THE RETURN OF DRACULA!

WhitefishRadio.com and Alpine Theatre Project bring back the good old days of real radio drama with the return of Dracula! Produced right here in our hometown studios of Whitefish, Montana, this original Mercury Radio Theatre Orson Wells adaptation, stars Alpine Theatre Project’s professional actors Nick Spear, Luke Walrath, Rebecca Spear, Betsi Morrison, and David Ackroyd as Dracula. Complete with chilling sound effects and haunting drama, Dracula will be available on-demand for two weeks beginning Monday, October 26, 2009. The show airs live on Halloween night at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM MST. So turn out the lights and try not to scream!

If Dracula is too scary for you, check out this Halloween fun......

Listen to little goblins and ghouls read stories and poems they have written for Halloween.

If you haven't already, become a fan of The Big Fish on FaceBook.

All exclusively on Montana's only all internet radio station!

Catch The Big Fish & ATP at the Winter Carnival Parade

On Saturday, February 2nd, WhitefishRadio.com along with our good friends from the Alpine Theatre Project will be in the Whitefish Winter Carnival Parade. Watch for our trailer on the parade route down Central Avenue beginning at 3:00PM. David Ackroyd, from Lights! Camera! Ackroyd! and Nick Spear, Montana's Anchorman right here on The Big Fish, will entertain you along with Rebecca Spear, Betsi Morrison and Luke Walrath. We'll have stickers and candy for the kids. Ross Strauser will be announcing the parade with former Prime Minister, Anita Welch from the balcony of the Great Northern Brewery. This duo alone is sure to entertain the crowd. We look forward to seeing everyone downtown at the Whitefish Winter Carnival. For more Winter Carnival information, interviews, photos, and more, visit our website, http://www.whitefishradio.com/.

The Royal Treatment

Whitefish Winter Carnival XLIX is in full swing, with the Royalty selected for this year. Congratulations to the new court, King Ullr XLIX, Jerry House; Queen of the Snows, Terri Muraoka; Prime Minister Walt Chauner; Duchess of Lark Lynn Grossman; Harold the Hark Rick Donahue; Prince Frey Anders Hanson, and Princess Freya Jane Hansen. The Big Fish was privelaged to be the first to interview the court. Check out carnival photos, listen to interviews, see our events page for a look at upcoming carnival activities, and visit the news page for updated carnival stories. Watch for our parade entry with Alpine Theatre Project during the Grand Parade on February 2, in Downtown Whitefish.

WhitefishRadio.com is celebrating our first year of worldwide webcasting. With the New Year, comes many new changes for The Big Fish. Look for exciting announcements coming soon to a computer near you!

In the meantime, don't forget to check out the variety of awesome programs we offer live and on demand; something for everyone. Like what you see and hear? Tell a friend.

DRACULA ATTACKS THE BIG FISH!

The Alpine Theatre Project and WhitefishRadio.com are bringing Dracula, Bram Stoker's classic Gothic horror tale, to life in a special radio adaptation to be aired exclusively on the internet on Halloween. Based on a 1938 Orson Welles adaptation, the radio production features the stars of the Alpine Theatre Project in various roles with David Ackroyd performing the blood-sucking Count.

This marks the second radio production by the Alpine Theatre Project. Last year they presented Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol live at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. That production was aired on Montana Public Radio.

"I'm in love with this medium," said ATP Executive Director Luke Walrath. "It's an art form that is slowly making a comeback, and Dracula is a perfect play for it. It's filled with eerie music and terrifying sound effects."

Told mainly through a series of journal entries, Dracula tells the tale of the ageless vampire as he attempts to relocate from Transylvania to Victorian London. The relocation has a terrifying effect on all involved."

"The piece has almost a documentary feel to it at times," said ATP Artistic Director, Betsi Morrison, who also plays Mina Harker in the production. "It creates a truly chilling effect because of that. I like to think of it like a Victorian-era Blair Witch Project."

The production has been recorded and edited at the WhitefishRadio.com studio, helmed by The Big Fish's Ross Strauser who will also be the play's announcer. "One of the reasons we created Whitefishradio.com, was to bring quality entertainment back to radio, and it's a real treat to work with the professionals from Alpine Theatre Project. This is the first of many collaborations planned with ATP," said WhitefishRadio.com owner Ross Strauser.

Unlike traditional radio airings, this production will be available to listeners at any time through WhitefishRadio.com's "On Demand" feature. Listeners will be able to stream the program directly to their computers.

