From Metal Musician to Voice Over Actor

The Amazing Reinvention of Dave Jackson

By Keith Brunson

For more years than one can fathom, Dave Jackson performed as a lead singer in a heavy metal band. He sang in venues all over the country. It was the "hair-band" era. The music needed to be rough, rowdy, and LOUD. "And I can sing it," says Jackson. "It's something that I can do very well." 

Metal music singer Dave Jackson featured in the band October Rising.

Many things happened in chasing the rock and roll dream. Making a record deal and receiving an advance from a record company was the goal. "To write, record and tour; that was all I thought about." And the first band was "Heathen." The musicians did everything in their power to breakthrough. But "It's hard to make it in music big time," says Dave, "because of the process of becoming a rock star," it is one of the most difficult things to accomplish in music.

There are so many factors involved that the true odds of becoming the person the singer fantasizes about will baffle the mind. The odds of a band becoming a famous musician is 0.000002%. This is according to the online source Answers To All. And that's the reason that so many outstanding bands do Not become famous. The numbers are stacked against the artist. "It's really hard, man," says Dave. "I mean really hard."

Now, let's go back in time to Dave's childhood. The television was always on, and Dave found it fascinating. Dave discovered he was interested in the voices that came out of the TV. "I would imitate the voices I heard starting when I was very young." During Dave’s childhood, he became a self-taught student of the voices he heard from shows and commercials on television. "I'd listen and imitate all the time, but I didn't know what to do with that ability."

Back to Dave and his rock band pursuit. "My influences were Alice Cooper, Kiss, AC/DC…music like that." High stakes and lofty ambitions for a little kid listening to records on an album. "I just related to the music and discovered early on that the sounds coming out of those records was a sound I could duplicate."

Dave did not give up, and he pursued music with all of his heart until he was 55 years old. "But suddenly, I realized I had to get another gig going," and that was when Dave became a voice-over artist. "I mean, it was still using my voice, but it wasn't music, so it never occurred to me that being "the voice" people heard could be mine." But sometimes destiny has a strange way of changing your direction, and that's what happened to Dave.

Today, Dave is a narrator for the very well-known sci-fi author M.R. Forbes. To date, Forbes has published (38) books about science fiction, and Dave is one of his narrators.

Audiobook voice over narration is part of Dave Jackson's voice acting portfolio.

https://www.facebook.com/jack.davidson.969300/videos/2925408297713847

"I had no guidance, no mentor, no teacher, and no connections," says Dave, "but I did have myself." The success was quick compared to the heavy dues that Dave had paid to become a rock artist. "And to help with my concentration, I moved to the middle of nowhere in Ohio, and this omits distractions."

Dave, who characterizes himself as a "child of media," broke in voiceover when his girlfriend sent a demo tape to a Russian organization. "And suddenly, all the moving parts converged," Dave says. "Things began to happen in a forward direction, and suddenly I connected my love of imitating voices from the TV to voices I would use to narrate." And that's when Dave realized what music had done for him.

The author M.R. Forbes himself, explains why Dave is the right fit. "His tone, pacing, and annunciation were spot on," says Forbes. "And that's rare," says Forbes. Moreover, "he completely nailed "the feel" of the book." The author explains that "some narrators are just SO smooth, it puts you to sleep, but Dave just gets it."

Director Jason Epperson agrees. "We use him for commercials and videos, and there's something he's doing that makes him a standout." Jason relies on Dave for multiple disciplines in vocal production. Jason, the President of Epic films, www.eppicfilms.com, explains that "Dave just has "it," Whatever "IT" is." Jason adds, "there is very little interaction   with Dave." I just send the script and receive an audio track that is completely excellent."

Dave Jackson provides TV commercial voice-overs that have a Southern flair.

Dave explains the lucky break in an industry he knew nothing about did not take years. "But all of a sudden, all of those years singing and those years imitating voices from the television converged, and all in a moment, it just all made sense."

Dave professionally is somewhat of a freak of nature. He has never had a class, never had an instructor, never had a mentor, and never had a contact in the literary world. This is unheard of. "When I see the words on the page, things just click, and I enter that world and the sound that just comes out."

