A Toast to The Arts

Literary Happy Hour Hang Out

Celebrate October being National Book Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Happy Hour Hang Out" Podcast Conversation that digs into the literary, plus, horse and dog, world of authors and writers, books and reading, libraries and bookshops, and the work that goes behind it all.
FEATURED GUESTS IN THE PANEL * MATT COST - Author of mystery & history at https://www.mattcost.net/ * CHERYL LEUTJEN - Geologist, environmental law attorney an author of "Love Earth Now" at https://cherylleutjen.com/ * KATHLEEN WALLS - Travel writer, and author of fiction and non-fiction at https://katywalls.com/ and https://americanroads.net/ * CHRISTY WOOD - World champion horse trainer, and author of horse fiction and non-fiction at https://wdnhorse.com/ * EVA ELDRIDGE - Travel and fiction writer, poet, and editor at https://evaeldridge.com/ * CB WILSON - Award winning author of nine Cozy Pet Mysteries at https://cbwilsonauthor.com/ 
PLUS, author, writer and editor Clifford Garstang shares a bit about his busy book life of events and happens. Follow him at https://cliffordgarstang.com/ 

Author Melissa Connelly - What Was Lost

When a young girl feels complicit in her own abuse, how does that thwart the adult woman?
This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features debut author Melissa Connelly  discusses her new novel, "What Was Lost."
Melissa Connelly’s debut novel comes after a long career in education. A finalist for the 2019 Montana Prize and at 60, she’s ready to share her first novel; a story about a 40-year-old woman who returns to her old hometown in Vermont and faces the past she was so desperate to forget. More at: https://melissaconnelly.com/  
More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/ 

Guitarist Jim Eannelli - Just Deserts Solo Album

Celebrate Music Monday with episode of Big Blend Radio's A TOAST TO THE ARTS Show featuring Milwaukee-based producer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Jim Eannelli who discusses his music and debut solo album, "Just Deserts." 
Jim Eannelli has been in every sort of band from hard rock to synth pop; he worked with Rick Derringer on the Colour Radio record, played guitar, performed and recorded with both former BoDean Sam Llanas and the Shivvers, the ‘80s power-pop band that finally gained international recognition in recent years. 
Dipping into a trove of original songs written over the years, Eannelli’s “Just Deserts” encapsulates his experiences in life as well as music. The songs are deeply rooted in his years as a member of diverse bands. Out now through Happy Growl Records, “Just Deserts” is available on web streaming and download services, and CD’s at local record shops and through Ebay.com. 
Keep up with Jim at https://www.facebook.com/JimEannelli 

Musician Rachel Mari Kimber's Residency Experience in Saguaro National Park

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features musician and composer Rachel Mari Kimber, the National Parks Arts Foundation's Fall 2024 artist-in-residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. This is part two of our conversation as a follow up of her residency. Check out Part One here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/musician-rachel-mari-kimber-in-saguaro-national-park 
Rachel Mari Kimber is a musically creative artist from Wales, UK. She composes, sings, plays guitar and cello, orchestrates, harmonises, teaches, and produces, all from the heart. She also plays cello and sings for the band Black Forest Society, and also for Happy Joy Harmony. More: https://freeyourspiritheal.wixsite.com/love  
MORE LINKS FROM THE PODCAST regarding plants and music and NPAF artists in residence:- Writer Zoë Schlanger in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:  https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/writer-zoe-schlanger-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/ - Writer Zoë Schlanger in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/musician-sam-nester-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/ 
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Musicians Arthur and Kathleen Lamonica - Paradise is Free

Celebrate Music Monday with this episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show, also featured on the Big Daily Blend Podcast, with Arthur and Kathy Lamonica, founders of the New York City band Rome 56. Hear about their new album "Paradise is Free" that's out now through Think Like a Key Music.
Decades after making waves with gritty NYC new wavers The Shirts, Arthur Lamonica proves he's still got the hooks on Rome 56's infectious new outing "Paradise Is Free."  Recorded between New York and Amsterdam with his wife and longtime co-pilot Kathleen, this effortlessly catchy album shows Lamonica remains a master of fusing power pop, new wave and roots rock into retro-modern gold. More: https://rome56.com/ 

Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024: Music & Community - Part 2

