Highlands Media Group

06/20/2026

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Five months ago today we lost a very special lady in our organization. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I miss you! Rest easy Joyce!

06/19/2026

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🔥🚗💨 TOMORROW IS THE DAY! 💨🚗🔥

The Highway 64 with BIG AL – 2026 Spring & Summer Road Tour rolls into Stop #7 – Burnouts For A Cause at the Covington Moose Lodge!

Join BIG AL LIVE from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM as we bring you all the sights, sounds, horsepower, and excitement from one of the area's most anticipated automotive events.

🏁 Burnout Competition
🚗 Judged Car Show
🍔 Food Vendors
🛍️ Vendors & Exhibitors
🎟️ Raffles
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for the Entire Family

This event is more than just cars and burnouts—it's a chance for our community to come together for a great cause while enjoying an amazing day of entertainment.

🎙️ Stop by and say hello to BIG AL, grab a photo, and be part of the Road Tour experience!

📻 Can't make it out? Listen LIVE on 103.5 BIG COUNTRY!

Listen online at highway64withbigal.com. Click the "LISTEN LIVE" button and don't forget to hit the ▶️ PLAY button!

A special thank you to our presenting partners Virginia 811 and West Virginia 811, our Road Tour sponsor Badger Daylighting, and our live broadcast sponsor Highlands Community Bank for helping make this stop possible.

📍 Covington Moose Lodge
📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
⏰ Event Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎙️ BIG AL LIVE: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🚧 Remember: Contact 811 at least 48 hours before you dig.

❤️ We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow as the Highway 64 with BIG AL – 2026 Spring & Summer Road Tour rolls on!

06/19/2026

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06/19/2026

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06/19/2026

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Cadle Family Research Uncovers Revolutionary War Ancestor Ahead of America 250 Celebration

Grassy Meadows, WV - As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, one family's research is bringing the nation's founding era to life.

Donna Cadle Witt has spent years researching the Cadle family genealogy. Over the past five months, she focused on tracing the life of Thomas Cadle Sr., a Revolutionary War soldier who was just 15 or 16 years old when he was drafted into the Continental Army.

Known in some early records by the spelling "Kadle," Thomas Cadle Sr. left a historical trail that led Witt through military records, family histories, land records, and historical documents. Her research followed his journey from North Carolina to Virginia and what is now West Virginia, where he died in 1854.

Witt's work established a direct line of descent connecting Thomas Cadle Sr. to generations of Cadle descendants today.

The project will be featured during the Cadle Family Reunion and America 250 Celebration in Grassy Meadows this Fourth of July weekend.

Stay tuned as we share more about the life and legacy of Thomas Cadle Sr. and his connection to generations of descendants today.

📻 Hear all three stories on the radio and follow the series right here on Facebook between now and the Fourth of July. Listen to the following Radio Greenbrier and Highlands Media Group stations, to include Oldies 93, 103.1 The Bear, 101.9 The River, 103.5 Big Country and 107.5 The Hits for the Two Virginias Newsroom's coverage of this remarkable story of family, faith, freedom, and heritage.

06/19/2026

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🤪📰 STUPID NEWS HEADLINES & GOOD NEWS STORIES

As heard on Highway 64 with BIG AL....

Sponsored by The City's Café and Brewery

Good morning! Stupid News Headlines and Good News Stories are proudly sponsored by The City's Café and Brewery, located at 320 West Hawthorne Street in downtown Covington.

🍽️ Great Food. Cold Drinks. Hometown Flavor.
🥩 Don't miss the popular $20 Steak Dinner every Friday and Saturday night!
🕚 Open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
📞 540-620-5589

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🤪 STUPID NEWS HEADLINES

🤫 DADS REVEAL THEIR BIGGEST SECRETS

Just in time for Father's Day, dads and their kids are anonymously sharing their favorite "Don't tell your mother" moments.

The list includes secret profanity, secret ice cream, and secret gaming sessions.

Which confirms what moms have suspected all along: Dad is usually the reason the rules get bent.

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👔 FATHER'S DAY FACTS

A new Father's Day survey found that 87% of dads say they'd pretend to like a gift they didn't actually want.

Meanwhile, nearly half of Americans say their father taught them the value of working hard and earning money.

So yes, Dad really did walk uphill both ways... and he's still telling the story.

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🥪 THERE'S A NEW KING OF FAST FOOD

After 11 straight years at number one, Chick-fil-A has officially been knocked off the top spot in a major customer satisfaction survey.

The new champion?

Jersey Mike's.

Somewhere, a chicken sandwich just dropped its crown.

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🍕 PAPA JOHNS WANTS TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF GROCERIES

Papa Johns has partnered with NBCUniversal and Instacart to better understand when people might be running low on groceries.

