Frank Tavares, voice of NPR

[Kemosabe]

For three decades, National Public Radio listeners heard Frank Tavares announce: "Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations, and from …" Mr. Tavares, who had been diagnosed with ALS, died on December 30 at his home in Coral Springs, Florida. He was 75.

From NPR (with audio): Frank Tavares, The Voice Of NPR For 30 Years, Has Died.

 

[vchimpanzee]

It didn't seem right when they changed voices, but obviously it was time.

One of the new people sounds just like Bill Hader.

 

[FreddyE1977]

He played a large role in defining the distinctive NPR sound that, among other things,
would become rich fodder for Saturday night TV skits.

ALS is a horrible way to go. RIP.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

One of the new people sounds just like Bill Hader.

I think you're referring to Chioke I’Anson, who does the newscast funding credit at 05:40 after the hour? I hadn't noticed that particular similarity. Here is a profile he gave to the newspaper in Richmond, VA, where he is based: https://www.richmond.com/entertainm...cle_ec005690-5704-5627-8023-2e33bbc02777.html

 

[TheBigA]

Surprised the NPR obit didn't mention this, but he was once a full time employee at NPR. He was head of something called "Specialized Audiences." There's a lot more to his story, and you can hear it in this interview he did about 12 years ago:

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1423568