Black Diamond News

Your free magazine for discovering great values and savings in Michigan

MAGAZINE: Enjoy a free PDF copy of our Spring 2023 issue 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)

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Search for BlackDiamond Broadcasting 

Get 10 Michigan radio stations playing different genres!

 

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Cali joins the Morning Show on The BEAR

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!!

Happy 40th Birthday BIG COUNTRY 102.9 FM

 

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

Tip Up Town Polar Bear Dip

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 COUNTDOWN FOR NEW YEARS

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!

 

Blanket the North with Warmth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                             

            BuyAToyota.com

Happy Traffic Directors Day

2022 Lynne Bennett, Dorothy Risch, Joni Reed, Pam Canter, Dawn Griessel (not shown)

BRA's For a Cause

 

 

 

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?

  • Local businesses & groups have created home-made bras to auction off at the event, while being modeled by men of our community!
  • Proceeds from the Event, Auction, and Online Donations will go to Community Cancer Services of Isabella County.
  • Memorial ribbons will be on-sale for a donation & displayed up at Bras for a Cause!
  • Hunters Ale House on October 19th
  • 6pm-7pm: Pre-party with heavy complimentary appetizers & a Cash Bar
  • 7pm: Auction & Show
  • Event Hosted By: CFX's Angie Evans & Drew Helcher from Graff Chevrolet, Mt Pleasant

Thanks To

  • Graff - Mt. Pleasant
  • Our Models & Bras Sponsors
    • Chad Hill - The Barn Door
    • Garret Kozden - Mr. Rooter
    • Joe Dubois - Shepherd Public Schools
    • Dakota Slasser - Habitat For Humanity
    • Keary Simms - McLaren Central Michigan
    • Danny McQuarters - Art Reach of Mid-Michigan
    • Drew Helcher & Seth Duvall - Graff Mt. Pleasant
    • Jerry McDonald - Community Cancer Services of Isabella County
    • Kegan Fitzpatrick - Community Cancer Services of Isabella County

Try Four Bags of our TC Java Coffee

 

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:

 

Gaylord Alpenfest 2022

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:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to Alpenfest Schedule

JOIN US AT NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL

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:

 

 

Indigo View

Air Show Link:

Sat  July 2nd   

Sun July 3rd

GET DETAILS

 

  

 

 

Cherry Pie

Bike Ride Link: 

Tuesday

 July 5th 9:00a

GET DETAILS

 

 

 

Cornhole

Tourney

Link:

Tues July 5th

12p-6p

Wed July 6th

GET DETAILS


 

 

Cherry Mile Link: 

Thursday

July 7th

 

GET DETAILS

 

 Tap Cherries for National Cherry Festival Schedule of Events

 

Otsego County Disaster Relief

 

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!

Super Stafford Sunday Giveaway!

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.

WHEN LIONS WIN - YOU WIN

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.

 

Big Contests for Fall 2021

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGISTER for FREE Biz Workshop!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW Discover Michigan DEALS radio show!

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!

 

The BEAR adds Mark & Tim Morning Show along with 3rd frequency

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.

Music Stage AuSable River Festival JULY 22-24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAP FOR CANOE MARATHON DETAILS

 

 

    GET SCHEDULE OF EVENTS             

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

 

 

Big Country 102.9 Radio Personality Scores Four

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

ST JUDE RADIOTHON JUNE 24 & 25

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