"ATP is committed to reaching out to a larger audience," said Walrath. "We are gaining an national reputation through our regular productions as well as special shows starring our Honorary Board members like John Lithgow and Olympia Dukakis. Broadcasting over the internet is a perfect way to let people all over the world know of what a vibrant community we have here in the Valley."

Dracula, starring Betsi Morrison, Nick Spear, Rebecca Spear, Luke Walrath, and David Ackroyd as Count Dracula, will air on Halloween and can be heard "On Demand" at www.WhitefishRadio.com. Information can be found by calling ATP at 862-7469 or WhitefishRadio.com at 862-5250, and also by visiting The Big Fish website.

What a Summer It Has Been!

Where to begin....?

It has been a fantastic first summer for us here at WhitefishRadio.com, and we'd like to thank all our listeners and sponsors for making our first months so successful. We appreciate each and everyone of you. If you like what you see and hear, tell a friend.

There is so much to catch up on, so let's start with our good friend, John Dunnigan. John is back LIVE! Yes, live in the studio this Thursday! He has returned from his summer fair tour and will be sharing new music from new artists he met on the road; and we are sure he will be telling many other stories you won't want to miss. John writes:

Greetings to all.
Hope you had a safe and smoke free summer?
We are not out of the woods yet!
But at least I can see across the street into my neighbors house..oops.
I had a very eventful summer playing all over the Northwest, opening and
playing with some very cool acts!
Saw old friends and made a ton of new ones.
Had a fishing license in four different states...but believe me the fish populations are the same when I leave as when I got there?
I will be back on the air LIVE this Thursday morning....where I will elaborate a bit more on the travels of a Whitefish guitar player
Thursday at 10 a.m.

Let's shift gears a bit, but stay with the entertainment theme. David Ackroyd has been with us all summer each Tuesday morning from 10 am to Noon MST. In the midst of his insanely busy summer, he managed to bring in special guests each week. If you missed any of the Lights! Camera! Ackroyd! shows, catch them on demand. What a phenomenal summer Alpine Theatre Project has had! There are still a few days left to see "Moonlight and Magnolias." The Big Fish went to all three plays and thoroughly enjoyed it all. David, Luke and Betsi together have brought something so fantastic to this community. Thank you ATP for entertaining us this summer. We are so fortunate to have you here in the Flathead Valley.

Summer has passed in the blink of an eye, as school gets underway. As another school year begins The Big Fish is gearing up to unveil our all new Flathead Valley Sports Page. Whitefishradio.com will be your connection for all the area school sports, scores, calendars, coach and player interviews, and more. So stay tuned...

Along with the new shcool year comes many fun fall events and activities...

Don't miss the "Back to School Bash" presented by Whitefish CARE and Whitefish School District on September 5th from 5-8pm at the Smith Soccer Fields. There will be activities for all ages including a BBQ, dunk tank, games and more. Visit their website here for more detailed information.

The Whitefish PTA is holding the 1st Annual Stumptown Scramble Golf Tournament at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course on Monday, September 10th. The Big Fish is proud to be involved with this event. We will have our very own team with Ross Strauser, John Dunnigan, Mike Hodges and Mike Dowaliby. Hopefully the "Old Pro" Mike Dowaliby will be able to make the others look like they know what they're doing on the course! Following the tournament, John Dunnigan will be performing during the BBQ. Also, team players will automatically be entered to win one of several prizes from The Big Fish. For more information about this funfilled Whitefish PTA event, to sign up, be a helper, or sponsor, visit their website here.

We are your hometown internet radio station and are here to serve our community in the beautiful Flathead Valley. If you have an event or organization that you would like post on our website, please contact us and let us know what we can do to help.

3 Reasons to Log-On to WhitefishRadio.com

From the computer of Sue Strauser (co-owner of The Big Fish):

Whitefishradio.com had the distinct privilege of interviewing Bob Lee, a 65-year-old colon cancer survivor from Barrington, Illinois, as he passed through Whitefish, Montana on his bicycle. Bob is on a remarkable 6,500 mile journey across America in order to help find cures for cancer and ALS, and to help promote awareness for hospice care. These three reasons affect every community in every state, in every country, and that's why this story is of interest on a local, national and world-wide scale.

