Big Blend Radio: A Toast to the Arts

Traveling musician and composer Ben Cosgrove returns to Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) to talk about his recent travels, artist residency experiences, and beautiful new album "Bearings."Cosgrove’s new album "Bearings" represents the latest chapter in a career that to date has included solo performances in 49 states (all but Delaware), as well as artist residencies and collaborations with Acadia, Isle Royale, Glacier, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Parks (NPAF), White Mountain National Forest, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Chulengo Expeditions, the New England National Scenic Trail, and NASA. To write the new record, Cosgrove relied on a novel and improvisation-focused compositional style that aimed to reflect the real experience of learning topographical space through movement. Keep up with Ben at https://www.bencosgrove.com/ Check out Ben's previous Big Blend Radio podcast while he was the NPAF artist-in-residence in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/composer-ben-cosgrove-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/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Glenn Hileman who talks about his novel, “A Yellow House in the Mountains” (March 2024).WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/1UC6gTwWG_o Based on a remarkable true story, the book honors the lives of his parents, Lyle and Marylin, who were lost to Colorado’s East Troublesome Fire, by showcasing the love, faith and determination which guided them through difficult times. More: https://yellowhouseinthemountains.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio features ALLEN WHITMAN, former bassist with legendary virtuoso guitarist JOE SATRIANI and co-founder of the San Francisco-based influential instrumental surf-rock trio THE MERMEN. Hear about his new soundtrack/ambient album “MONOGATARI NO FŪKEI" that incorporates acoustic guitar-driven sonic environments with samples and synth that forwards a pace matching its title: “Landscape Of Stories." The movement, using field recordings made on a recent visit to Japan, is compelling, occasionally contemplative and often propulsive. More info and to purchase: https://tinyurl.com/56cc762n 

This episode of Big Blend Radio features NYC multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Marlon Cherry who talks about his music career and 5th solo album "Fever Dreaming In Lo-Fi”. This collection of music is an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from Rock, Dream Pop, Jazz, Experimental, World Beat, and even a splash of A Cappella R & B. Marlon handles all of the instruments and vocals on the bulk of the pieces, with some wonderful guest contributions from Terre Roche (The Roches), Susan Hwang, Paul Brantley, Christina Schneider, and poet/actress, Sophie Malleret. The project was co-produced by Marlon and Zach Phillips (Fievel Is Glauque), who also engineered the recording. The album is available on CD Baby, Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, Hear Now, and at https://marloncherry1.bandcamp.com/album/fever-dreaming-in-lo-fi

Recorded onsite, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Tales of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia" podcast features Lance Laber, Executive Director of DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, Arizona. Hear about holiday gifts, the current Ted DeGrazia exhibits on display until Jan. 24, 2024 including “DeGrazia’s Beggars”, “Scenes from the Revolution," and "DeGrazia in Black and White," plus, about the visiting artisits in the Little Gallery, and upcoming La Fiesta de Guadalupe held on Dec. 3, 2023.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 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Show features authors Rob Long and Andrew Dolberg who discuss their new book "The Great Weather Diviner," a thrilling and heartwarming young adult fantasy adventure."The Great Weather Diviner" follows the journey of Junior, a young groundhog who idolizes his father, the mayor of Punxsutawney. When a devastating flood strikes their small mining town, Junior embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the disaster and save his home from the threat of the evil raven overlord, Callidus. Along the way, he confronts difficult questions about responsibility, environmental protection, and the power of storytelling. More: https://greatweatherdiviner.com/  This episode is part of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Series that airs every 4th Friday in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: https://www.carrerafineartgallery.com/ Follow the Nature Connection Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/bigblendradio-nature 

This episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning author Audrey Gale who talks about how she pushes the envelope and abandons tropes in her new Depression-era medical thriller, "The Human Trial." The novel merges three genres: historical fiction, medical thriller, and coming-of-age story, cast with imperfect, relatable characters.  WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/c3liqSGArAw More: http://audreygaleauthor.com/ 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, artist Victoria Chick talks about the History of Place, Materials, Style & Meaning of American Burial Markers. The most durable materials available were generally chosen for markers, but the technology available to move, inscribe, or polish those materials also played a big role in the stylistic development of burial markers. See her article covering burial markers in the United States from Colonial times to now: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/history-of-american-burials/ Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. She appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3an38624See Victoria's work: https://victoriachick.com/ 

Photographer G. B. Smith discusses his stunning new photobook, "Pathways," that features several of his multi-award-winning images which highlight the interaction between man-made structures and nature. The curation reflects the simplicity and uncluttered form of Smith's distinctive black and white style. Informed by his experience with color blindness, Smith’s work encourages the viewer to examine a world that exists beyond color. Proceeds from book sales to benefit the Breast Cancer Alliance Charity. More: https://www.gbsmith.com/