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 with Milwaukee-based guitarist and singer-songwriter David Fitzpatrick, whose studio album “Parachutes in Hurricanes” releases on April 27, 2018 through Daystorm Music.

A “spiritual restlessness” in a body of work that represents a life’s worth of insight, "Parachutes in Hurricanes" balances joy and darkness expressing down-to-earth emotion packed with heartfelt examinations of love and life that every person can relate to. Known for his production résumé, musician/engineer/producer Gary Tanin was recruited to collaborate on Fitzpatrick’s solo opus. A bevy of musicians provided their artistry along with core members of David’s band including: Jack Spann, Jazz Guitar legend Dick Eliot, Dave Schoepke, Michael Koch, Ethan Bender, Saxophonist Luke Lilla, and Dave Fitzpatrick Band members Paul Noeske, Gerry Ochoa, Craig Brog and Tom Buckley.

This episode of Big Blend Radio was made possible by the award-winning and best selling board game, Spontuneous 'The Song Game'.

Stop and smell the tulips when you take a “slow boat” through Holland! 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 with travel writer Debbie Stone, who shares her recent and luxurious barge cruise adventures through Holland. Cruising with European Waterways, the largest barging company in Europe, Debbie’s trip began in the cosmopolitan cultural center of Amsterdam, and ended in Delft, a renowned town that began as the home port of the Dutch East India Company. Read her article on BlendRadioandTV.com. 

Music on this episode is "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 with acclaimed keyboardist and composer Lisa LaRue.

Recently signed to Melodic Revolution Records, Lisa will discuss “Origins”, her new double album that celebrates 25 years and 11 releases. Lisa became the first female artist signed to the Sound of America Records label (SOAR) a sub label of Natural Visions, the first all-Native American record label founded by Grammy Winner and Motown producer Tom Bee. In 2008 Lisa was nominated for a Hollywood Music Award and was also awarded The Oklahoma Music Award for “Native American Artist of the Year.” Her band 2KX was Nominated as Instrumental Band of the Year in 2011 by the Los Angeles Music Awards.

This episode is made possible by the National Parks Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization that creates unique artist-in-residence programs within National Parks.

Anna Karney has been making great music for many years, performing across the US and collaborating with many talented and notable artists. She has put out several singles and EPs as a solo artist and together with her band, has released the fifth full-length KARNEY album of original songs titled NO MERCY. Keeping her mind on social justice and positive messages, Anna Karney’s lyrical content offers a sardonic and sometimes straightforward approach to many of the issues facing people today, with a message of hope resonating throughout every song she writes. Hear her music and Big Blend Radio conversation with hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine.

This episode is made possible by the National Parks Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization that creates unique artist-in-residence programs within National Parks.

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 Nature Connection show. On this episode, wildlife conservationist and environment expert Adam M. Roberts “The Compassionate Conservationist” discusses the Environmental Protection Agency’s various deregulatory actions that are in development under Scott Pruitt’s management.

Adam has spent the past quarter century working for animal protection and wildlife conservation in Washington, DC.  Adam has significant expertise working on issues of international wildlife trade and captive wild animals. The former CEO of Born Free USA, Adam has been a Big Blend wildlife conservation and environment expert contributor for the past 10+ years.

Music featured on this episode is "Maniac World" by Jon Roniger & The Good for Nothin' Band.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine, for Big Blend Radio with legendary bassist Stu Hamm, who will discuss his highly anticipated new concept album “The Diary of Patrick Xavier”.

Stu has been the go-to bass player for the world's great musicians. He’s performed and recorded with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Michael Shenker, Frank Gambale, and many other well-respected guitarists, however, it was playing live on tour with Satriani that brought Hamm's skills to national attention. Subsequent recordings with Satriani and other rock/fusion artists along with the release of his own solo recordings (featuring keyboard player Tommy Mars, guitarists Alan Holdsworth and Robert Fripp, drummers Steve Smith and Tommy Lee), solidified his reputation as a bassist and performer.

This episode is sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization that creates unique artist-in-residence programs within National Parks.

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 Nature Connection show with fine art nature photographer Margot Carrera.

Known for capturing landscape scenery, flowers and wildlife, Margot became a photographer by way of her deep abiding love for nature. Along with her nature photography decorating the walls of homes and offices across the country, it also inspires gifts and designs such as pillows, gift and note cards, tote bags, and beautiful women's scarves and clothing accessories.   

Music featured on this episode is "Wind Through the Leaves" from the album "Grace", by Mae Edwards.

Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest city in Louisiana. Part of the Cane River National Heritage Area, Natchitoches is home to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, an impressive $23-million museum complex in the historic downtown district.  

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 featuring: Arlene Gould – Executive Director of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, Doug Ireland – Chairman of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and Jennae Biddiscombe - Branch Director of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. 

Music featured on this episode is "Throwdown" from the "Take Me To Your Maker" album by Johnny Mastro & Mama's Boys, in New Orleans.

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 SUCCESS EXPRESS business and career show.

On this episode, attorney Ward Heinrichs discusses California employment laws regarding Wages & Labor Commissioner Wage Cases. See his article, on BlendRadioandTV.com. 

Based in San Diego, California the Employment Law Office of Ward Heinrichs 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.

Music featured on this segment is "Too The Bones" from the 'Lift Off' EP by Southern California singer-songwriter duo Everett Coast.

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, travel writer and author Michael Cervin discusses his latest book, SANTA BARBARA KNOW IT ALL: A GUIDE TO EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS! Unique in its approach, Santa Barbara Know-It-All is packed with Santa Barbara’s hidden gems and undiscovered wonders, from the best places to picnic, hike, to places for booze, local foods, shopping, not to mention trivia and unusual truths that make Santa Barbara distinctive. Author of four other California travel books, Michael is the former restaurant critic, and travel writer for the Santa Barbara News-Press, and has contributed to nearly every publication in Santa Barbara.

Featured music on this episode is the song, "California Days" by Josh Pfeiffer.