Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday Toast to The Arts show, sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), a non-profit organization that creates extraordinary and unique artist-in-residence programs within the National Park Service.

On This Episode:

- Yagull - The New York City acoustic duo Yagull represents an ethereal beauty that takes you on a transformative journey. Throughout the course of the band’s discography, Sasha Markovic and Kana Kamitsubo have smoothly blended the guitar and piano, respectively, to produce exquisite splendor in melody and mood. “Yuna,” the band's newest endeavor, is a cinematic, lyrical and truly intimate recording for the couple.

- Composer Glenn McClurein Hawaii is the current National Parks Arts Foundation’s (NPAF) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Artist-in-Residence. The music generated in this residency builds upon a larger body of McClure’s work with the European Space Agency and National Science Foundation’s Antarctic program, and also builds upon his life-long advocacy for the environment that has included musical compositions, K12 arts programs, and multiple concerts with folksinger Pete Seeger.  Tanya Ortega, Founder of NPAF, will also join the discussion.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio.

On This Episode:

- Brat and the Kids of Warriors - Author Michael Joseph Lyons discusses his adventurous new novel for tweens and teens, that brings life to the culture of our military families, borrowing scenes from his own military family upbringing.

- All Terrain Wheel Chair Campaign - World champion horse trainer Christy Wood of Three Rivers, California, discusses her second fundraising campaign with The Independence Fund to purchase an All-Terrain Wheelchair for a returning veteran. Faun O'Neel from The Independence Fund will join her. See our T-shirt campaign for the wheelchair.

- Military Historian & Author Success Insider with Mike Guardia, internationally-recognized and award-winning author of numerous non-fiction books, with his latest "Hal Moore a Life in Pictures," and "Crusader: General Donn Starry and the Army of His Times.”

Featured music is ‘Colors of the USA’ by Doreen Taylor, ‘Beneath a Solemn Sky’ by The Gunboat Diplomats, and ‘Wings of Fire’ by Micha Schellhaas.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Eat Drink & B Merry Show focusing on Oregon’s Tualatin Valley Wine Region.

Positioned in the northernmost corner of the famed Willamette Valley, Tualatin Valley is located about 60 minutes from the Portland airport. Tualatin Valley's wineries and tasting rooms include a fun mix of suburban wineries located on downtown main streets, as well as rural wineries located on the slopes of mountains that frame the Tualatin Valley.

Featured guests include travel writer Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’, artist and winemaker Andrew Beckham of Beckham Estate Vineyard, and Sylke Neal-Finnegan of Washington County Visitors Association. Featured music is ‘Holy Water’ by Allison August.

Read Linda's travel story on BlendRadioandTV.com.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station travel show focusing on winter and early spring in Tulare County, Central California.

Home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, the region is a year-round destination offering a variety of outdoor activities, a calendar full of events and festivals, and an eclectic selection of shopping and dining opportunities in the local communities.

  

Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include: Sintia C. Kawasaki-Yee - Public Affairs Officer at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Donnette Silva Carter - CEO of Tulare Chamber of Commerce, and Suzanne Bianco - Tourism Marketing Director of Visit Visalia.

Featured music is ‘Wind Through the Leaves’ from the album ‘Grace’ by Mae Edwards.

Join hosts Nancy Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Friday Family History show, with this episode celebrating family traditions during the winter holiday season.

Featured Guests:

- Holly T. Hansen - Genealogist & Founder of Family History Expos 

- Bobbi DePorter - Co-founder of SuperCamp, President of Quantum Learning Network and creator of the 8 Keys of Excellence.

- Arlene H. Eakle, Ph.D. - Genealogist, President & Founder of The Genealogical Institute, Inc.

- Nicki Kris - North Carolina contemporary pop singer-songwriter.

*** Plus, Steve Schneickert recalls the Hollywood History of Classic Christmas movies.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Happy Hour variety show, raising a glass to music and family! 

