Christmas 2023 Show!

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Hershey Christmas Kisses TV commercial has played consistently for 35 years. Why? We maintain it’s because of our guest, Steven Alvarez, who shares this classic tale!

Hershey Christmas Kisses TV commercial has played consistently for 35 years.

Why? We maintain it’s because of our guest, Steven Alvarez, who shares this classic tale!

Speaking of tales – our Big Alaska Guest Tourists, Pat and Dave Huff from Saginaw, TX try to answer our Tall Alaska Tale (we warned them – we’re eligible to win our own prizes!)

Kurt Riemann from Surreal Studios fingerprints are all over this from his Merry Christmas From Alaska #3 with Hobo Jim’s “Silent Night” to the “Amazing Musical Hands of Mr. Steve Stripling” (which he named!).


Listen to the full podcast and Merry Christmas!

Tuba Christmas, Seward’s Christmas Tree Rootin’, Tootin’ Rotary News!

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Tuba Christmas Director, Neal Haglund, proves just the word “tuba” is funny!

Then Author/historian, Doug Capra, shares a tale of Seward’s iconic Christmas tree shining high above from Bear Mountain with this message of hope: “Look up and shut up!”

Plus, Rootin Tootin Rotary News with Alaska's immediate past Rotary District Governor, Mike Ferris! Rotary does the work. We do the rootin’ tootin’!

Book Reviews: Authors Lolo Paige and Mr. Whitekeys Join Us

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Mr. Whitekeys entertains us with his latest book, The Voyage of the Alaska Union: Adventure, Danger, Scurvy, Romance www.mrwhitekeys.com. Keys' pursuit of this story is much like the journey the men in it who sought their Gold Rush fortunes. Both discovered gold - just not for them, but for our entertainment! Check out our podcast

LoLo Paige, author of the Blazing Hearts Romance Novels, shares how she converted a lack of the Irish luck experience into a luck of the Irish romantic tale in, Irish Thunder.

We also asked Lolo to be our Big Alaska Show Book Reporter at a 20 BOOKS 2023 VEGAS Convention. This is what she sent!

Bluegrass and Barbershop Music for the Holidays

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These musical genres are connected at the hip with harmony, family, food and fun stories! Joining us is Jonathan Buckner from Chosen Road, an award winning gospel bluegrass band from West Virginia, and pastor Tracy Simmons from Christ Community Church Alaska. Plus, part 2 of the continuing saga of mishaps with the Frozen Pipes, the barbershop quartet that inspired audiences to rise from their seats and head for the exits!

Tall Alaska Tales and Thanksgiving Fun!

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Holidays are perfect for friends and family gathering to share stories and laughs - just like you'll hear in this podcast!

"Rootin' Tootin' Rotary News with Mike Ferris, Inappropriate Product Placement Theatuh with Shane and Wayne Mitchell, 

Otter Creek Saloon with Lois Simenson, Chad Carpenter's Tall Alaska Tale, Willie Hensley's "Special", Plus our Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist, Mike Borts, who shares shameless memories with the Frozen Pipes!

Anchorage Whacky Weather-Meteorologist, Jackie Purcell to the Rescue!

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Anchorage's snow fall this week has broken records. We're talking Snow-Maggedon! 

Meteorologist with Anchorage's NBC affiliate KTUU 2, Jackie Purcell, joins us to give us an update and test co-host, Mike Ford and my weather knowledge!




Plus, Christie Bond-Hill, from Homer, is part of a otter sea pup rescue team for the Alaska SeaLife Center. She shares her story and what it's like to help care for these cute little critters!

Saturday, 9:05a-10a AKT, Broadcast 103.7 FM / 750 AM, streamed at www.kfqd.com with podcasts at www.bigalaskashow.com

Photo by Kedar Gadge on Unsplash

Photo by Kedar Gadge on Unsplash

Hibernating Bears (or do they?) and Reflections of an Alaskan Icon, Vic Fischer

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Rick Rydell Green, Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Fish and Game, talks about hibernating bears - or do they?! Always informative and entertaining.




Then, with the passing of the last surviving delegate of the 1955 Alaska State Convention, Vic Fischer, we visit with his wife, Jane Angvik, and author, Charles Wohlforth to share reflections.

Check out our podcast interview with Vic and Charles: "A Farewell and Tribute to Vic Fischer" about Vic's book, To Russia With Love: An Alaskan Journey.  

A Farewell and Tribute to Vic Fischer

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We pay tribute and say goodbye to the last surviving delegate of the Alaska Constitutional Convention, Vic Fischer. 

