"Twenty Thousand Hertz" Explores How Bob Ross Changed The World -- One Gentle Word at Time

 For those of you who don't know who Bob Ross is, don't fret. But please check him out on YouTube.

 From 1983 until 1994 and then beyond in reruns, Bob Ross's public television show in Canada and U.S. was an oasis of calm and tranquility while you learned to paint. For millennials, open your meditation app on your smartphone and listen and relax. That's Bob Ross 30 years ago. He was our meditation app, painting mentor, and life coach -- all wrapped up in a voice that could melt concrete.

For people who are constantly told what they can't do in this world, Bob Ross was always confident in our ability. To paint. To handle life. To see beauty in life and art.

On this week's episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz,  Dallas Taylor uncovers the origin story of the happy painter by speaking to Sarah Strohl, Executive Assistant at Bob Ross Inc, and Kristin Congdon, author of Happy Clouds, Happy Trees: The Bob Ross Phenomenon.  

Image by Matthew Fleming

 The guests share that surprisingly, most of what we know about Bob Ross is from what he divulges in brief mentions on the show — from his childhood in Florida, to his love of animals, to his experience in the Air Force.

Just to catch you up, gentle, soft-spoken, and instantly recognizable, Bob Ross’ sweet Southern drawl has been a comfort to millions around the globe. In the forty years since The Joy of Painting first aired, Bob Ross has transformed the oft-intimidating act of creativity into a joyous and soothing experience for anyone to share. But despite his unshakably cheery demeanor, Ross’ life wasn’t always easy. 

 

On this episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz - which just earned nominations for Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast, and Best Production & Sound Design at the 2022 Ambies - host Dallas Taylor delves into the life and voice of the late icon, exploring how the poofy-haired painter changed the world one kind word at a time.

Bob Ross began making art as a way to escape the demanding day-to-day of working on an Alaskan Air Force base. On duty, Bob often had to be the man who was stern and strict with his trainees — a behavior that earned him the nickname “Bust ‘Em Up Bob” and a harsh reputation that really started to wear on him. "When I leave the military, I'm not going to yell at anyone anymore," he swore.

Painting gave Bob newfound purpose and an opportunity to be a softer and gentler person. Eventually, Bob decided to repaint the canvas of his own life. At age 40, he retired from the Air Force and took a job as a traveling instructor for Bill Alexander’s Magic Art Supply. Soon after, Bob partnered with a couple named Walter and Annette Kowalski, who helped Bob become the phenomenon we know and love. With help from the Kowalskis, Bob managed to secure a television deal with PBS, and in 1983, The Joy of Painting hit the airwaves.

With his gentle manner and the natural flow of conversation, The Joy of Painting felt genuine, intimate, and like a one-on-one lesson made just for you. Over the years, Bob’s sweet voice and cheerful attitude brought lots of people comfort during difficult times — but just because Bob was always smiling doesn’t mean that he was immune to tragedies of his own. In 1992, Bob’s wife of 15 years died of cancer. Shortly after, his own health took a turn for the worse.

In 1995, after 11 years and over 400 episodes, Bob passed away at only 52 years old, but his legacy still remains. While the Modernist era taught that the artist had to be a genius, Bob said the opposite: anyone can be an artist, and anyone can enjoy the simple act of making a painting. His voice stands as one of the most recognizable, soothing tones of pop culture, and leaves with it a beautiful maxim of the joy in the journey — and the power of happy accidents.

Listen to “Happy Little Episode” Here

 
Twenty Thousand Hertz is the podcast that puts sound before sight, and reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Dallas Taylor is the host and creator of Twenty Thousand Hertz,  is also the Creative Director of Defacto Sound, where he has led thousands of high-profile sound design projects - from blockbuster trailers and advertising campaigns, to major television series and Sundance award-winning films.