Richard Vobes

Richard Vobes, also known as Vobes, is an entertainer, actor, film maker and professional podcaster who has produced over 1600 shows since January 2005..Fact|date=May 2008 He does two podcasts, one simply called VOBES (previously the "Richard Vobes Radio Show"), over 1000 episodes old, which is typically about 30 to 40 minutes in length and is broadcast from the 'beach hut' near his house in Worthing, West Sussex, England, while the other, well over 600 episodes down, is a behind-the-scenes personal audio journal entitled The Naked Englishman. His VOBES show ranges from commentary on recent news events to Friday night beer reviews, as well as a wide variety of audio tours from all over the UK. The show is periodically co-presented either by listeners via Google Talk or Skype or by his teen daughter Georgie or close friend Jimmy, or Paul Stoneman and with occasional appearances by his 12 and 16-year-old sons, Billy and Stanley.

Biography

Born in Liss in Hampshire, 1963, Vobes is separated, a single parent bringing up three children.

Prior to finding his love of podcasting, Vobes had some success pitching TV ideas to UK television companies. As a result of this, Richard starred in, co-authored and co-produced two series of the children's TV show "Snug and Cozi". [Tea and Podcasts, [http://www.teaandpodcasts.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=281 Tea and Podcasts] , Retrieved March 2 2008]

Vobes regards himself as being something of a pioneer in the field of podcasting, originally producing a 30 minute show 7 days a week. He takes the view that a daily format is needed within the podcasting field, just as radio produces similar regular formats. Unfortunately various attempts to make this venture self-financing as yet have proved unsuccessful and Vobes has now reduced his output to fit in around other commitments that allow him to meet life's responsibilities. Nonetheless, Richard has developed a loyal audience.Fact|date=November 2007

Gregory Giordano from flameape.com said of the show in March 2005: "It's a real treat. It's like the old radio shows I've heard about from the golden age of radio - a bit of chat, anecdotal humour, family (Vobes' smart, irreverent kids are an ever-present part of the show) and shtick - wrapped in a devil-may-care/seat of the pants style that is disarmingly charming. He also includes whatever pop 80's and mod-era 60's music strikes his fancy to include. By the way, his reviews of the current state of movie remakes, and book/TV to movie adaptations (War of the Worlds, Thunderbirds, etc.) are spot-on & brilliant."Fact|date=November 2007

In their July 2005 online profiles of "Digital Citizens", the BBC interviewed Richard Vobes as the requisite podcaster. The interview was not only broadcast online, but Vobes and daughter Georgie were interviewed on BBC Radio Five Live and episode 180 of Vobes' show was made available on the BBC website.Fact|date=November 2007

In August 2005 the Richard Vobes Radio Show was voted the 2005 People's Choice Podcast Awards Winner for its soundseeing tours. [ Todd Cochrane, [http://www.podcastconnect.com/archive/2005/08/2005_peoples_choice_podcast_aw.html 2005 People's Choice Podcast Award Winners] , Podcast Connect, August 4 2005. Retrieved October 31 2007]

In September 2005 Richard Vobes began an experiment in Vobecasting, using a new streaming service provided by Camstreams. This involved him webcasting the production of his daily show to a chat room of viewers who could then interact with him as he produced the show. Using this technique he was able to develop a phone in debate ("the Thursday debate"), combining the webcasting with live calls from his viewers, pushing the boundaries of podcasting even further and enabling him to podcast in real time.Fact|date=November 2007 This was halted, alongside the chatroom and forum which were very popular, until negative feedback led to Vobes shutting them both down.Fact|date=November 2007

In May 2006 Vobes and his Friday night co-host Jimmy Hastell went to the USA on a trip paid for completely by donations from the listeners.Fact|date=November 2007 They travelled to Chicago, IL, and to San Antonio, TX, over a two week period podcasting every day, uploading photos and audio clips for the listeners to follow their travels. The trip was designed to meet and stay over with as many of the listeners in America as possible, which had not been done before in Podcasting or Radio broadcasting.Fact|date=November 2007

In July 2008, launched a new web site dedicated to artisan food producers called the Harvest. www.theHarvest.co.uk

By the 14th July 2008, Richard will have reached his 1000th Podcast broadcast, making hism possibily the first to do so in this medium. Together with the Naked Englishman podcast we will have output over 1600 individual podcasts over a three and a half year period.

Involvement in Podcast User Magazine

Richard is also an active contributor to Podcast User Magazine, a free monthly online newsletter covering many different aspects of podcasting with articles for podcasters, listeners, musicians and even business people. He has an article in all but one issue, covering many aspects of podcasting.

Richard Vobes recently fixed his bicycle.

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/snugandcozi_7775895.shtml BBC profile of Snug and Cozi]
* [http://www.vobes.com/ Vobes.com]
* [http://www.nakedenglishman.co.uk/ The Naked Englishman] - Richard Vobes' daily audio journal
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4626445.stm BBC 'Digital Citizens' Profile]
* [http://feeds.feedburner.com/richardvobesradioshow VOBES show RSS feed]
* [http://www.vobavision.com/ Vobavision.com] - Video and media production
* [http://www.theHarvest.co.uk/ TheHarvest.co.uk] - Online TV show about Artisan Food Producers