From an interview from 2012, Vic Fischer and co-author, Charles Wohlforth, talk about Vic's book, To Russia With Love: An Alaskan Journey

A great read about a remarkable journey of a man who made a huge impact on Alaska and beyond.

Alaska Commercial Fishing Close Calls with Mike Ferris!

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Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another commercial fishing close call plus discusses issues facing the fishing industry in Alaska.

Then Mike swaps hats to become good citizen Mike with a Rootin' Tootin' Rotary Update!

Alaska Broadcast Tales

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Camille Conte

Longtime Alaska broadcasters, Loren Dixon, Mike Ford and Camille Conte, take us behind the scenes what it's like to be a radio on-air personality. From commercial broadcast to Public broadcasting, tales and tricks of the trade are shared along with some good laughs.

Loren Dixon

Counting Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

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Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection

Marine mammal specialist with NOAA Fisheries, Jill Seymour, joins us to discuss the 5th Annual Belugas Count event, Cook Inlet beluga whales, what makes them unique and their endangered status.

Dr. Gordon Snyder talks about his wetlands project, wetlands benefits and thoughts about belugas. Mike Ford interviews Dr. Carrie Goertz from the Alaska SeaLife Center about belugas.

Other shows about whales and wetlands!

Alaska State Fair Memories! Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees and More!

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Fun memories featuring Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees, Gary Olson, creator of the Alaska Moose Federation, Jim Barnett, author of Captain Cook in Alaska and the North Pacific, co-host, Mike Ford with on-air talent, Steve Franklin, show they're uniquely unqualified as 4H Goat Judges! 

PLUS- Tall Alaska Tales abound! 

Author, Kim Rich, Johnny's Girl and Movie with Treat Williams

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Author, Kim Rich, joins us to share stories about her book, Johnny's Girl, the movie starring Treat Williams as Kim's father, Johnny, and Kim's friendship with Treat.

Johnny’s Girl: A Daughter's Memoir of Growing Up in Alaska's Underworld

Kim Rich's nationally acclaimed memoir of growing up in Alaska’s underworld as the only child of gambler John F. “Johnny” Rich and exotic dancer, Frances “Ginger” Rich. It chronicles Alaska’s mean streets and her parent’s tragic lives that were cut short. 

Bears Waking Up!

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Special Assistance to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Rick Rydell Green, talks about bears and coming out of hibernation. Rick's years as a hunting/fishing guide, self-avowed wildlife biology geek and longtime broadcaster, makes this interview fun about bear habits coming out of hibernation. He even tolerates our teenage mentality when it comes to certain bear colon habits of "blowing the plug"! Fun, informative interview!  

Thanking Our Veterans

Randy Kimpton, president of the Last Frontier Honor Flight, joins us to share what his organization does to honor and thank our military veterans. 

https://www.lastfrontierhonorflight.com/

The 1964 Alaska Earthquake Show!

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We look back on the 1964 Alaska Earthquake featuring stories from those that were there! 

We also interview Natalia Ruppert, https://earthquake.alaska.edu/staff-spotlight-natalia-ruppert, senior scientist and project manager of the Alaska Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Natalia brings us up to date into today earthquake science.

Senior Scientist and Project Manager, Natalia Ruppert interview podcast.


Patti Bogan and Alaska Biker Women!

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Alaska biker, Patti Bogan, joins us to talk about her ride starting in May. 

Run for the Wall honors our military veterans and Patti has a special mission in mind. She shares that with us.

We also pull out a fun gold nugget interview with a group of Alaska biker women! Many of these women are members of ABATE, Alaska Bikers Advocating Training and Education!

Deadliest Catch Myth Buster Close Calls!

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Commercial fishing in Alaska is dangerous- even if it's just working on construction of a new boat!

Mike was working with his boat builder and while inspecting the boat made a misstep, fell about 5 feet on channel iron! Tail bone, butt and vertebra - black and blue!

Mike considers himself lucky!

Then as the Alaska Rotary District Governor, Mike talks about the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards- a program that helps young people build leadership!

College basketball March Madness is popular in Alaska. We pulled out a gold nugget memory featuring author Sara Juday and her book "From Sourdoughs to Seawolves". She dedicated a chapter to the first University of Alaska Anchorage basketball team, the Sourdoughs, that yours truly and former Anchorage Mayor, Dan Sullivan, were teammates. Recorded at McGinley's Irish Pub downtown Anchorage.