Welcome to Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024 that Celebrates Life Through the Power of Music & Community!  
Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, radio and television personality, music columnist, educator, and sound engineer. He cohosts our Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday. Joey has released several albums and is the owner and sound engineer of a recording facility, Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. He is currently involved with students, instructing them on guitar, voice, music theory, and sound engineering. Joey and his band perform nationally. He also happens to be the official music ambassador for Macon, Georgia, the “Southern Rock Capital of the World.”  
As an infant, Joey lost his sight and sense of smell as the result of a brain tumor.  Sept. 29, ALIVE DAY, celebrates the day the brain tumor that he wasn't supposed to survive was successfully removed. It was thought that he wouldn't make it, or if he did, he would never walk or talk. Though the tumor left him blind and with a host of other health challenges, his is most gloriously alive and so grateful for the life he does have and for his friends, family and for the gift of music! More about Joey at https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
Alive Day has typically been a live concert in Macon, but this year we are celebrating by bringing musicians together with two Big Blend Radio podcast panel discussions, a music playlist of 290 inspiring and motivating songs, plus a musical online jigsaw puzzle. Check it all out here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/joey-stuckeys-alive-day-2024/ 
MUSICAL GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE* JOHNNY SCHAEFER https://hearjohnny.com/ * PAMELA BEDWELL https://pamelabedwellandpke.com/ * THE CRAVENS BAND: https://cravenmusic.net/ 
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF 290 SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=941adec36cd04ce2 

Joey Stuckey's Alive Day: Music & Community - Part 1

Welcome to Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024 that Celebrates Life Through the Power of Music & Community!  
Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, radio and television personality, music columnist, educator, and sound engineer. He cohosts our Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday. Joey has released several albums and is the owner and sound engineer of a recording facility, Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. He is currently involved with students, instructing them on guitar, voice, music theory, and sound engineering. Joey and his band perform nationally. He also happens to be the official music ambassador for Macon, Georgia, the “Southern Rock Capital of the World.”  
As an infant, Joey lost his sight and sense of smell as the result of a brain tumor.  Sept. 29, ALIVE DAY, celebrates the day the brain tumor that he wasn't supposed to survive was successfully removed. It was thought that he wouldn't make it, or if he did, he would never walk or talk. Though the tumor left him blind and with a host of other health challenges, his is most gloriously alive and so grateful for the life he does have and for his friends, family and for the gift of music! More about Joey at https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
Alive Day has typically been a live concert in Macon, but this year we are celebrating by bringing musicians together with two Big Blend Radio podcast panel discussions, a music playlist of 290 inspiring and motivating songs, plus a musical online jigsaw puzzle. Check it all out here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/joey-stuckeys-alive-day-2024/ 
MUSICAL GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE* TOM RULE: https://tomrule.info/ * THE WALK-A-BOUT BAND: https://www.facebook.com/walkaboutband1/ 
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF 290 SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=941adec36cd04ce2 

Welcome to Musician Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024

Welcome to Joey Stuckey's Alive Day 2024 that Celebrates Life Through the Power of Music & Community!  
Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, radio and television personality, music columnist, educator, and sound engineer. He cohosts our Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday. Joey has released several albums and is the owner and sound engineer of a recording facility, Shadow Sound Studio in Macon, Georgia. He is currently involved with students, instructing them on guitar, voice, music theory, and sound engineering. Joey and his band perform nationally. He also happens to be the official music ambassador for Macon, Georgia, the “Southern Rock Capital of the World.”  
As an infant, Joey lost his sight and sense of smell as the result of a brain tumor.  Sept. 29, ALIVE DAY, celebrates the day the brain tumor that he wasn't supposed to survive was successfully removed. It was thought that he wouldn't make it, or if he did, he would never walk or talk. Though the tumor left him blind and with a host of other health challenges, his is most gloriously alive and so grateful for the life he does have and for his friends, family and for the gift of music! More about Joey at https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
Alive Day has typically been a live concert in Macon, but this year we are celebrating by bringing musicians together with two Big Blend Radio podcast panel discussions, a music playlist of 290 inspiring and motivating songs, plus a musical online jigsaw puzzle. Check it all out here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/joey-stuckeys-alive-day-2024/ 
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF 290 SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4w1bGfyI3ju3MMSvl7Cstl?si=941adec36cd04ce2 
TO HELP PROVIDE DISASTER RELIFE FROM HURRICANE HELENE:- https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html - https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/