Brian James R.I.P

[Hoosierky]

Died heart attack. Info here http://zurekvo.com/blog/?p=7

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Was voiceover guy for WZPL.

There may have been more radio people die this year than get hired

 

[brian_stevens]

Died heart attack. Info here http://zurekvo.com/blog/?p=7

Combine the vast radio work with the VO for Extra. Is there another voice guy heard by more people daily?

Billy, Chuck, now Brian. A sad day.

 

[gr8oldies]

Shocking. Second only to Charlie Van Dyke (maybe not) as the voice of everything

 

[rtvmikey58]

I remember Brian James Oberle was the imaging and production guy when THE EAGLE flew at 93.1FM for about 16 months in 1986. I could feel the earth shake when he spoke; remember Moto and Boomer used to call him "Amazing Larry" when he would call in on their morning show? I never knew why....but, it made me laugh. I know he worked hard - but, made it seem so effortless. I thought of him often - thru his work....hard to go a day and not hear him. Prayers to his family and loved ones.

 

[Bomba]

This is so sad. Upon reading this news, I looked up Mr. James' website and thought readers would like to see the following paragraphs, which appear on and have been directly cited from that website (www.brianjames.com). I did not know Mr. James got his start at WIBC and WNAP:

The world was introduced to Brian James voice as the Creative Director of WIBC and WNAP in Indianapolis.One phone call and a moving van later,Brian took over as Creative Director of B94 Pittsburgh Then after a tour in San Francisco as the Creative force behind X100 Brian moved to Tampa Florida to be with Programmers Marc Chase and Gabe Hobbs to put the Legendary POWER PIG on the air. The stations reputation speaks for it's self...setting a broadcast record for worst to First in Arbitron in the shortest amount of time...in just a shade over 70 days..The POWER PIG became a radio legend and with it's success...hundreds of radio stations wanted a piece of the PIG'S creative pie.That pie was baked by none other than Brian James. His voice and production have been heard on industry leading stations like:KIIS/LosAngeles,Z100/New York,The Power Pig-933 FLZ/TAMPA CAPITALRADIO/London,KFRC/SanFrancisco,WSIX/Nashville,WFLA/Tampa, WLW/Cincinnati and Jammin:Boston. No matter the format, Brian has delivered proven success and a creative edge to each and every station.
All of these broadcast legends as well as hundreds more have sipped the Kool-Aid and made Brian their voice of choice. An attitude as recognizeable as the call letters on his resume...

Godspeed, Mr. James...

 

[Jim Burrows]

Back in 1984, as a 20 year old radio rookie, I went to WIBC to interview for my first radio job. I didn't want to work anywhere else. The two people responsible for filling this opening as an overnight board op for TalkNet were Rick Allen and Brian James. These guys were just a few years older but were production wizards. I got the job and 6 months later I moved on and was doing sports with Bob Lamey. My radio career had begun. One of the many great things for me about radio is the opportunity to meet and work with people you respect. True, there's much about the business that is nauseating but all of us wouldn't trade the best moments for anything. Meeting Brian and Rick was my first best moment. I am grateful. My thoughts and prayers to Brian's family. One of the best we will ever hear.

 

[RandyKlemme]

I got to know Brian for his VO work on Kicks 96 in Richmond....Brian was a good guy and what pipes he had....RIP my friend Brian

 

[Robb_Reel]

Brian was our voice guy when I was APD/MD/Afternoons at Clear 99 in Columbia, MO. He couldn't have been nicer, even when he didn't have to be. He put the same care into working for us in Market #255 that he did for his "big" national clients. His turnaround time was legendary; we could e-mail scripts and get back fully produced promos or liners in 24 hours or less.

I've been on the radio since i was 12 and many of the "thrills" have worn off, but it was still cool to hear someone of his caliber read something I wrote and make it come to life.

I can't say enough good things about Brian.

In fact, the only bad thing I can say is that his life was far too short.

 

[Wazzie]

This was shocking news when I heard it on Friday, and this weekend, my thoughts have been about Brian and prays to his family & close friends.

Brian actually got his start on WRIA-FM (now WFMG) Richmond, IN as a part timer. Even as a young man, he had that amazing voice. Management should have fired one of us full timers and given Brian the job. But instead, the "station across the street" K-96 (now Kicks 96) gave Brian his frist radio gig. It seems silly now but the battle of the two 50K powerhouse CHR FMs was on. It went on for several years before our management decided to flip to A/C and shortly there after, K-96 flipped to country.

Watching Brian's career take off from Indy was amazing to watch. Who knew that he would become one of the biggest V/O talents in the world? And what a shame for him to be cut down at age 48. He will be missed.