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Get ready race fans!
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series is ready to roll!
Keeping you up to date on all the headlines, breaking stories, and information you crave is NASCAR Steve.
Every Friday morning, NASCAR Steve will give a preview of the upcoming weekend action. Then each Monday, he will have a full review of the past race weekend.
NASCAR Steve is celebrating 23 years of reporting THE FAST LANE. Since August 18, 2001, he as served as the self-proclaimed Ambassador to NASCAR for Northern Michigan, taking a fan’s perspective.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series marks the 76th year of NASCAR and professional stock car racing in the United States.
The season kicked off February 3, 2024 with the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and will end with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024.
It's been over 12 years since Big Country 102.9 and Black Diamond Broadcasting's on-air personality and Program Director, Susan Melton, picked up a piece of chalk to leave an inspirational message on a northern Michigan sidewalk.
Since that day back in May 2011, so much has changed. Her endeavor has grown into a non-profit called "Sidewalk Chalk Project" which helps to raise mental health awareness through positive messages. She message has also expanded past northern Michigan and spread around the country thanks to social media and the non-profit's Facebook following.
This past December, Susan completed her 5,000th chalk message, and in January was featured by "The Northern Express" as a Local Legend. To read the full article on Susan Melton, click here.
DONATION RESULTS CLICK AND SEE THIS PHOTO ALBUM LINK
When you're out holiday shopping. Please consider Blanket The North- Drive Away the Cold for Michiganders in need.
You may drop newly purchased blankets, sheets, pillows and towels (NOT gift wrapped) to any of the participating northern Michigan Toyota Dealer Showrooms listed below.
Stop by during regular business hours! NEW in 2023 - We're accepting Non-Perishable Food Items too! For an added element of help! Please Deliver to Toyota Dealers Nov. 6 - Dec. 1st.
Click to buy a Toyoto today!
We're now inside the Midland Mall! WMRX SUNNY has two "good news" stories! We're also two frequencies strong, with the simulcast of 107.7fm. To reach more listeners in downtown Midland, MI. Our Grand Opening celebration in August, introduced our newest studio/offices inside the Midland Mall. Held on August 31st. We're now Suite E564 near the Food Court! Stop by and say HI. Sunny 97.7 and 107.7 is the newest addition to the Black Diamond Broadcasting family of radio stations! Midland, MI.
AN EPIC ULTRA-ENDURANCE EVENT - THOUSANDS OF FANS FLOCK TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S AuSABLE RIVER VALLEY
Tens of thousands of fans are flocking to Northern Michigan's AuSable River Valley to cheer on a record field of more than 100 teams registered for the 75th anniversary running of an iconic northern Michigan ultra-endurance event: The Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon.
Most of North America’s most elite marathon canoe racers - including teams from 20 U.S. states and Canadian provinces - plus international entries from Australia, Germany, and Belize, will compete in this year's race. It is one of the toughest, fastest-paced, most grueling, most competitive marathon canoe races on Earth, and is the middle leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Canoe Racing.
The AuSable Marathon has been tagged as “Canoeing’s Greatest Race” (ref: Men’s Journal, Canoe & Kayak Magazine) and there are many reasons why seeing this extraordinary race in person should be on the bucket list of every Michigander, sports fan, adrenaline seeker and outdoor enthusiast.
Tens of thousands of fans will line the streets and riverbanks in Grayling for the thrilling 9:00 P.M. LeMans-style start Saturday July 29, cheering with excitement as the teams run with their hi-tech carbon fiber racing canoes through the streets to the river to start the race.
A crowd of thousands follows the teams via roadway throughout the night, viewing their progress at designated sites along the course, including the portages of six Consumers Energy hydro dams. Teams paddle 50 to 90 paddle strokes per minute for 14 to 19 hours non-stop and 120 miles to the finish line on the shores of Lake Huron in Oscoda on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to a record number of teams overall, this year's AuSable Marathon will also feature a record number of female paddlers, and a record number of mixed teams. Fans are looking forward to a super-competitive race as the field includes six former AuSable Marathon overall champs, ten former mixed-team champs, and eight former women's champs.
"Marathon Week is underway and the adrenaline is flowing among competitors and fans alike," according to Phil Weiler, spokesperson for the Consumer Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon. "With the Time Trials that determine starting position now underway, the action and excitement is building for Saturday night’s thrilling start. The communities of the AuSable River Valley are humming…business activity is reaching a peak.”
Rich Castle, the Consumers Energy Community Affairs Manager for NE Michigan observed, "Consumers Energy is excited to be the title sponsor for the 75th AuSable River Canoe Marathon. It’s our job to deliver hometown service and it’s our privilege to provide our time, talent, and resources to help support our northern Michigan customers."
