Voice Actors Rebecca Davis, Barri Tsavaris and Peter K. O’Connell at WOVOCON The Voiceover Unconference, 2025

I’m going to write this voiceover blog post about WOVOCON 2025 – the Voiceover UNconference in New Orleans now because I am on the plane home having just left the event.  So obviously I have a few hours of free time up here at 33,000 feet.

Also, the thoughts are fresh. At my age – that’s important ?.

I don’t want to write this from the position of “here’s what you missed” and thus make anyone feel bad. And I’m not really interested increasing any voiceover FOMO (fear of missing out) for next time.

But I do want to write it for the WOVO members who were not there and those voice talents who have heard about it and may want to look into it the future.

This post has a bigger purpose – a business purpose. Your voiceover business.

YOUR NEW VOICEOVER BUSINESS GOAL

If you like (or even love) what I tell you about this exclusive voiceover event-  (there are other perfectly fine VO events – NONE like what WOVOCON is today) – I want you to do something.

I want you to set a very specific business goal for your voiceover business – no matter what stage you are at.

That goal is to create a budget item or business savings account for you to attend the next WOVOCON.

Post this goal on your booth wall, post it in your business planning folder. However you do it, take it VERY seriously.

Deal? Ok here we go.

WHAT YOU MISSED AT WOVOCON – AND IT WAS ALOT

With a maximum of only 120 people allowed at this voiceover unconference – it already stands apart from all the others. You WILL get to know almost all the participants, which leads to amazing business conversations inside and outside of the sessions.

I cannot be specific because there was lot of company specific information shared and the rule of WOVOCON is what happens at WOVOCON stays at WOVOCON. But what I can share should give you a fairly clear trail that what I and other learned over the weekend would likely have positively influenced your business immediately.

As an example:

• I’ve been doing live announcing (Voice of God) and emceeing since about 1983 – but when Dan Hurst and George Washington III lead a presentation and discussion on live announcing, I took many notes and listened to the input of many other respected live announcers in the session. Sharing, sharing and more incredibly insightful, immediately impactful (for my business) sharing. Other voiceover conferences? Not like this.

One of WOVOCON’s other point of difference is that the agenda for the meeting is set BY the attendees AT the event. This takes customized learning to the next level. Especially because it becomes so clear from the topic suggestions that many of us have the same questions and interests.

As an example:

• What are the hot and cold business interaction buttons creative decision makers among different generations? Can you call up a Gen-Alpha the same way you call a Baby-Boomer? Are there texting shortcuts that will freakout a Gen-Z? Tom Test and Matt Jackson had those questions, they had some answers and the rest was opened up to a wide ranging and insightful discussions. Many notes, even more epiphanies.

The hours I have spent in voice acting classes are numerous so naturally I know everything about voice acting…not! There are thoughts and direction that I need that I don’t even know I need and I got a good portion of that new direction came at the 2025 WOVOCON Voiceover Unconference in New Orleans.

As an example:

• Do you know who offered this acting insight: ‘make sense of the script and the words will take care of themselves’? It was a very famous person. Do you understand the rules for making said sense? I know who said it and I understand the rules a bit clearer now after Hugh Klitzke’s session.

There were many more sessions than just these three examples but I think you now understand the wide scope of what was covered for the professional voice talents in attendance and likely how your business could have greatly benefited by your being a part of the weekend.

BACK TO THE GOAL

I hope you will take serious the goal I put before you. That the uniqueness, the intimate group size and the depth of knowledge immediately available to you – with no selling or up charges – is a really worthwhile investment in you and your business.

I hope you’ll start saving and I hope to see you at the next WOVOCON.

Tags: voice over training, voiceover advice, WOVOCON // Comments Off on WOVOCON ’25: What You Missed & Why Voice Actors Can’t Miss Next Time

Some voiceover projects come with a built-in sense of responsibility. When Bruce Wittman from Eagle Video Productions called about an audition for a U.S. Army informational video, I knew this wasn’t your typical corporate narration gig. This was Fort Huachuca—a military installation with roots stretching back to the Indian Wars of the late 19th Century, now one of the most critical posts within the Department of Defense.

No pressure, right?

The Audition: Standing Out Among Professional Voice Talent

Here’s something that doesn’t always make it into these testimonial posts: most of the time, you’re not the only voice actor being considered. For the Fort Huachuca project, Bruce was working with a committee of military decision-makers who were reviewing auditions from a wide pool of professional voiceover talent.