I have to be honest, when I first heard about Bob and his mission (before I did any research), my reaction was, "Oh, that's nice." I really didn't think much more about it, other than thinking it to be just another gimmick someone has put together to raise money for a charity. And this is not to say there's anything wrong with finding unique ways to capture an audience for charitable causes. Whatever works to raise money to help others is fine by me as long as it is with good intentions. I am pleased and embarrassed to say I couldn't have been more wrong about this one. When Bob was due to arrive in Whitefish, I was in the midst of and very close to wrapping up a hectic and exhausting week; not only with our business, but my weekday mornings were spent at our church's Vacation Bible School with over 210 kids. So, when Ross, my husband and business partner, asked me to join him on Friday morning for the interview to take photos, I reluctantly said I'd go knowing I had many other chores on my "to do" list. I can't put into words how blessed I was to have been invited to be a part of this indescribable experience. I am a true believer that meetings such as these are no accident. I will fall short of being able to put into words what this man is all about, but I hope millions of people across the country will have the opportunity to meet a true "American Idol" for themselves and experience his infectious optimism and belief in others. No, Bob didn't sing for us; He did much more than that. He is an inspiration, and an example of a real role model so desperately needed in today's broken world. What struck me most about Bob from the second I met him, was that there was no glitz and glamour, no entourage, no logo covered van with a logo covered trailer following behind carrying extra bikes, clothes, supplies, people, etc... There was no fanfare, nothing even close. It was just Bob, his bike and a few, and I mean very few necessities that fit in his bicycle packs. This was real! As I took pictures and listened to the interview, I found myself so lost in his honesty, good nature, and the sincerity behind his three reasons for making the trip. I left the interview in awe to have met and befriended a complete stranger in such a short period of time. Bob exemplifies everything that makes our country great. Freedom, courage, adventure and integrity, just to name a few. I also felt an overwhelming sense of sadness when he hopped on his bike and headed out towards his next stop in Essex, Montana. Not only was I sad for him when I learned that he received a phone call right after our interview informing him that a very dear friend of his had just passed away, but even more than that, I was saddened to think about all the people in our community who did not have the chance to meet Bob in person as I did. I wish more of my friends and neighbors could have experienced what I was so fortunate to have experienced. My hope is that everybody at least once in their lives will have the opportunity to meet a "Bob Lee" if not Bob Lee himself. I can't say enough about this incredible man and his incredible journey. Part of Ross Strauser's interview with Bob can be heard on our live stream during our regularly scheduled news casts at 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM MST. The entire interview can be heard at 12:20 PM MST. You don't want to miss it! Please visit Bob's website at 3reasons.org to learn more, follow his journey and/or to make a donation. This is also a great opportunity for families to view the internet together and in a positive way each day to be a part of Bob's ride across the U.S. The Big Fish will be checking in with Bob periodically throughout the rest of his trip, so check back often and listen in for updates. All of us at WhitefishRadio.com wish Bob safe and happy travels!

Last Friday, June 22, Ross Strauser from The Big Fish was invited to MC the Relay for Life in Whitefish. It was a beautiful evening and a beautiful ceremony. Thank you to all the Relay for Life Organizers for inviting us to be a part of this very special event. We look forward to participating again next year.

Coming up on The Big Fish....

If it's Tuesday, then it's time for "Lights! Camera! Ackroyd!" Catch your host, David Ackroyd, live every Tuesday from 10AM t0 NOON MST, or on-demand. This week David talks with special guest, Luke Walrath from the Alpine Theatre Project, and finishes up with Part Two of "On Location" from last week. If you missed last week's show, it and more is available on-demand.

Check out our all new On-Demand page for easier access to all your favorite shows on WhitefishRadio.com.

Summer's Almost Here!

Summer is almost here, seniors have graduated, and the weather is nice in Whitefish, Montana.

Tomorrow, David Ackroyd's Show is going to be called "What Went Wrong." During the show, David is going to share a few of the many stories about miscellaneous Hollywood Mishaps. Catch it tomorrow at 10 AM and On Demand after that.

The Alpine Theatre Project is holding an "Empowerment Through Performance Workshop" this month. It's a three day theatrical/educational workshop, culminating with a performance at the Big Sky Yoga Institute at Sweetwater Ranch called "Night at the Ranch." For more information, go to AlpineTheatreProject.org!

A local 11-year-old needs YOUR votes! Tanner Brock wants to go to Australia this summer to celebrate Bindi Irwin's 9th Birthday, and you can help him get there! Tanner (as well as many kids from around the world) made a video stating why he wants to attend the birthday party. Vote for Tanner here.

The Annual Cat/Dog Boxing Smoker takes place tonight at 7 PM at Memorial Fields in Whitefish. It is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Glacier Twins Baseball Team.