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

NEW MORNING SHOW AND A NEW TRAVERSE CITY FREQUENCY FOR “CLASSIC ROCK THE BEAR”

Black Diamond Broadcasting is pleased to announce some key enhancements to its “Classic Rock the Bear” radio station, with an expanded new morning show, as well as a third signal, 95.1-FM to enhance coverage in downtown Traverse City.

With more than 30 years of radio in his rear view mirror, including stops in Columbus, Cleveland and nearly two decades directing Detroit radio stations WRIF and WCSX, Mark Pennington, who joined Black Diamond Broadcasting nearly two years ago as a Programming Advisor, now teams with “Classic Rock the Bear” veteran, Tim Logan to present the Mark & Tim Show. The show features much about northern Michigan, lots of laughs and even more classic rock from 6a to 10a. We’ve even brought Mike Grisdale back with “Bear News and Sports”, after a nearly two year hiatus from the station.

Click image for Mark & Tim Facebook Page

As for the addition of 95.1-FM, the Bear’s 98.1 – FM signal (located in Glen Arbor) and its 95.3 - FM signal

(Indian River) are the victim of certain topographical issues resulting in sometimes spotty coverage in the downtown Traverse City area. With the addition of 95.1-FM, which is located on a ridge overlooking Traverse City, the already vast coverage of the station has been significantly enhanced. “Classic Rock the Bear – 98.1, 95.3 and 95.1”, reaches more northern Michigan listeners than any other classic rock station in the region.

The Black Diamond media group is owned and operated by long-time broadcasters and life-long Michigan residents, Mike Chires and Norm McKee. The company operates 10 radio stations being broadcast on 17 radio signals throughout central and northern Michigan. Other stations owned, include:

• Houghton Lake based 98.5 WUPS and 92.1 The Twister;
• Traverse City/Petoskey/Cheboygan based Rock 105 & 95.5, Big Country 102.9 and Classic Rock the Bear 98.1 & 95.3;
• Cheboygan based 106.3 MAC-FM and Big Country Gold 100.7, 
• Midland based Sunny 97.7 and 107.7 The Highway, as well as
• Mt. Pleasant based 95.3-WCFX.

All Black Diamond radio stations can also be heard by downloading its free multi-station Black Diamond Mobile App.

Additionally, Black Diamond also owns and operates the on-line employment site MichiganForHire.Org, popular discount Michigan travel publication Discover Michigan Magazine, a digital marketing organization Black Diamond Digital Solutions and a premium coffee for charity site, TCJAVA.Org.

ROCK-JOCK LEGEND ANNE CARLINI JOINS NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S ROCK 105 & 95.5! Black Diamond Broadcasting is pleased to announce that Detroit rock radio legend, Anne Carlini, will be taking over mid-days on Traverse City based Rock 105 & 95.5 effective Monday, November 2nd. Carlini will take over for current midday host Roxanne Steel, who has stepped down to pursue an off-air opportunity.

Black Diamond co-owner Norm McKee said, “Anne Carlini is a great fit for Rock 105 & 95.5. After spending more than 30 years as the voice of rock on WRIF in Detroit, Anne will be a familiar voice to many and a welcome addition to the northern Michigan air-waves. Anne is a virtual encyclopedia of rock history and facts. Northern Michigan is in for a real treat”.

For Anne Carlini, vacations to northern Michigan have now turned to home, with her husband and their three dogs. Anne said, “I'm so happy to join the "Rock 105 & 95.5" team and to be on the air in the place that I call home. Let's rock!”

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.

Welp....IT FINALLY HAPPENED!! The Lions won in game 13 of the season. Now Nick Moorman of Petoskey is our When Lions Win, You Win winner! Listen for Mark & Tim Show - Classic Rock the Bear to chat with Nick tomorrow December 6th, morning about the game and whether or not he even thought this holiday miracle was possible! Congrats Nick!  Another exciting giveaway by "Classic Rock the BEAR" he'll enjoy a 65" big screen TV - and $100 giftcard from BC Pizza of Traverse City! Lions beat Vikings 29 to 27.

There's a lot of giveaways on Black Diamond Broadcasting stations this fall - Don't miss out! Turn on and Tune into one of our stations for your chance to score big!

Limited Seating - Register Early

We've all seen a lot of change recently.  What is your next step?  We have proven solutions for local businesses.  Attend one of our seven workshops in seven convenient locations, to see how to connect with new customers and stay in relationship with your current customer base.