"He's a natural," says Mr. Epperson. "And so, when we send audio to Dave, we always get more than we bargained for." And it helps that he's a "nice guy."

Now 58, Dave is all cleaned up and looking the part of a narrator. It's a career that has nothing to do with music but everything to do with the voice. "I think of Edgar Allen Poe all the time, and it just makes me cry," he says. "I gave music everything, but it was voiceover that gave me the break in show business that I wanted," Dave admits his devotion has changed. "My life once centered around music, but now my entire universe is about the art of the voice."

Voice actor Dave Jackson reviewing a voice over script.

The world may never hear Dave growling heavy metal. He may never become the person he thought about in his youth. But it was always leading somewhere, and that's when Dave connected the dots.

Meanwhile, Dave is still singing. "We've got a show coming up," he says. "But before we do, I have audio to record, and it is not music."

Whether you're a singer or not, if Dave inspired you and you'd like to learn more, seek the guidance of The Voice Shop and learn what you can do with Your voice. It may not happen overnight for you, but you'll be advised what you can do with YOUR voice with an entire staff of voice coaches. Even if you sing heavy metal, like Dave, who is still performing. Still Performing. Some fifty years after the dream was first born.

Voice Actor Brandon Eells’s Zany Voices

By Keith Brunson

It’s probably difficult to grow up in the shadow of a sports broadcasting legend. And Brandon Eells would know. His father, Paul Eells, was the voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the sportscaster in Nashville and Little Rock.

Paul Eells (left), Father of Brandon Eells (right).

A sensory overload for a little boy who witnessed the adoration of his Father by the public no matter where they went together. “He was known by everyone, and It had an overwhelming effect on me,” says Paul. And so, this experience would alter the course of Brandon’s life. “And still does, because It helped me realize I wanted to be an actor.”

Things moved along quickly for Brandon. Brandon began his voice acting journey in the ninth grade and noticed a strong resemblance between his Father and himself. “We were both using our voice to pave our way,” says Brandon, “and it gave me the confidence to take further steps.”  Attending a Catholic school for boys was Brandon’s light bulb moment when he realized that being born into voice privilege would help him for the rest of his life.

Fast forward years later, here’s Brandon as the voice of Meow Mix.

https://vimeo.com/178400780

“Cats may ask for the product by name” as is part of that advertisement, but it was Brandon who began to be requested because of his unique and noticeable delivery of words on a page. Listen and view a different Meow Mix commercial and the tonality of Brandon’s signature voice once again.

https://vimeo.com/178400781

As a full-on departure from Meow Mix, Brandon demonstrated an ability to voice an entirely different kind of voice, as you’ll hear here in this television ad for Capri Sun.

https://tivoads.com/watch/capri-sun-roarin-waters-tv-commercial-viking_mcN37jEctT7mESt.html

His professional image was taking shape as a voice of variety. Notice in this commercial for the same drink company, the voice at the end, that’s Brandon.

https://tivoads.com/watch/capri-sun-organic-tv-commercial-pet-dragon_53Nzqd4Sz39bJrW.html

Soon came the video game industry. The need was for a voice-over actor to play DRAX in the Marvel video game. Here is Brandon’s performance.

His voice acting continued to attract the attention of big advertisers. VALSPAR made contact for the voice of an iguana, and with total believe-ability, Brandon created his imaginary voice of what he thought a lizard would sound like. Here’s what he delivered.

https://tivoads.com/watch/valspar-tv-commercial-chameleons_vNham8PpuGHEIEX.html

The voice worked. This provoked a return performance, and here is the work.

https://tivoads.com/watch/valspar-reserve-tv-commercial-mess-proof-paint_RBhB3xTNHkxQljR.html

Taco Bell was yet another hallmark. Noticing Brandon’s voice as a good fit, the fast-food chain used him for a new product they were debuting. I think you’ll agree he morphed into the action hero perfectly.

