Thanks for betting on me!
Voiceover work for leading brands in hot, trending industries is always exciting to me. As a live events announcer, I’ve been a huge fan of sports events for many years. The recent popularity of sports betting takes my love of sports to another level.
CHECK OUT ALL MY DEMOS HERE!Check out all of my demos here!
On my website, I have a section specifically dedicated to my clients, in case you hadn’t noticed. Monster Jam, Red Bull, bet365, Shell, Jeremiah Weed, Monster, NHL and CFL… I thank you (among others)!
Words matter. On the written page, they’re everything. On TV and radio, in streaming audio and video – as well as during live events – the voice matters as much as the words. A voiceover is interpretive, full of tonal subtlety. Like every person, every voice is unique. And it has with the power to stir the senses and drive a call to action. That’s the power of voice!
In the worlds of advertising, documentary, corporate narration and live events, storytelling is everything. Brands, people, places, companies and spectacles… Each is a story waiting to be told. So that’s what we – the professional voice artists and announcers of the world – are wanting to do. We want to tell your stories!
There is absolutely no magic in an event without… bums in seats! As your event announcer, MC or ringleader, I help to put them there by providing the narrative glue that holds shows together. But it’s more than that. With recorded voice, you can pre-promote events using the same voice that welcomes the crowd and announces the action at the show. Please reach out if you want to learn more about bums, seats and selling tickets!
Yes, there’s “pace, range and clarity.” They’re part of the recipe. Now let’s add at least a dash of enunciation, versatility, consistency and articulation… all grounded with genuine emotional intent, skills and traits that come with an experienced voice artist… I speak for the industry – not only for myself – when I recommend these considerations for your voiceover work. I’m proud to tell you what you’re going to get, working with me.
OK, it’s been a few decades since I embarked on this career in voice announcing and artistry! I’m seasoned and work hard to keep up with the trends, the technology, and nuances of the audiences. That means I’ve seen a lot, heard a lot, and learned a lot. Happy to help, by the way…to put this to work for you!
I guess for me, the bottom line on my work as voice talent is that I’ve always taken it seriously. What does that mean? Look at this photo. That’s a high-end microphone on a high-end stand. Professional headphones. Professional look on my face. Yes, I use the right equipment and, yes, I am meticulous. I want to give you the best voiceover for your money. I mean it. Are you all in?
Whether I’m recording in the studio or performing live as the event announcer with a cast of characters, including machines, I keep an open mind. I can roll with anything. I’ll get feedback from producers and clients in the studio where I’ll have to “change it up” so it’s more to their liking. And I’ll get feedback from the crowd (applause, silence, laughs… or not) that can cause me to change course in midstream. For that, you need flexibility and, yes, a great attitude!
In this line of work (I’m talking about live announcing, here), you can see, hear and feel the wins. When the crowd roars its approval in direct response to your “play-by-play” commentary, it is an unmistakable win. For who? For my clients, of course. For the people running the show! And, yes, I feel like a bit of a winner, myself, sometimes. That would make it a win win, right?!
In most of the events I announce, the stars are wild and crazy drivers and riders. They’re performance athletes in command of awesome machines. Without them, there would be no show. I have to get into a kind of “rock star” mentality, myself, for colour commentary between the stunts. I’m the glue and the grease, keeping the crowd “up for more.”
This one’s about the shirt I’m wearing… and it’s also about my daughter, who I love. Tough Cookie Lifestyle goes across the country! Here, I’m promoting my daughter’s coaching business as I travel to announce the FMX World Tour in the nation’s capital.
In addition to working as the voice of shows, I’m often hired to record “big brand” scripts. Live events and studio-based brand work are two very different challenges. Events is about responding to the action with real emotion. Big brand voiceovers, especially for advertising, are more like “engineering projects,’ produced to trigger action.
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know I’m not all ego. I prefer to laugh at myself. Here’s a little secret about always “getting it right.” I always do my very best. That’s why “Doug gets it right!”
It’s tough to fake enthusiasm… so I don’t! When you see me like this at a monster trucking or motorcross event, it’s real emotion. Sometimes it’s fear. Every time, it’s admiration. And, yeah, there’s one word that can always be used to describe how I’m feeling at these show: Enthusiastic!
I’ve travelled across this great country of ours, working as the live announcer, MC at motor sports events, as well as a recorded voice artist from coast to coast (as well as all over the world). My work, and the people I meet, have made me a proud Canadian. Happy Canada Day!
I’m a live announcer. The action unfolds with an element of unpredictability, in real time. To do my job, I stay loose, ready to “change up my commentary” in accordance with what’s happening. Liam Davies writes: “Everything in production needs to have some level of flexibility. Things (might) turn on a dime.” I couldn’t agree more.
