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 Way Back When History Show with award-winning military author and historian Mike Guardia.

On this episode, Mike discusses his new book “Tomcat Fury: A Combat History of the F-14.”  For more than three decades, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was the US Navy’s premier carrier-based, multi-role fighter jet. From its harrowing combat missions over Libya to its appearance on the silver screen in movies like Top Gun and Executive Decision, the F-14 has become an icon of American air power. Now, for the first time in a single volume, “Tomcat Fury” explores the illustrious combat history of the F-14: from the Gulf of Sidra…to the Iran-Iraq War…to the skies over Afghanistan in the Global War on Terror.

Featured music is “Time to Go” by Brian Bourgault.

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 Quality of Life show. On this episode, Trish Laub discusses her book series, “Comfort in Their Journey,” that provides practical guidance for providing care, including for Alzheimer’s, through end of life. The series  includes, “A Most Meaningful Life,” “Peaceful Endings,” and “Through the Rabbit Hole.”

While providing care for her parents, Trish found that there were hundreds of books and resources offering advice, but none that made the information easily accessible or provided usable solutions.  The “Comfort in their Journey” book series is what Trish needed: forthright information and answers to everyone’s questions on topics that no one wants to talk about.

Comfort in their Journey was created to provide lists and bullet points, terminology, things to consider, questions to ask, and leads to follow. It offers you the opportunity to thrive throughout a process that is often traumatic and stressful and allows little time to research before making  critical decisions. It offers you the opportunity to know the options  and to make informed decisions: to think and then to take action.

Featured music is “Be Kind” by Brian Bourgault.

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. Our special guest on this episode is writer Hilarie Larson, who joins us to share Part II of her adventures in The Basque Country of Spain.  The Basque Country is about the sea but it's also very much about the land. Small mountain villages, medieval hilltop towns and the world-renowned wine region of Rioja Alavesa.

Read Part I of her story here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/basque-country-from-sea-to-vine/

Read Part 2 f her story here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-basque-country-part-one-green-spain/

Featured music on this episode is “Strolling & Singing’” by guitarist Domingo DeGrazia, as featured on the artist Ted DeGrazia album “Please Remember Me.”

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! This episode features acclaimed singer-songwriter Jennifer Saran, who discusses her brand new jazz EP “Smoky Nights.” Produced by multiple Grammy and Emmy-winning record maker Narada Michael Walden, and released on his own Tarpan Records, this 5-song collections sees her fully embracing the moody and melancholy genre she’s loved her entire life.

In just four years, Jennifer has gone from best-kept-secret status to being hailed as one of the freshest new voices in alt-pop/adult contemporary music. She wowed critics with 2015’s “Merry Christmas, You Are Loved,” her debut holiday album produced by Narada Michael Walden. She then followed it up with “Walk With Me,” a captivating mix of luscious soul and R&B, co-written and produced by Walden, and next came “Wake Up,” an album brimming with consciousness-raising gems, including the globally recognized title cut that featured the talents of South African Grammy-winning male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the distinctive playing of guitar legend Carlos Santana. Continuing her collaboration with Walden, Jennifer released her second holiday album in 2017, “Soulful Christmas,” a delightful assortment of seasonal treasures that saw the singer joined by The Temptations on the single “Christmas Lover.”

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 Quality of Life show.

On this episode, Dr. Matthew Ehrlich discusses his upcoming book, “The Vail Method: Getting Better Not Just Older,” that releases through Advantage Press on January 2020. What if getting older didn’t have to mean experiencing joint pain, insomnia, or frequently feeling tired and worn out? For Dr. Matthew Ehrlich, it doesn’t. His comprehensive guidebook offers a compilation of the best health advice from the most trusted sources, drawing from his training in anti-aging medicine and his work in the exercise physiology lab. Aging doesn’t have to mean losing the strength, mobility, energy and vitality of your younger mind and body.

Featured music is “Alive Again” by Kimia Penton.

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 with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association.

Extended families are taking more vacations together than ever before. Parents, grandparents, children and even great grandparents are venturing out together. But with such varying abilities, interests and requirements, finding a destination that makes everyone happy can be a challenge. On tis episode, freelance travel writer Beth Graham discusses multi-general travel destinations including National Parks and Resorts in America, Mexico and Chile. Beth is a traveler in search of experiences rather than destinations. She covers bespoke and curated experiences for active 50+/empty nest travelers who appreciate luxury accommodations, fine food and good wine.

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 special guest, Mick Cripps of The Brutalists! On this episode Mick talks about their UK Tour and second album “We Are NOT Here to Help,” that’s available now through Cleopatra Records.

The band members are: guitarist Mick Cripps (founding member of LA Guns), lead vocalist Nigel Mogg (founder of The Quireboys), guitarist/vocalist Kent Holmes, bassist Luke Bossendorfer and vocalist/drummer Charlie Nice.

Join hosts Nancy Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Park & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio with author Kimberly Collins, who discusses “Blood Creek,” the first book in the Mingo Chronicles that tells the formerly untold story of the women of Appalachia in Blood Creek. In her second novel, Collins dives into the lesser known mine wars of the early 20th century, taking the reader on a journey through an uprising. Coming from a long line of strong and independent women, Collins looks at the uprising from the perspective of the women who fought for more than what they were given.

Featured music is “The Hills of West Virginia” from the ‘Backwoods Glance’ album by Blind Lemon Pledge.

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 special guest, vocalist Annie Haslam of Renaissance.

In celebration of their 50th Anniversary, symphonic rock legends Renaissance featuring Annie Haslam are embarking on a 10 concert date tour of the US. Including five special dates with The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra! This very special Anniversary tour will be a retrospective celebration of Renaissance Classics including a special guest appearance from Jim McCarty, Renaissance and Yardbirds co-founder. He will be joining them at The Keswick Glenside show on October 12th which will be filmed for their first high definition Blue Ray DVD. Renaissance will be performing songs with the orchestra that have never been orchestrated before including their most notably “Ashes Are Burning”!

Thanks to the National Parks Arts Foundation for sponsoring this episode.

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. This episode features Jeff McClure of DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock who discusses Downtown Little Rock as a meeting and convention destination during the week, and a fun weekend getaway featuring vibrant culinary scene, music and performing arts, numerous galleries and historic sites, as well as the Arkansas Riverwalk.

Situated in the heart of downtown Little Rock on the banks of the Arkansas River, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock offers the best in southern hospitality. The hotel provides refreshed guest rooms, a stylish lobby, a redesigned business center. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Bridges, offers a casual experience with local and regional fare.