Bill Richardson promotes his latest book in strange ways
Bill Richardson is the
popular host of “Richardson’s Roundup” on CBC Radio One. This past fall Douglas
& McIntyre published Dear Sad Goat, a collection of letters and stories
from Bill's ardent listeners. Bill received his B.A. from the University of
Winnipeg in 1976 and a Master of Library Sciences from the University of
British Columbia. He then worked as a children's librarian, before turning to
writing and broadcasting. He has written more than a dozen books. They include
the Bachelor Brothers’ Bed and Breakfast which won the Stephen Leacock Medal
for Humour in 1994; Scorned and Beloved: Dead of Winter Meetings with Canadian
Eccentrics; Queen of All the Dustballs and Other Epics of Everyday Life and a
collection of columns, Oddballs@Large. Sally Dog Little is his most recent book
for children and Waiting for Gertrude is his most recent novel for adults. Bill
Richardson lives in Vancouver.
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Bill Richardson is
well-known and much-loved by CBC Radio audiences for his work as a host on both
Radio One and Radio Two. In addition to his popularity as a broadcaster, Bill
is a well-known columnist, writer and humorist. Bill has written a dozen books,
including The Bachelor Brothers Bed and Breakfast, which won the Stephen
Leacock Medal for Humour in 1994.
Bill was born in
Winnipeg and received his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1976. After
spending a year in Montpellier, he moved to Vancouver where he completed a
Master of Library Sciences. He then worked as a children's librarian, before
turning to writing and broadcasting. In 1998, Bill received an Honorary Doctor
of Laws, from the University of Winnipeg.
In 1992, Bill hosted a
summer replacement show for Gabereau on Radio One, called Crosswords; that
program continued for four summers. In 1995, Bill came to Radio Two as the
guest host of the classical music request show, RSVP, and was chosen as the
show's new permanent host when it moved to Vancouver in 1996. The show was
re-named As You Like It, to reflect Bill's interest in the music and letters of
his audience.
In 1997, Bill was
given Radio One's weekday afternoon timeslot, formerly occupied by Vicki
Gabereau, and he became the host of a new program, Richardson's Roundup. More
recently, Bill’s love of all things literary made him a shoo-in to host CBC
Radio One’s special book series, Canada Reads.
The Roundup's heart is
the voices of its listeners - their letters, music requests and phone calls.
Bill wrangles this huge pool of material with the skill, verve and humour one
would expect from this multi-talented man.
Most recently, Bill’s
love of all things literary made him a shoo-in to host CBC Radio One’s special
book series, Canada Reads.
Bill makes frequent
public appearances as a Master of Ceremonies, narrating musical works, giving
keynote speeches and signing books. In his spare time he reads, is taken for
granted by his two dogs and tries to remember to drink a litre of water a
day.