I love doing voice-overs. And fortunately have gotten to do a lot of them. As a member of the comedy trio Isaac Air Freight, I did my first voice-over as Little Joe in Prodigal Joe. Then went on to perform on five studio albums and seven limited edition releases from our radio series The Isaac Air Show. After which, I wrote a multi-episode spoof called Soul Wars, and played the character Luke Warm. I also wrote, acted, and sang on a series of children’s recordings for the same record label.
Later, my comedy duo Mitch & Allen released three albums and a widely-seen video. By the mid-2000’s I’d done radio, audio books, and the now-classic Zondervan Dramatized Audio Bible, narrating the Book of Psalms as King David.
Voice-over artists invade our lives every day, without us ever knowing their names. But one stands out above all others:
Don LaFontaine. You may not know his name, but you know his voice. And you know his signature line, “In a world where…” Often called “the golden voice,” Don was the most successful voice-over artist of all time.
Shortly after we moved to Burbank, California, my daughter Beth enrolled in gymnastics. One day, she and her new back-flipping, cartwheeling buddy Skye insisted she sleep over at Skye’s house!
Two hours later we motored up a hill. And up. And up. Until we reached a multi-million dollar mansion with a 180° panoramic view of Hollywood. Skye’s dad Don, a down-to-earth bald dude in loafers welcomed us, introducing us to Skye’s mom, a wonderful pop/R&B singer named Nita, and their other “golden children” (bi-racial). I still love that term–and the attitude that goes with it.
Skye’s dad and I talked while she and Beth ran off to play. And then something clicked: This was that Don LaFontaine–the freaking Pope of voice-over!
Every time Beth and Skye hung out, Don and I hung out. We sat in his recording studio basement–directly wired to the studios and television networks–and talked showbiz. The only nuisance: about every 20 minutes we’d be interrupted by a buzzer. Don would say, “Excuse me,” slip into his booth, and record a line for, say, CBS (“Tonight on Touched by an Angel you’ll be touched!”). Once I asked, “How much did you just make?” He shrugged and said, “I don’t know, $15 or 20 thousand. My agent handles that stuff.”
He passed away just a few years later. I’m so grateful to have lived in a world where Don LaFontaine lived–both the artist and the person. Yes, I do voice-overs, but…
There will never be another “golden voice.”
It’s not easy. I did one once for a promotional video.
Yeah, the first time is scary, Sheree. But you get into a groove if you keep doing it.
I’ll bear that in mind, thank you
I did radio and voice-overs and was always in awe of Don La Fontaine. Another voice I got to know well was Allen Jeffreys. He was the voice of ABC. It was always a treat to hear “Tonight on ABC,” knowing the man behind that quick line. My favorite job was doing raceway commercials. “Saturday at Motor City Raceway.” 15 seconds of pure terror.
How cool, John! I didn’t realize you had a background in voice-over work.
Wow, a golden voice, indeed.
I hate the sound of my own voice on a recording, and I’m always told everyone does. (Hates the sound of their own voices, not mine!) I wonder if Don La Fontaine ever felt that way, or if he always knew his voice was special…
He was a copywriter originally, and didn’t think he had a particularly good voice. But he stood in for a no-show one day, enjoyed it, and kept getting asked to do more.
I am just beginning to know how very talented you are. You are an inspiration Sir!
Aw, thank you, Sheryl.
I’m speechless.
Fascinating story
Thanks, Michael. And great to hear from you!
WOW! Very cool!! I remember Don’s voice very well.
People tell me that I’ve got a voice for radio lol. 🙂
;>) People tell me I have a face for radio.
Voice over is a really cool thing to do. Really happy for you
Thank you, Mayham.
Its actually Zuhaib
Ah, thanks for letting me know, Zuhaib.
Lovely story. It was interesting to learn about the “behind the scenes” of the voice over trade. Thanks, Mitch. 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy.
Molto spesso ringrazio il cielo per avere avuto l’opportunità di vivere con una persona così importante per la mia formazione dopo mia madre!
Meravigliosa!
That’s cool to meet someone in such a random way.
It was indeed, Matt.
Fascinating, Mitch. Voices are captivating; they make what we’re hearing so entertaining and interesting. I think about that when I read a book to my granddaughter and use different voices for each character. She loves it!
My kids did too, Nancy! <3
I’d call that a very special “God Wink,” Mitch! Lovely! Cher xoxoxo
I agree. And thank you, Cher!
Great story.
When I worked in television making commercials, I often got to do the voice-over. In fact, a couple of our clients wanted me to do all of theirs. One was a record store with a kooky owner. The first ad we did for him was supposed to look like a rush on the front door of the store with music fans pushing to get in.
We did it all hand-held and it was crazy. We had to tell people things like, “Watch where you’re putting that skateboard!” Our kooky client got a British accent out of me, and it was voiced as if it was a breaking news story. I never tired of watching that one.
Mitch, I figured out after I hit “send” that I’d neglected to log in. Hence, I’m Anonymous once again. I’m an introvert, but this is getting ridiculous! LOL. Anyway, it’s your old buddy, Paula G. And again, thanks for your daily “stuff.”
Aha. Paula G, as in Geister?
And God winked…
;>)
That sounds like such a fun job!
It is!
Nice story, Mitch, you are definitely multi-talented!
Thank you, Peggy.
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Love the story, Mitch. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, San.
Makes me think of the old movie “In A World …” with Lake Bell, which was all about the voice-over biz!
Nice!
Thank you!