Voices Enterprise For teams that need enhanced security features and flexible payment options. Szmanda appeared in the 1970s science fiction movie The Alpha Incident and hosted the Wausau version of High Quiz Bowl. I started lessons about five or six years ago. And of course I do my homework before I buy, and I have a certified financial planner who keeps me honest with my estate. Nick Meyer, GIFTS FOOD & DRINK They were having a party at their dorm, and they said, Is this Mr. Menard? And I said, Well, yeah, this is Ray Szmanda. And they said, Will you say it for us?. Now wait a minute. My television debut came for Radio City in Milwaukee, an NBC station named WTMJ. He was a legit celebrity. Raymond Jack "Ray" Szmanda, Sr. (June 22, 1926 - May 6, 2018) was an American radio and television announcer known throughout the Midwestern United States as the spokesperson for Menards, a position he held for more than two decades. Tony Stewart got his first Indy 500 starts for Menard, and in 1992 Al Unser Sr. scored the highest Indy 500 finish for the team (3rd) and the highest ever 500 finish for the Buick/Menard V6 engine. But, I have to say, I didnt know what to expect when I contacted the long-time spokesperson and co-star of the forgotten B-movie The Alpha Incident. Follow Jason Vosburg and others on SoundCloud. V1: Obviously Menards has continued to run ads, but theres not a distinct spokesman. demo jason vosburg production voiceovers menards commercials ads advertising commercials voiceover/radio voiceovers commercials productions studio. I can't hear my guests talk over it. Contributors RAY: I was in radio for about six years. Keaton graduated from Humber College's Journalism program, specializing in Television and Online Media. At that time, my wife and I had seven children. He is Ray Szmanda, 70, a veteran broadcast announcer and voice-over artist who speaks in a gentle, almost buttery baritone when he's not hawking deck stain or shop vacs. Miss Piggy. V1: Can we expect a comic book anytime soon? Its just fun. It was just unbelievable. You seem so quiet. Older people looked at me and said, Look at that guy out there. Bo Landry is the current voice. APPAREL BOOKS ART Ray was known to carry around a briefcase full of head shots because so many people would ask for his autograph. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91. Ray Szmanda was featured in advertising for Eau Claire-based Menard starting in 1976 until his retirement in 1998. [11] In 2023, Menards announced it would open its first Joplin, Missouri location. Volume One owner/publisher Nick Meyer is the guy in the gorilla suit it was his job to jump into the frame, hop up and down, and pound his chest. V1: I hear youre still doing some radio stuff, as a Ham Radio operator? He did, however, make occasional ads with the company starting in 1999. [35] The policy for children was later relaxed.[36]. ago. Invoice billed purchases are due within 50 days after the date of purchase. localstore@volumeone.org(Store,), TermsofUse / PrivacyPolicy [16] Before his return in 1999, Kim Larsen took over his position in his absence. The US Congress issued stimulus payments to Americans to keep the economy robust through the pandemic, contributing in part to an approximate 5.7% growth in the economy in 2021. V1: Was there any conversation about what youd be wearing? Wouldnt it? , I was there about two years, and then I came to Antigo to start freelance. Menards is a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I will fondly remember Ray, and I know so many who had a chance to work with him will too, not to mention the millions who saw him grinning on TV, paintbrush in hand. He also narrated a recording of the Bible. Whats your name? Then we get into pictures and that kind of thing. Hi guys!Thank you for checking out my short!So this is a commercial Voice-over done for Wesleyan University.Please check out my channel for more of my voice-. Red. A rare car. This is when I was young. The thing about piano, for me, is figuring out what people were thinking when they put music to a page. This declaration would have a major effect on how everyone understood and approached the virus, from world leaders to your average joe. From 1959 to 1978, he operated the Trans-American School of Broadcasting in his hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin. Well I could hear the noise in the background the music and the clinking of the glasses and I said, Save big money at Menards! They said, Far out, and that was the end of the conversation. Now I have no reason to, unless Menards doesnt have something. A long, hard road in broadcasting. Email us: V1: Whats the trick to being a voice actor? When True Value Hardware Stores starting using Sports Broadcaster Pat Summerall to do voice-over work for TV Commercials, Menards was looking for their own spokesman, and in 1976, they found Ray Szmanda. voiced by Cree Summer and 1 other. V1: What kind of stuff did you guys play? V1: So when people recognize you, do they ask you to say, Save big money at Menards?, RAY: Always. She is of Dutch and one quarter Norwegian descent. READ: An interview with Ray Szmanda (a.k.a. Kind of. So lumber was interesting. "Large corporations must also play by the rules, and my office will work diligently to ensure this state's consumers are treated fairly and not abused by businesses seeking to unlawfully jack prices up to line their pockets with profits at the expense of the public during this time of great need." Volume One scored one. The ad features Salt-N-Peppa's "Push It" performed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Later that year, former Senator and Vice President Joe Biden would defeat Trump in an election that had Americans on the edges of their seats. [9] The distribution center in Ravenna will supplement the chain's expansion into Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. RAY: Im not very active. Keaton is a former editor and journalist for the Toronto and Ottawa Sun. The pandemic ad was characterized by a sense of helping, uncertainty, and togetherness. For many years, Menards' television commercials featured free-lance announcer Ray Szmanda, who became a cult figure as "the Menards Guy." 