Read the full article at:
On the Fly, by Liam Davies, Working Draft magazine, Mar 31, 2024
That’s a CTV microphone and I’m not the announcer in this shot, I’m the interviewee! I want to thank the media across North America for their many years of interest in my career as a live MC at motorsports shows. We are kindred souls who share a connection as raving fans of the performers who dazzle the crowds with their incredible, motorized stunts.
When your grandfather is the house announcer at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, you get to go to a lot of hockey games! As a kid, I had access to the Gardens – a major league venue – for virtually any event. My favourites were the circus and wrestling. Those experiences led me to what I do today.
Here’s an old photo (circa: not saying) of me getting my start in voice announcing with an early job as a radio DJ. I look pretty much the same, wouldn’t you say? And you can see that broadcast technology hasn’t changed much, either. Ask any DJ. All you really need is a mic, some dials and a turntable (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)!
I’m very proud of my son, Jay, who has taken after me, working as an announcer in shows such as the Champions Rise MMA event. We actually did that one together, which was extra-special for me!
What a blast we had announcing Champions Rise as the only father-son MMA broadcast team!
What happened to the big, bass-baritone radio guy voice? I think today’s listeners are more interested in down-to-earth authenticity and non-selling, storytelling brand narratives. They’re saying: “Tell us a story!” Please listen to this interview snippet and see if you agree with my point of view.
“Antarctica: The Journey to the End of the Earth.” Can you hear the awe in my voice as you watch this documentary? It’s the reason I won this Hollywood International Independent Documentary Award for narration. Play the Antarctica trailer.
Once in a while, I like to stretch as an artist. As an example, I play the bad guy, without actually saying anything, in an on-camera appearance in an award-winning music video, Long Way Down, by Juno-nominated recording artist Nuela Charles.
LINK:
NUELA CHARLES LONG WAY DOWN (youtube.com)
Through the years, I’ve worked with an incredible cast of show biz characters. Together, we’ve had an absolute blast getting audiences worked up for the wow factor. I feel privileged and honoured to have this ongoing opportunity and then to also be called a leader and a GOAT. Call me anything you want… as long as you keep calling me to do the events!
Learn more:
Let me help guide you into the world of live and virtual events. It’s a glowing, sunlit world of opportunity, as you can see from the graphic I had built to explain it. Imagine the crowds filing in under the arch of pre-event promotion. And think of the strengthened foundation a great event can deliver to your brand, post-event!
Learn more:
In the studio, there’s no crowd. Instead, I rely on collaboration with producers and directors whenever I can. There are always plenty of ways to read the same script. When in doubt, I ask for direction. It keeps me current in the game.
If you’re organizing online or offline events, download my Event Planner’s Checklist. It’ll give you ideas for pre- and post-show advertising and promotion. And it explains how to bring events to life… without the need for a live announcer. Ironic? Yes. Powerful? You betcha!
Learn more
After a great show, it’s time to reap the rewards. Leverage your success with these tips: 1) Say “thanks for attending” with voice-enhanced posts, emails and on websites; 2) Invite feedback the same way, by sharing media-enhanced posts and emails; 3) Start pre-promoting your next event with trailers, voice-enhanced ads and pages; 4) Engage social communities, joining conversations with voice-enhanced thought leadership posts.
Learn more:
Give your event personality with recorded voice during the live action! Here are some ways to do it: 1) Pre-record powerful, inspiring intros to make your guests feel special, being there; 2) Introduce speakers, stars & guests professionally and more personally; 3) Put everyone at-ease with a “buddy in the room”; 4) Keep everyone informed with PA-style announcements; 5) Engage the audience with voice-enhanced polls, surveys, Q&As & more.
Learn more:
You can shoot for sold out events with strong, pre-show promotion. Here are some tips to do that. I feature these in my Event Planner’s Checklist, which you can download from my site:1) Run voice-enhanced digital ads; 2) Add voice to your event landing page; 3) Add a promo voice clip to your website; 4) Enhance pre-event materials with the voice of your event!
Learn more:
In my experience, the three-legged stool represents the best voiceover performance through a unique trio of talents coming together. For me, collaborative creativity is that magic conjured together by a producer, a director and me, the voice guy!
I’m very often part of the show, sharing the stage, with action unfolding around me. That makes it my job as live announcer to help direct the energy of the crowd to different elements of the spectacle, like a circus ringmaster.
Not that there are many quiet moments in the events I announce… but, hey, part of my job is to keep the audience engaged no matter what! Again, I’m a fan first, so that’s how I approach any and all improvisational commentary.
Excerpt from Stan Ashbee’s article at https://www.mylethbridgenow.com/37880/news/motorsports-spectacular-announcer-is-a-fan-first/
When I was a little kid, my grandfather was the house announcer at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. I got to go to a lot of hockey games, and had access to the Gardens for virtually anything that was on - my favorites were the circus and wrestling. Those experiences led me to what I do today.
