to THE BOBS

THE BOBS
Biography

AMY BOB ENGELHARDT (Tweeter): in a case still studied at Harvard Medical School, Amy began her singing career in utero. There followed a childhood of incessant harmonizing with Bert and Ernie, and an adolescence filled with hours forcing her brother to duel in "Donny and Marie" routines at otherwise dignified family gatherings (rare foresight for the possibility of singing with Joe Bob). After 10 years of stage work (everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim, everywhere from sweaty summer stock to icy European tours), Amy did a musical 180 into pop and jazz at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Now that she’s a Bob, Amy insists that a) she’s finally over the heartbreak of never having played "Annie" on Broadway and b) the words to the Bobs song "Spray" have absolutely no connection to her life. When asked to describe herself in two words, she replied, "Two words?" 

JOE BOB FINETTI (Mid Range Horn): though not an original member of The Bobs, Joe began his "alternative vocal group" training early in life when his father passed down the sage wisdom, "You can do whatever you want in life. Don’t be a printer." Unknowingly honing his skills from a seat in the rear of his elementary and high school classes, he soon became eligible for Ritalin. This marriage of music and medicine led to the stage, where he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin, Richie Cole, Eddie Jefferson and others, as well as launching his career as a jingle composer/ singer. It was obvious to all he was a natural for The Bobs when they met in 1989, as The Bobs were offerring steady employment, and Joe (the voice of Radio Shack) got 10% off on batteries. Asked to describe himself in two words, Joe doesn’t hesitate, "People Person."

RICHARD BOB GREENE (Sub Woofer): is the tall guy with the deep voice who generally stands on the right side of the stage and makes the deadpan remarks. He writes most of the words and music to The Bobs songs. He tries to writte love songs but they always seem to come out sarcastic. He studied to be an architect but, fortunately for Western Civilization, became the Hammond B3 organ player in a rock and roll band, though soon gave it up for singing when he got tired of heavy lifting. Richard has also been a recording engineer, college instructor, bass player, naval architect, sound designer, nominated for Grammy for his work with The Bobs, video game programmer, and possessor of a severely limited attention span. Asked to describe himself in two words his answer was, "Unable to follow instructions."

MATTHEW BOB STULL (Mid Range Driver): as the offspring of a family of salesmen, Matthew was destined to a life in front of the public, from actor in his first starring role as Homer in "Homer and the Donut Factory" to factory worker to actor to truck driver to actor to short order cook to actor to … well you get the idea. Finally that fateful moment in time and the birth of The Bobs and the birth of Matthew Bob and all that singing? Well, it’s almost like acting. Asked to describe himself in two words his response was, "Tuneful Thespian."

1981 The Bobs are formed by Richard Greene, Matthew Stull, and Gunnar Madsen to sing "new wave a cappella music." Their explorartions of the meaning of this phrase take place not only in Richard’s living room but also in the public eye at Cuban restaurants, pizza parlors, night clubs and open air festivals.

1982 A free ad brings Janie Bob to the group, now known as The Bobs. They land a weekly spot in a local jazz club where Kaleidoscope Records hears them and suggests an album, The Bobs.

1984 The Bobs first record is released and gains national air play and a Grammy nomination for Richard and Gunnar’s arranging. The Bobs start touring nationally and appear on all manner of television variety shows and a one hour special on PBS.

1987 The Bobs release another record, My I’m Large, and are commisioned to write and perform pieces for the Oberlin Dance Collective, (The Laundry Cycle), the Los Angeles Theater Center, and the Minnesota Opera New Music Ensemble. The Bobs begin touring internationally, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival and festivals in Italy and France.

1988 A chance meeting at a radio station leads to a long collaboration between ISO and The Bobs. They tour extensively and appear on the Smother Brothers Show. The Bobs release their record, Songs For Tomorrow Morning, become musical commentators for National Public Radio’s "Morning Edition," and make their debut on RAI, Italian national television.

1989 The Bobs appear on the "Tonight Show" and Johnny says, "Good stuff. Next time bring the band." The Bobs add air percussionist and tenor, Joe Bob Finetti. ISO and The Bobs perform the "Lonesome Pine Special," for PBS.

1991 The Bobs release an album of cover songs The Bobs Sing the Songs Of…and begin touring Europe more extensively, appearing on German and Swiss national TV.

1992 ISO and The Bobs complete and perform their second collaborative show, "29.95: A Mall Odyseey," commissioned ba the Midland Matrix Festival.

1993 ISO and The Bobs "Lonesome Pine Special" becomes a part of the permanent collection of the Media Archives at the Smithsonian Institutes Museum of American History. The Bobs appear in "The Beatles Songbook" for PBS Great Performances. The Bobs fifth album, Shut Up and Sing, is released on Rounder Records.

1994 The Bobs win their third NAIRD Indie award, this time for best Comedy Album, to go with previous Rock Album Awards. The Bobs release The Bobs Cover the Songs of… and dash up the CMJ charts to #26.

1995 The Bobs score a movie soundtrack with Jason Alexander of Seinfeld. The Bobs perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops as their backup band. They sing with Jason Alexander on the 47^th Annual Emmy Awards but go home empty handed. The Bobs tour Europe with German jazz composer Klaus König. The Bobs release their seventh recording, Plugged.

1996 A Big Christmas year for The Bobs – they release Too Many Santas, their "holiday" CD and are the "comedy" Christmas Carolers for ABC.

1997 Lori Bob leaves New Age sanctuary in Santa Cruz to become new Bob. i brow club, The Bobs 9th CD, is released. The Bobs begin work on, "Time Line: The Bobs Sing The History of Vocal Music," a vocal journey through time.

1998 Lori Bob returns to New Age sanctuary. Amy Bob arrives for audition with suitcase packed. Bobs video installed as part of show on sound at Carnegie Museum of Science in Pittsburgh, PA. The Bobs do spots for Computer City and ABC. Work continues on epic, "Survival of the Loudest" (formerly "Time Line"). Frank leaves the building.

 

"The Bobs sing like Gary Larson draws"
The Seattle Times

"The Bobs…prove that the human voice remains the most powerful instrument of all"
The Washington Post

"The Bobs are an a cappella quartet. But that's like saying The Beatles were a rock 'n' roll band." 
Rocky Mountain News

"Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, always wickedly clever, The Bobs prove that the best instrument in creating music is the human brain…The Bobs are nothing less than sensational. This is a must-see show…For all the gloomy pronouncements about the state of pop music, one cannot help but be heartened by the ascendance of The Bobs."
Los Angeles Daily News.

"The Bobs go where no a cappella singers have gone before."
Portland Press Herald

"The Bobs are the ultimate in acoustic music."
Acoustic Musician

"…their performances is nothing short of brilliant."
Cadence Magazine

"All their inspired lunacy somehow managed to coexist with breathtaking musical precision; they simply sang great…It was a wonderfully wacky and magically musical ride – to places a cappella music ventures only in the voices of The Bobs."
The Daily Gazette, Albany NY

"The Bobs are not only great fun, they're great musicians"
Eureka Times Standard

"Five star material performed with enourmous zest, appeal and humor…This is an absolutely don't miss show."
The Denver Post

"The Bobs sound is so rich, it was hard to belive it is only a quartet"
Ann Arbor News

"…even if you miss a few of the incongruous in-jokes, the overall effect is still, "Wow!"
Cash Box

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