Limited Seating Available

CDC Safety Recommendations Will Be Followed

Impactful 40 Minute Presentation for Small Business Owners

Tune in every Saturday morning with host Dave Doran. Discover great deals on MIchigan adventures and activities. Weekend show airs 8:00am on Saturdays on all Black Diamond radio stations. However, 10am on 102.9 Big Country following Big D & Bubba show!  Then visit our new website DISCOVERMICH.COM to Shop-Click-Buy!

LIVE MUSIC - THREE DAYS - 7 BANDS

Downtown Grayling, MI

TAP POSTER FOR MORE ABOUT THE BANDS

NEW PARADE ROUTE

NEW ROAD CLOSURE / DETOUR

AuSable River Internation Canoe Marathon

ONLY ON SATURDAY JULY 24, 2021

Susan Melton, On-Air talent and Program Director for Big Country 102.9 at Black Diamond Broadcasting, has scored four local awards representing the best of northern Michigan. She cleaned-up as a Red Hot Best 2021 winner!

Traverse Magazine a publication of MyNorth Media, holds an annual Best-Of voting event. This results in a yearly guidebook that represents seven Northern Michigan regions in 47 unique categories.  

2021 was a record-breaking year with 16,000 votes. Susan was voted 1st place Radio Personality // Above the Bridge, 2nd place Radio Personality // Petoskey, Harbor Springs & The Straits, 3rd place Radio Personality // Cadillac, Manistee & Ludington, and 3rd place Radio Personality // Kalkaska, Gaylord & Grayling. You can hear Susan during her afternoon shift 3:00-7:00pm, at 102.9 FM. She's been active with the country station for ten years. https://1029bigcountry.com

Tune in to 102.9 Big Country on June 24 & 25 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! She has poured her heart into raising funds, for many years, into this annual RadioThon. And thanks to the listeners of all Black Diamond Broadcasting stations for donating year andfter year. Please hlep us make 2021 another record year to benefit the life-saving work of @St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mark your calendar!  www.stjude.org/radio/wmkc

Click for details

Exceptional coffee from a world of good friends....   Let your morning brew give a lift to worthwhile Michigan charities. TCJava.org supports Wertz Warriors for Michigan Special Olympics, 22 2 NONE for Veteran Suicide Awareness, Munson Healthcare for mental health, and Cherryland Humane Society with the Radio Java Collection of four station sponsored coffee selections.  Use MAYDAY code at checkout!

Click Image

985.UPS is the station you hear everywhere and can now see everywhere. We are proud to sponsor Todd Galgoci's race car. He races at both Merritt Speedway and Mt. Pleasant Speedway  #ToddGalgoci from Rosebush, MI. #michiganracecars #985wups

Join our On-Air staff for some fun at the Kalkaska National Trout Festival, immediately following the Grand Parade. Live Music, Food, Beverages, Cornhole Tourney held 3pm-5:30pm between UP NORTH GRILL & NICO's Pizza. RIDE-IN Saturday, April 24th in Kalkaska, Michigan. Full details in this link: https://blackdiamondbroadcasting.com/pages/2021

TCJAVA.ORG is a partnership with Black Diamond Broadcasting and Higher Grounds Trading Company in Traverse City, MI.  The concept was designed to use coffee as a platform to raise awareness for important community initiatives in and throughout Northern Michigan.  

The brainchild of Brendon Koshoshek, Director of Alternative Media and Events for Black Diamond, TCJAVA.ORG uses four 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 conciousness, but gives 20% of proceeds back to a specific beneficiary. Current recipients include Wertz Warriors for Michigan Special Olympics, 22-2-None for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Munson Healthcare Foundation for Mental Health and the beloved Cherryland Humane Society

Tune-in to our big-four stations below to learn more about how you can get involved.

DROP YOUR

GIFT of WARMTH

NOV 9 to DEC 6

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 

LIVE BROADCASTS coming to dealer showrooms above

  ♦ FRI. NOV 13  WMKC Big Country 102.9 -Susan 11a-1p

at Fernelius Toyota –Cheboygan  

♦ THUR. NOV 19  WGFN Classic Rock the BEAR -Smitty 12p-2p

at Serra Toyota –Traverse City  

♦ WED. DEC 2  WUPS 98.5 Classic Hits -Tammy 11A – 1 pm

 at Fox Toyota –Cadillac  

October 1, 2020 | Black Diamond Broadcasting announced today an agreement to acquire Midland, MI based radio stations Sunny 97.7 FM WMRX, 107.7 FM/1490 AM WMPX - The Highway, and “Discover Michigan Magazine”, from Steel Broadcasting. 

Black Diamond will expand from 10 to 13 radio stations covering central and northern Michigan with the acquisition, and will look to their stable of top-rated radio stations to help expand the offerings and distribution of the highly successful “Discover Michigan Magazine”. 