When you’re auditioning for government or military video production work, the stakes are different. The tone has to be just right—authoritative without being overbearing, informative without sounding like you’re reading from a textbook, matter-of-fact but still engaging enough to hold attention. It’s a narrow lane to stay in, vocally speaking.

I submitted my audition read and waited. When Bruce called to say they’d selected my voice for the project, it felt like validation—not just that I could deliver the technical requirements of professional narration, but that my vocal tone matched what the U.S. Army needed to tell Fort Huachuca’s story.

Fort Huachuca: Where History Meets Modern Defense

Let me paint the picture for anyone unfamiliar with this place. Fort Huachuca sits in the Huachuca Mountains, rising out of the San Pedro Valley in southeastern Arizona. It started as a central outpost during the Indian Wars, and today it’s become one of the Department of Defense’s most strategically important installations.

That historical weight matters when you’re the voice talent for an informational video like this. You’re not just describing a military base—you’re narrating a piece of American history that’s still very much active and relevant. The video needed to honor that legacy while communicating what makes Fort Huachuca critical to modern defense operations.
As a narrator, my job was to be the steady, reliable voice that guided viewers through that story. Not dramatic, not theatrical—just clear, authoritative, and human.

The Challenge: Making Changes (Give or Take)
If you’ve worked in video production, broadcast media, or corporate communications long enough, you know how this story goes. The script gets approved. You record the voiceover. Everything sounds great. And then…
“Actually, we’d like to make a few changes.”

Bruce mentioned this in his testimonial regarding the various projects we’ve worked on, and honestly, it’s one of those situations that separates professional voice actors from the rest.

It’s where being directable and easy to work with as a male voice talent really matters. For video producers and creative services directors managing clients (especially clients with multiple stakeholders), producers need a voice talent who isn’t going to push back on revisions or make the process difficult.

My approach?

Stay flexible, keep the performance consistent, and make Bruce’s life easier instead of harder. When you’re dealing with a committee of military decision-makers, changes aren’t optional—they’re part of the process. Rolling with those revisions professionally is just part of delivering quality voiceover work.

Working with Eagle Video Productions

Bruce Wittman is one of those producers who’s seen it all. Decades in media production means he knows what professionalism looks like—and what it doesn’t. After we completed the Fort Huachuca project (and survived the revision marathon), Bruce shared these thoughts:

“If you’re a video producer who needs a professional voice talent, I recommend Peter K. O’Connell. Not only does Peter have impressive national voiceover credits and an incredibly versatile voice acting range, he is one of the nicest, most easy-going and directable talents I’ve worked with in all my decades of media production. He sure made my job easier when one client wanted a bazillion narration changes after approving the script. Thanks Peter!”
Bruce Wittman, Owner — Eagle Video Productions

That kind of feedback means a lot, especially coming from someone with Bruce’s experience. The “directable” part is key—any voice actor can read a script, but being able to take notes, adjust performance, and maintain consistency across multiple recording sessions? That’s what separates a professional voiceover artist from someone who just has a decent microphone.

What Military and Government Video Projects Require
If you’re a video producer, broadcast producer, or communications director working on military, government, or institutional video content, you already know the unique challenges these projects present:

Multiple stakeholders: Decision-making often involves committees, which means more rounds of review and more potential for script changes. Your voice talent needs to be patient and accommodating.

Tone precision: Military and government narration requires a specific vocal quality—authoritative but not aggressive, informative but not boring, professional but still human. Finding a narrator who can nail that balance matters.

Reliability: When you’re working with federal clients or Department of Defense installations, deadlines aren’t flexible. You need a professional voice actor who delivers broadcast-quality audio files on time, every time.

Versatility: Even within a single project, you might need subtle adjustments in energy, pacing, or emphasis. A versatile voice talent can make those shifts without losing the core tone of the narration.

Why This Work Matters

Voicing the Fort Huachuca informational video wasn’t just another narration project—it was an opportunity to be part of telling an important story. From its origins as a 19th-century outpost to its current role as a critical Department of Defense installation, Fort Huachuca represents continuity, dedication, and service.

Being the voice that helps communicate that legacy to viewers? That’s meaningful work.

And when a video producer like Bruce—someone who’s worked with countless voice actors over decades of media production—says you made his job easier during a difficult revision process, that’s the kind of professional reputation you want to build.

