This episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Rants, Raves & Rock ’N Roll" Podcast features Steve and Karen Wilson — better known as Mr. & Mrs. Wild — lifelong music lovers, dedicated concertgoers, and the newest rock music interview hosts joining the network.

Beyond the stage, they are also the owners of The Lion and The Rose Bed & Breakfast and cohosts of Big Blend Radio’s "Adventures in Asheville" Podcast. In this conversation, the focus is on music and creativity — from the power of live performances and evolving concert culture to the lasting influence of Southern rock, hard rock, and metal.

The discussion explores why tribute bands play a vital role in preserving music history through creative interpretation, how early musical influences shape lifelong expression, and why supporting live music remains essential.

This episode sets the stage for Mr. & Mrs. Wild’s upcoming musician interviews, including their conversation with Elvis tribute artist Matt Stone, airing January 28.

They recently interviewed Alan Rueda of the Stone Whiskey band, which is available here: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/e/rocking-asheville/

This episode is part of Big Blend Radio’s International Creativity Month programming and is also featured on the "Big Daily Blend" and "Toast to The Arts" Podcast Channels, celebrating creative expression through music, performance, and storytelling.

LINKS & RESOURCES - The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast: https://www.lion-rose.com/ - Mr & Mrs Wild on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KWhk3hzhX/ - Mr & Mrs Wild on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mrandmrswildmusic - Adventures in Asheville Podcast: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/ - Explore the Big Blend Radio Podcast Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Music Talks with Joey Stuckey," Joey—Macon, Georgia’s official Music Ambassador—dives into the essentials of guitar care and instrument maintenance. From proper setup and cleaning to understanding how environment, wood, and age affect tone, this solo episode offers practical insight for musicians at every stage.

Joey explains why regular maintenance matters, how working with a luthier can extend an instrument’s life, and why every guitar develops its own character over time. The conversation also explores alternate tunings, playability, and the lifelong journey of shaping your personal sound. Whether you’re a working musician or a passionate hobbyist, this episode highlights the importance of caring for your instrument so it can perform at its best.

Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind musician, producer, recording artist, guitarist, and Macon, Georgia’s official Music Ambassador. Known for his Southern rock and blues roots, Joey is also the owner of Shadow Sound Studio and a passionate educator dedicated to sharing the power of music. Learn more: https://www.joeystuckey.com/

In this insightful Big Blend Radio conversation, acclaimed film producer Steven Lawrence talks about the newly restored documentary "The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026)" — a rollicking portrait of Soviet underground rock legend Boris Grebenshchikov and a vivid celebration of the cultural exchange between East and West.

Steven shares behind-the-scenes stories from the film’s restoration, the legacy of director Michael Apted, and why this remarkable film — newly preserved and expanded with a powerful epilogue — is resonating today.

Also highlighted, is the 22nd MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation, where The Long Way Home will be screened Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 PM at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, with an in-person introduction by Steven Lawrence and editor Susanne Rostock. Discover the significance of this international festival dedicated to film heritage, why preservation matters, and how audiences can experience cinema’s past and present.

👉 Get tickets and full festival details: https://www.moma.org/calendar/film/5879

👉Visit: https://www.thelongwayhomefilm.com/

"A moving testament to the Mississippi Delta, Glendora reveals how the bonds of family and home transform structural scarcity into profound community resilience." Nancy J. Reid, Big Blend Radio

In this episode of Big Blend Radio, filmmaker, cinematographer, and writer Isabelle Armand discusses her feature documentary GLENDORA, an intimate, five-year collaboration with a small African-American community in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.

Created with—and by—the people who live there, GLENDORA captures daily life through personal testimonies and shared rituals such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals, and community gatherings. Isabelle shares how sound, atmosphere, and visual storytelling play a vital role in transporting viewers into the town, revealing both its challenges and its deep cultural richness.

Music emerges as a powerful thread connecting generations in Glendora, from church hymns and gospel traditions to local rappers creating their own music videos. The town’s cultural identity is also rooted in Delta blues history, as Glendora is the birthplace of the son of legendary bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson, reflecting a legacy of music as expression, memory, and resilience.

The conversation further explores the importance of historical context and collective memory. Glendora is part of the Civil Rights Trail, and it is also where Emmett Till was murdered in 1955—a defining event that continues to shape the town’s identity and the broader understanding of racial injustice in America.

GLENDORA makes its World Premiere at DWF: NY 2026, screening Friday, January 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM at Regal Union Square in New York City.

Visit: https://glendora.my.canva.site/ and https://danceswithfilms.com/glendora/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Podcast, hosts Steve and Karen Wilson spotlight Asheville’s creative spirit through a conversation with Alan Rueda, lead singer and founder of the North Carolina–based rock band Stone Whiskey.

