I'M HONORED TO CALL HIM FRIEND!
I'M HONORED TO CALL HIM FRIEND!
Published March 13, 2009
One of the very best of show in the voiceover business retired last week.
No big fanfare. No retirement party. No gold watch. You don’t get that when you’re in business for yourself as a voiceover talent.
But talent is exactly what he is. Genius talent.
He was one of the pioneers of the ISDN tool for voiceovers. He first discovered the concept over in Japan when he was on a USO tour. By then he was already developing his voiceover business and he wondered if this new technology might be useful for his business. It was. And is.
At one time he voiced for 45 different TV stations. 45! And he voiced a national network!
On top of that he was the signature voice for a number of religious Radio/TV programs including Billy Graham and Oral Roberts.
He pretty much owned all the major advertisers in his home town. But he was as national as he was local. You heard his voice for Macy’s, TV Guide, Blockbuster, the Fox News Channel, and countless others.
He retired last week, still a young man. Not because he wanted to. A few years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and the disease has progressed to the point where it is difficult for him to maintain the consistency he is known for.
His national and international clients have suffered a loss. A hero for voiceover talents has stepped down. And Kansas City will never sound the same.
I had the very rare and unique privilege of having lunch with him in his home yesterday. It was akin to a sacred moment for me. A man I admire and wish I had a tenth of his talent made me a sandwich. It was a surreal moment.
But that’s just the way he is. Down to earth, warm, friendly, and a class act.
Nope. He never lived in the major markets. But he took a lot of business away from you guys. He was that good!
Here’s a link to his incredible sound: http://drewdimmel.com/Demos/Dimmel-TV.mp3
Check it out and say a prayer for Drew Dimmel.
And if you get a chance, drop him a note at: dimmel@everestkc.net