If “variety is the spice of life,” Brandon evolved into a voiceover artist that could handle just about anything. From Italy came Alfa Romeo. In this case study, Brandon sounded nothing like his character credits. Here he voices a campaign from DDB Worldwide, a prominent ad agency, to handle the sex appeal and flash needed to carry this client directly into introducing a new product. It sounded nothing like him. But it sold cars, and Brandon continued his journey toward outstanding performances.

“I guess I’ve now done about 2,000 commercials,” says Brandon, “And every time, it’s a pure sensory experience that reminds me of how childhood taught me to be versatile.” And so, Brandon continued his journey with no destination. He studied voiceover, and he kept the same goal. “You have to find the magic,” says Brandon, and you do that “with your imagination.”

You can find your imagination when you choose to study your voice at The Voice Shop. Voice classes are offered remotely in a group or privately. You can start your voice acting career there or fine-tune it there. The operation is headquartered in New York City, but the class location is wherever You are. https://www.Voiceshopcoaching.com

At the time of this writing, Brandon is doing a theatrical production of “Our Town,” a classic play produced worldwide for audiences to enjoy. “And theatre allows me to remain grounded,” says Brandon. But the commercial world pursuing his very unusual voice persists beyond the tradition of community theatre. Here’s Meet Alex.

And his versatility continues to dominate his voice-acting career. Listen here to the chocolate Frosted Flakes commercial.

So, for the inspired reader, Brandon advises you to master the audition process. “It’s the audition that determines your success,” he says. “You’ve got to learn to be in the moment.”  https://www.virtualbrandon.com

Arianna Ratner – Video Game Voice Over Actress

By Keith Brunson

Before we begin, you've gotta hear this.

 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdfLAxJu/

That is Arianna Ratner. In studios since diapers, Arianna was literally born into the voiceover business.

Few people have every single inch of their life well-groomed and absolutely manicured. But Arianna Ratner is the exception. As an A-list voice-over artist, Arianna's life story reads like a textbook of perfection. She's known as one of the most dependable and versatile voice over artists in the gaming industry. The monster success of Blizzard Entertainment is one of many game producers that hire Arianna.

Arianna Ratner is the voice of Brelshaza in the Lost Ark video game.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZ5VDlGj_t_/?utm_medium=copy_link 

"To do video games, you have to be a really good actor first, because everything you say you have to imagine in your mind is all around you, yet nothing is there."

Arianna applies her acting skills to portray “Sorbet Shark Cookie”
a character in CookieRun Kingdom video game.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVqI8rsJr4t/?utm_medium=copy_link

Arianna grew up in a sound booth as she watched her Father voice acting. "And I knew as a child what I wanted to become," she says, "and from day one, I discovered that my ambition was absolutely in line with my potential." https://www.ariannaratner.com

Well composed, Arianna demonstrates the epitome of success. Versatile in character voices, Arianna is a constant work in progress. To this day, she continues her study of the voice despite years studying privately with some of the best voiceover teachers in the country. "I think that it takes training; no one just jumps straight in," she says. "But if you love acting, you can apply it directly to a voiceover career."

Another Arianna Ratner video game voice over for
Geomancer Persephone, a character in the game SMITE.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVbazOUjew_/?utm_medium=copy_link

The video game industry is highly specialized. Superb execution of animation. Excellent storytelling. Cutting-edge entertainment. The type of entertainment that requires everyone involved to be a top-drawer personality. "It takes years," says Arianna, "and it's not just talking." Skills needed are not only a home studio, "because luck is involved." That unknown can intimidate people. "And that's what instruction does. It prepares you for the future."

Arianna is also a voiceover teacher. "And there are roles for every type, every soul out there, so a beautiful voice is no longer all it takes to be hired." One thing that is a craft unto itself is the audition process.

"And that for the gaming industry voice requires excellent cold reading skills," says Arianna. "You walk in; they hand you the script, and you're evaluated from your ability to make something come to life you have never seen." And that, as she explains, having the ability to ACT is the most important skill you can have. "There are no props, no people, no environment, just you and the page in front of you." So, learning how to convert words on a paper into a believable character translate into whether you'll get hired or not."

