Today We Say Farewell to Middle-earth Talk Radio

You may notice we no longer link to Middle-earth Talk Radio in our blogroll. Talk-show host and founder Hawke Robinson has taken his network offline, blaming President Obama for the current economic situation.

Out of respect for our old friend we will not debate politics or the method of protest; it is a hallmark of a free nation that its citizens may peaceably express their discontent in whatever way they desire.

But for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and role-playing games this network shutdown comes as a surprise, and leaves a gap in an already too-small niche community.

It is perhaps that smallness that may leave many outsiders wondering why we make such a fuss. But for nearly twenty years Hawke has supported technologists and Tolkien fans and gamers alike out of his own pocket, never soliciting sponsorships or selling advertising. To say he bore a huge expense for the benefit of others is to say too little. Until you operate your own server — much less a streaming server that supports multiple channels — you have no idea of what it means to pay out of your pocket.

Thousands of people enjoyed Hawke’s network. He launched one of the first popular Tolkien podcasts (Middle-earth Talk Radio) that helped pave the way for Middle-earth Network Radio and other fan favorites. The classic Middle-earth Radio network served as a springboard for many Tolkien-inspired artists who asked Hawke to include their music in his playlists.

All of that is now gone. An era has come to a close just as interest in Tolkien-inspired Websites is starting to pick up. Hawke was always adamant about not commercializing his network. He wanted to provide a pure experience that was free of commercial influence. We will surely miss his corner of the universe.