On this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), travel writer Robin O'Neal Smith shares her unforgettable journey along the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, exploring legendary Old West towns, fascinating museums, historic landmarks, and the stories that helped shape the American frontier.

Travel through iconic destinations including Dodge City, Abilene, Wichita, and Hays, where you'll discover attractions like Boot Hill Museum, Old Cowtown Museum, the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Keeper of the Plains, Fort Hays, and more. Robin also discusses how television classics like Gunsmoke helped preserve interest in America's western heritage while highlighting the real history behind these remarkable communities.

Perfect for history lovers, road trippers, and anyone planning an unforgettable Kansas adventure, this episode celebrates the people, places, and stories that continue to define the American West—making it a fitting listen as America commemorates its 250th anniversary.

Read Robin O'Neal Smith's article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/kansas-gunsmoke-trail

Plan your own Kansas Gunsmoke Trail adventure: https://www.kansasgunsmoketrail.com/

Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/ Learn more about Robin O'Neal Smith: https://robinonealsmith.com/

Follow this podcast: https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/

Check out the Big Blend Radio Travel Food & Wine Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ekxy/#p=1

Few bands have shaped music, fashion, and popular culture quite like Boy George & Culture Club. Perfect for Pride Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Podcast, acclaimed filmmaker Alison Ellwood shares the story behind her compelling documentary chronicling the band's extraordinary rise, lasting influence, and enduring legacy.

Known for celebrated music documentaries including "The Go-Go's", "Laurel Canyon," and "Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing," Alison discusses the extensive archival research, rare footage, and authentic storytelling that bring Boy George and Culture Club's remarkable journey to life. The conversation explores the band's impact on music, identity, fashion, LGBTQ+ visibility, and the cultural conversations that continue to resonate today.

Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival before its North American release, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of one of pop music's most influential and groundbreaking bands.

This shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving America's history.

As part of the ongoing Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, Tanya explores how artist residencies help interpret the stories, landscapes, and emotions that make Gettysburg one of America's most significant historic places. From the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama painting and inspiring memorials to innovative virtual reality experiences and contemporary artistic interpretations, the discussion highlights how art keeps history alive for new generations.

The conversation also delves into Gettysburg's Civil War legacy, the Gettysburg Address, the importance of preserving cultural heritage, and the power of public lands to connect us with our nation's shared history. Along the way, Tanya shares stories about the Klingel House, personal reflections on Gettysburg, and why artists continue to play an essential role in helping us understand the past while inspiring future generations.

This episode is part of the Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, celebrating ten years of conversations with National Parks Arts Foundation artists-in-residence and the remarkable places that continue to inspire creativity across America's public lands.

🏛️ Plan Your Visit to Gettysburg National Military Park: https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm

🎨 Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

📖 Explore the "Artists in Parks" Digital Publication: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/qryf/

🎙️ Listen to more Toast to The Parks & Arts episodes: https://parks-arts.podbean.com/

Experience the magic of outdoor theater in Asheville, North Carolina, on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Podcast, cohosted by Steve and Karen Wilson, owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville's historic Montford District.

Featured guest is Audrey Kopp of Montford Park Players, one of Asheville's most treasured performing arts organizations. Audrey shares the company's mission of making live theater accessible to everyone through free outdoor performances of Shakespeare, classic works, and contemporary productions at the beautiful Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre.

Hear about this summer's swashbuckling production of "The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel," upcoming auditions for "Romeo and Juliet," and how Montford Park Players continues to enrich Asheville's thriving arts community. The conversation also explores Asheville's creative spirit, the city's cultural renaissance following Hurricane Helene, exciting updates in the River Arts District, and why supporting local arts organizations helps keep Asheville vibrant year-round.

Whether you're planning a summer getaway, love live theater, or simply want to discover another side of Asheville beyond the Blue Ridge Parkway and breweries, this episode offers plenty of inspiration.

🎭 Montford Park Players Free outdoor Shakespeare, classic and contemporary theater: https://montfordparkplayers.org/

Summer Production The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel Fridays, Saturdays & Sunday evenings August 7–29, 2026 (Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre)

Upcoming Auditions Romeo and Juliet July 11–12, 2026

🏡 Stay at The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville's Montford Historic District: https://www.lion-rose.com/

🎧 LISTEN: • Check out the NEW Big Blend Radio "Adventures in Asheville" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ADVENTURES-IN-ASHEVILLE/

• New episodes air every 1st Tuesday: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/

Celebrate Marilyn Monroe's 100th anniversary year with this inspiring episode of Big Blend Radio's "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward, featuring award-winning author Mima Tipper discussing her acclaimed young adult novel, "Channeling Marilyn" (She Writes Press).

