![Hawke Robinson is the founder of Middle-earth Radio Hawke Robinson is the founder of Middle-earth Radio](http://me-archive.xenite.org/files/2011/07/hawke-robinson-meradio-01.jpg)
Hawke Robinson launched Middle-earth Radio in 2006 as a non-commercial streaming Internet radio service for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien. Using song lists compiled by Tolkien fans through the years, Hawke tracked down hundreds of songs and album tracks, especially by niche artists who were not well-known outside their musical circles. He built a streaming music server that randomly mixed up the tracks and provided Tolkien and Middle-earth fans with a well-rounded musical experience.
The Middle-earth Radio service quickly rose to prominence among online Tolkien fans. Separating the music into multiple tracks, listeners can tune in to mellow, progressive/alternative, or mixed format streams.
![Michael Martinez is the co-host of Middle-earth Talk Radio Michael Martinez is the co-host of Middle-earth Talk Radio](http://me-archive.xenite.org/files/2011/07/michael-martinez-meradio-01.jpg)
Hawke is also the founder of Tolkien Moot, a small annual convention that began as MERPCon in Spokane, WA. MERPCon/Tolkien Moot combines the experience of Middle-earth gaming (role-playing games and board games) with scholarly presentations from Tolkien experts across the world. Tolkien Moot also broadcasts its activities live on the Internet and allows fans around the world to interact with the convention through a chat room.
In 2008 Hawke invited Xenite.Org’s Michael Martinez, who was a popular guest at Tolkien Moot events, to co-host the Middle-earth Talk Radio show. Michael had been a guest at Tolkien Moot since the second convention in 2006. Using Skype, Hawke and Michael began chatting about Tolkien-related topics and just about anything that popped into their minds. Originally conceived as a weekly show, Middle-earth Talk Radio proved to be more demanding than originally anticipated. Hawke handled all the engineering and editing tasks and Michael helped out with promotion.
![Hawke Robinson and Michael Martinez co-host Middle-earth Talk Radio. Hawke Robinson and Michael Martinez co-host Middle-earth Talk Radio.](http://me-archive.xenite.org/files/2011/07/hawke-michael-meradio-01.jpg)
As the show progressed, Hawke and Michael included a live broadcast from the next Tolkien Moot (number V in 2009), where Michael also launched his annual “Raw Hobbit” special. The live broadcast of Middle-earth Talk Radio from Tolkien Moot has proven to be one of the most popular sessions at the convention. Hawke and Michael reprised the live broadcast (and “Raw Hobbit”) at Tolkien Moot VI in 2010.
In July 2010 Hawke and Michael welcomed their first guest on Middle-earth Talk Radio: Elvish singer Rehtaeh, aka Heather Downing. Heather has built a loyal following on the Internet and near her home in Kansas where she has performed at local venues and Renaissance Festivals. Heather later appeared at Tolkien Moot VI as the special guest for the 2010 convention. She performed a new song live for fans at the moot and around the world as record numbers of viewers tuned in to hear her sing. Heather was Michael’s guest for the 2010 “Raw Hobbit” episode, broadcasting live from the main venue at Tolkien Moot.
![Heather Downing performs Elvish music as Rehtaeh. Heather Downing performs Elvish music as Rehtaeh.](http://me-archive.xenite.org/files/2011/07/heather-downing-01-228x300.jpg)
Despite occasional breaks in programming, Hawke and Michael have returned to the microphone more than 30 times since that first historic episode in late 2008. Other Tolkien fans and experts have begun creating podcasts since then. In 2011 Hawke and Michael were invited to be guests on the new Bird and Baby show from the Middle-earth Network, a massive undertaking of launching a full streaming 24/7 channel of Middle-earth programming by a dedicated group of Tolkien fans.
Michael was unable to attend the 2011 Tolkien Moot so Brian Huseland joined Hawke as special guest co-host of the live broadcast of Middle-earth Talk Radio episode 35.