So I was updating wordpress today and something hung. Did a manual install and all of my customized stuff has gone “poof.” I’ve got the site back up and running, sort of. As you notice it looks different. That’s about all I can do until I get back to studio and pull the backup off a hard drive.

Well, I finally got around to upgrading my site to Word Press 3.0. Took a while and I had to do it manually as the automatic upgrade kept hanging but it works. I did manage to lock myself out of my stats and the WP support team is off until the 16th. Oh well. Thank goodness for Google Analytics.

Let me know if you find any bugs or glitches.

My friend Bob Souer has written an excellent blog post on weaknesses and strengths in voice over.  I’m constantly evaluating myself and searching out my own strengths and weaknesses to try and help improve my work and I found it a very poignant read.  I think you might as well.

Bob starts off:

“There are lots of folks who think that voiceover work is all about the voice. Sure, there’s an element of truth in that idea. When we audition, many times the final choice the client makes is based on whose voice most closely matches what they’re looking for; but be careful how far you carry this idea.”  Read More.

My radio friends Salt and Demetri the Greek at 96 Rock are partnering with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to raise money for their Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

All of the money raised goes to help provide financial, counseling, and basic human services to fisherman effected by the Gulf Coast oil spill.

Demetri and his wife, both gulf coast natives, kicked off the fundraiser by donating $3000 of their own money.  If you’d like to learn more or donate check out the “Fill the Spill with Rock” page.

Okay, so I know I’ve been lax in posting for a long while.  I’ve been quite busy keeping up with existing clients, some side jobs, school, and photo documenting the effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil spill.  Between all that and being a daddy I haven’t had much time for blogging lately but I’m going to try to get better.

I was reminded of this song this morning and wanted to share.  It’s catchy and fun.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WgT9gy4zQA

Sailing is my passion in life (well, aside from raising my son and enjoying being daddy).  Voiceover and audio production are how I finance it.   I recently took my first overnight sailing trip of 2010.

It’s wonderful out there and sailing solo is a very spiritual experience for me.  The Celtic religion believes in a concept known as “thin places.” According to the Thin Places website:

In simple terms a ‘thin place’ is a place where the veil between this world and the Other world is thin, the Other world is more near.  This meaning assumes the perceiver senses the existence of a world beyond  what we know through our five senses.

The Celts believed that thin places were locations on this earth that allowed them to be closer to their god.  These spiritual places exist not only in churches but all around us.  Some believe that Stonehenge was built on one such “thin” place.

The seas are my “thin” place.  When I’m sailing I have time to meditate, reflect on my life – both where I’ve been and where I want to go.  Being on the water gives me the time to remember what is really important in my life and what isn’t.  Sailing revitalizes my spirit, rejuvenates my soul, and reinvigorates my passion for life.  It puts me more in touch with myself and my beliefs and spirituality.   I’d say that’s a great definition of a “thin” place.

I hope everyone had a great Easter.  Spring has definitely sprung at our house.  The flowers and trees are in bloom, the birds are singing and nesting.  It’s a beautiful time of year on the Gulf Coast.

Now how can I record voiceovers outdoors? 

I’m nearing completion on the new voiceover booth.  The walls are basically done, I’m just working on tuning the space now trying a few placment options and tricks and working on finding the optimum sound in the sweet spot of the room.  Here’s a 2 minute video tour of my new voice booth.  Enjoy:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO7Qrt9QzbE

I’m going through my hard drives and cleaning off old stuff.  I’m a pack rat in the real world and the digital realm.  Anyway, I happened across a folder full of my favorite production from the late 90′s and early 00′s.  I might share a few more later – we’ll see.

My friend and very talented musician Wes Loper collaborated with  me to produce this spot in 2001:

Wharfhouse Restaurant Commercial

As a radio production director most of the time the commercials I made were pretty straightforward.  Voice over music, add a little compression and you were done.  Time to churn out the next one.  But every now and then you get to do something different.  This was one such project.  Wes came to the station after hours one night and we recorded it together in a few takes.  Wes did a great job with it but I wish I had half the production skills then that I do now.  I could have really made this into something special.  Wes, you and I both have come a long way since then, lol.  It’s only been 9 years.  Let’s do another one.

I was lucky enough to produce a message on hold project that Caryn Clark voiced today.  Working with Caryn is always a pleasure.  Not only does she do a great job as a voice actor but she’s one of my favorite people in the industry.  Thanks Caryn!