A Toast to The Arts

This shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features acclaimed astrophotographer and photojournalist Stan Honda, the National Parks Arts Foundation's Fall 2024 artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Stan Honda is an experienced photojournalist who now works with natural landscapes — usually night-time panoramas — that fuse sky and earth. Based in New York-based, he worked as a photojournalist for 34 years including Agence France-Presse (AFP) (the French news agency) where he photographed news and sports in New York City and around the U.S., including the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the aftermath; post-war Iraq in 2003 and 2004. Stan was also the National Parks Arts Foundation artist resident at Haleakala National Park and Fort Union National Monument. More at https://stanhonda.com/  Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

Celebrate the end of National Book Month and Family History with this episode of Big Blend Radio featuring debut novelist Joanne Howard. Hear about her historical fiction debut "Sleeping in the Sun" that was inspired by her family history and shares the story of how unlikely friends uncover the cruel reality of British-led India.  Out now through She Writes Press, "Sleeping in the Sun" transports readers to the past where a young American and his Indian servant must face the reality behind a faithful family friend and the consequences of knowing this truth. It's a must-read for fans of "The Poisonwood Bible" and "The Inheritance of Loss." More at https://www.joannehowardwrites.com/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show, award-winning author Joseph Bauer discusses his new novel "Sailing for Grace." The book shares the story of how a man’s promise to his dying wife leads him into uncharted waters as he confronts the realities of immigration at the US-Mexico border.  Out now through Running Wild Press, "Sailing for Grace" explores the complexities of immigration and the effect current policies have on personal and family relationships. It's a powerful story of sacrifice and resilience, love, loyalty, and the unwavering pursuit of justice in the face of adversity. More at https://authorjosephbauer.com/  In celebration of National Book Month, this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Podcast Channel. Check out our network of shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Stephen Dees and Pete Hewlett of Novo Combo, the 1980s rock band known for their electrifying blend of rock and pop. Hear about their new album, 45 West 55th, and their reunion to make it happen.  Novo Combo founding members include Stephen Dees (lead vocals/bass), Jack Griffith (lead guitar), Pete Hewlett (vocals/guitar), and drummer Michael Shrieve, who is a Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee for his mesmerizing 70s era drum work with Santana. Shrieve’s explosive performance with Santana, as a then 20-year old, on Soul Sacrifice at the original Woodstock, is widely regarded as one of the best live drum performances in rock history. In the early 1980s, Novo Combo embodied a lively fusion of rock and pop; creating catchy, danceable tunes that captured the spirit of the era with their infectious melodies, punchy guitar riffs, and dynamic rhythms that captured the era's essence.  Out now on digital streaming platforms and CD through their label WildRoots Records, "45 West 55th" offers fans a nostalgic yet fresh musical journey. Visit https://www.wildrootsrecords.com/

On this shared episode of Big Blend Radio, Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, talks about the fall exhibits and events you can experience at this Tucson landmark. Current exhibits featuring southwest artist Ted DeGrazia's work include, "Roadrunners," "Enamel on Copper Paintings," and “DeGrazia’s Textile Designs for Fuller Fabrics.”  Along with the property's unique architecture and Ted DeGrazia's art, fall highlights include The Little Gallery that hosts visiting artists from the fall through spring, and, La Fiesta de Guadalupe in early December. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/  This Big Blend Radio "Tales of Ted DeGrazia" podcast airs every 4th Sunday. Follow the show here: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com/

Celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick. Hear how wilderness exploration and science converged with the assistance of art in the 19th century to spread the fame of that giant among trees, the Sequoia. Read Victoria's article about it all, including how art helped protect and conserve what is now Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/the-art-of-the-giant-sequoia/  Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/  Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3an38624