On This Episode:

- Lisa Dawn Miller- The acclaimed singer, songwriter, recording artist, veteran musical producer and stage performer in the long running musical “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show" – talks about her latest music, new LDM Publishing company, and her son Oliver Richman’s latest singles. Lisa is the daughter of legendary songwriter Ron Miller.

- Spontuneous Rob - Rob Ridgeway, creator of the award-winning and best-selling board game, Spontuneous ‘The Song Game’, updates us on his move to Nashville, where he has sponsored numerous shows, concerts and non-profit fundraising events. Plus, as part of their Love Your Parks Tour, he sends Nancy & Lisa on a special story mission.

Along with Lisa Dawn Miller and Oliver Richman’s new music, other featured songs include ‘A Spot of Christmas Cheer’ by The Gunboat Diplomats, and ‘When You Send an Angel a Letter’ by the Richard Lynch Band.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station travel show! 

On This Episode:

- Historic Springfield, Kentucky - Stephanie McMillin, Executive Director of the Springfield Tourism Commission, discusses upcoming events and activities in historic Springfield, located in the heart of Central Kentucky, the ‘Land of Bourbon, Horses & History.’

- Authentic Lafayette, Louisiana - From swamp boat tours to rum tasting, zydeco breakfasts and tours of the Tabasco Factory, travel writer Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’, Benjamin J. Berthelot - President & CEO of Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, and Captain Tucker Friedman - Owner of Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Marina, share what makes Lafayette such a unique destination.

Featured music is ‘New Freedom Blues’ by Town Mountain, and ‘Luke’s Stomp’ by Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Champagne Sundays variety show.

On This Episode

- Butterfield Overland Mail Route - Glynn Burrows, historian and owner of Norfolk Tours in England, discusses the historic family connection that John Butterfield and various members of The Butterfield Overland Mail Co. had with England. Operated from 1858 to 1861 under contract with the U.S. Postal Department, The Butterfield Overland Mail Co. transported U.S. mail between St. Louis, Mo., and San Francisco, California.

- Captivating Cape Town - From Table Mountain to Kirstenbosch Gardens and Robben Island, travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures in Cape Town, the jewel of South Africa. This fascinating city is a meld of cultures, history and landscape, crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain. Often regarded as synonymous with the “Mother City,” this landmark is the single most welcoming icon to its people, as well as to travelers from around the globe.

Featured music is “Shapeshifter” by Wally Lawder, “Wake Up” by Jennifer Saran, “Wheel of Destiny” by James Saunders.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Friday IFWTWA Vacation Station Food, Wine & Travel Show.

On This Episode:

- Winter in Juneau, Alaska - Midgi Moore - CCTP, owner of Juneau Food Tours, and Liz Perry - President & CEO of Travel Juneau, discuss the various winter events and activities in Juneau, Alaska.

- 66 ON 66 - Photographer Terrence Moore discusses his new book, 66 ON 66: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY (Schaffner Press), that highlights 66 of his finest 35mm color film images—a stunning chronicle of this storied road in states from Missouri to California. 

- Hollywood History of Road Trip Movies as recalled by Steve Schneickert.

Featured music is ‘Alaska’ by Robbie Boyd, and ‘Drivin’ by Myself’ by Shelley King. This episode is sponsored by the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Happy Hour variety show! 

On This Episode:

- New Employment Laws 2019 - Employment attorney Ward Heinrichs outlines new California employment laws for 2019. Based in San Diego, CA, Ward represents both employers and employees in almost all areas of labor law. He and his firm litigate cases that have been filed in many different parts of California. Featured music on this show is “Road to Reason” by The Cravens.

- Adventure - Singer, songwriter multi-instrumentalist Eliot Lewis discusses his debut album “Adventure.” Eliot is a key member of the Daryl Hall & John Oates band and one of the original featured musicians on MTV's “Live From Daryl's House.”