A Toast to The Arts

Award-Winning Author Lynn Slaughter - Missed Cue

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward - a special NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY BROADCAST - features award-winning author Lynn Slaughter who discusses her writing process, and brand new adult mystery novel, "Missed Cue." WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/9NJi6mb9oGI "Mised Cue" finds Lieutenant Cailtin O’Connor in a theatrical mess when a prima ballerina fails to awaken during the final act of Romeo and Juliet. With multiple suspects, infidelity, and a twisted plot of romantic entanglements while also dealing with Caitlin’s personal love life, "Missed Cue" is a fast-paced Agatha Christie-style mystery that twists and turns to the final act.Winner of multiple awards including the Silver Falchion Book Award, Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, Imadjinn Award and recognized by the Agatha Christie awards and the CIBA awards, Lynn Slaughter is no stranger to creating captivating narratives shrouded in mystery. More: https://lynnslaughter.comMore about Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer Leah Waybright - Dreamed Album

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Parks & The Arts" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation features Leah Waybright, a life-long Her newest CD, “Dreamed” is out now and features members of Happy The Man, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Steely Dan. In this conversation Leah talks about her music, childhood in Gettysburg, and work in floral design and wildflowers, especially at The Wildflower Island at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining, New York.The common thread that connects Leah's many professions is her role as a Storyteller. Hundreds of lectures and the wide variety of special floral programs she has presented for Garden Clubs and Civic Groups are the most obvious examples of her Storytelling.However, her ability to tell a compelling story is not limited to words. Despite the instrumental nature of her music, her unique approach to composition and instrumentation means that each vignette reveals an unfolding and ever-evolving story rich with meaning. As a steward of the Earth, Leah’s creativity and mindset benefitted from the pauses in older projects, and the development of new projects, but throughout she consistently creates new music through improvisation and then hones it with a nurturing process similar to the way she cultivates her beloved plants and wildflowers. More: http://www.leahwaybright.com/ Special thanks to the National Parks Arts Foundation for sponsoring this episode: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blues Rocker Lance Lopez - Trouble is Good

This episode of Big Blend Radio features blues rocker Lance Lopez who talks about his music career that started in Texas and Louisiana, and his blues-infused hard rockin' new album "Trouble Is Good" that's out now through Cleopatra Records. Featuring a whole host of stellar guest performers including drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner), bassist Danny Miranda (Queen, Blue Öyster Cult), and Jack Daley (Lenny Kravitz, Little Steven and the Disciples) as well as keyboardist Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd), "Trouble Is Good" is much more than just a platform for Lopez to show off his impressive chops. The songs, most of which were written either by Lopez or by the album’s producer Joey Sykes, offer memorable hooks and surprising twists and turns. Check out the album and tour dates at https://www.lancelopez.net/ Special thanks to our friends Steve & Karen Wilson, aka "Mr & Mrs Wild," who own and operate The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina: https://www.lion-rose.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donovan Plant and The Leafs - Night Feel Good

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Donovan Plant, a former San Francisco private detective who spent nearly two decades chasing leads and tailing cheaters before returning to his musical roots in 2011. Since then, he has released two solo records, and now with the band he formed in 2018, DONOVAN PLANT & THE LEAFS have recently released their new 3-song EP NIGHT FEEL GOOD.Blending rock, country, and pop with lyrics inspired by the city, DONOVAN PLANT & THE LEAFS includes drummer Lliam Hart (Information Society/Wire Train), bassist Mike Henry (Minus One) and lead guitarist Jason Rojek (Sugar Crash).More at https://www.donovanplantmusic.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Music of Renowned Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, shares the musical legacy of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia who shared dual passions for art and music. The album "Please Remember Me" features the first recordings of original DeGrazia scores from the 1930s, which are performed by faculty at the Tucson Community Music School, Tucson Jazz Institute, and the artist’s son Domingo DeGrazia.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://shows.acast.com/artist-ted-degrazia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jazz Guitar Legend and Composer Juan Carlos Quintero

This episode of Big Blend Radio features guitar legend Juan Carlos Quintero who discusses his music, management partnership with Amy Worthington of Inner Knot Records, and, upcoming album "Desserts," a delicious follow up to his album "Table for Five."A 30-year veteran, Juan Carlos Quintero has experienced multiple facets in the music industry as a recording artist, label owner, composer/publisher and TV & Film music executive. Producing and composing has been the forefront of a distinguished career while establishing a succession of critically acclaimed chart-topping albums in Latin Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, World Music and Smooth Jazz categories. Recognized as a renowned international jazz artist, Juan Carlos' signature-led guitar voice veiled over genuine original works serve as pillars of a unique global brand - fusing contemporary jazz stylings alongside authentic rhythms emanating from his native homeland, Colombia SA. More: https://www.juancarlosquintero.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer Steve McAllister - I Hope You Are Okay

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, composer Steve McAllister discusses the music on his new album “I hope you are okay.” Featuring stellar players, the album is made up of ten songs, recorded primarily during COVID with everyone working from home. Says Steve, “It was a fun process: I’d write a song and form, send it to the drummer. It’d come back to me, I’d make a few additions then send it to Mike or Dave. Back it’d come, more tweaks, then on to the next person. Finally, off to the mixer. Then we’d go ‘round with the next one. Despite it being recorded in California, Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Texas, and England, it sounds like a band in a room.”On the album: Rafael Bernardo Gayol (Leonard Cohen, A-ha, Robbie Robertson) - DrumsMike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) - GuitarsDave Gregory (XTC, Peter Gabriel) - GuitarsDana Colley (Morphine) - SaxesDony Wynn (Robert Palmer, Robert Plant) - Additional DrumsMore: http://www.stevemcallistermusic.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September Festival Fun in Natchitoches, the Oldest City in Louisiana!

Mark your calendars for some September Festival Fun in Natchitoches, the oldest city in the state of Louisiana!Giving us the scoop on all the even highlights from live music and poker runs to food and family entertainment, featured guests on this episode of Big Blend Radio's 3rd Tuesday "Go to Natchitoches" show include: - Arlene Gound - Executive Director of the Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau- Melvin Holmes - 24th Annual Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run held September 1 & 2, 2023- Jimmy Harper - 21st Annual Meat Pie Festival held in Natchitoches, the Meat Pie Capital of Louisiana, on September 15 & 16, 2023. Info: https://www.meatpiefestival.com/ Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest city 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 at https://natchitoches.com/ Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show here: https://shows.acast.com/go-natchitoches-louisiana Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.