2024 Golden Heart Award Winner

PAUL "BIG BEAR" SWANGER

Paul Big Bear, his native American name, has been entertaining professionally since 1967; singing and humor. 

He began when he and two friends from school formed a band they called the Capps, hired to sing for WIBG radio at live appearances for; car lot openings, stores, drive in theaters, movie houses, and more. They performed at many local parties, and outdoor events. Paul was definitely hooked on entertaining. Soon he was tapped to perform and sing in plays, then to lend his voice to radio. One day he was taken by a friend to New York for the day and wandered onto a movie set, “Hercules in New York” with Arnold Schwarzenegger, his big feet and knees are all that made the screen but the experience told him he wanted more. To date Paul has worked on twenty films, “That Championship Season” – “Money Pit” – “Distinguished Gentleman” – “Master Race From Mars” – “Trail of Blood” – and his favorite, “The In Crowd.”

When COVID struck Paul missed performing, missed the interaction with an audience. He stayed in touch with many friends by phone call and E-mail. He kept checking on friends whom he knew were not getting out, several lady friends in their 90’s who would request he sing a song to them, he did and this led to the formation of a private party for his Face book friends titled “Visit to the Bear Cave.” Next, a return to radio WRDV 89.3 - wrdv.org - on Tuesday nights with “The Party Continues, Elvis – Country – Big Bear.” One more addition as he revived his weekly column “Every One Is Entitled To My Opinion” (Delaware Valley News.com). 

Now back performing in front of live audiences he still reaches audiences through his “Visit to the Bear Cave”, his radio show, and his column. 

When asked if he had a message for others, his answer was immediate; “Take life one day at a time, thank God for every day and all the beauty He fills your life with, nature, weather, people, and love. Every day do something nice, help someone, thank someone, learn something new (usually from conversation), make someone laugh and show your love.”