Gregory LaFazia

I am a published author and something of a prolific writer in my own area of expertise. I enjoy the telling of stories, including children's stories, and often do narration for plays, etc. I have approximately 12 years of live radio experience, including interviewing and personal testimonial and teaching. The first real opportunity I had in training my voice came at the dinner table in my parents Italian/Irish home. If you were not first or fast at the pasta or the potatoes, you had to be loud. I was loud. During the late 60's, I was the topic of discussion on the "Its Your Nickle", radio talk show. Joe Pine, the original Radio Talk Show host, did an ongoing program on an event in my life, which made headlines on the eastern seaboard. I had been jumped by approximately 25 kids my age, and six took me to court. Besides the obvious bruises and scars of that youthful experience, one thing, from it, has remained a delight in my mind - being the topic of his show. Without detailing, even policemen were asking for autographs! My desire for doing voice, came pecularily to say the least. Eventually I joined the United States Navy as a Radioman. My listening audience, on various voice apparatus, were submarine and military aviation pilots. Voice pitch, control, including absolute accuracy, were necessary, since lives and Uncle Sams possessions were often at stake. My radio experience (approximately 12 years) was had in the New Jersey area, on a now defunct station. (WNNN 101.7 FM) This involved a 15 minute and a 30 minute program, done live or via cassette tape. Since then, I have learned to enjoy my voice, having relaxed somewhat with the delight of age. I cannot boast either certification or special training, concerning my voice, only a lifetime that has taught me to treat my voice with simple pleasures, and the joy of communicating. I love to meet people. Have been something of a pencil/charcoal/pastel artist. There came a time in my life that I put down the pencil and brush, and took up the microphone. I have never gone back since then. Simply put, a voice is a work of art. Words paint the form, figure and design of a thought or story. If something is said just right, it is never forgotten. The verbal artist who loves to sketch with words permanently scribes the idea unforgettably into another mind and sometimes into the very heart itself. Drama without Voice is simply pantomime, a pretty picture to be sure, but void and without height or depth and breadth.