I hesitated to write this blog, but then I thought…I can’t be the only one.
As I was putting together a new demo I ran into a real awakening. Piece by piece, I thoughtfully decided what went where. I then posted it for critique and emailed it to some trusted friends in the industry. The feedback..Well, it shocked me. I’ll get to why in a moment. First let me re-introduce you to me, sort of.
Going back as far as jr. high school, people would mistake me for my father when I answered the phone. Teachers and friends would make remarks about how a kid my age could have such a deep, resounding voice. Ok, let’s be fair, no 6th grader has any reason to even think about trying to force themselves into a voice range. They are just kids, being kids. I heard these comments forever. Was asked to sing in choirs, speak at various events, etc.. People loved “the voice”. By chance I played softball one summer with a guy who was a PD at the local radio station. His remark was “HOLY CRAP, WHAT A VOICE. You want a job?” Sure. So, i get into radio. I like it, but it isn’t what I want to do. People constantly tell me, you should do “monster truck spots and movie trailers, etc..” I finally embark on a journey into voice over. All the while hearing the remarks, comments and suggestions in my head. So I am plugging away and getting some work. Slowly but surely, I get more. Then comes the wake up call, which I told you I would get to..
I am putting together my demo as I mentioned. The feedback I got was unanimous, one particular spot was no doubt MY signature sound. It was authentic, warm, real, marketable, those were a few of the remarks I heard. Why is that odd? Because, it was not at all what I thought was my signature sound. Nor was it what anyone else had ever told me I should do. It was the farthest out of my vocal comfort zone I had ever been. It was way higher in my range than I would normally think about going, but I can’t argue with that many people randomly giving me the same feedback. So what does this mean? For me, it is re-inventing the wheel. It is rediscovering who and what I am as a voice talent. It is learning that my signature voice is not what I thought it was, or what I ever expected it could be. Does that mean I should stay away from my comfort zone? Probably not, but it certainly means I need to push myself to go places I really never thought about going. Why? Because MY VOICE was not necessarily MY voice as I heard it, or anyone else for that matter. The voice is like a guitar or any other musical instrument. There is more than 1string on a guitar, even a bass guitar.