More than 50,000 fans will catch at least some part of the race in person. There are GPS trackers on each canoe entered. Significant live social media coverage of the race is planned on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Regular race reports are carried on Black Diamond Broadcasting's 98.5 UPS and more than 20 radio stations of the AuSable River Marathon Radio Network.
To learn more about the AuSable Canoe Marathon and how to view it - either in person or via social media channels - Weiler suggests going to the Marathon's Facebook Page, to @ausablemarathon on YouTube and Instagram; and checking the event's website: www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.org
Click Logo above for more info on the timeline of events |
Matt Kurtz Kindness Award Winner for May 2023 has been awarded to our Afternoon air-personality, Susan Melton, on WMKC 102.9 Big Country in northern lower Michigan.
Susan has been chalking positive messages to lift the spirits of people all over the community, and beyond. All this motivation, has been created over the last 12 years. She even created a Facebook page to share those unique chalk creations, even farther!
The full article can be read at https://tinyurl.com/y3fb4rdm
Matt's Kindness Ripples On blog https://mattskindnessrippleson.com/
Susan moderates the Sidewalk Chalk Project Facebook Page
Our CFX 95.3 midday air-personality, Angie Evans, was recently honored by the United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties. She was awarded THE GOOD PRIZE an annual award with a promising history. This honor is nicely summarized in an article written by Courtney Jerome, Managing Editor for The Epicenter publication, of Mt. Pleasant, MI.
The results are in. Our 18th annual Radiothon was a success for St. Jude Children. It was sincerely directed by Susan Melton, at WMKC Big Country 102.9 and supported by the listeners of our ten Black Diamond Broadcasting stations. This shows YOU care for St. Jude Kids and finding cancer cures! Thank you. http://stjude.org/radio/wmkc #stjudechildrensresearchhospital
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Tune in to 102.9 Big Country on June 22 & 23 with Susan Melton hosting the event. Good News for St. Jude Children! Thanks to our Big Country 1029, On-Air talent and Station Manager, Susan Melton and middays Greg Fletcher. They have poured their hearts into raising funds, for many years, into this annual RadioThon. And thanks to the listeners of all Black Diamond Broadcasting stations for donating year after year. Please hlep us make 2023 another record year to benefit the life-saving work of @St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mark your calendar! www.stjude.org/radio/wmkc
MAGAZINE: Enjoy a free PDF copy of our Summer and Spring 2023 issues of Discover Michigan Magazine, published seasonally. The values inside our magazine differ from offerings on our DiscoverMICH.com website which offers vouchers and gift certificates online. Click cover issue below to open your free PDF magazine today! Save it and share it!
RETAIL WEBSITE: Visit our website DISCOVERMICH.COM with additional special values on Michigan adventures and experiences. You can Purchase Vouchers and Gift
Certificates anytime of the day, online! New deal offerings are added all the time. Click image below Now!
RADIO SHOW: Saturday mornings 8:00am our host Dave Doran speaks to many of the people who move-and-shake our state adventures, attractions and goods & services: Business owners & Managers, Recreational Adventurists, Festival Organizers, Tour Guides, Designers & Developers, Brewers, Chefs & Restaurateurs, Historic Experts, and more!
Discover Michigan Radio Show airs on all Black
Diamond radio stations 8:00am Saturday mornings!
Exception: 102.9 Big Country airs at 10:00am
Hosted by Dave Doran
(Air Personality on Rock 105 & 95.5)
Tip Up Town USA - Houghton Lake
Take the POLAR BEAR DIP on Saturday January 28th at 1:00pm
$20 donation includes a commerative sweatshirt first 75 registered.
* NO PRE-REGISTRATION, Participants can fill out waivers at the site or pick one up from the Chamber ahead of time.
* Sign -Up begins at noon.
* All participants must sign a waiver. The waiver must be completed in full, legible, signed.
* First 4 participants who purchased their dip at the kick-off auction on Jan. 7th do not have to wait in line.
* Must have a festival badge
* Must be 18 years old or 16 with a parent or guardian present. Participants under the age of 16 will not be allowed to participate.
* $20 Entry Fee per person
* Awards will be given out in the following categories:
* Best Overall Dip
* Best Belly flop
* Best Cannonball
* Best Dressed
* Most Creative Dip
* Oldest Dipper
* Farthest Traveled Dipper
* Most Frequent Dipper
* No alcoholic beverages or consumption of alcohol. If it is suspect you have consumed alcohol, you may be denied participation.