Celebrate October being National Book Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Happy Hour Hang Out" Podcast Conversation that digs into the literary, plus, horse and dog, world of authors and writers, books and reading, libraries and bookshops, and the work that goes behind it all. FEATURED GUESTS IN THE PANEL  * MATT COST - Author of mystery & history at https://www.mattcost.net/  * CHERYL LEUTJEN - Geologist, environmental law attorney an author of "Love Earth Now" at https://cherylleutjen.com/  * KATHLEEN WALLS - Travel writer, and author of fiction and non-fiction at https://katywalls.com/ and https://americanroads.net/  * CHRISTY WOOD - World champion horse trainer, and author of horse fiction and non-fiction at https://wdnhorse.com/  * EVA ELDRIDGE - Travel and fiction writer, poet, and editor at https://evaeldridge.com/  * CB WILSON - Award winning author of nine Cozy Pet Mysteries at https://cbwilsonauthor.com/  PLUS, author, writer and editor Clifford Garstang shares a bit about his busy book life of events and happens. Follow him at https://cliffordgarstang.com/

When a young girl feels complicit in her own abuse, how does that thwart the adult woman? This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features debut author Melissa Connelly  discusses her new novel, "What Was Lost." Melissa Connelly’s debut novel comes after a long career in education. A finalist for the 2019 Montana Prize and at 60, she’s ready to share her first novel; a story about a 40-year-old woman who returns to her old hometown in Vermont and faces the past she was so desperate to forget. More at: https://melissaconnelly.com/   More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/

Celebrate Music Monday with episode of Big Blend Radio's A TOAST TO THE ARTS Show featuring Milwaukee-based producer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Jim Eannelli who discusses his music and debut solo album, "Just Deserts."  Jim Eannelli has been in every sort of band from hard rock to synth pop; he worked with Rick Derringer on the Colour Radio record, played guitar, performed and recorded with both former BoDean Sam Llanas and the Shivvers, the ‘80s power-pop band that finally gained international recognition in recent years.  Dipping into a trove of original songs written over the years, Eannelli’s “Just Deserts” encapsulates his experiences in life as well as music. The songs are deeply rooted in his years as a member of diverse bands. Out now through Happy Growl Records, “Just Deserts” is available on web streaming and download services, and CD’s at local record shops and through Ebay.com.  Keep up with Jim at https://www.facebook.com/JimEannelli

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features musician and composer Rachel Mari Kimber, the National Parks Arts Foundation's Fall 2024 artist-in-residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. This is part two of our conversation as a follow up of her residency. Check out Part One here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/musician-rachel-mari-kimber-in-saguaro-national-park  Rachel Mari Kimber is a musically creative artist from Wales, UK. She composes, sings, plays guitar and cello, orchestrates, harmonises, teaches, and produces, all from the heart. She also plays cello and sings for the band Black Forest Society, and also for Happy Joy Harmony. More: https://freeyourspiritheal.wixsite.com/love   MORE LINKS FROM THE PODCAST regarding plants and music and NPAF artists in residence: - Writer Zoë Schlanger in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:  https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/writer-zoe-schlanger-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/  - Writer Zoë Schlanger in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/musician-sam-nester-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/  Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

Celebrate Music Monday with this episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show, also featured on the Big Daily Blend Podcast, with Arthur and Kathy Lamonica, founders of the New York City band Rome 56. Hear about their new album "Paradise is Free" that's out now through Think Like a Key Music. Decades after making waves with gritty NYC new wavers The Shirts, Arthur Lamonica proves he's still got the hooks on Rome 56's infectious new outing "Paradise Is Free."  Recorded between New York and Amsterdam with his wife and longtime co-pilot Kathleen, this effortlessly catchy album shows Lamonica remains a master of fusing power pop, new wave and roots rock into retro-modern gold. More: https://rome56.com/

