Joshua Barker

I have done many different voices and impressions over the years. Probably the one I am best known for is the mother from "The Nutty Professor" - Eddie Murphy's version of that movie. I do other characters and sounds as well and seem to do funny female impressions the best.

I started working in Radio on a whim back in 1998 while in College. Eventually I switched majors to Radio and TV operations because I enjoyed it so much. I ended up station manager there along with having my own radio show. I re-imaged the entire station to appeal to a more youthful audience and help reach top of mind awareness with our target demographic in our city (young and college aged persons - 16 - 34). During the summers I would work for HMH Broadcasting in Lexington, KY. While working there one summer the operation was sold to Cumulus Broadcasting. I worked for Cumulus for several years as an 'every-man'. That meant I did production, voice overs, hosted shows, produced shows, morning man stunt guy - you name it, I did it. The station managers though my voice was perfect for a variety of the different formats. I did on air work primarily for the #1 radio station in town, K93 (WVLK-FM). On the weekends I was the morning news anchor for the #1 AM Station in the area, WVLK-AM. I also did some voice tracking work for Z-103 (WXZZ-FM), Groovin' 102.5 (WLTO-FM) and Arrow 101.5 (WLRO-FM). I also was regularly asked to do my own production and was given a daily list of commercials for which to do some dry-voice. Apparently, word spread about my good work and I was hired away to be Programming Direction and manager of operations at local rival Wallingford Broadcasting. While at Wallingford I ran their 5 stations: The Coyote 100.7 (WCYO-FM), The Fox (WLFX-FM) and the Tri-City AM Network (WEKY-AM, WIRV-AM and WKXO-AM). I also was responsible for programming WRLV-FM in Salyersville, KY (although didn't handle day to day operations due to distance). Also, while at Wallingford, I would write and produce commercials for the station including assembling liners and sweepers off dry voice provided by our outsourced station voice person. After Wallingford I took some time away from radio and decided to explore other options outside of the studio. I found myself in Nashville working for Cromwell Broadcasting as a sales person. My heart just wasn't in it - so I left for a 'temporary' job with Dell Inc - and was there until the end of 2008 when the economy got the best of the company and, unfortunately, my job. Now I'm ready once again to use my many talents to help you out with your voice over needs! Radio and TV Operations - Western Ky University - 96-00 -Also worked in electronic media and journalism William E Bivin Forensic Society (speech team) - 96-99 -National Semi-Finalist in Poetry and Prose -State Runner Up in After Dinner Speaking -Individual Events champion at several smaller local speech competitions -Part of the National Champion WKU Debate team Actor - Over 30 Professional Productions Voice Over Talent for several large groups - including some large car companies and several national charities. Adobe Audition Adobe Soundbooth Apple Garageband Blue Bluebird Microphone with Pop Filter Blue Snowball USB Microphone (used when not in the studio) Apple iMac 24" Dell Studio 15 Alesis iMultimix 8 soundboard While its great to have someone who has a distinct voice - you also want to make sure that person knows what you want and need. From being on the management end of things before and having to hire voice talent - I know some of the most frustrating things were working with talent who didn't cut it the way I wanted or perhaps don't recognize or understand my business needs. That is how I'm different. I understand what you need. And I understand sometimes that first read isn't always the best read. I am very conscious about time as well. So, what I do in all the commercials I cut - I make sure that what I'm saying fits the 30 or 60 second window requested. If it doesn't - I'll will read the commercial a variety of ways. I'll read it the way directed with all the copy. Then I may also strike sentences that seem redundant or unnecessary to the script and cut it that way as well. I'll also e-mail you and alert you that the copy was too long (or too short) and allow you the chance to either accept what I've done or give you the opportunity to rewrite if what I did was unacceptable. When was the last time your voice over person was that conscientious about your business and happiness?