* Participants will not be under the influence of any drugs or substance that impairs their faculties.
* Must wear shoes while on the ice
* Warming/Dressing tents will be available
* Sweatshirts will be guaranteed to the first 75 participants. No sweatshirts will be available for purchase. No exceptions.
Rock 105 & 95.5 will countdown the 40 biggest rock tunes of 2022!
We'll do it New Year's Eve, starting at 8p, and again on New Year's Day, starting at Noon! You'll hear from bands like Shinedown, Foo Fighters, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more!
Ring in the New Year with the only station that plays New Rock!
December 2022 THANK YOU Our partners in northern Michigan include Serra Toyota in Traverse City Fernelious Toyota in Cheboygan Fox Toyota in Cadillac, Michigan |
SEE VIDEO WITH SUSAN MELTON OF 102.9 BIG COUNTRY |
Please drop newly purchased blankets, sheets, pillows and towels
to one of the participating northern Michigan
Toyota Dealers listed above!
Deliver by December 2nd
DROP YOUR
GIFT of WARMTH
NOV 7 to DEC 2
Everything you donate for Blanket the North will be given
directly and distributed directly and 100% to local people
in need and shelters throughout your local area.
Stop by these NM Toyota Dealers during business hours
2022 Lynne Bennett, Dorothy Risch, Joni Reed, Pam Canter, Dawn Griessel (not shown)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2022
Join Today's Hits, 95.3 CFX and our community partners, to raise money for our amazing local organization . . . Community Cancer Services
of Isabella County! Bra Auction held at Hunters Ale House Oct. 19th - Free Admission!
Bras will be designed and sponsored by local businesses, modeled by men from of our community, and auctioned off, to benefit Community Cancer Services!
Location: Hunters Ale House 6pm October 19th
Admission: FREE
What's Happening?
Thanks To
Hey Bear fans!!! Our midday air-personality Cali, will be joining Mark Pennington as his new co-host for mornings on The BEAR. The Mark and Cali Show begins August 9th, 2022 at 6am!!
Listen live, listen on the Black Diamond Broadcasting Mobile App, or stream us live at classicrockthebear.com or on your radio dial at
98.1/95.3/95.1 FM.... THE Classic Rock Station!!
TCJAVA.ORG is a partnership with Black Diamond Broadcasting and Higher Grounds Trading Company, designed to use coffee as a platform to raise awareness for important community initiatives in and throughout Northern Michigan. Using (4) of the most powerful radio stations in Michigan and multiple media outlets to roast for a cause.
Each bag of coffee in the Radio Java Collection not only raises awareness, but also gives 20% of proceeds back to a specific benefactor. Click to visit one of the charities below:
Grab your lederhosen and drive to beautiful downtown Gaylord, MI for the 2022 Alpenfest! Our stations are teaming up to sponsor several outstanding bands each evening. Below we have a link to the Schedule of Events you don't want to miss checking them out! There's fun and entertainment for the whole family, no matter the age.
Tap to see the nightly music acts:
Be a part of the Hottest Cornhole Tournament around! Our stations will help rock one of the most exciting activities at the Traverse City National Cherry Festival. A well-run tourney mastered by the talented #Cornhole America organization. Held both July 5th and 6th, bags fly at noon! But register early. All talents welcome. Great Cash Prizes! Click image below to REGISTER today
National Cherry Festival Traverse City
July 2-9, 2022
Black Diamond Station Sponsorships:
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Tues July 5th 12p-6p Wed July 6th |
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Tap Cherries for National Cherry Festival Schedule of Events |
We are spreading the word on how you can help our M!ch!gan residents.
United Way is now accepting monetary donations to help our neighbors, friends, and families.
Any donation is greatly appreciated. All money donated will stay here in Otsego County United Way.
Click on United Way Logo to Donate directly!
Time flies when your having fun! We'll celebrate with 40 weeks of unique fun festivities and super giveaways by our loyal advertisers! You win the prizes! Please join us over on 1029bigcountry.com and be sure to listen for and register for our Big Birthday Ballad of the Day!
Mornings: Big D & Bubba
Middays: Greg Fletcher
Afternoons: Susan Melton
News: Mike Grisdale
Fast Lane: NASCAR Steve
Sunday Night: Bobby Bones
Photos compliments of Tim Ahlborn O'Brien
Look who's going to the big bowl game! As a Detroit Lions Affiliate station on Classic Rock the BEAR, we're happy and wish Matthew Stafford much success. So we've created our very own SUPER STAFFORD SUNDAY giveaway. Why not play along and predict some stats for the big day. Visit Classic Rock the BEAR for full details on how to play and our prize reward.
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