Welcome to Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024 that Celebrates Life Through the Power of Music & Community!   Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, radio and television personality, music columnist, educator, and sound engineer. He cohosts our Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday. Joey has released several albums and is the owner and sound engineer of a recording facility, Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. He is currently involved with students, instructing them on guitar, voice, music theory, and sound engineering. Joey and his band perform nationally. He also happens to be the official music ambassador for Macon, Georgia, the “Southern Rock Capital of the World.”   As an infant, Joey lost his sight and sense of smell as the result of a brain tumor.  Sept. 29, ALIVE DAY, celebrates the day the brain tumor that he wasn't supposed to survive was successfully removed. It was thought that he wouldn't make it, or if he did, he would never walk or talk. Though the tumor left him blind and with a host of other health challenges, his is most gloriously alive and so grateful for the life he does have and for his friends, family and for the gift of music! More about Joey at https://www.joeystuckey.com/  Alive Day has typically been a live concert in Macon, but this year we are celebrating by bringing musicians together with two Big Blend Radio podcast panel discussions, a music playlist of 290 inspiring and motivating songs, plus a musical online jigsaw puzzle. Check it all out here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/joey-stuckeys-alive-day-2024/  MUSICAL GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE * JOHNNY SCHAEFER https://hearjohnny.com/  * PAMELA BEDWELL https://pamelabedwellandpke.com/  * THE CRAVENS BAND: https://cravenmusic.net/  SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF 290 SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=941adec36cd04ce2

Welcome to Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024 that Celebrates Life Through the Power of Music & Community!   Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, radio and television personality, music columnist, educator, and sound engineer. He cohosts our Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday. Joey has released several albums and is the owner and sound engineer of a recording facility, Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. He is currently involved with students, instructing them on guitar, voice, music theory, and sound engineering. Joey and his band perform nationally. He also happens to be the official music ambassador for Macon, Georgia, the “Southern Rock Capital of the World.”   As an infant, Joey lost his sight and sense of smell as the result of a brain tumor.  Sept. 29, ALIVE DAY, celebrates the day the brain tumor that he wasn't supposed to survive was successfully removed. It was thought that he wouldn't make it, or if he did, he would never walk or talk. Though the tumor left him blind and with a host of other health challenges, his is most gloriously alive and so grateful for the life he does have and for his friends, family and for the gift of music! More about Joey at https://www.joeystuckey.com/  Alive Day has typically been a live concert in Macon, but this year we are celebrating by bringing musicians together with two Big Blend Radio podcast panel discussions, a music playlist of 290 inspiring and motivating songs, plus a musical online jigsaw puzzle. Check it all out here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/joey-stuckeys-alive-day-2024/  MUSICAL GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE * TOM RULE: https://tomrule.info/  * THE WALK-A-BOUT BAND: https://www.facebook.com/walkaboutband1/  SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF 290 SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=941adec36cd04ce2

Welcome to Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024 that Celebrates Life Through the Power of Music & Community!   Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, radio and television personality, music columnist, educator, and sound engineer. He cohosts our Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday. Joey has released several albums and is the owner and sound engineer of a recording facility, Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. He is currently involved with students, instructing them on guitar, voice, music theory, and sound engineering. Joey and his band perform nationally. He also happens to be the official music ambassador for Macon, Georgia, the “Southern Rock Capital of the World.”   As an infant, Joey lost his sight and sense of smell as the result of a brain tumor.  Sept. 29, ALIVE DAY, celebrates the day the brain tumor that he wasn't supposed to survive was successfully removed. It was thought that he wouldn't make it, or if he did, he would never walk or talk. Though the tumor left him blind and with a host of other health challenges, his is most gloriously alive and so grateful for the life he does have and for his friends, family and for the gift of music! More about Joey at https://www.joeystuckey.com/  Alive Day has typically been a live concert in Macon, but this year we are celebrating by bringing musicians together with two Big Blend Radio podcast panel discussions, a music playlist of 290 inspiring and motivating songs, plus a musical online jigsaw puzzle. Check it all out here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/joey-stuckeys-alive-day-2024/  SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF 290 SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=941adec36cd04ce2  TO HELP PROVIDE DISASTER RELIFE FROM HURRICANE HELENE: - https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html  - https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/