The Bigger Picture: Making A Producer’s Job Easier
Here’s what I’ve learned working on projects like this: the best voiceover work is invisible in the best possible way. The viewer shouldn’t be thinking about the narrator—they should be absorbed in the content. That happens when the voice talent understands the assignment, takes direction well, and delivers consistent, high-quality narration that serves the story.
Whether you’re producing military training videos, corporate explainer content, broadcast promos for local TV affiliates, social media video campaigns, or live event presentations, you need a professional voice actor who makes the production process smoother, not more complicated.

If you’re looking for a narrator with the versatility to handle everything from authoritative government work to character-driven commercial spots—and who won’t make you regret those inevitable script revisions—let’s talk about your next project.
Check out the Fort Huachuca informational video below:

Need a professional voiceover artist for your video production, government contract, broadcast campaign, or corporate narration project? Let’s discuss how the right voice can elevate your content and make your job easier. Contact me today to talk about your voiceover needs.

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You’ve heard of out of office days — but for a professional voice actor, it’s all about the out of studio days.

This is what I have so far for the 4th quarter of 2025.

Good news first: I’m in the booth today (Columbus Day), recording fresh voiceover projects for clients who need fast turnaround audio. Whether it’s commercial voiceover, corporate narration, eLearning, or explainer videos, my voiceover studio is up and running!

But because even a voiceover talent occasionally needs to step away from the mic, here’s my quick schedule update for the rest of Q4:

Out of Studio Dates

October 16–17 & 20: I’ll be in New Orleans for WOVOCON, the annual voiceover conference where voice actors, voiceover artists, and producers get together to talk shop, share insights, and laugh about microphone mishaps. (I’ll still have studio access for client emergencies!)

November 27–28: Closed for Thanksgiving — though I might sneak in some voiceover recording between slices of apple pie (I do NOT like pumpkin pie).

December 23–26: Closed for Christmas — time for a little family, faith, and fun before diving into new voiceover projects for the new year.

Otherwise, I’m in the booth — recording, producing, and editing professional voiceovers for clients across radio, TV, digital, and corporate media.

If you need a male voiceover with broadcast-quality sound, quick turnaround, and decades of experience behind the mic, I’m here and ready to record.

• Email: peter@audioconnell.com
• Call/Text: 716-572-1800 or 919-283-1516

Whether you need a warm and friendly brand voice, an authoritative corporate narrator, or a dynamic event announcer, you’ll find it all here with me at audioconnell.com — your producer-friendly, neighborhood voiceover talent.

Tags: commentary, schedule // Comments Off on Peter’s Q4 ’25 “Out of Studio” Days (Because Voice Talents Deserve a Break Too)

When you work as a professional voiceover talent in a radio or TV market for over 50 years, you get to know the commercial production teams —especially on the radio side.

That’s exactly what happened during my time in Buffalo, NY, where I voiced a plethora of radio (and TV) commercials and developed the kind of long-term relationships that come with genuine creative shorthand. You know, where someone calls and says, “Hey, can you do this?” and you both already know exactly what needs to happen.

The Buffalo Radio Landscape

There’s been a lot of change in radio in Buffalo since I left in 2016 – as there has been in every radio market in the country (like Raleigh, more home for the past 9 years). Cumulus, Townsquare Media and Audacy are the biggest radio station groups there now.

This story involves the Audacy group of stations (whose biggest stations in the market included WBEN-AM, WTSS-FM, WGR-AM, WKSE-FM & WLKK-FM & WWKB-AM). These aren’t just call letters—they’re part of growing up in Buffalo. I listened to these stations. My friends and family still do. Over the years, I have done a variety of spots for this radio group for a variety of Western New York clients.

What the Project Was

One time, an Audacy account executive asked me to do a rush for a local, independent college in town, Medaille College (the spot you hear in the video). The client liked it, the AE was pleased with the fast turn around and the spot had a good run.

The spot itself,  promoting the college’s Business Administration programs to prospective students across Western New York, provided an interesting challenge in the announcer directions.

The tricky part about voicing higher ed spots is finding that sweet spot between credible and approachable. You can’t sound like you’re lecturing, but you also can’t sound like you’re selling something people don’t need. These are real people thinking about their futures, maybe nervous about a big decision. The voice has to feel like someone who understands that—someone they can trust.

For Medaille, that meant sounding genuine about what the school offers (which wasn’t hard—Medaille had been serving Buffalo students for a long, long time). Being from Buffalo myself definitely helped. There’s a connection to the community that just comes through naturally.