Vampiress Amaterasu features a dark and evil
voice over from Arianna Ratner.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CS5NZDqJz4T/?utm_medium=copy_link

To see the unique way that Arianna teaches, here's an example of how to do a little boy's voice. Watch how she explains the vocal mechanics.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdfLyME8/

Having the ability to emulate a voice and understand what is happening is important and Not for the beginner.

Another option for you to learn instead of a private voice over lesson is to study with The Voice Shop. You can know nothing and begin your studies from your home on the computer you're using right now. Remote voice-over classes are offered nationwide. All you need is the ambition to find your voice. You do that through study. www.voiceshopcoaching.com

"I have students with high-pitched voices that work," says Arianna, "because just a deep male voice or a sultry female voice is no longer what the voice artist is about."

Arianna has been acting since she was five years old. She's been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since childhood. She's taught roughly five hundred students.

So, if being a voice for the video game industry attracts you, expect an understanding of the voice and how to use it is all part of the journey.

And unlike Arianna, you do not have to have grown up in the voiceover business. Although being fundamentally a good actor will make this profession a lot easier.

"I'd say being able to do games is all about your ability to be an actor first and a voiceover artist second," says Arianna.

Arianna's next step will be to move into video game directing, "and that would never be possible if I wasn't a consistent student of the voice and have years of experience portraying people in productions that I am not."

So, if you're just starting out or well into the journey, see video games as a destination, not an entry point. We all realize how sophisticated the production of a video game is.

Now picture yourself IN that game. That'll happen, Only after you have paid the price and booked your first job.

Arianna is well on her way. And she should be. She's been in the profession of acting and voice for thirty years.

What Is Vodcasting And How It Benefits Businesses

By: Nate Myers

"I'll believe it when I see it," the common phrase goes. A feat that's impossible to overcome with a podcast. Because podcasts are audio-only, they cannot SHOW or illustrate the point to the listener—however, vodcasting can.

Vodcasting, also known as vlogging or video podcasting, is the next step beyond podcasts, and they have cemented themselves in many daily and weekly routines. Whether the content is informative, entertaining, inspiring, or educational, people have favorite shows to follow or check up on from time to time.

Vodcasts can be subscribed to and downloaded to a mobile phone the same way a podcast can. Users can choose when and where to view it, allowing them more convenience than regularly scheduled television programs.

Vodcast examples and vodcasting services
from Creative Media Design.

https://www.cmdnyc.com/video-live-streaming

 Why Would a Business Vodcast?

The primary benefit is that it steps up the amount of digital content your business has online. A company must often pay for even 30 seconds of someone's time. A vodcast can be as short or as long as content allows. Businesses with a complex product or service will appreciate having more time to tell their story. More exposure to explain the "why" behind their message.

Vodcasts can also be sliced and used as social media content. Video content is most engaging on all social media platforms. The addition of video, reels, and stories to popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram are a testament to that reality. Taking it even further, Tik Tok, one of the fastest-growing social platforms, is 100% video. Having a vodcast gives you the building blocks you need for increased presence, exposure, and success on all social media platforms.

Vodcasting also puts your business on platforms people spend the most time on, like the Apple Podcasts app, YouTube, etc. If your vodcast is relevant content to these consumers, they will come across your vodcast through organic exposure or exploration. On top of that, people on these platforms come to spend more than a couple of minutes. If the content is good enough, they will come and stay!

 The Voice Choice is a new vodcast series produced by Creative Media Design.
https://thevoicechoice.tv/

What Are the Challenges?

As mentioned, if the content is good, it will succeed. But businesses struggle to get to that point. The critical point here is RELEVANCE. Your vodcast needs to deliver on one of the primary motivators for vodcast consumption. These include learning new things, entertainment, keeping up to date, relaxation, or inspiration. Many businesses succeed because of incredible products, ideas, or developments. That doesn't mean that the average person will care about those things, and there can be a disconnect there.

