Rondy Outhouse Fun & More!

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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 

Plus, 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.

Check out our fun podcast!

4:00 - 25:50 Melodrama

25:53 - 32:10 Bob Maxwell

33:10 - 39:22 Outhouse Competitors

39:24 - 49:05 Lord Trapper w/Eddie P

Soapy Smith!

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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 ...

Book Review Time!

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Check out our book review section! You'll find gems like these books!

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!

For more information visit: https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/the-voyage-of-the-alaska-union-adventure-danger-scurvy-romance-by-mr-whitekeys

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! 

For more information about Steve's book visit:

https://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews/the-human-face-of-the-alaska-gold-rush-by-steve-levi



Lord Trapper on the Trail!

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Lord Trapper on the Trail!

Lord and Lady Trapper

Today's show, Mike Ford, alias, Lord Trapper, takes us behind the scenes about the Rondy Royalty with this delightful interview with Kristin George. So, who is Kristin George and the Royalty and the important role they play for the Fur Rondy? Check out this podcast!





Frogcicles!

Our science guy, Dr. Gordon Snyder, shows us that it doesn't need to be summer to appreciate the science a wetlands like Potter Marsh produces! Frogs freeze - solid - and live! Gordon explains the process and the benefits to us humans. Always a fun time with Dr. Gordon Snyder!

Kristin george

Folk Festival and Lord Trapper on The Trail!

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The Henhouse Prowlers

Meet Henhouse Prowlers! The headliner act for the Anchorage Folk Festival, these guys 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) Banjo player, Ben Wright, joins AFF Board Members, Marianne See and audio wizard, Lucy "Both Ears" Peckham. 

Check out this packed festival schedule. And check out the fun interview!

Lord Trapper2026 - Mike Ford

Mike Ford, the 2026 Fur Rondy Lord Trapper, gives us an update of his ambassadorial duties this week with Lord Trapper On the Trail!

(time stamp 44:00-50:59)

Check out the full show!

Our 20th Anniversary Show!

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Steve Stripling and Mike Ford

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!

Lord Trapper on the Trail!

Mike ford

Co-host Mike Ford is the Fur Rondy's 2026 Lord Trapper! Mike will be making several appearances to activities, events and businesses involved with the Fur Rondy. We're going to follow him on the trail!

Bob Lester

Here we talk with former Lord Trapper and KWHL 106.5 FM host, Bob Lester, who shares advice from a veteran Lord Trapper to a rookie! Check out the fun podcast!

41st Polar Bear Jump Off in Seward, AK!

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Get a sneak peak of this weekend's 41st Polar Bear Jump Off with our interview with Senior Development Manager with the American Cancer Society, Annette Vrolyk. For Polar Bear Jump Off information visit https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaPBJ

Join us Saturday, 9:05a-10a AKT, KFQD 103.7 FM / 750 AM, and streamed @www.kfqd.com and podcasts at www.bigalaskashow.com

Sydnie Bahl Iditarod Musher

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Sydnie Bahl Iditarod Musher

Sydnie Bahl

Sydnie 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 Halter

Vern Halter

Sydnie'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 Roaster

Alex the Roaster

Alex 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 cranks out Bagels!

Check out our fun podcast!

Merry Christmas From Alaska Part 2

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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 Commercial

Another 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!

Merry Christmas From Alaska!

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A tradition we have is airing a Christmas show hosted by Kurt Riemann of Surreal Studios.

Over the years, Kurt produced a series of Christmas CDs called "Merry Christmas From Alaska" that features Alaskan musicians performing Christmas and holiday classics. This show is from the "Merry Christmas From Alaska 3" and includes Kurt's wife, MJ.

Plus, a special appearance of the hand trumpet! 

Enjoy the our podcast!

Happy 100th Dick Van Dyke!

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This pic is from the 2009 Barbershop Harmony Society competition. As a webcast co-host I had the honor to interview Dick Van Dyke and meet his quartet, the Vantastix. We invited his bass, Mike Mendyke seated (far left), to take us behind the scenes what it's like hanging out with the forever young Dick Van Dyke!

Mike Mendyke Time Stamp 5:12 - 17:18

Tuba Christmas 

It's not Christmas without Tuba Christmas! Directors Neal Haglund and Dr. Stephen Shoop talk about the history of this Christmas favorite. It even includes a duet with yours truly and co-host, Mike Ford, plus a Tall Alaska Tale!

Tuba Christmas Time Stamp 17:20 - 49:10

Checkout our fun podcast!

Fred Newman Sound EFX Guy!

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Fred Newman Sound EFX Guy!

Fans of A Prairie Home Companion will enjoy this interview with sound man Fred Newman when Garrison Keillor brought his entourage to the Alaska State Fair in August of 2015. Fred talks about his path as a "sound effects technician" and takes us behind the scenes what it's like working with Garrison and the talented group that accompanies him. 