Steel Broadcasting owners, Tom and Bev Steel, who in addition to their success with their radio stations, have also built “Discover Michigan Magazine” into one of Michigan’s leading sources for access to discount lodging, meals and activities throughout the state, have been in discussions with Black Diamond for the past several months, identifying the company as the ideal organization to take over stewardship of their radio stations and magazine. (tap image to read Discover Michigan Magazine)

Tom Steel said of the transaction, “The time is right for Bev and I to step away from the daily demands of running our business and are thrilled that Black Diamond took immediate interest in what we have created. Their broadcast experience and expertise, combined with their commitment to Midland, as well as all of central and northern Michigan were key to us in making our decision to sell.” 

Black Diamond Broadcasting, owned by life-long Michigan residents and long time broadcasters Mike Chires and Norm McKee, own and operate radio stations throughout central and northern Michigan, including Houghton Lake based 98.5 WUPS, Traverse City based Rock 105 & 95.5, 98.1 & 95.3 Classic Rock-The Bear and 102.9 Big Country. 

Black Diamond will assume operations of the new stations effective on or about October 1st, under the terms of a Local Marketing Agreement, until such time as the transaction closes, following Federal Communication Commission approval.

TAP dartboard to hear all about it!

		$9000 value 2020 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 - Classic Rock the BEAR
		Complete Garage Door Installation- Northwest Garage Door in Boyne City
		Knotty Pine Pre-Finished Paneling (600sf)  Woodworkers Shoppe of Comins, MI
		$1000 CA$H PRIZE  Classic Rock the BEAR
		Domestic Air Travel Voucher to a  destination of your choice! Must be 21 or older, Travel non-transferable, not valid for group travel, black-out dates include holidays, reservations based on availability.
		Camo space saver Recliner –  Comfort Center Furniture -  Houghton Lake /Grayling /Gaylord
		Snow Blower –   Doug’s Small Engine in Mt. Pleasant
		$500 gift card Private Shopping Spree Classic Motor Sports Traverse City
		Bear Constrictor CDX Crossbow -  FPS Archery in Cadillac
		Guns & Roses - July 10, 2021 Comerica Park Detroit
		Custom Cornhole Board Set – Vinyl Graphics & Signs in Clare
		$150  Tire Gift Card –  Gladwin Tire
		Deer Blind - Shooters in Traverse City
	SUPER QUALIFIER PRIZES BELOW	SUPER QUALIFIER SPONSORS
	$50 Plath's Meat Gift Cards
	$50 Higher Grounds Coffee Gift Cards
	$50 Propane Gift Cards

Stations:  

Rock 105 / 95.5    

Big Country 102.9    

98.5UPS Classic Hits   

Classic Rock the BEAR 98.1 / 95.3  

106.3 Mac FM - Smooth Sailing Hits of the 70’s & 80’s  

92.1 The Twister – Country's Hottest Hits  

Big Country Gold 100.7 FM / 1240 AM  

APP Features:  

• Live Streaming  
• Open Mic  
• Text Us Direct  
• Website Access  
• Podcasts  
• Contest Access  
• Apple Car Play  
• Local Weather  
• Wake up Alarm to your fav radio station 
• Follow your fav stations’ social media 

Serving central and northern Michigan.  We have highly-rated stations with local Air-Personalities in addition to Nights with Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown, and Big D and Bubba.  Feature segments include Mike Avery Outdoors, NASCAR Steve’s Fast Lane Report, Todd L Levitt Law Show, The Grillin Guys, Tradio, and Swap Shop!  

Our big four stations are awarding Amazon Echos during August!

Rock 105 - Big Country 1029 - Classic Rock the BEAR - 985UPS

• SignUp Begins Aug 1st and Ends Aug 28th
• Two Winners Per Week ~ Age 16+ to enter!
• Random Draw from submissions
• Prize: One white Echo Dot (3rd Generation)
• Winners to collect prize at our Station
• One entry per email address
• Register  Aug 1 and Aug 28 (two ways)

REGISTER HERE:

ECHO ECHO REGISTRATON LINK

We're celebrating 

because our stations 

are NOW streaming 

on Amazon Echo!

Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen, has formulated the newest brew in town, CLASSIC ROCK ALE. It's a specialty BEAR  BEER created just for Classic Rock the BEAR and our rockin' friends.  Head to Boyne City for a taste of this 7% Black IPA. Mike Castiglione has brewed it with cold steeped black malt and Eldorado hops. Jus

d our rockin' friends!

We are very proud of our radio family!  These guys work and perform with professionalism and dedication.  Thanks for tuning in to your favorite Black Diamond Broadcasting station!  And thank-you Mike, Susan and Greg!