The idea is to target pizza ads when you're most likely to be hungry and least likely to want to cook.

Or as some people call it: "Tuesday."

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🤖 POLICE ROBOT GETS FIRED

A police department in Dublin, Ohio has officially fired its robotic safety officer named "DubBot."

The reason?

Officials say it didn't lead to a single arrest, citation, or case.

The robot's defense is expected to be, "That's not in my programming."

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🚔 FLORIDA MAN RETURNS TO JAIL... ALMOST IMMEDIATELY

A Florida man walked out of jail, allegedly stole an SUV from the courthouse parking lot, and led police on a high-speed chase.

Authorities say it was the second time he'd been arrested in less than a week.

Talk about a frequent flyer program.

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😊 GOOD NEWS STORIES

❤️ TWO MEN SAVE WOMAN TRAPPED IN MUD

Two men are being praised as heroes after rescuing a woman who became trapped in deep mud.

Their quick actions helped save her life and bring her safely to shore.

It's a reminder that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

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📚 CHILDREN'S BOOK BECOMES A BESTSELLER 40 YEARS LATER

A children's book has become a bestseller four decades after it was originally released.

Sometimes it takes a while for the world to discover a great story.

Better late than never!

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Today's Stupid News Headlines and Good News Stories were proudly sponsored by The City's Café and Brewery, 320 West Hawthorne Street in downtown Covington.

Stop by for great food, cold drinks, and hometown flavor, including their popular $20 Steak Dinner every Friday and Saturday night.

Join BIG AL tomorrow morning during the 8 a.m. hour—or at 9 a.m. when we have guests In The Driver's Seat—for more Stupid News Headlines and Good News Stories on The Bear 103.1 and 103.5 Big Country!

06/19/2026

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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS – FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026

It's time for your Celebrity Birthdays on Highway 64 with BIG AL—sponsored by Jackson River Family Practice's Walk-In Clinic. No appointment needed, lower copays than urgent care, in Low Moor behind LewisGale Hospital Alleghany. Open Monday through Thursday 8 to 5. Call Dr. Jeff Henderson and staff at 540-862-6750 for more information.

Here are today's Top 10 Celebrity Birthdays:

1. Paula Abdul is 64. Singer, dancer, choreographer, and longtime "American Idol" judge known for hits including "Straight Up," "Forever Your Girl," and "Opposites Attract."

2. Zoe Saldaña is 48. Star of the "Avatar," "Guardians of the Galaxy," and "Star Trek" film franchises, making her one of Hollywood's highest-grossing actresses.

3. Ann Wilson is 76. Lead singer of Heart and the voice behind classics including "Barracuda," "Magic Man," "Crazy On You," and "Alone."

4. Phylicia Rashad is 78. Emmy-winning actress best known as Clair Huxtable on "The Cosby Show."

5. Kathleen Turner is 72. Acclaimed actress known for "Romancing the Stone," "Peggy Sue Got Married," and as the voice of Jessica Rabbit.

6. Macklemore is 43. Grammy-winning rapper known for hits including "Thrift Shop," "Can't Hold Us," and "Glorious."

7. Paul Dano is 42. Acclaimed actor known for "The Batman," "Little Miss Sunshine," and "There Will Be Blood."

8. Robin Tunney is 54. Best known for her role as Teresa Lisbon on the hit CBS series "The Mentalist."

9. Hugh Dancy is 51. Known for starring roles in "Hannibal," "Law & Order," and numerous film and television projects.

10. Dirk Nowitzki is 48. NBA Hall of Famer, Dallas Mavericks legend, and one of the greatest international basketball players of all time.

Also celebrating today: Ryan Hurst turns 50, Jean Dujardin is 54, Mia Sara is 59, Brian "Head" Welch is 56, Atticus Shaffer is 28, Mark DeBarge is 67, and author Salman Rushdie is 79.

Today is Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and celebrating freedom, history, and culture.

That's your Celebrity Birthdays on Highway 64 with BIG AL—sponsored by Jackson River Family Practice's Walk-In Clinic. No appointment needed, lower copays than urgent care, in Low Moor behind LewisGale Hospital Alleghany. Open Monday through Thursday from 8 until 5. Call Dr. Jeff Henderson and staff at 540-862-6750 for more information.Run time: Approximately 2 to 2½ minutes.

06/19/2026

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🎨🖌️ THIS MORNING ON IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH BIG AL! 🖌️🎨

Join us this morning in the 8 a.m. hour as we welcome Donna Beirne from the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center to In the Driver's Seat with BIG AL!

We'll talk about the important role the Arts & Crafts Center plays in our community, upcoming exhibits, classes, workshops, local artists, and how the Center continues to inspire creativity throughout the Alleghany Highlands.