The work to be done is to identify adjacent but still relevant content. For example, if your company sells musical instruments, the content should be related to what people want to DO with those instruments, not the instruments themselves. This approach will help your brand connect with people who benefit from the content, who will be more likely to consider your company for their next purchase. Delivering value, education, etc., is what puts your brand in good standing with them. It's a longer-term investment than your typical bottom-funnel advertising. But the possible benefits far outweigh any cons IF you can create good enough content.

Other challenges companies encounter are more physical in nature. Where will we record? What will we record? Who will we record? What will we use to record? Camera? Microphone? These are the common obstacles to getting started. Creative Media Design (CMD) can help if there isn't a clear path forward.

We provide exceptional vodcast and studio services for all kinds of companies looking to tell a story. We offer ISDN, Source Connect, and Phone Patch capabilities for remote guests or stars. Cleanup, editing, mixing, we can manage that too. We also have accommodations for video or photo shoots and package deals for ongoing shows. On top of that, we can help identify the right person to narrate your vodcast. Naturally, this isn't easy to entrust your company with, but we're here to make it easy and provide a plentitude of options.

If you're interested in learning more about CMD's vodcasting services, email us at info@cmdnyc.com.

Finding The Right Voice Talent For Your Company Message

By: Nate Myers

Creative Media Design (CMD) was founded in 1998. We were one of the first voice talent agencies to upload voice-over samples to the internet. Since then, we have grown and accumulated the best of the best voice actors. The absolute cream of the crop when it comes to voice talent. No matter the tone or personality of your marketing message, we have a pool of hundreds of talented artists.

But how did CMD accumulate the best voice over roster in the business? First is the diversity of categories.

 Creative Media Design’s website features a wide variety of voice over samples. www.cmdnyc.com

Over the decades, we have identified the most common voice archetypes desired for marketing messages, audiobooks, animation, commercial voice-over, and more. These voices include:

·         Male

·         Female

·         Foreign Languages (We have 80+)

·         Accents

·         Promo

·         Urban

·         Medical

·         Kids

·         Animation

·         Fashion & Fragrance

·         Narration

·         Video Games

Now, of course, your specific business need may not fit perfectly into any of these voice categories. And that’s okay. The demand for voice-over talent is nuanced, unique, and varies often. CMD didn’t simply check all the above boxes but has an expansive roster to accommodate any need.

Secondly, CMD constantly refreshes its voice-over roster through its sister company, The Voice Shop. The Voice Shop is the premier provider of voice over training in all categories. The voice classes taught and guided by industry experts expose us to the best upcoming talent, filling a unique niche in our roster. If the fit is right, these aspiring students can be added to our roster and allowed the opportunity to give your message life!

 The Voice Shop provides voice classes for voice actors and students either in-person or online. www.voiceshopcoaching.com

 Thirdly, quality is assured. Aside from knowing that Creative Media Design is a highly reputable company, you have the added layer of confidence that our consulting services provide the best voice over for your project. We will listen and understand your needs and then specify a condensed roster already catered to you!

Fourth, pedigree. CMD has worked with the most prominent names across virtually every industry. The NBA, NFL, Nintendo, Song, WebMD, Fox, ESPN, NBC, Nike, MasterCard, Unilever, Mercedes Benz, TurboTax, and Telemundo, to name a few. These companies have chosen CMD to provide, record, and master commercials, radio spots, and more. This experience leads to our fifth point!

CMD is a full-service agency. We don’t simply connect you with Voice Over Artists and shake hands. We can manage the entire process (if desired). We can help write scripts, cast the right talent, and record their voice using the latest, professional equipment. We can also mix/master the recording to bring out the subtleties of the Voice Over Artist to grab your ear. You’ve heard our mixing in the past for the Super Bowl, TV commercials, radio ads, podcasts, documentaries, and video games.

Our goal at Creative Media Design is to bring authenticity to your message. Suppose you want the lowest of lows, the sultriest, most announcer-like voice. We have you covered. But most companies these days are looking for a relatable, genuine, authentic voice. Their message shouldn’t sound like blatant advertising; it should sound like a recommendation from their best friend or next-door neighbor. That authenticity is what CMD strives to deliver for our clients.