The High School Connection

But the person who got surprised by the Medaille spot was my longtime friend from high school, Matt Young, who was a Production Director with Audacy’s Buffalo cluster. Evidently my voiceover track made it onto his computer for post-production and he wasn’t expecting to hear me…he got a good laugh out of that surprise. Kind of a “hey…wait a minute!” moment.

It’s funny—our high school has produced way more doctors and lawyers than broadcasters. I can think of only two other broadcasters besides Matt and me who came from our school: Mark Russell and Tim Russert (both much more successful than us, but who’s counting?).

Matt and I always enjoyed when our broadcast paths would cross. He’s incredibly talented as both a producer AND a voice talent (and I won’t even bring up his great musical abilities). When someone understands both sides of the commercial production mic, the work just works. When we’d work on a production together, there was no overthinking, no three rounds of revisions (unless the client was….oh anyway).We worked well together and he was kind enough to say about me:

“Your professional performance and team attitude make you a pleasure to work with…thanks Peter!”

Matt Young, Production Director — Audacy

Hearing that from someone who’s been in the trenches as long as Matt has—and who knows the difference between a decent read and one that actually connects—that’s meaningful.

Why This Work Matters
I’ve always loved voicing campaigns for schools. Education isn’t just about filling classrooms—it’s about helping people see what’s possible for themselves. Medaille has been doing that in Buffalo for almost 150 years, offering accessible programs that help people build actual careers and lives.

And when your voice is running on stations like WBEN, WGR, and WKSE—stations that generations of Buffalonians have grown up listening to—you’re part of something bigger. You’re part of the conversation happening across Western New York.

Working with pros like Matt Young on campaigns for institutions that matter to my hometown? That’s not just another voiceover gig. That’s the kind of work that reminds me why I got into this business in the first place.

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Not every voiceover gig asks you to become a piece of grocery store equipment, but when it happens, you commit.

That’s exactly what went down when Greg Bauch at Farm Marketing Agency connected with me about a regional TV commercial for Tops Markets—and I ended up voicing a character named “Checkout Charlie,” who just so happened to be a grocery store register tape machine.

Let that sink in for a moment. I can officially add “voice of a grocery store checkout register tape machine” to my resume. Not many actors can claim that particular credit, but here we are.

What the Work Required
For some background, Tops Markets (founded in 1962) operates 152 grocery stores across New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, serving communities throughout the region. Being originally from Buffalo, NY, I have been to Tops Markets MANY times.

This wasn’t a national campaign—it was regional, targeted, and needed to connect with local shoppers in a way that felt fun and memorable.

The commercial was designed to promote an in-store promotion for Tops customers, and the creative concept centered around this TALKING register tape character.

The challenge?

Making a machine filled with thermal paper feel personable, engaging, and somehow charming without going so far over the top that it became annoying. It’s a fine line when you’re voicing inanimate objects. Seriously.

I auditioned for the role along with other actors, and the character voice I created for Checkout Charlie is what landed me the gig. It needed personality, energy, and just the right amount of quirk to make people smile when they saw the spot.

The Creative Process
Working with Greg was a blast. The guy has a comedy background—he’s written and performed it himself—so he knows how to play with ideas and isn’t precious about trying things in the booth. The recording session was collaborative in the best way. We traded voice ideas openly, experimented with different takes, and found the sweet spot together.

That kind of creative back-and-forth doesn’t happen with every client, but when it does, it makes the work so much better. You’re not just executing someone’s vision—you’re building it together in real time.

Greg, who is a copywriter at Farm Marketing Agency, shared his thoughts on working together:

“It’s hard to forget someone who voiced a register tape machine for you, especially when they did it so well. Certain voice actors have the ability to capture exactly what you’re thinking when you write a spot. Peter K. O’Connell does just that. His voice and character range is freakish and he takes direction very well (a skill many actors fail to master). Love working with Peter and look forward to doing so again.”

Hearing that from a writer—especially one who understands comedy and timing—means a lot. Writers know when a voice actor gets what they’re trying to do, and when they don’t.

Why This Work Matters
Character work is some of my favorite stuff to do. Whether it’s a register tape machine, an animated creature, or anything in between, there’s something incredibly fun about creating a voice that didn’t exist before and making it feel real (or at least real enough that people remember it).

Regional campaigns like this one for Tops matter because they’re speaking directly to the communities they serve. It’s not some generic national spot—it’s for people shopping at their local Tops in Rochester or Buffalo or Burlington. Making those folks smile while they’re thinking about their grocery run? That’s a good day’s work.

Watch “me> as Checkout Charlie below – I even get a closeup:

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