LatinosUSA

Well, I have known Rich for quite a few years now, since he relocated to my city, Valencia and I must say that from the start I realised he had lived (and still is) a very interesting life. Thinking about this, and knowing that he was a trained actor, writer, editor, publisher and radio and television personality, I wanted to know more about him and I think you will too…

RICH IN HIS OWN WORDS

LatinosUSA: Rich, you have an extensive background in theatre, television, radio, management and many other aspects of the network news business as well as in the creative arts, so if I would ask you to place yourself within the world of the arts, where would you place yourself? How would you describe yourself?

RB: I am a classic introvert. Before I entered college, I had trouble talking on the phone, was uncomfortable meeting people and had never been out on a date. Then, I started working as an actor and then a theatre director and had a daily radio show which helped bring me out of my shell. Performing and public speaking gave me confidence. I got the most joy being a sportscaster and radio dj, by far. Unfortunately, I had little confidence and did not see myself earning a living the rest of my life behind the mic. Being on-air and on stage is fun, but I found my true calling when I ultimately moved behind the camera as a television writer and producer, which is how I will always see myself. I was a television creative director for over forty years, so I always tell people that my first love was creating programs and promos that people watched. Within that world, I am proud to say the stations I worked for received new heights in ratings, revenue and creativity. Seeing those stations and networks succeed and developing young writers and producers made me happy, and a lot of those people are still thriving today.

LatinosUSA: So far you have led a very interesting life, so do you have any plans to write anything about your experiences, say your memoirs?

RB: I don’t think I´ve led a life more interesting than anyone else. It is what it is and I have always pursued things that make me happy and avoided things that don´t, often to my detriment. For instance, I don´t drink coffee, smoke or play golf, and that has often kept me on the outside of certain work circles. I have worked with a lot of famous and creative people, and have loved being with (almost) every one of them. I can’t think of anything I have ever done that would be interesting enough for someone to spend their time or hard-earned money to learn more about, so my life is best left undiscussed, except for my family, who are required to be impressed.

That being said, our move to Spain in 2018 has inspired me to write a highly fictionalized movie about moving from being American to expat in Spain. The script is currently a slog, and may never see the light of day, but any American (or Brit) who makes a move to a country where they have to learn a new language surely is a comedy in the making. 

LatinosUSA: In this highly politicised world that we live in, everybody seems to have an opinion and everybody wants to correct the problems of the world, especially those difficulties that most, if not all, countries seem to be going through at this time. Do you think that writers, poets, artists and other trained professionals of the arts should engage in public dialogue, giving their opinions about the politics of their nation and proffering alternatives to the paths taken by their governments?

RB: A great question, but the real question is how can artists, whether they are writers, painters, actors, musicians or anyone with a creative bone in their bodies help change the world. I think it is imperative that creative people make their voices heard and opinions known through their art. It´s clear to me that leaving running the world exclusively to politicians, businesspeople and bureaucrats is a bad idea. The world runs on great ideas, music, inventions, art and design. It’s up to those artists to make their opinions known and help shape public policy. This is the way it´s been since the beginning of civilization.

I´ve been interested in politics and how people react to policy since I was a teenager in New York. We do indeed live in turbulent times, and having a weekly radio show with a co-host who encourages me to speak my mind on American politics is a blessing. I´ve always felt I was an artist as well as a businessman and leader. Because of this, having an outlet for my opinions here in Spain has been perfect, not to mention fun. I hope all artists (not just Americans) of any medium always feel free to make their opinions known.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT RICH BRASE

Rich Brase has lived a blessed life as a writer, broadcaster, actor and director for the past 50 years in stations and networks from Toledo, Ohio to New York City, and now Costa Blanca, Spain.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised on Long Island before he moved to the Midwest to go to college. That is where he developed his love of musical theatre, broadcasting and scriptwriting for the stage and screen. As a student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, he performed in a dozen plays and wrote and directed a musical comedy. He also had a daily radio show for three years and was the hockey play-by-play voice of the BGSU Falcons for two years.

After graduation, he worked as an on-air personality at radio stations in Ohio and Michigan before receiving his MA in Screenwriting and Film from the University of Michigan.

Over four decades, he became a promotion writer, producer and creative director at a dozen stations from Boise, Idaho to New York City, winning multiple Emmy Awards. For nine years, he served as a board member of PROMAX International, and was the organization´s Chairman in 1995. For decades, he has served as an ambassador for everyone working as marketers of television, radio and movies.

After leaving the broadcasting in 2013, he worked in the non-profit world as the Marketing Director of The Vancouver (WA) Symphony Orchestra for 10 years, and even became a school bus driver.

In January 2024, Rich joined Bay Radio International as the station´s US Correspondent, talking about American issues and politics.
He and his wife, Victoria, who is also a talented director/writer/producer moved to Valencia, Spain in 2018. Their daughter, Gillian, lives in the US and runs an art gallery in Manhattan.

(And you can listen to Rich’s broadcasts like this one, right here: https://youtu.be/Z40prli5JlQ?si=PH9ausDQECKvb4QB)

I wish to thank Rich for his time and for his replies which were interesting and candid. I hope that Rich’s life, his experience and his adventuresome personality can inspire many to always pursue their goals, their desires and ambitions, no matter when or where. Art is there to enrich us and partaking of the arts is more than fulfilling, it is enlightening.

CHEERS