The Voice

When did you realize you could make a living with your voice?

My first year of college. My speech professor was blind, and he said, "With your voice, you could get a job in broadcasting."

Is this a family trait?

My dad was a minister, and he had a big, booming voice. My oldest son, Todd, is an announcer for the Devil Rays. I have a 12-year-old, and he's got pretty good pipes, even at his age. Maybe some heredity is involved.

Ever think of becoming a crooner?

Not as a career, although I frequent piano bars around the country. My specialty is High Hopes and patriotic songs.

What does your answering machine message sound like?

It's kind of plain vanilla. However, people have asked me to do their answering machines for them. I've done a few. For example: "Hi. John's not here now. He is on a loooong driiive! He's outta here! He'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Do people confuse you with the late John Facenda, the original voice of NFL Films?

Nobody fills John Facenda's shoes. But everyone associates John's famous "the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field" with NFL Films. If I'm doing talk shows, they go, "Do the frozen tundra."