Rather than retelling Marilyn Monroe's life, "Channeling Marilyn" imagines what might happen if Marilyn's spirit became a mentor to a shy modern-day teenager struggling with confidence, body image, identity, and finding her own voice. Through this unique coming-of-age story, Mima explores timeless themes of fame, self-acceptance, grief, resilience, friendship, and the courage to become your authentic self.

In this thoughtful conversation, Mima shares how her fascination with Marilyn Monroe's enduring cultural legacy inspired the novel, why Marilyn remains one of the world's most recognizable icons nearly a century after her birth, and how the pressures of celebrity continue to resonate in today's social media-driven world. She also discusses writing for young adults, the importance of authentic storytelling, the role of theater in building confidence, protecting creativity in the age of AI, and how personal loss shaped this deeply emotional novel.

This episode is especially timely as we honor Marilyn Monroe's 100th anniversary year, celebrating not only the Hollywood legend's enduring influence but also the universal journey toward self-love and embracing who we truly are.

Learn more about Mima Tipper: https://www.mimatipper.com/

Presented in partnership with Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/

Enjoy more author interviews, book reviews, and literary features: https://bigblendmediahouse.com/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Tales of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia" Podcast, Executive Director Lance Laber shares the story behind the new "Ted DeGrazia's Painted Ponies" exhibit at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, Arizona.

Featuring paintings, watercolors, sculptures, carousel horses, and merry-go-round imagery, this colorful new exhibition celebrates Ted DeGrazia's lifelong fascination with horses, childhood, imagination, and joy. Lance discusses how DeGrazia captured emotion through his art, his love of children, and why these cheerful works reveal another side of one of the world's most reproduced artists.

The conversation also revisits the remarkable story behind DeGrazia's 1975 tax protest, when he burned over a million dollars' worth of his own paintings in Arizona's Superstition Mountains, celebrates his Flag Day birth anniversary, and explores the gallery's current rotating exhibits, including "Ted DeGrazia's Unseen Landscapes" and "DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians."

Known as one of the most reproduced artists in the world, Ted DeGrazia captured the spirit of the Southwest through bold, expressive paintings that reflected the region's people, cultures, landscapes, and traditions. Today, his legacy continues through the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, a National Historic Landmark nestled in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains.

Current Rotating Exhibits • Ted DeGrazia's Painted Ponies – On display through January 27, 2027, featuring cheerful paintings, sculptures, carousel horses, and merry-go-round imagery celebrating childhood wonder. • Ted DeGrazia's Unseen Landscapes – Rare watercolors, oils, and ink drawings hidden from public view for decades. On display through September 2, 2026. • DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians – A fascinating look at DeGrazia's documentation of the Comcaac (Seri) people of Sonora, Mexico. On display through September 2, 2026.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre National Historic Landmark featuring over 15,000 original works of art, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and more. Learn more: http://www.degrazia.org

🎙️ New Tales of Ted DeGrazia episodes air every 4th Sunday. Follow the podcast: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com

In Part Two of this special Big Blend Radio “Music Success Insider” spotlight conversation, Joey Stuckey dives deeper into creativity, storytelling, media evolution, and the personal passions that shape his artistic life.

From unconventional performance venues and community engagement to songwriting, curiosity, and the changing digital media landscape, Joey reflects on the experiences and inspirations that continue to fuel his career. He also shares thoughts on perception, authenticity, creative freedom, and why understanding yourself is key to lasting success in music and media.

This candid and wide-ranging conversation reveals the heart behind Joey’s work as a musician, educator, producer, and storyteller.

🎧Listen to Part 1, here: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/joey-stuckey

🎸 Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer, educator, and owner of Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. Learn more: https://www.joeystuckey.com/

🌐 Explore Big Blend Media House & Subscribe to the Front Porch News: https://bigblendmediahouse.com/

Music has long been a powerful way to reflect the world around us, spark conversation, and inspire change. In this episode of Big Blend Radio, singer-songwriter Ken Newman discusses his thought-provoking new single, "Who Are the Bad Guys?", exploring how music can challenge perspectives while encouraging empathy and meaningful dialogue.

Originally from San Francisco and now spending much of the year in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, Ken shares how his surroundings, life experiences, and passion for storytelling shape his songwriting. The conversation also explores creativity, authenticity, activism, community, environmental awareness, and the enduring power of small acts of kindness to make a difference.

Inspired by legendary artists like Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and David Bowie, Ken creates music that lives at the intersection of poetry, social commentary, and emotional honesty.

Learn more about Ken Newman, listen to his music, and follow his latest projects: https://www.kennewmanmusic.com/

Album art is by Misisipi Mike Wolf. Musician image is by Karen Cooper.