Excerpt from Stan Ashbee’s article at https://www.mylethbridgenow.com/37880/news/motorsports-spectacular-announcer-is-a-fan-first/
CHECK OUT ALL MY DEMOS HERE!
You can use recorded voice clips (like mine) in three key areas of virtual events, bringing them to life: 1) Pre-event, to promote it via digital ads;
2) During the event, as a host, announcer and “buddy”; 3) Post-event, to say “thanks” and to build community. Why not give it a shot!
Learn more:
When I’m telling a great story, I don’t over-express it. I let the suspense build. I let the under-stated secrets spill from the script itself.
Events can be live (like monster trucking), virtual (online conferences) or hybrid where you’ve got a real crowd and a “connected” online audience, too. I recently shared my thoughts on how you can use recorded voice to enhance all types of events. If you’re planning a “show,” why not download the Event Planner’s Checklist. Hope it helps!
Learn more:
On the road, you sometimes have to get creative by building your own sound booth in your hotel room.
Events don’t sound like they used to. Whether it’s live, virtual or hybrid, your event is an opportunity to deliver an outstanding audience experience. That’s always been part of my job as voice talent.
Like a great recipe, there are key ingredients that make or break virtual events. Here’s a helpful list to remind you how to “cook up” an outstanding event!
DOWNLOAD MY VIRTUAL EVENT PLANNER'S CHECKLIST
My voice is used during virtual events. It can also be used to promote the events in digital ads… before they happen, making sales.
At live events, the work I do announcing is a conduit between the action and the audience, or the performers and their crowd. It can be subtle, simply reinforcing audience response. Or it can be theatrical, part of the spectacle.
CHECK OUT ALL MY DEMOS HERE
Sometimes live events take my breath away. That’s when I often come back onto the mic with a simple “Wow.” It resonates with the crowd. It punctuates the action.
Sometimes, working live events, I have to pinch myself. Even the fact that I get to talk face-to-face with some of these world class athletes and performers continues to amaze me.
My voiceover gigs keep me inspired, almost all of the time. When I take a break, I ride my Harley. It, too, keeps me inspired, especially when I’m riding free on the highways of Alberta, where I live.
As a kid, I was an artist… and an actor. As a grown-up with a real career in voiceover and as a live events announcer, my acting has become billable. That’s what I’m up to here, for example. No, that’s not my typical demeanour!
CHECK OUT ALL MY DEMOS HERE!
I get to go “crazy” sometimes, announcing live events like Monster Truck Shows. I bring emotion to studio sessions, too, but there’s more precision and control in terms of how I deliver the lines.
There’s the literal aspect to my tagline: I am a live announcer. There’s also the intent that, with my studio work as a voice artist, your voiceover has the impact of an event.
Check out all of my demos here!
“What’s a Talking Ad,” you might be wondering. It’s a digital ad with a voiceover. Bring your social media posts to life! See what I mean by playing some of my demos.
Check out all of my demos here!
Even before you run a virtual event, you need to promote it. Why not use the same voice? In the advertising world, we call that “brand consistency.”
Check out all of my demos here!
If you’re an Event Planner running a virtual or hybrid event online, we’ve got a Checklist for you. Use it to “be prepared.” That’ll help you stage an ultimate event!
Download My Virtual Events Checklist
I’m so fortunate to be paid to be there and to use my talent to tell a story!
Check out all of my demos here!
I like to talk business. Do you? Please check out my interview with Mario Toneguzzi and let me know if you agree with my point of view!
Check out all of my demos here!
The big, bass-baritone radio guy voice may have its place…but not in this decade. See if you agree with my point of view on what people listen to today…
Check out all of my demos here!
The big, bass-baritone radio guy voice may have its place…but not in this decade. See if you agree with my point of view on what people listen to today…
Check out all of my demos here!
Such a fanboy in my Sabotage t-shirt announcing Canada’s only independent female monster truck driver. @sabotage_monster @throttleoutpros
Check out all of my demos here!
Father/son duo at Champions Rise MMA event. Very cool for me to anchor the worldwide TV streaming desk as my son, Jay, announces in the cage and provides broadcast commentary — a unique live event announcing combination.
Check out all of my demos here!
I’m big in Germany and other parts of Europe! As a voice talent, you get to work for people everywhere, delivering global English reads. And the Europeans seem to like my deep, smoky, Monster Trucking voice.
Hear what I mean on my demos here >
What happened to the big, bass-baritone radio guy voice? Listen to this interview snippet and see if you agree with my point of view on what people listen to today.
Check out all of my demos here!
