Ed Blackburn - honey-smooth, southwest accent, storyteller

honey-smooth, southwest accent, storyteller

• Ed Blackburn is registered with Voice123 since Jul 10, 2006.
• Ed Blackburn started his/her voice over career in 2006.
• Currently Ed Blackburn is a Premium subscriber.
• Auditions and proposals submitted through Voice123 during the past six months: 4

Ed Blackburn does not appear to be an active participant of the Voice123 marketplace at this time. Ed Blackburn was last active on Voice123 more than 30 days ago, OR may not be receiving our email messages.

Voice Description

Although I've flirted with doing voice over work since 2006, doing small pieces in conjunction with my podcasting effort, friends have finally convinced me to take it more seriously.

So, while I begin looking for an agent who might take me on, I'm turning to the web to see if I'm employable via the Internet, re-upping my relationship with these folks here at Voice123.com!

I'll leave it to another to describe my voice.

- from Texas historian, Will Howard, in his "Will's Texana Monthly:"

"Ed’s voice is typically slow with a rumbling resonance. In his "Texana Review," he carries on the oral tradition of storytellers and early radio in these well produced podcasts devoted to a broad but consistent view of his tastes that range from the traditional to surprisingly urbane."

"One of his most entrancing works is with Joaquin Jackson the modern Texas Ranger, as Ed interviews Jackson about life and his new book "One Ranger." And there’s the 5-part interview with Elmer Kelton. If you’re interested in what a modern best-selling Western writer thinks, give a listen."

"Other topics covered by Blackburn include Book Reviews, Books, Charles Chupp (for wit and wisdom), Current Affairs, Energy, History, Nature, Oral Histories, Recipes & Cooking, Rural Texas, Science of Wind Energy, Sounds of Texas, Tall Tales, History Tidbits, Texas Retro, and Water issues."

"Ed’s "Texana Review" is what he spends his personal time and effort on after he’s finished earning the day’s meals. One morning he heard a calamity next door and an enormous backhoe tearing down his neighbor’s house, so Ed takes his camera and shoots the event. This writer had to watch it more than once; it’s humorous and captivating."

"But Ed’s preference is history - Sam Houston, Black Beans, Packsaddles, and such, but the interleaving of contemporary figures on literature and the economics of the land make for great listening."

"Blackburn’s moving around the state; he left Dallas, is spending a little time in Houston, and is now headed for San Angelo, but wherever he is, you’ll find him at "The Texana Review" glugging out that honey-smooth voice over interviews, readings, historical recollections and more."

- Will Howard

Voice Genders and "Ages" I Can Perform

• Middle Age Male
• Senior Male

Language(s) of Which I Am a Native Speaker:

• English - North American

I Offer my Services for these Recording Purposes

• Commercials
• Promos
• Training, business presentations, sales, and web sites
• Audiobooks
• Documentaries
• TV shows and movies
• Podcasts
• Others (on-camera, informercials, live announcers, spokespersons)

Jobs I Am Willing to Take (Union-wise)

• Non-Union Jobs

My Union Affiliations and Memberships

None

My Recording and Delivery Capabilities

• I will go to any designated studio in my area
• I can record and then deliver the audio files via Email
• I can record and then upload the audio files via FTP
• I can record and then deliver the files by regular mail

Pre-, Post- and Production Services I Offer

• I offer copywriting services
• I can deliver edited and finished voice tracks
• I have a music library and can add music to any project
• I can add special effects to any project

My Home Base

San Angelo, Texas, United States

Accents, Impersonations, Characters and Dialects

Southwestern United States

My Voice Experience

"You should use that voice!" I heard them say while studying Communications many years ago.

Of course, I ignored them.

Although I did some radio newscasting in the 1970's, I've spent most of my professional life in commercial and rural land brokerage and appraisal.

However, throughout that business career I was constantly writing - magazine articles, public relations pieces, promotional material and technical reports.

Anyway, in 2005, I decided it was time for a career change knowing that it would be voice work. So, I started podcasting, combining my experience in journalism and real estate with my “newfound” voice into a show called Texas Real Estate Radio. A few sponsors paid enough to keep the Internet connection alive.

Then I began doing contract podcasting, primarily for real estate companies. Texas Real Estate Radio evolved into The Texana Review in late 2005 and has been enjoying an increasing listenership since then. Other shows I’ve created and hosted are listed below.

I have no illusions about being a newbie to the industry, but I'm confident that what the "voice" people have been telling me for years, combined with my work experience, will garner voice over work.

My Training

No formal training in voiceovers

Self-trained in pre- & post-production

BA in Communications; University of Houston

Five years as freelance journalist & photojournalist

Newscaster, KIXY-FM, San Angelo, TX,

Quill Creek Publishing, Owner; commercial print publication and early Internet development - "Dallas/Fort Worth Restaurant Register" and "Tejas, a Texas Portal"

Director of New Media, KTVT Channel 11, CBS, Dallas/Fort Worth

Growing number of small audiences who want to hear me tell stories

Past podcast shows, contract and otherwise:

- Texas Rural Land News & Review
- Realtors Land Institute-Podcasts
- Texas Realtors Land Institute-Podcasts
- Plateau Land & Wildlife Management-Podcasts
- Karpas Properties-Podcasts
- Fall Rural Land Roundup-2006

My Studio Equipment

Computer:
- Dell Precision 390
- Dell Precion M6300

Microphone:
- AKG HSC 200
- Shure SM58 (2)
- Shure Beta 58A
- Sony ECM C115 (3)

Recorder:
- Olympus DS30
- Marantz PMD660

Mixer:
- Mackie Micro 1202

Software:
- Adobe Audition 3
- Camtasia 5
- ProShow Gold
- FloPrompter