Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s Toast to The Arts & Parks Show with the Flying Tortuga Brothers.

South Florida visual artists Carl Stoveland and Shannon Torrence "Flying Tortuga Brothers" return to the show to discuss their art and recent National Parks Arts Foundation artist residency where they spent the month of September 2020 living and working off-grid, on Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Featured music is “Underwater, Above Water” from the album “A Hawai’i Interlude” by slack key guitarist Makana.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio broadcasting live from Tuxedo Park STL Bed & Breakfast Inn in Webster Groves, Missouri.

On This Episode:

- Innkeepers/owners Bill & Maureen Elliot discuss the fascinating history Tuxedo Park STL Bed & Breakfast Inn, a former church that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guests marvel that today’s gracious site, with its many contemporary amenities, originally opened in the Gilded Age to guests in Victorian attire. Since opening its doors in 1895, the Tuxedo Park STL B & B building complex has housed seven different congregations. Bill and Maureen also discuss what guests can experience in the area including the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.

- Acclaimed St Louis based Imrat guitarist and composer Todd Mosbydiscusses his latest album “Aerial Views," the third in a series of concept albums that highlight the natural elements. It follows “Eagle Mountain,” a tribute to earth, and “Open Waters,” dedicated to the seas. In conceiving the music for “Aerial Views,” Mosby focused on strong melody and a unique form of harmony inspired by the Imrat guitar; the bulk of the tracks feature Mosby interacting in instrumental settings with some A list musicians; Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, Michael Manring and Jeff Haynes to name a few. The album was produced by the legendary Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton team.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s Champagne Sundays show broadcasting live from Walker Manor Bed & Breakfast in historic Gladewater, the Antique Capital of East Texas.

Along with innkeeper Memori Ruesing, this episode features Lois Reed - Gladewater Museum, Lola & Mark May - Jeter House Farmhouse B&B, Don Greenwood - Greenwood's Year 'Round Christmas, Sheila Fowler - The Ole Homeplace Antiques, and Terry Seary - Pacific Street Traders Mall & Village.

Founded by the Texas and Pacific Railway Company in 1873, Gladewater became an oil boom town during the early 20th century. It’s known for being a base during Elvis Presley's early career, and also as the town where Johnny Cash wrote "I Walk the Line". Along with antique and boutique shopping, Gladewater Opry House and Gladewater Museum, there is Lake Gladewater and Everet Park to enjoy. 

Featured music is “Texas Blue Moon” by Shelley King, and “Texaleans” by Micha Schellhaas.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s “Happy Halloween” Show broadcasting live from Walker Manor Bed & Breakfast in Gladewater, Texas.

ON THIS EPISODE:

- Memori Ruesing, innkeeper of Walker Manor B&B, talks about the ghost walks she leads in Gladewater, Texas.

- Eric Levinson, innkeeper of Hummingbird Inn, talks about the Inn’s Halloween festvities as well as ghost walks and tours in Easton, Maryland.

- Jeff Sherry, Museum Educator at the Watson-Curtze Mansion and Hagen History Center in Erie PA, shares the corpse story of revolutionary war hero General Anthony Wayne.

- Jonathan Schang of Chicago prog rockers District 97 talks about their animated short film, “Ghost Girl.”

-  Steve Schneickert recalls the Hollywood History of Halloween.

- Music is “Crystal Ball” by Jon Roniger & The Good For Nothin’ Band, “When I Met the Devil” by Allison August, "Silver Ghost" by James Saunders.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features physician and author Sam Stea who discusses his thrilling debut novel, that bridges the generational and cultural divide, and imagines new solutions to the greatest global crisis of our time: climate change. “The Edge of Elsewhere” is a thrilling science meets climate-fiction adventure that follows refugees from the not-too-distant future in a race against time. Born from his experience in the health care industry and his passion for literature, film, and music, Stea crafts an earnest coming-of-age story about the resilience of the human spirit in the wake of the most extreme circumstances.

Featured music is “For What it’s Worth” from the album “About Tomorrow” by The Madisons.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s Champagne Sundays show broadcasting live from Tallahassee, Florida.

ON THIS EPISODE:

- Special guest co-host Marisa China talks about the new styles of PortoVino tote bags and backpacks, as well Gnoments, a thoughtful and interactive gift for couples, families, and siblings.

- Spotlight on the Southern Hands Artist Studio Tour happening Nov. 14-15 in Fayette and Coweta Counties, near Atlanta, Georgia.

- R&B/blues/jazz artist Zakiya Hooker (daughter of blues legend John  Lee Hooker), and producer Ollan Christopher Bell (aka Chris James), co-founder of the 70’s hit making soul group The Natural Four, talk about their latest music projects.

- Five-star chef and culinary instructor Ivan Flowers shares how to make his recipe for Oven Roasted Barbecue Chicken.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Johnny Zazula shares highlights from his memoir, “Heavy Tales: The Metal. The Music. The Madness. As Lived by Jon Zazula.”

Available now in paperback, and as a digital and audio download, “Heavy Tales” is a riveting tumultuous journey from renegade youth to Metal music mogul, with detailed accounts of the struggles and successes along the way. Find out how he created Megaforce Records, CraZed Management out of a flea market in New Jersey with his wife, Marsha to discover Metallica and launch a musical genre that forever changed the scope of music history. The hundreds of artists they worked with would go on to release some of the most prolific and important albums in heavy metal history, giving it it’s Golden Era. Penned by Jonny Zazula and co-written by Harold Claros-Maldonado, “Heavy Tale”  details the stories of how Jonny Z worked miracles by managing and releasing albums by Metallica, Anthrax, Testament, Mercyful Fate, Raven, Overkill, Exciter, Stormtroopers of Death, Method of Destruction, Ace Frehley’s Comet, King’s X, Ministry, Mindfunk, Nudeswirl, Warren Haynes, Disco Biscuits, and many more.

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 & Career Show, airing live from St. Augustine, Florida.

On This Episode:

- Employment Law - San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs explains significant AB5 legislative changes that affect important employment constituents.

- How Are Your Online Work Relationships? With many of us working remotely, Sarah Elliston, author of “Lessons from a Difficult Person,” explores the current culture of online communication.

Featured music is “Work” by The Joiners, and “Trash Talkin’” by the Walk-A-Bout Band.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Garden Gossip show, travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures in Bloedel Reserve, a heavenly oasis on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. 

One of USA Today’s 2020 Top Ten Botanical Gardens, Bloedel’s vision is “To provide refreshment and tranquility in the presence of natural beauty.” The Reserve is a horticultural treasure that has been internationally recognized for its refined gardens, natural landscapes and preserved forests. It was created by Prentice and Virginia Bloedel, whose passion for nature and its therapeutic powers helped transform a rugged piece of land into a verdant Eden. 

Read Debbie’s article about Bloedel Reserve on BlendRadioandTV.com. Featured music is “Mori-Forest Song” by Yagull.

This episode of Big Blend Radio was recorded onsite at The Farm at Spring Creek near Greeneville, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.  Erin Turner talks about  life on her family’s farm that's known for producing quality grass-fed beef, as well as the guest experience at their White Rose vacation cabin, an authentic log cabin that overlooks the pond. The rustic atmosphere is just what you need to unwind and have some peace and quiet. Explore the natural beauty and history of Appalachia and Greeneville including Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests, and the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.