🎨 Gallery Exhibits
🖌️ Local & Regional Artists
🎁 Handmade Arts & Crafts
📚 Classes & Workshops
🏔️ Supporting the Arts in the Alleghany Highlands
❤️ Community Involvement Through the Arts

The Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center has been a cornerstone of the local arts community for decades, providing opportunities for artists of all ages while showcasing the incredible talent found throughout our region.

🎙️ IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH BIG AL
📅 This Morning
⏰ In the 8 A.M. Hour
📻 103.1 The Bear & 103.5 Big Country
🌐 Highway64WithBigAl.com

For more information about the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center, visit HighlandsArtsAndCraft.org.

👉 Listen online anytime at Highway64WithBigAl.com. Just click LISTEN LIVE and don't forget to hit the PLAY button!

06/19/2026

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NEWS FROM NASHVILLE
As Heard on Highway 64 with BIG AL
Sponsored by Oliver Distributing Company

From the heart of Music City, this is your News From Nashville, sponsored by Oliver Distributing Company, your local trusted source for wholesale janitorial supplies serving Western Virginia and Eastern West Virginia for over 70 years. Call 540-965-5681 or visit OliverDistributing.com.

This Father's Day weekend, if you're building the perfect country playlist for Dad, there are plenty of classics to choose from. Some of the songs making the list include George Strait's "Love Without End, Amen," Alan Jackson's "Drive (For Daddy Gene)," Conway Twitty's "That's My Job," Randy Travis' "He Walked on Water," and Keith Urban's "Song for Dad." It's a reminder of just how many country songs celebrate fathers, family, and the lessons passed down through generations.

In other country news, Bunnie Xo is opening up about her split from Jelly Roll. During a recent podcast episode, she revealed that the divorce filing came after a heated argument on Mother's Day. Bunnie says she told Jelly Roll to file, but now admits those words were spoken out of anger and frustration. She also shared that despite the divorce, the two still hope to have a child together in the future and remain committed to being a family. Bunnie says she's focused on herself right now while wishing Jelly Roll the best moving forward.

Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen continues to dominate the streaming world. Apple Music recently released its list of the Top 20 Most-Streamed Artists of All Time, and Wallen landed at number eight overall. He's the highest-ranking country artist on the list and joins some of the biggest names in music history. The achievement is just another milestone in what has been a record-breaking run for the East Tennessee superstar.

And finally, Jon Pardi is coming to the defense of fellow country singer Zach Top. Some fans are surprised to learn that Top is from Washington State because of his traditional country sound and Southern-style accent. Pardi, who is also from the West Coast, says that's not unusual at all. He says if you spend your life singing country music, a little twang is bound to come naturally. Pardi also noted that Zach Top has new music on the way later this year, with a new album expected next spring.

That's your News From Nashville, sponsored by Oliver Distributing Company. Call 540-965-5681 or visit OliverDistributing.com.

Hear News From Nashville weekdays on Highway 64 with BIG AL on 103.1 The Bear and 103.5 Big Country, or listen online anytime at highway64withbigal.com.

06/19/2026

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ON THIS DATE IN COUNTRY MUSIC – JUNE 19

As heard on Highway 64 with BIG AL...

Today is June 19th, and here's a look back at some of the biggest moments in country music history.

Born on this day in 1914 was bluegrass legend Lester Flatt. Alongside Earl Scruggs, Flatt helped define the sound of bluegrass music and introduced millions of Americans to the genre through songs like "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies.

Another historic milestone came in 1926 when DeFord Bailey was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Bailey became the first African American performer to appear on the legendary program and remains one of the Opry's most important pioneers.

In 1976, Marty Robbins was at number one on the country chart with "El Paso City." The song became his 15th career number-one hit and further cemented his reputation as one of country music's greatest storytellers.

One of the biggest modern-day country music stories happened on this day in 2006 when a young Taylor Swift released her debut single, "Tim McGraw." Written while she was still in high school, the song launched a career that would eventually make her one of the biggest stars in music history.

The following year, Brad Paisley released his number-one album 5th Gear. The project produced four major hits, including "Ticks," "Online," "Letter to Me," and "I'm Still a Guy."

In 2008, Loretta Lynn was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that produced classics such as "Coal Miner's Daughter," "You Ain't Woman Enough," and "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'."

Luke Combs was at number one on the country album chart on this day in 2017 with his breakthrough debut album This One's for You, featuring hits including "Hurricane," "When It Rains It Pours," and "One Number Away."

And in 2024, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen topped the country charts with "I Had Some Help," one of the biggest crossover hits of the year.

From Lester Flatt and DeFord Bailey to Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen, June 19th has given country music fans plenty to remember.

I'm Big Al, and that's On This Date in Country Music, here on Highway 64.