Tall Alaska Tales!

Alaska State Fair 2024\ Credit: Amy Stripling

Lies, lies and more lies! Co-host, Mike Ford, and I tell Tall Alaska Tales as we prepare for our Big Alaska Show Tall Alaska Tale Off. That's where you tell the tale - we're bored with ours! And here's a little spoiler alert ... we'll have prizes! (That we're still eligible to win!)

Plus, we threw in a clip from the week before with Chad Carpenter, hence this week our sign was given priority! Check out our podcast and have some fun!

Camille Conte A Broadcast Legend!

Broadcast has played an important part in Alaska's history. It has helped keep Alaskans connected within and outside the state. Women broadcasters hold a special place in that history that was more male driven. Camille Conte has been a shining light and made her mark in that history.

She joins us to reflect on her career. Listen to our fun podcast with Camille!

Commercial Fishing Close Calls and Romance Novels!

Commercial Fishing Close Calls

Just how dangerous is Alaska commercial fishing? Deadly! Our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another close call in Bristol Bay!

(To hear just his interview: Time Stamp 10:45-17:50 )

Wildfire Season and Romance Novel Update

Lois Simenson, aka Lolo Paige, hints about her next book in her Blazing Hearts series,

Firestorm. Lois combines her background in wildfire fighting with romance to deliver a medium heat romance novel that takes us inside the world of firefighters in Alaska.

(To hear just Lolo's interview: Time Stamp 17:50-42:32)

Rootin' Tootin' Rotary Update

Past Alaska Rotary District Governor, Mike Ferris, gives May's Rotary update that deals with youth.

(To hear just Mike's Rotary update:

Time Stamp 42:33-49:10)

Mr. Fur Face Update!

Co-host, Mike Ford, updates us on the Mr. Fur Face, Beard and Mustache competition!

(Mr Fur Face only: Time Stamp 00-10:45 )

Mother's Day 2024 - Meet Mama Moose!

Dana Applebury

Meet Mama Moose! We honor Mama Moose on Mother's Day on the Big Alaska Show.

Alaska's tough on moose, brutally tough. Yet Mama Moose meets any danger head on to protect her calves. Unwavering love, she embodies motherhood. 

And raising calves is no picnic! (Just ask our guest, Dana Applebury, president of Moose Mamas.- she's in the business of raising calves and releasing them)

Podcast below (Time stamp: 16:46 - 30:34)

Gary Olsen

Plus, Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris and Gary Olson, creator and founder of the Alaska Moose Federation, join us! 

If you like moose, you'll like this podcast!

Podcast below

(Mike Ferris - Time stamp: 11:00 - 14:25)

(Gary Olsen - Time stamp: 31:45 - 48:00)

Mike Ferris

18th Anniversary Show at the Polar Bear Jump Off!

We celebrate our 18th Anniversary of the Big Alaska Show at the 39th Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward, AK! We play clips from past shows at the Jump.  

We also have our Science Guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, talk about the whales that visit Seward’s rich feeding grounds.

Plus, we have a Tall Alaska Tale!

Check out our podcast!

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

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

Merry Christmas From Alaska!

This show has become a traditional favorite for the Big Alaska Show. Not only does it showcase Alaskan talent , it allows co-host, Mike Ford, and me to enjoy listening to our own show at home on Christmas Eve morning!  Kurt Riemann hosts and features one of his "Merry Christmas From Alaska" CD series with Christmas music performed by Alaskan musicians. His wife, MJ, also performs in it. Plus, it includes a couple of "hands-on" performances by Uncle Steve that has audiences rising from their seats and heading for the exits!

Listen to the podcast!

Mike-A-Thon: Mike Ford, Mike Ferris and Mike Mendyke!

Dick Van Dyke had a birthday this week and we dug out an interview from 2009 with our Big Alaska Show Guest Tourist. Mike Mendyke sings with Dick Van Dyke's quartet, the Vantastix, and shares stories meeting Dick and singing with America's favorite entertainer and comedian.  

Then our Deadliest Catch Myth Buster, Mike Ferris, shares another Close Call and talks about the crab closures in Alaska.

Mike Ford, starts the show off with a good laugh!

Check out our podcast, sans commercials!

Alaska Broadcast Character: Bob Lester

Alaska has a legacy of colorful broadcast characters. Bob Lester is one of those. A longtime morning drive personality on KWHL 106.5 FM, www.kwhl.com, Bob’s contributions to the community are too many to mention. Toys for Tots is one he’s most proud and he’s creator of the most popular event of the Fur Rendezvous(Fur Rondy)Running of the Reindeer. He started on TV as Kid Fox of the Fox Kid's Club - and then spinning records at the Cattle Company's bar at night - a tale of double lives leads to some interesting stories! Get co-host, Mike Ford and Bob Lester with year’s broadcast history experience together talking Alaska broadcast shop, and you get a fun show!

Labor Day and the Alaska State Fair!

Hear the Full Podcast!

We know how to celebrate a Labor Day Weekend! The Alaska State Fair is packed with food and entertainment! For example, the Anchorage Midnight Sons Chorus share a history lesson a cappella style of the Gold Rush.

Alaska State Fair Memories                Memories abound at the Fair. Here, co-host Mike Ford and Steven Franklin were Goat judges! What did they know about goats? Let's just say the 4-H Club was shocked by the choice!

Then we visit a memory with Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees when he was at the Alaska State Fair and shared his story when he met the Beatles!

Remembering Robby Dennis        

Our close friend, Robby Dennis, was playing at the State Fair with John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. An accomplished musician, educator and close friend, Robby left us too soon in life and many who loved Robby. But his career was colorful and interesting having performed with some of the musical greats. We resurrected this interview with Robby when he was getting ready to perform at the Alaska State Fair.                                                                                                                                

This video tribute From his close friend, Steve Rychetnik.                                                             https://vimeo.com/sprocketheads/download/224807046/22dcb26bde

https://vimeo.com/224807046

VIPER Class Begins!

The first class of VIPER, Veteran Interships Providing Employment Readiness, started and we couldn't be more proud! This program is from Alaska and designed to help transition veterans into the civilian community and a major focus to End 22, the epidemic of suicides in our military. Hear what these interns have to say and their instructors!

www.vipertransitions.org

Click here to listen to our Labor Day Tall Alaska Tale

The Iditarod 2021 and The Frozen Ground!

Co-host, Mike Ford, will need a strong cup of broadcast brew to keep up with our guests! Actor, Robert Forgit, talks about his role and experience as detective and partner to Nicolas Cage in “The Frozen Ground”! Filmed in Anchorage, Netflix announced this movie as #1 on their hit list reaching 100 million viewers!

Then, Iditarod CEO, Rob Urbach, updates us on the 49th Iditarod in 2021! Planning around a pandemic channels the 1925 Serum Run and the Iditarod Nation!

Iditarod 2020 Summer Raffle information visit www.iditarod.com or call (800) 545-6874 

Download the full podcast sans commercials:

Robert Forgit talks about his part in The Frozen Ground.

Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach gives 2021 Iditarod Update.