In 1998 we started in a tiny, shared studio. Over the years, we flourished into an entire penthouse facility in downtown Manhattan NYC. With the pandemic disrupting workflows in more recent years, CMD has continued to evolve and deliver the same quality in every circumstance. That dedication to evolution, growth, quality, and most importantly- authenticity; is what makes us CMD. It’s the CMD difference.

Call us to review your voice project at 212.213.9420 or email us at info@cmdnyc.com.

Meet The Lowest Voice On Earth, Mr. Eric Hollaway

By Keith Brunson

Eric Hollaway will blow your mind. He has a voice SO LOW it sounds fake. It isn’t. Eric is an OKTAVIST.

Being an OKTAVIST means your voice is SO low; it sounds computer-generated. And in voiceover, Eric is often booked in as “The Voice of God, next door.” To explain it, Eric is one octave lower than E flat on sheet music. Very few people on earth have a voice this low. His voice is so Very low he can sing down to what opera singers’ term “contra b flat.”  https://www.oktavism.com/  If That confuses you, words can only describe something so well. Listen for yourself. https://www.erichollaway.com  “It literally happened overnight when I was 12,” says Eric. “It was shrill and annoying on a Tuesday, and I woke up Wednesday, and it sounded just like this at 12 years old.”

Voice actor Eric Hollaway deemed “The Voice Of God” due to his extremely low voice.

Eric is a worldwide enigma. There are only a very few OKTAVISTS globally out of 7.8 billion people on earth. It was first used in Russian opera. Eric uses his voice in voice acting typically for corporate films, commercials, and a slew of characters. And he uses his voice when he sings opera, which he does in Italian, German, and English. But his background has nothing to do with the voice he was gifted.

Ever wondered who is involved in building nuclear warheads? That was Eric’s assignment in the military. He worked directly on creating nuclear weapons. He has a top-secret clearance and is no longer active in warfare, and the military never took note of this vocal gift. But 15 years ago, Eric did. “The recession hit in 2008, and I decided, clear out of the blue, to do something with what God had given me.” And “That’s when he became a voice actor.”

“I realized then that I had to reinvent myself, and that was when I did something about my voice,” says Eric, and “everybody I meet, even in the grocery store, tells me my voice reassures them and calms them.”  To date, Eric has been the voice of CBS News, commercials, voice imaging for broadcast, and an extensive distinct list of characters. He is So popular, only last week, Eric signed on to Tic Toc for the first time and accumulated 142 followers after one day. One week later, there were 32,000 followers. That’s not a typo. He got 357,000 likes. At this writing, after only one day since I conducted this interview, Eric has 35,400 followers and 470,000 likes. Go to Tic Toc to see for yourself. https://www.tiktok.com/@thatbassvoice

Here is an example of his singing voice, which is Not Tic Toc.

Now that you’ve been introduced listen to Eric in a more commercially driven characterization.

This is the voice of the OCTAVIST, the RAREST voice on earth. “And I have never taken it for granted,” says Eric. “I have taken on extensive instruction and teachings beginning with Ted Webb, who discovered me,” says Eric. “I learned about the engineering of the microphone and remained in constant study.”

Eric is unique. One of the reasons he often misses opportunities in gaming and characters is that Eric does not use curse words. No “F” word. No “MF” word. No cursing on the microphone, “and that has forced me to leave a lotta money on the table.” Eric, the son of a preacher, never heard cussing until he was in the military. His father allowed him to attend no parties, so Eric was sheltered from society. “But I heard it in the military, and that was the very first time I heard it.”  Eric does not drink. Eric does not smoke tobacco. Eric has never smoked cannabis and never experimented with Any recreational drugs. “Not one time,” Eric explains. He is married to his high school sweetheart and has never had marital problems of any kind. Eric was not allowed to watch television, so he has No Interest or knowledge in sports because his father did not teach him sports. Eric likes to cook, likes music, and enjoys fishing in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. “I pray for creativity,” says Eric. “I had no idea who won the Superbowl; who did?”

If reading this inspires you, and you’d like to learn about voiceover training, go to The Voice Shop. https://www.voiceshopcoaching.com Voice classes are offered remotely worldwide.

