Just wandered in here on my weekly visit, more to read than to post, but the topic hits home on so many levels. Jeff has raised a legitimate issue. I came upon the Ted Williams story just before it reached a boiling point on the Columbus Post Dispatch NEWSPAPER site. Yes. The story was broken by a newspaper photo-journalist and went viral on You Tube.
There's a long thread dedicated to Ted on my Facebook page. Most of it is positive, with contributions from Buffalo radio people. I've been one of Williams' proponents primarily from the human-interest-compassion perspective. Maybe it's because I've been on the beach. Maybe it's because I've worked with some very talented people who've had their brawl with the bottle, bong and spoon. Americans love the story about the down-and-outer who makes-good. Ted's story is a made for TV movie and a paperback short story.
That said, I completely understand the perspective of those who have been clean and trying to make a living doing commercial voice over work asking the question, "Why him? Just because he has a bottomless voice?" There are hundreds of radio people who have great chops, working for 50 dollars a holler and competing with men and women who have equally good pipes and production values, as well as extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of commercial production. Why aren't these people given equal billing?
A very good in-the-business friend of mine saw the story, called and asked "Whataya think?"
I told him it was a wonderful story of rehabilitation and redemption.
My friend, who also does some voice work, said, "So the men and women who are casualties of the Clear Channel, Citadel and Cumulus talent purges who are clean and trying to get work are told to go to the back of the bus while this reformed street guy goes to the front of the line?"
"The guy says he's been clean for two and a half years. He has a big voice..." I tell him.
"LOTS OF GUYS have been clean but they don't do Kraft spots, announce the Cavs or work for MSNBC... yet this guy goes to the front of the line. It's not right! Besides, this guy has a lisp, his phrasing and articulation aren't great."
"I heard the Kraft VO. It's not bad."
"Seriously? He'd get cut from a lot of cattle calls if talent people were listening to him blind."
"Does it matter?" I say.
"I find it funny that everybody wants a voice actor these days, but people are going ga-ga over this guy when he turns on the radio-voice. How's that make you feel? You walk into an audition and the 'talent clerk' says 'we don't want a radio delivery'."
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So there you have it. Ted could be the flavor of the day and forgotten tomorrow. Who knows. He could be the next Don LaFontaine. They say it's not about the voice, contrary to what we've seen over the last week. It's about the read, the delivery, the patience, the attitude, the schmooze and most of all the refined talent and the application of that talent.
The voiceover biz is also about selling yourself. In more ways than one. A very accomplished friend sometimes says, "We're all prostitutes, it's up to us if we choose to work the street or the penthouse." Lots of people can play a pretty decent guitar, but that doesn't mean you can play duets with Clapton. I'm kind of in that boat, just a person who's been doing it for a long time in a radio station environment, now attempting to break back in as an independent.
Hope my perspective helps. Good luck. Savor the day!