

At a fundraiser last night, the Nashville crooner premiered a campaign theme song for the Clayton Republican's gubernatorial bid.

The working title is "From Good to Great" — a riff on Smith's campaign autobiography, which says the difference between good and great is "A Little Extra Effort."

"It may be a campaign song, but I'm telling you it could be a Top 100 song," said Smith's chief of staff, Jonathan Hill.

Once it's finished and recorded, the song will be promoted on Smith's Web site and in campaign ads.

More after the jump.

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