Eric lives with a philosophy that at 55 years old, “Life is hard, so why not make people smile?”  As for Eric’s aspiration, “I would like to be known as the man with the deepest, most interesting voice in the world,” he says.

Eric, we hear you!

The Voice Of Carl's Jr. And The Many Lives He Leads

By Keith Brunson

Music is a language unto itself. Phil Buckman knows that. The 52-year-old bass player from Queens that lives in Los Angeles has been in and out of bands all his life. And these days, it's "PETTY CASH."

At one time, it was Filter.

Music is the very core of his soul, and it's the desire that fuels his fire. "I was four or five years old when I decided I wanted to be a rockstar," says Phil "and discovering KISS," Phil explains that sort of ended all consideration as to the course his life would take.

Phil is also a voiceover artist for commercials, and you know his voice from the world-famous Carl's Jr ads.

Carl's Jr. TV ads feature Phil's voiceover work. 

"Voiceover has made a huge difference in my professional life and its' made up the majority of my income, even when I was a series regular on a network TV show," says Phil. His first ads were with Jack in the Box. So much for wood sheading. In the ad world, brands like that can take a lifetime to achieve. That…is where Phil started. He was discovered by casting director Elaine Craig (who happened to see him on a TV show and thought he'd be perfect for a Jack In The Box radio commercial she was casting) and Rick Sittig, founder of Secret Weapon Marketing & Radical Media.

Phil Buckman built a career in entertainment, including a lucrative "gig" as a voice-over actor.

Rick led Phil to Activision Extreme Sports games, including games for the great Tony Hawk, the skateboarder, and world-renowned Pro surfer Kelly Slater. This genre of voice work is Very specific. It's very hard to get. So, it says a lot about a voiceover artist if there doing this kind of thing. Now connect the music he plays to the genre he voices, and you'll have a clear understanding of who Phil Buckman is. I saw him in the movie "Hired Gun" 30 months ago, so I am familiar with who Phil is. But you're meeting him now.

Phil is a well-rounded artist. He's a musician, an actor, a photographer, and a voiceover artist. The hustle it takes to maintain a great lifestyle in LA sustains only the very best in the media world. Life inside the epicenter of entertainment is complex. The business requires that you not only be talented at the work, but you must have talented people who help you find the work. And that's how the agent/talent relationship contributes to life there. Phil is represented by Atlas talent. But it was his first agent Jeff Danis who opened doors for Phil. "He gave me my shot," says Phil.

"I auditioned every day," says Phil. "Every day that there is a chance, I'll read." Phil addresses this as an emphasis because constantly proving yourself is just part of it. It's about grinding out the talent in your heart to communicate to the entertainment public that you are relative. Phil first landed into the clutches of Carl's Jr in 2000.

Phil lends his voice talent to another Carl's Jr. ad.

He was empowered by Jordan Mendleson, the brainchild of the highly charged television campaign that used sex to sell hamburgers. Phil was the voice. It worked. "He understood the value of a voice's contribution to an ad campaign," says Phil. "He made me feel more than being "just a voice."

But the evolution of the home studio has augmented the production landscape. And sometimes in conditions even less. "I've recorded from the back of a tour bus before," Phil tells me. "I started, and things were set up in a studio format, and now, everything is done in the home." This new phenomenon has resulted in too many high-end artists competing for fewer high-paying gigs. "It is what it is," says Phil.

And with his wife, who writes pop music working, Phil also is involved in raising children. "We did plan the way it has occurred," he says. "We wanted to start a family right away and did." But as Phil tells me, "the high volume of commercial work that has been available in past years for union workers is way off from what it used to be." Phil's union SAG/AFTRA provides guaranteed rates and offers the elite artist benefits the non-union announcer is not privy to. This level of talent led to voice work with KNBC-TV in LA. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0118720/

If you're interested in becoming a person Like Phil, you can find out if you're right for the work. At The Voice Shop https://www.voiceshopcoaching.com, voice over classes are offered remotely to anyone anywhere or in-person in class in the New York City area. Voice classes are offered from beginner to expert. And there are specialty classes to perfect dialects accents, and everything is designed to help you identify where you fit in the voiceover world. The Voice Shop is a sister company of Creative Media Design in New York. https://www.cmdnyc.com   CMD offers translation in (80) different languages. When you become a student of The Voice Shop, you become exposed to the people who hire voice talent in the world of entertainment and production.