Stone Whiskey recently filmed their powerful music video “Nowhere to Go” at The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast and other iconic Asheville locations, using music and storytelling to help bring positive exposure to the city following Hurricane Helene. The video captures Asheville’s mountain magic, artistic energy, and sense of place — turning the city itself into part of the band’s story.

Alan shares insights into the band’s creative process, their commitment to producing visually engaging music videos, and how Asheville’s vibrant music scene continues to inspire artists. The conversation also explores how the music industry has evolved post-COVID, the importance of live performances, and why staying relevant and connected to audiences matters more than ever.

This episode celebrates how music, travel, and community intersect — and how artists like Stone Whiskey are helping amplify Asheville’s voice through creativity and collaboration.

🎬 Watch Stone Whiskey’s music video “Nowhere to Go”: https://youtu.be/DZAXo_ogzsg?si=vF0V1w5MNUpoBPj5

Featured Links - Stone Whiskey Band: https://stonewhiskeyband.com/ - The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast: https://www.lion-rose.com/

LISTEN - New episodes air every 1st Tuesday – Listen: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/ - This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts" and "Rants, Raves & Rock 'n Roll" podcast channels! Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Award-winning filmmaker Michael Premo joins Big Blend Radio to discuss "Homegrown," his critically acclaimed documentary examining the human stories behind the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack. Shot with unprecedented access, the film follows three conservative activists during the volatile months leading up to the insurrection, offering an observational, non-judgmental look at political identity, belief, and belonging in America.

Rather than reducing individuals to headlines or stereotypes, "Homegrown" seeks to humanize those at the center of a deeply divisive moment, exploring how personal motivations, media influence, and mob mentality can converge with profound consequences. The conversation also reflects on the role of documentary filmmaking in turbulent times, the responsibility of bearing witness, and how storytelling can deepen public understanding of complex social movements.

Premiering with newly updated 2025 footage, "Homegrown" anchors its narrative in a moment that continues to shape the national conversation about democracy, violence, and the unresolved tensions defining American life.

Beginning January 6, "Homegrown" will be available to rent via the Direct To Audience℠ (DTA) platform GATHR. Audiences can head now to https://homegrown.film/ to preorder the film and learn more.

Trailer courtesy of Storyline Media.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Music Talks with Joey Stuckey (airing every 4th Sunday), Joey is joined by award-winning California-based singer-songwriters Johnny Schaefer and Anna Karney for a meaningful conversation centered on Music for a Fresh Start as we welcome the New Year 2026.

Together, they explore how music supports healing, gratitude, and emotional release, while fostering community connection and global unity. The discussion delves into the intersection of sacred and secular music, the power of live performance, and how music can even serve as a form of pain management. Through personal stories and shared reflections, this episode highlights authenticity, hope, and the role music plays in helping us move forward with intention and positivity.

🎧 Spotify Playlist – Music for a Fresh Start (featuring songs discussed in this episode): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1yhrM7NTyIVZuOSPxuQOtM?si=d77818cbba524f5c

🎶 Learn more about the artists: * Joey Stuckey: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ * Johnny Schaefer: https://hearjohnny.com/ * Anna Karney: https://karney.org/

🎙️ This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio’s Toast to The Arts, Rants, Raves & Rock ’n Roll, and Big Daily Blend podcast channels. Explore the network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio, we welcome back Bay Area singer-songwriter, educator, and activist Anna Karney for a heartfelt conversation about music as a force for connection, healing, and social change.

Anna discusses her latest album "One True Song," a powerful collection of soulful folk rock and alternative singer-songwriter music rooted in themes of justice, hope, and collective action. Co-produced by Michael Rosen (Rancid), the album features an impressive lineup of Bay Area musicians including James DePrato (Chuck Prophet Band), Phillip Bennett (Jefferson Starship), Uriah Duffy (Fantastic Negrito, Whitesnake), and more. From the gentle “Suspended” to the driving “Out of Body” and the socially charged “Freedom Summer,” the album blends raw acoustic songwriting with the full energy of a rock band.

The conversation also explores Anna’s work as a choir and guitar teacher in San Francisco, the healing power of music, the importance of community, and how art bridges culture, history, and human connection. We also highlight her new holiday single, “Ring In the Holidays,” a joyful celebration of togetherness through music.

Beyond recording and performing, Anna’s career spans composing music for video games like Star Wars Galaxies and SimCity, scoring ballet and modern dance, and earning the prestigious “Dreamcatcher” Award for her impact on youth through music education.

🎶 Learn more, stream, and explore Anna Karney’s music: https://karney.org/ https://karney.bandcamp.com

This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "A Toast to The Arts," "Rants, Raves & Rock 'n Roll," "Big Daily Blend," and "Women Making History" Podcast Channels. Explore the Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork Photos: Tanja Nixx