Happy National Family Day! This episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning author Francine Falk-Allen. A fan of genealogy research, Francine enjoyed uncovering her family’s history, and traced both her maternal and paternal ancestors back to the 1600s. She never imagined that one day she’d discover a jaw-dropping family secret. Based on a true story, Falk-Allen’s “A Wolff in the Family” (She Writes Press, Oct. 1, 2024) is a riveting saga of prejudice, passion, and revenge. What mysterious scandals led a father to abandon his five youngest children—and the elder siblings to keep their shame a secret for eighty years? More at: https://francinefalk-allen.com/  This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "A Toast to The Arts," "Women Making History," and "Way Back When" Podcast Channels. Follow our Big Blend Radio Network of Shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Show with co-host Joey Stuckey, celebrates music that inspires, motivates, and makes us all feel good! After all, isn't music our emotional medicine?   This episode also kicks off Joey's Annual ALIVE DAY which we will celebrate on Big Blend Radio with select musical guests on Sept. 29, so stay tuned here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2zNDtr23NbGx4q90u3Ok0f&feature=shared  Co-host of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Show every 4th Sunday, Joey Stuckey ‪is known as the Music Ambassador of Macon, Georgia "The Southern Rock Capital of the World." He's an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, and sound engineer. More: https://www.joeystuckey.com/  THIS EPISODE'S MUSIC PLAYLIST (please add your favorite song that you want listed in the playlist in the comments) * ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGHUZITwHVJIxK_KiGglJ3GPAtCzTdcF5&feature=shared  * ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=c30594aff39c4765  Follow the BIG DAILY BLEND Show, here: https://big-daily-blend.podbean.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick focuses on the history of National Park Posters. These icon collectibles originated in the 1930s and early 1940s as part of the WPA Federal Art Project, which began as part of the effort to recover from the Great Depression. Read Victoria's article about the posters here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/history-of-national-park-posters/  And, as discussed in this episode, here's our interview with Robert Decker who discusses his park photography and posters: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/national-park-photographer-robert-decker   Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/  Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3an38624

This episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show features Marc Saltarelli, an award-winning director with work in both narrative and documentary filmmaking. Hear about his latest film, STUDIO ONE FOREVER. A beacon of dancing and freedom for gay men looking for identity in a world that saw them as outcasts, Studio One was a haven and the blossoming center of nightlife in West Hollywood. From merging the gay community and Hollywood elites like Bette Davis and Jimmy Stewart to being at the forefront of the LBGTQ+ rights movement and the fight against the AIDS crisis, the venue was more than just a disco, it was a movement. STUDIO ONE FOREVER, the untold story of America's iconic gay disco, world premiered at Outfest Los Angeles in July 2023 and was selected by over twenty festivals to date, garnering several audience choice awards.  It was an Austin Film Festival jury award nominee for best documentary and won Best of Fest at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuHmJhq_LJI  STUDIO ONE - Coming soon to Theaters, VOD & BluRay:  September 13-19 - Landmark Sunset in West Hollywood October 3rd - Laemmle NoHo - with Q&A October 8th - Available on all VOD platforms Full details at https://marcsaltarelli.com/   This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" Podcast. Check out our network of shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features debut author Ann Lowry who discusses her novel, "The Blue Trunk." When Ann Lowry inherited an ancestor's blue travel trunk, she had no idea that this artifact was about to take her on a three-year journey of discovery. She was told that the trunk’s previous owner, a great-great aunt, had been institutionalized for insanity. Despite meticulous genealogy research, she was unable to uncover any facts about her and concluded that she must have spent her entire adult life in an asylum.  Lowry was inspired to write "The Blue Trunk" (Sept. 10, 2024, Koehler Books) to help reclaim her ancestor’s voice and shed light on these all-too-common institutionalizations. Seamlessly weaving historical fiction with contemporary life, Lowry’s tale explores identity, strength, and connection across decades. Visit: https://www.annlowry.com/

In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) and National Suicide Prevention Month (Sept), this episode of Big Blend Radio focuses on Johnny Schaefer's new song "When It's Your Kid" as well as teen suicide prevention and the pressures youth face today. Watch the music video:  https://youtu.be/CfqF8q1BgQc?feature=shared  FEATURED GUESTS:  - JOHNNY SCHAEFER - Award-winning singer/songwriter https://hearjohnny.com/  - LINDA CORELY - Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker of  "Parkland: Healing a Community and a Nation https://daydreamproductionhouse.com/  - GEOFFREY LEVIN - Musician, composer, singer/songwriter https://www.geofflevin.com/  - SUSAN HOLDER - Vocalist, Manager for Melissa Manchester