Check out this fun podcast! 

Fred particularly liked this video that show host, Steve Stripling, created for a local NBC affiliate, KTUU 2, on Christmas Day! IT's no wonder these two hit it off right from the start!

The pic shown is Fred with Steve Stripling, Vic Fisher, Former Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer and Jane Angvik.

Vic Fisher was a co-author of the Alaska State Constitution and his wife, Jane Angvik, has a distinguished career in Alaska politics and State and community service.

Welcome Fur Rondy Arch!

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Welcome Fur Rondy Arch!

Steve Kari, shown with his wife Ella, were among the throngs attending the lighting ceremony of the Fur Rondy Arch that now arches over 4th avenue in downtown Anchorage, AK. Thus, accomplishing a longtime dream of Jim Huettl, President of the Anchorage Mushing District. Steve was one of the engineers who worked on the project.

Check out our interview Jim Huettl and with Fur Rondy Executive Director, Dakotah Fujan about the Arch in the Mushing District!

Time Stamps

4:44 - 14:18 Dakotah Fujan

14:20 - 20:15 Jim Huettl

From Sourdoughs to Seawolves

We look back at a lively interview from 2011 about the first University of Anchorage basketball team featured in the book From Sourdoughs to Seawolves recorded before an audience at a downtown Irish Pub. Author, Sara Juday, graphic artists, Dave Freeman and Clark Mishler, plus former Mayor, Dan Sullivan join us!

From Sourdoughs to Seawolves

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We celebrate Thanksgiving remembering a longtime tradition, the Great Alaska Shootout and the first University of Alaska Anchorage basketball team - the Sourdoughs. Author Sara Juday shares her experience writing From Sourdoughs to Seawolves about the first UAA sports programs - including a chapter on the Sourdoughs- a team that will go down in infamy. I should know because I was there! 

The World's Craziest Pilot

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The World's Craziest Pilot

According to author Steve Levi, Archie Ferguson was known as the "World's Craziest Pilot". Steve joined us to prove it. 

His book: Archie Ferguson: Alaska’s Crown Prince and Craziest Pilot in the World! You can find it in our Big Alaska Show Book Review section.

Steve is an educator and historian and makes learning history fun! Steve also talks about his other book, Cowboy’s of the Sky:  The Story of Alaska’s Bush Pilots! 

Check out our fun podcast!

Navy SEAL Laddie Shaw

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Navy SEAL Laddie Shaw

Approximately 80,000+ remarkable veterans live in Alaska. Navy SEAL veteran, Laddie Shaw joined us to share his story  (shown here with his wife Linda).

Outdoorsman, rock climber, para-sailing and former Alaska state legislator, Laddie's story reminds us  freedom is not free.

[Time Stamp ]






Alex the Roaster

Meet our Big Alaska Show Blend roaster, Alex with Cold Snap. We were hearing complaints people couldn't get our coffee. They were not satisfied with our explanation we only have a jingle but no coffee. That didn't help. Enter Alex the Roaster to the rescue! He's working on a new, dark, robust blend to be revealed for our 20th anniversary celebration coming up next month.

Alex is also an Army veteran. Great story- great roaster! Check it out this podcast!

[Time Stanp]

BUSH PILOT FOLLIES

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Son of Joe Rychetnik, Steve Rychetnik joins us to talk about his dad's book, Alaska's Sky Follies: The Funny Side of Flying in the Far North. But our interview with Steve reveals a man who was as colorful as the characters he wrote about.

Fortunately, Joe Rychetnik wrote prolifically to leave us a historically rich record of often hilarious Alaska stories - that were probably not that funny at the time! 

Check out our fun podcast!

Barbershop Youth Outreach!

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Today's show features "Men Can Sing", a fun barbershop youth outreach program. Designed to get high school guys interested in their school choral programs, it also highlights the vital importance of our music educators.

A cappella coach, Eddie Martinez, Midnight Board members Steve Kari, Tim Tillman and Ernie Peters join us. Plus, music educators, Rebecca Nelson, Makayla Forbes and Annie Herzog join us. Fun show and reminding us singing barbershop brings out the youth in all of us!

Fun podcast! 

12:40-35:43 Eddie Martinez, Steve Kari, Tim Tillman

36:49-44:07 Rebecca Nelson, Makayla Forbes, Annie Herzog

44:36 - 47:44  Ernie Peters Battle of the Bands Skit

Halloween and Holiday Fun!

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Wayne and Shane Mitchell are serious about Halloween and holiday fun!. 

These twins join us to talk about their award-winning non-profit, TBA, (Training Better Artists Towards a Better Alaska), and their packed Halloween and holiday schedule. Chad Carpenter of Tundra Comics joins the fun to talk about movies with these twins.

Plus, Inappropriate Product Placement Theatuh - testing the improvisational skillset of the Mitchells!

Check out this fun podcast!