Phil is no longer a student. "I probably could learn something new, of course," he says. But with family life and professional life combined, when you're at Phil's level and still active, managing life becomes an art form in itself. As for life as a rock star, Phil is still active and still playing. And despite the changes in the entertainment landscape across the decades, music remains the driving force in his heart that fuels the fire for everything else. Some things never change.

Meet The Life-Long Student Of The Art Of Voice Over…Mr. Tim Phelan

By Keith Brunson

He’s a never-ending student of the art form of voice over. He is not training to get a booking. Tim Phelan has those - endlessly. But Tim, 55, who lives in Devon, Pennsylvania, is an artist who wants to keep improving, always keep learning, and always hire a coach to perfect his skill just one percent. You’ve heard Tim before, but you’ve never seen him until now. www.timphelanvo.com

Voice-over artist Tim Phelan has a familiar voice due to his successful voice acting career.

His forte’ is documentaries. But if you ask Tim what he REALLY likes to do, it’s storytelling. Here’s one of his hallmarks for PBS, called “The Ornament of the World.”

Watch and listen as Tim performs voice over for a documentary.

So, you’d think that if Tim is voicing documentaries, his style would be set, and very little could be learned. But that’s just not true. Despite his obvious success, Tim is a student of voice-over, and his journey has involved continuous instruction. This has made him the voice-over artist he has become, and he’s still learning new techniques. His interest in continuing education involves some of the best teachers in the business. And this is where it has led. The Discovery Science Channel’s documentary, “Silicone Valley, The Untold Story.”

Tim Phelan’s voice over skills are utilized in a Discovery Science Channel documentary.

Tim made the switch to the world of the voiceover artist in 2009 when he was laid off for the fifth time selling employee benefits when he came to admit, “I never had a passion for selling that stuff.” So, feeling washed up, he hired a coach for a one-time-only voice-over class that cost him $60. “He told me I’d have to engineer my voice and buy equipment, self-market myself, and I got VERY discouraged,” says Tim. “I had quit after one class.” But a week later, I felt like giving it ONE more try, and everything just clicked with that class from the same instructor.” This second class touched Tim’s heart, and he scheduled with that teacher repeatedly.

Since those early years, Tim has studied with some of the most accomplished teachers out there. Tim names several that are top of mind. “But in 1997, dreams of becoming a world-class athlete brought on a new attitude. “I was training with the best athletes in the world, but I lost that day, and I told my parents at the end of the race on that payphone behind me in the picture, “Time to get a “real” job.” But just like the runner that he was in 1997, getting voice-over jobs has its ups and downs.

Tim, during his time in training as an aspiring triathlete.

Becoming a voice-over artist does Not require a “great voice,” whatever that is. It requires that you’re able to tell a great story. If this story touches Your heart, you can find out all you’d ever want to know with Zero experience by contacting The Voice Shop www.voiceshopcoaching.com. There are entry-level classes, advanced, dialects; you name it. There are nine pro instructors, all of whom are active in the world of voice over themselves. Voice theory is not taught. Voice technique is the focus. And to call and ask questions costs nothing. And, if you do become a student, you then get access to the producers, casting directors, and agents that pull the strings. And you have no boss. You have no one telling you when to work and what to do. It’s all up to your level of interest. So, if you can imagine that you might like to become a voice-over artist, The Voice Shop can guide and direct you. Classes are held online or in person if you live in the New York City area.

As for Tim, today he’s most likely auditioning. And that’s how you get work. You learn where to go for auditions, typically during the morning, and calls come in shortly afterward. Tim is presently in a growth curve toward e-learning, corporate videos, and commercials. But the backbone of his foundation is his heavily educated talent. You’re no different. Because as first lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Life is what you make it. Always has been, Always will be.” Tim agrees.