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. For nearly 25 years a growing radius of TV viewers were introduced to his signature black glasses/blue sweater combo, his giant grin, and his seemingly relentless enthusiasm for home improvement. Each one of his commercials, of which he filmed hundreds, featured his trademark smile, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for telling you about great deals. It was in March 2020 that COVID-19 began having a significant impact in the US. I have many, many great experiences. ;[18] Robby Gordon; P. J. Jones;[19] Brandon Jones;[20] Matt Crafton;[21] Simon Pagenaud, Ryan Blaney and Matt DiBenedetto. The commercials end with the well-known jingle, "Save big money at Menards." Ive got a film major grandson in Colorado, and he wants to do it. Make sure to keep it with you should you need planned or unplanned medical care. Over 5000 jobs posted monthly. They dont even say that. No. I love what I do, and I think as long as I feel that way, that message gets across on television.. RAY: Yes. The dude is sweet. Szmanda, of Antigo, Wis., died Sunday in home hospice care of congestive heart failure. But I have a letter that I get every month, and it has been good to me these last 20 years, that tells me whats out there that looks good. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Reader Poll, Advertise with Volume One Advertising powerhouse Amazon brought us a hilarious 2021 TV commercial featuring heartthrob Michael B. Jordan standing in for one womans Amazon Echo device. The Found Footage Festival a local favorite puts together touring comedy shows based on old VHS video footage from just about anywhere, from corporate training videos to infomercials. Voices is the world's #1 voice marketplace with over 2 million members. Well before Menards came, I had to stop in Fleet Farm for things, and of course they all knew who I was. 1941), Remove advertising, disable a person or firm from preconising [proclaiming] its wares and their merits, and the whole of society and of the economy is transformed. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Wisconsinites as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91 . You put your heart and soul into that kind of a thing, and actors do, too. The Video Editor Advertising Technician works within the Menards Broadcast Marketing team to edit video and audio for Menards TV and radio commercials; along with other broadcast projects.. There were a couple of elderly ladies that walked by my booth, and I was signing pictures. V1: Is there anything in particular you miss as the Menards spokesman, like hearing yourself on the radio or seeing yourself on TV? When do I receive my Menards commercial invoice? Bo Landry is the current voice. He is a former INDYCAR racing team owner, and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard. Cursed Commercials Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Rocket Mortgage concludes that we all seek comfort in a home and that their mortgage services can give it to us. Ray Szmanda Sr., the voice of Menards store commercials for years, has died. I retired at age 77. But I did the grand openings for Menards all over the 10-state area, which I suppose has grown now. Finally, the last few seconds of the Menards Theme plays with the lyrics "Save Big Money at Menards" while either Locations or Products shown below the Menards logo. Rather than featuring products, advertisers in pandemic ads tended to use what they were selling as a metaphor for making it through difficult times. Then it was followed by another location in Gillette and one more in Cheyenne. A Wisconsin company whose products sell vigorously throughout the Menards retail footprint. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91. RAY: Well I spend a lot of time with stocks. How old do you have to be to work at hardees? [26], In 2023, the Menards and Matt Crafton sponsorship partnership surpassed STP and Richard Petty as NASCAR's longest-tenured driver/sponsorship relationship. In addition, these Menards locations carry items such as office supplies, pet supplies, and mattresses.[13]. Interestingly, advertisers tended to focus on messages of encouragement and hope more than they did on selling products in pandemic ads. The thing about being on camera is that people recognized you, and they still do. As a model, she has been featured in the magazines Teen Vogue and Seventeen. What do you put on a resume for server experience? The Menards Guy is the chain's only spokesman and has been for 20 years. Since 2005, the biggest and most beloved brands have trusted Voices to help them find professionals to bring their projects to life. Right when I got out of the Navy at 21. Fresh air. When we started, it was an orange shirt, which I liked. I used to be very active. Often the audience's first point of contact with a brand, radio commercial voice actors take on the role of company spokesperson and set the tone for what the audience can expect from your brand. I used to like working outside in the yard. 5 mo. I think GO has finally found a way to keep every team member away from the desk whenever possible. Chippewa Valley It makes sense for a dapper gent like Hamm to be the voice of a luxury vehicle, and to his credit, he's completely embraced being the spokesman. Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children, Guide to planning a party for kids, adults, or a corporate events! I eat out quite a bit, and I dont think theres a time when I go out that somebody I dont know comes up and says, Hi Ray or I dont quite know you, but your face is familiar. His family included four sons and three daughters. The 2020s have been a tumultuous and unprecedented time in world history. Swing lasted about 10 years, and then of course rock n roll came in. Spanish language commercials (whose music contains a mixture of mariachi and banjo sounds) end with "Ganar mucho dinero en Menards! In 2000, the company opened its 150th store. This commercial tapped into sentiment at the time when anti-racist protests were raging across the US. They required us to have the volume at 80. Absolutely. 2002-2023CopyrightVolumeOneMagazine. And I dont say much, unless they say something. The way he comes across in commercials. From a global pandemic to new world leaders and the war in Ukraine, the 2020s have impacted people in many unexpected ways. 18. Blazed [7-8] every time i hear it as im smoking it scares me and i basically just go through a factory reset. Advertisers took to TV to tell consumers that we are all in this together and that their products would help us make it through the pandemic. RAY: Well, lets see, it has been about six or seven years. Who does the voice for the Menards commercial? This is a place for all to share their highdeas with the community. Szmanda was affectionately known as "The Menards Guy" after spending more than 20 years as the television pitchman for Menards. In 2020, Menards expanded into West Virginia, opening three locations in that state: one in Wheeling, another in Morgantown, and the last one in Huntington. I walked over and put my arms around the fella and I said, Would you like to be on television? And he popped up, Oh my gosh! And away they went. voiced by Robb Pruitt. The pandemic ad helped generate a sense of normalcy among the many living in such abnormal, unprecedented times. Raymond Jack "Ray" Szmanda, Sr. (June 22, 1926 May 6, 2018) was an American radio and television announcer known throughout the Midwestern United States as the spokesperson for Menards, a position he held for more than two decades. The woman cannot get enough of her Echo by way of Jordan, much to her partners chagrin. It is much more obvious with later commercials featuring Ray (especially from the Late 1990s) as he will become more theatric and play up the hamminess of the "Menards Guy" character. Who is the voice in the BMW commercial? [32], During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel sent Menards a cease and desist letter citing 18 complaints from consumers in regards to price gouging on products such as face masks and bleach. In that year alone, employers cut more than 22 million jobs in response to the economic impact of the global pandemic. [7] Then there will be a fifth Menards in West Virginia in Parkersburg,[8] followed by a sixth location in South Charleston. Menards is a family-owned home improvement retail chain with more than 300 locations, primarily in the Midwest. The same year, the "Helping You Build Americas Heartland" jingle was made. I cant remember exactly, because I went back for a bit after I lost my son. I had my own trio. Create a SoundCloud account. Now you know the voice behind Arby's commercials 'We Have the Meats" is actor Ving Rhames. Piano is my big thing. That would be great. Here are 10 examples. In 2020 alone, among adults in the US who watch TV, viewing time increased by 9.2% to approximately 4.5 hours daily. Please, comment below with your stories and memories too. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Enoch Powell (b. RAY: Yeah, its a fun thing. [6] In 2022, Menards announced that they will open a fourth West Virginia store in Bridgeport. Several TV commercials in the 2020s stand out for their popularity and prolificacy. Should You Use a Talent Agency for Voice Over. 7. Indeed, in times of economic stress or uncertainty, businesses tend to cut discretionary spending, and for most, advertising is seen as discretionary. Then they went to a blue polo shirt. Plus, John pitches Chuck ideas for the funeral and Chuck takes them! During the Christmas shopping season the jingle changes to "Warm seasons greetings to you all from Menards!" The voice is pretty similar. With Americans glued to their TVs watching pandemic and election coverage, 2020 was a banner year for TV viewing. Perhaps the final most significant event to define the 2020s was the war in Ukraine. RAY: Yeah. RAY: Anytime you have someone that imitates you, does the same thing you do, thats a huge compliment. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. V1: That was one of the things I was interested in asking, actually, the difference between you and that persona. 31 tracks31. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91 . voiced by JK Simmons and 1 other. RAY: All the time. His son, Charles Szmanda, tells John about his late father. The effort is well worth it. V1: When you were doing commercials, were there any products you specifically liked mentioning? Thousands of activists took to the streets to call for an end to racism and police brutality. When I lost her, I lost a lot with it. (laughing) That was a great one. They covered a lot of fascinating ground, including his other gigs, how he got the Menards job, and funny things that happened while filming commercials.

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