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G’day, everyone. It’s a glorious April afternoon, after a night where it appears we received some hail. Nothing major.

Just finished a book yesterday, have been searching for a few more to work on. Making a little progress in the audiobook rights purchasing department. Found a few items of interest. Nothing set in stone yet, but negotiations ongoing.

The everlong debate of doing a podcast is still in my head. Not sure where I want to go with it, or what I want to do. One day it’s about Presidential history, another is some sort of audio play. I’ve been hemming and hawing about this for a couple of years, and still have no idea. Maybe now’s the time to narrow it down.

Possibility of going to a VO convention out east in the fall. REALLY hoping things are somewhat back to normal by that point. Haven’t been out east in over 15 years, and would really like to go back somewhat on my own terms. And getting to meet all the VO folks I’ve been Zooming with in person would be great.

Ok everyone, time for me to gab some more.

L

Hi all, it’s a glorious soggy day here in Eau Claire.

I went to an audiobook seminar hosted by the great Johnny Heller and Scott Brick. Incredible stuff. Easily one of the most informative seminars in the VO realm that I’ve been to. Got great tips on audiobook publishing, recording, I’m still going through all the notes I took.

It got me thinking about when I went full time doing this, which is coming up on a year. It was a risky decision, but it paid off. However, every seminar, save for one in MN, that I’ve been to has been virtual. I haven’t had to jet around the country trying to meet up at other seminars with fellow VO artists. It’ll be an interesting switch for me, and probably for a few others, since this has been the norm for me.

I did see that the Gravy for the Brain conference is actually going ahead in Dallas this year. Not sure if I’ll be making it to that one or not, but seeing that things are finally trending in that direction, being free to travel and have things the way they were (mostly) pre-COVID, will be a (non-virus carrying) breath of fresh air.

Hi everyone, it’s a pleasant spring day here in the big Donut, aka E’claire, aka Eau Claire.

Professionally, had a good week. Just finished up a book for a client and received quite possibly the best compliment one can get from an author. They said they were looking forward to hearing what happened in the next chapter, even though they wrote the book!! Can’t ask for much more than that.

Personally, had a good week as well; managed to turn 43 without too much trouble (outside of a shoulder that doesn’t want to stop throbbing) and the Mrs. spoiled me rotten. Lucky man. Treated to a trip to the record store where I proceeded to buy a copy of an album I already owned. Either getting old or have a horrible organization system for my records. (Guessing a little of both)

Continuing to look for animation VO opportunities. Nothing to report yet, but if anyone knows any swell coaches, drop me a line.

That’s this week’s update. Later, folks!

Had the pleasure of getting PBS Passport, which allows you access to a ton of PBS and local PBS programming. Holy crap, it’s got a lot. Worth it for the Ken Burns stuff alone.

Speaking of, Burns has a great taste in narrators. Hearing the late John Chancellor (of NBC news back in the day) narrate the earlier stuff. Perfect fit. Sounds not too authoritative, not too newsy, and not boring (seeing how this is a post about PBS stuff, though, I have a feeling many are going to disagree). Author David McCullough worked on others, and has nearly the same sound as Chancellor. These guys are what I try to go for on my non-fiction, historical stuff, but I don’t nearly have the tone (yet) of these guys.

Peter Coyote and Keith David are the more contemporary guys for Burns, different styles, for sure. Coyote has the more “nicotine stained” voice of the two, but David has a smoother delivery. Hard to choose a favorite, although I know I’d take Keith David’s VO career in a heartbeat. He’s everywhere.

One person that did an audiobook for Stephen King that never got the recognition (strictly in VO) she deserved is Grace Slick. For one reason or another, I’ve never heard her narrate anything else. But she’s still kicking, and definitely should be heard more often than she has been.

Anyone have any personal favorites?

In other news, enjoying the newly renovated recording booth; it’s nice to be able to actually move and have ALL the equipment I have in it.

-Lee