The Big Alaska Show

Musher Sydnie Bahl was trained by retired veteran musher, Vern Halter. Last year, was Sydnie's first Iditarod, and she had to scratch halfway through it. This year, Sydnie completed the leap and crossed under the burled arch in Nome! Today's show was packed with all things Iditarod including a special look back at Alaska's Balladeer, Hobo Jim. Plus, we had a Tall Alaska Tale!Check out our fun podcast!

Rondy Outhouse Fun & More!For Iditarod information visit www.furrondy.net!Today's show is all about Rondy and we're just scratching the surface.The Outhouse Races, Feb 28th are a highlight for fun and toilet humor! Interviews with Bob Maxwell, the creator, shares its history and we visit competitors!For Outhouse Race information https://furrondy.net/events/outhouse-racesPlus, co-host and this year's Lord Trapper, Mike Ford, gives us a Lord Trapper On the Trail update!Rondy Melodrama!A decade's old favorite, the Rondy Melodrama features throwing popcorn at the villain and each other, boo-ing, hiss-ing, cheering and packed with ridiculous fun accompanied by harmonious a cappella sounds from the award-winning chorus, Alaska Sound Celebration. Melanie Cross joins us to update us on this year's Melodrama and the wonderful fundraiser it creates.

Flash back to Feb 14, 2009, when Alaska was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood. I was in a play "Soapy Smith" and interviewed actors from it. Plus, the great grandson of Soapy Smith, Jeff Smith, attended the play. He joined us to share more about this notorious character in Skagway. And just how accurate was the play? Well ...

Mr. Whitekeys joins us to share the story behind this outrageous tale and his book, The Voyage of the Alaska Union: Adventure, Danger, Scurvy, Romance. Talk about a fun interview!Author, historian, educator and author, Steve Levi, talks about his book: The Human Face of the Alaska Gold Rush: It Was a Riotous Time With Saints And Scoundrels Living Side By Side.Steve has a humorous approach to a history that was anything but funny! 

Frogcicles?!Our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder takes us into the frozen world of frogs. The picture above is a panel at Potter Marsh that shows this cycle that frogs go through during Alaska's frozen winters. Gordon helps us appreciate the world around us a little more with his science observations and makes it fun! Lord Trapper Update!Co-host Mike Ford, aka Lord Trapper, gives us an update on his latest adventures as he travels with Royalty under the direction of Kristin George!

What a fun show! First, the Anchorage Festival and Henhouse Prowlers, followed by Lord Trapper on the Trail with Mike Ford. As Lord Trapper, Mike's ambassadorial duties include visiting places, people, businesses and events - all things Fur Rondy. And it's a lot! Meet Henhouse Prowlers! These gents are world-wide bluegrass ambassadors having visited over 30 countries spreading the love of bluegrass and returning to share the music they learned from other countries. Henhouse Prowlers website.Bluegrass Ambassadors website. Check out our fun interview with HP member and banjo player, Ben Wright.Joining him are Board Members, Marianne See and audio wizard, Lucy "Both Ears" Peckham. You'll come to appreciate what you are watching and hearing that much more! Speaking of fun, check out this packed festival schedule including the Henhouse Prowlers this Fri-Sun!

Today we celebrate 20 years! Our debut was a harbinger of our being the "longest running mistake-ridden radio show in Alaska's history". The high-tech equipment relied on a simple electrical socket the bar didn't have. The fast-thinking manager herded us into the liquor room that had a table, a landline telephone, and he stacked cases of scotch as chairs for our guests. We made it on time! The details are a little fuzzy but we think the 12 year old scotch became 12 minute scotch and a grand time had by all!Today's show features clips from over the years at the Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward. For 15 years we MCed the jump and recorded the show in front of energetic audiences filled with laughter, tears and love. For one moment the world became one in the All-American City of Seward, AK, united in the fight against cancer. Check out the podcast!

Sydnie Bahl Iditarod MusherSydnie is attempting her 2nd Iditarod. No snow in 2025 changed the course to go through Fairbanks, making it the longest Iditarod in history and an already tough race tougher. Sydnie gives us a sneak-preview into this year's Iditarod and what it's like running an Iditarod.Iditarod Coach Vern HalterSydnie's Iditarod coach is retired, long-time musher, Vern Halter. We pull out an interview from 2012 when Vern was training a young man from Brazil, Lujan Marques. Fun interview!Alex the RoasterAlex the Roaster helps us with our Big Alaska Show Blend! His character fits ours - fun! Not only is he a coffee roaster, his company Cold Snap Coffee (embed https://www.coldsnapcoffeeak.com/) cranks out Bagels!

A continuation from last week's Merry Christmas From Alaska show, today's show features the creators of the Merry Christmas From Alaska CD series, Kurt and MJ Riemann. Owners of Surreal Studios, Kurt and MJ talk about the performers, the music and their paths of music in the Alaska market. Hershey Kisses Christmas CommercialAnother talented musician, Steven Alvarez, returns to share his story as the handbell ringer for the popular Hershey Kisses Handbell Christmas commercial. Great story, check out the fun podcast!