A Toast to The Arts

Camp Verde Artists Group in Central Arizona

This episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show focuses on the new artists group in Camp Verde, Arizona. Spearheaded by artist Mary Rush, this initiative not only connects local artists as a community (so far over 40 artists), but is also working to add original art as part of the region's greater tourism experience with exhibits, studio tours, and public art projects. 
LINKS TO FOLLOW:- Camp Verde Artists Group: https://www.facebook.com/campverdeartistsgroup- Artist Mary Rush: https://wildfeatherfineart.com/ - Artist Sylvia Strobel: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080324948779- Artist Jen O'Callaghan: https://www.facebook.com/jocdgr8 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Women Making History" Podcast Channel.

Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia's Murals, Mosaics, and Originals

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, talks about southwest artist Ted DeGrazia's Murals, Mosaics (pictured), and Originals. 
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/ 
This Big Blend Radio "Tales of Ted DeGrazia" podcast airs every 4th Sunday. Follow the show here: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com/ 

Musician Joey Stuckey - Live from Macon

This episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND with co-host Joey Stuckey, focuses on his new album, "Joey Stuckey - Live from Macon." This in-studio recording was done during the filming of "Vision," an 11-minute documentary by Michael Whalen that showcases Joey's music and inspirations. 
Joey Stuckey, Music Ambassador of Macon, Georgia "The Southern Rock Capital of the World," is award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, and sound engineer. More: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
Watch "Vision" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Or6JL3zMBI8?feature=shared Order the album "Joey Stuckey - Live from Macon": https://found.ee/joey-stuckey-live-from-macon 
Joey Stuckey is co-host of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Podcast every 4th Sunday. Follow the show, here: https://big-daily-blend.podbean.com/ 

Bylines, Shine & Wine - Writers and Authors Happy Hour Hang Out

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Happy Hour Hang Out" Podcast features writers and authors, mostly of the mystery and crime genre, along with some historical fiction, travel writing and editing expertise to round out the discussion.
FEATURED GUESTS: * Author Matt Cost who inspired this episode - https://www.mattcost.net/ * Travel Writer and author Katy Walls - https://katywalls.com/ * Writer and editor Eva Eldridge of Tucson Sisters in Crime https://evaeldridge.com/  * Author Lori Pollard-Johnson - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001KH8ES2/about * Writer and author Erynn Leigh - https://erynnleigh.com/ * Author DR Ransdell - https://www.dr-ransdell.com/ 

Carmine Appice - Temple of Blues Album by Cactus

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Rants, Raves & Rock 'n Roll" Show features iconic drummer Carmine Appice, founding member of the blues rock band Cactus. Carmine is also a founding member of Vanilla Fudge and has performed and/or recorded with Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Ozzy, and Pink Floyd, amongst others. 
Cactus is as heavy, bluesy, and uncompromising in its musical assault as they were 50-plus years ago. Their new album "Temple of Blues - Influences & Friends" is out now through Cleopatra Records. Featured along with the current Cactus band is a who's who of blues and rock icons: Guitarists Joe Bonamassa, Ted Nugent, Pat Travers,  Warren Hayes, Vernon Reid, Steve Stevens, Johnny A (The Yardbirds), Ty Tabor (King's X) and bassists  Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Dug Pinnick (King's X)  Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne), Kenny Aaronson (ex- Joan Jet and The Yardbirds), as well as members of  Government Mule, Vixen, Rainbow, Zebra, and Whitesnake.   Vocalist Dee Snider of Twisted Sister appears on the band's remake of the Howlin' Wolf classic "Evil," and Appice's bandmate in Vanilla Fudge Mark Stein turns in a powerful vocal on Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally." A second version of "Guiltless Glider," appears as a bonus track with former Judas Priest vocalist, Ripper Owens. In addition to Appice on drums and vocals on all tracks, original Cactus guitarist Jim McCarty also appears on Temple of Blues. Get the album at https://cleorecs.com/products/cactus-temple-of-blues-cd 
More at: https://www.carmineappice.net/ 

Doug Kistner - Allstar Project Studio D'Lux

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Doug Kistner, keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and leader of the allstar project Studio D'Lux. Hear about their new single, "Not in a Million Years" featuring trumpeter Lee Loughnane of Chicago, guitarist Jon Herington of Steely Dan, and famed rock drummer Liberty Devitto who tours and records with Billy Joel.
Doug Kistner has played keyboards with Trans-Siberian orchestra, John Waite, and Blood, Sweat & Tears, and is currently with The Lords of 52nd Street and Glen Burtniks Summer of Love. 
Stream/ purchase the track: https://vibe.to/notinamillionyears Follow Studio D'Lux on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@studiodlux Follow Studio D'Lux on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studiodluxmusic 

Natchitoches-NSU 44th Annual Folk Festival in Louisiana

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Go to Natchitoches” Podcast focuses on the 44th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival which will be held on Saturday July 20, 2024, in the air-conditioned Prather Coliseum at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Featured Guests are Dr. Shane Rasmussen – NSU Professor of English & Director of the Louisiana Folklife Center, and K. Nicole Connell – Communications Manager of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau.
This family-friendly festival features a curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors, traditional crafts persons, craft demonstrations, a Kidfest, narrative sessions, a Jambalaya Cookoff, along with the Annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, dance lessons, and live entertainment. In honor of this year’s theme, The Old Songs Live Forever, the festival will feature three stages of music. 
MORE INFO:* For a full details and the event schedule, visit https://www.nsula.edu/the-44th-annual-natchitoches-nsu-folk-festival/ * Check out the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@natchitochesnsufolkfestiva3855 * Watch this Big Blend Radio video showcasing the 40th Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival: https://youtu.be/oJdUlGg568k?feature=shared * Plan Your Visit to Natchitoches at https://natchitoches.com/ 
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest settlement in Louisiana. Celebrating a vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American, and Creole cultures, this charming city is part of the Cane River National Heritage Area and Louisiana’s No Man’s Land. More about Natchitoches and its current events at https://natchitoches.com/Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show here: https://natchitoches-louisiana.podbean.com/ 

Blind Lemon Pledge - Oh So Good Album

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Podcast features award-winning Bay Area singer-songwriter Blind Lemon Pledge (James Byfield) who talks about his latest album "Oh So Good."
“Oh So Good,” Pledge’s 10th album of originals and covers, displays Pledge’s impressive compositional range with tunes ranging from Blues to Folk to Jazz to Cajun, with a startling and original take on the folk and blues classic “House of the Risin’ Sun.” From hard driving to soft and lyrical, the songs are a musical journey through the heart of American Roots Music. More: https://www.blindlemon-pledge.com/