Announcer Joel Crager

Word from Roy Yokelson of Antland Productions that network announcer Joel Crager had passed away Thursday. He is a voice you knew well, primarily for his work on ABC.

A great interview with Joel from 2006 can be found here.

This video contains Joel’s intro for the ABC Monday Night Movie – I remember it well. Keep a good thought for Joel’s family today.

The Voice of God, Longtime New York Yankees public address announcer Bill Sheppard. Photo Courtesy USA Today - Bill Kostroun, AP

After 99 years on this earth and 50 years as the revered public address announcer for the New York Yankees, Bob Sheppard died July 11, 2010, about 3 months shy of 100 years old.

Wow, what a career her had!

“The Voice of God”, as he was affectionately known, now has a meeting scheduled with his namesake. I’m pretty sure they’re gonna talk baseball at some point.

Yes, I’m bothered by something and I need to get on my soapbox for a minute…but not for me – for someone else.

As anniversary’s go, it’s a sad day for fans of Michael Jackson.

I imagine it’s almost unbearable for three important people. Still.

I am not a Michael Jackson fan nor am I a hater.

I’m pretty much indifferent…except when it comes to how his children are affected.

None of what continues to be reported in the press needs to be reported in the press. It’s not critical, vital, nor important.

Yet every time it comes up, three important people get exposed to it. Three important people have to read news that viciously reminds them of their father (not icon, not king of pop, not star – father) who they don’t have around them anymore and who they desperately would love to see again.

No. It’s NOT “just the way it is.”

No, that is a lazy-ass excuse for bad behavior (media feeding the mindless public who seem to ingest it all) and I do not accept that behavior.

If the public would stop reading (I have – well, I never started), stop viewing and stop buying vessels carrying Michael Jackson news (that isn’t really news) the media would move on.

That might help three important people to move on as well.

We’re the adults, we’re supposed to look out for children…so pass on it….and pass this message on.

Voice Actor Allen Swift, photo copyright Neal Boenzi, The New York Times

Shame on me for missing the Cartoon Brew post last week and only now catching the New York Times obit on voice actor Allen Swift.

What’s sad for me in these situations is I learn of a performer’s work after their passing. Shame on me again.

Justin Kaiser

Some sad news for voice over and social media folks.

You may or may not have had the chance to interact with voice talent Justin Kaiser. I did, on-line, and he was a very pleasant guy with talents in a multiple of disciplines: voice over, social media, marketing.

I was terribly saddened to read on the VO-BB early this morning that Justin had died. While I am unable to find an obituary to link to at the moment, there is some info on the VO-BB link above. The WGFA radio web site (where Justin was Operations Manager and Morning Show host) indicated at the time of the post that Justin was suffering from complications following surgery around Christmas time.

While I am unsure how long his family will keep up his web sites, for the time being I think all you need to know about Justin and his family is found in this video that Justin recorded as he and his wife Diana hopefully mailed their adoption paperwork. Watch, listen and remember with a smile.

P.S. Here is a link the WGFA Radio fan page on Facebook, where you can also leave a message. We’re not bound by zip codes anymore.

Pat Pappy Fraley, 1985-2009

Voice over coach Pat Fraley announced on his Facebook page the death of his eldest son, Pat, AKA “Pappy” Sunday.

Via Voiceover Universe, Pat’s Facebook message about his son was conveyed to me this morning:

Dear Beloved Extended Family,

I have some sad news. My eldest son, Pat, AKA “Pappy” died yesterday. He died of an overdose. He was 24. Although Renee, I, and his brothers grieve deeply – and I’m being bold as my son always encouraged me to be, Pappy knew Christ, and he awaits us in heaven; a place of no pain and no tears, but tears of joy. Please don’t respond to this on FB. My email is patfraley@aol.com. Just knowing you are sorry for our loss is abundant and a blessing. If you pray, please pray for Renee and me to have the strength and grace to comfort Pappy’s brothers.

With Gratitude,

Pat

While aware of Pat’s son’s problem, I still cannot fathom the challenge these parents faced to save their son, how his brothers sought to help their brother.

I hope my family’s faith, our prayers for his family will some how strengthen their family’s faith in God and in each other, helping them now and in the weeks and months to come.

I hope your faith will too.

Voice Actor Travis Davis

I opened up Facebook today to see a post from VO Planet’s Donna Summers announcing the passing Monday of voice talent and actor Travis Davis from a 15 month long battle with stomach cancer.

He leaves behind a wife and two young children. There is a foundation set up to help the family.

Until this day, I never knew who Travis Davis was.

But I have a wife and two young children and right now my heart is racing and not in a good way.

If you’d be willing to forgo the morning Starbucks for a week, it might make a nice donation for a family that just lost their Da.