Bill Hader was one of my favorites on SNL.  He had such a great range of impressions and characters.   But what I especially like about him is how accurate some of his voice impressions would be.  And not just the popular ones.  Recently, he was on Conan O'Brien's show and the topic of "Star Wars" came up.  Well done Bill!  

Back in late 1998 to late 1999, Steve Cochran hosted the morning show on WKQI-FM, which at the time was known as Q95-5.  John Heffron sidekicked with Steve, after surviving the Danny Bonaduce days and teaming up with one of the nicest guys in radio, Kevin O'Neill.  I was also there during this time as the station's commercial production director.  Around the same time my voice-over career was just starting to take off too.  About half-way through that year, Steve needed a board-op, and I jumped at the chance--for just a little more money, and some donuts.  Actually, it was a lot more fun than writing commercials for Laser Eye doctors.  I also got a chance to do some voice impressions when the opportunity presented itself.  Last week, Steve and John reunited at 720 WGN in Chicago.  Check it out by clicking here.  It was fun, and frightening when I realized that I can't count how long ago that job was on two hands.  By the way, if you've never seen John Heffron's live stand-up act, do yourself a favor and check him out next time he's in your town.  And if you've never heard of John and you're a guy in his 20's who needs some help, buy his book, "I Come to You From the Future: Everything You'll Need To Know Before You Know It!"  He's done all the research for you, and it's available on Amazon.

                           

Over the past several months, I've been working on getting my voiceover recording studio set up the "right" way.  It is the first truly legitimate home recording space I've had since I began my career as a voice actor.  This setup has included, but is not limited to:   achieving proper microphone placement, acoustic treatment of the room, installing other studio gear, and the overall layout.  When I see what some other voice actors were doing with their home studios (and believe me, I've done my research), there was a lot of comparing and contrasting and self-doubting and wondering on my part.  It led to some analysis paralysis, and the only thing that does is prevent you from making confident decisions and moving forward.  So I'm glad I got past that phase of my adventure.  In fact, when I really took a good look out there, it gave me a little perspective too...

Quit comparing.  Be grateful.  And do your best, regardless if you are working with, the "best."

Larry D. Mann, who provided the voice of the gruff prospector Yukon Cornelius in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", has died(And right after Christmas no less).  Besides Hermey, the dentist-aspiring elf, he was one of my favorite characters in the show.