Bob Harris' Bio...

PROFILE:

BOB WAS MADE AN OBE IN JUNE 2011

Described by ‘Radio Times’ as ‘...one of the greats of British contemporary music broadcasting’ and ‘...an independent champion of great music’ and by ‘The Mail On Sunday’ as ‘A National treasure’, Bob has been at the centre of the British music industry for more than forty years. In 2011 he was rewarded with an OBE in the Queens Honours list for his ‘services to music broadcasting’.

Few people have broken as many bands into the mainstream consciousness as Bob Harris through his work on Radio 1, the legendary ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ TV shows and his current programmes on Radio 2. He is passionate about music and his infectious enthusiasm permeates his work. Bobs guiding principle is the pursuit of excellence, and this is reflected in his broadcasting skills and his devotion to the best music.

He is a trusted guide and mentor to millions who have music at the centre of their lives. When Bob gives his support to an artist, people listen and his shows have become the Holy Grail for acts worldwide. His tireless promotion of new and cutting edge music is second to none.

In 2011, Bob was honoured with an Americana Music Association of America Trailblazer Award, a U. K. Heritage Award, and a Mojo Medal, as well as receiving his OBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in October 2011.

Bob and his wife Trudie run their own independent radio and television production house - The Whispering Bob Broadcasting Company. Since it was founded in 2005, WBBC has made television music specials for Sky Arts, and Sony-winning radio documentaries and major music specials for BBC Radio 2, including the award-winning ‘Sandy Denny Story’ and the 16-part ‘OGWT 40’ series. An album of tracks compiled by Bob to accompany the series topped the UK compilation charts in the summer of 2011.

Bob co-founded 'Time Out' magazine, has written books, newspaper articles and magazine columns. He has produced records, done 48-gig rock tours and interviewed a President. He has voiced television and radio documentaries, major advertising campaigns (including the Beatles USA campaign for ‘Anthology 3’) and appeared in movies. He has been given a Fellowship by the University of Northampton and was the penultimate subject of ‘This Is Your Life’.

Bob has appeared on International panels at the Americana Music Awards in Nashville and was the keynote speaker at the NXNE festival in Toronto in 2008 and at the East Coast Music Awards in Nova Scotia Canada in March 2010.

Bob's depth of understanding of popular music its origins and influences is immense. As a voice on the radio reassuring, knowledgeable and enthusiastic he is unique.

Bob has been successfully fighting prostate cancer since diagnosis in March 2007.

COMPANIES:

Co-founder of the Whispering Bob Broadcasting Company (WBBC)

RADIO:

BBC RADIO 2:	The Bob Harris Show	Sunday 12am
	Bob Harris Country	Thursday 7 pm
	Americana Music Awards CMA Music Awards, Nashville.
WBBC	OGWT40. 16-part series The A-Z of AOR 2010	2011
	The Songs The Beatles Gave Away	2009
	Maple Leaf Revolution	2005
	(2-part Canadian Music Special)
	The Day John Met Paul (with Paul McCartney) (Sony Silver Award Winner)	2007
	Who Breaks A Butterfly On A Wheel
	(The Rolling Stones)	2007
	Sandy Denny Story - Sony Silver Award Winner	2008
BBC 6 MUSIC:	‘The Bob Harris Show’. Weekly	2002-2005
BBC GLR London:	Evening Show	1994-1998
BBC RADIO 1:	Midnight to Morning Show	1990-1993
	(launched network 24 hour service)
BFBS:	The Bob Harris Show. Weekly	1985-1998
LBC:	Nightline	1986-1989
GWR:	The Bob Harris Show. Weekly	1984-1986
BBC OXFORD:	Drive Time	1981-1984
RADIO 210:	Presenter / Head of Music & Presentation	1977-1981
BBC RADIO 1:	Sounds of the 70’s	1970-1974
	In Concert	1970-1974
TELEVISION:
SKY ARTS:	Songbook	2010-2011
	Cropredy Festival	2010-2011
	Celtic Connections	2011
	Centerstage	2009
	Bob Harris Night	Dec 2007
BBC TWO:	The Whistle Test Years	2003
ITV:	This Is Your Life	2003
BBC TWO:	Great Britons	2002
VH1	Presentation	1995-1997
BBC TWO:	Old Grey Whistle Test	1972-1979
AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
THE AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION	Trailblazer Award	2011
THE SOVEREIGN:	Officer of the Order of the British Empire	2011
MOJO MAGAZINE		2010
UK RADIO HALL OF FAME:	Inducted
SONYS:	The Sandy Denny Story	2009
	The Day John Met Paul	2008
	The Paul Simon Story	2001
	Music Broadcaster of the Year	1999
	Late Night Music Show	1999
	Best Popular Music Programme	1986
AMERICANA UK BEST RADIO SHOW:		2007 - 2011
	1 ‘Bob Harris Show’ (Sat)
	2 ‘Bob Harris Country’
NORTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY:		2006
	Fellowship
CMA:	International Broadcaster of the Year	2004
RADIO ACADEMY:	Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio	2003
BRITISH ACADEMY OF COMPOSERS & SONGWRITERS:		2002
	Gold Badge
RADIO TIMES	‘The Voices We Love The Most’ Top 10	2002
TOP TELEVISION SHOW:	‘Old Grey Whistle Test’	1972-1977
RECORDING:
‘BOB HARRIS PRESENTS…’		1999-2008
A series of CD compilations, comprising tracks from artists featured by Bob on Radio 2, including Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Eva Cassidy, Thea Gilmore, James McMurtry, John Prine, Kate Rusby and other Bob favourites.
WRITING:
‘THE WHISPERING YEARS’: Autobiography		2001
‘THE ROCKDATE DIARY’		1991
‘ROCK AND POP MASTERMIND’		1986
Co-founded ‘TIME OUT’ magazine		1968
RECORD PRODUCTION:
DRUID:	‘Towards The Sun’ LP. (EMI)	1975
JOHN GOLDING:	‘Photographs’ LP. (Atlantic)	1975
WALLY:	‘Valley Gardens’ LP. (Atlantic)	1975
WALLY:	‘Nez Perce’ single. (Atlantic)	1975
WALLY:	‘Wally’ LP. (Atlantic)	1973
PANELS:
ECMA East Coast Music Awards, Canada. Keynote speaker.		Mar 2010
NXNE Music Festival, Toronto Canada. Keynote speaker.		June 2008
Americana Music Association Awards International panel		2005/2006

FAMILY:

Bob lives in Oxfordshire with his wife Trudie, their three children…Miles (19), Dylan (16) and Flo (14) and programme building cat Colby. Bob has five older children…Mirelle, Emily, Charlie, Ben and Jamie. He has six grandchildren…Marnie, Alana, Niahm, Ysobel, Olivia and Eliza