It’s really not often that we get new markets at Toppy anymore. We are, after all, almost nine years in, and we’ve gotten tons of stuff from all over the US.
But, with all that said, Garrett Wollman is treating us to a new market today: Flagstaff.
Enjoy them, but save room for dessert. I hear there’s pie.
Oh, hell no…we’re not getting all political. It’s just that my creativity well has run dry, and I got nothin’. So in this posting, we’ll just play it straight.
New IDs from Burlington-Plattsburgh today, thanks to Alex Cooper.
No, I’m not trying to start any rumors about what The Big Creepy Eye might do next in The City Of Angels, but instead pointing out that we’ve got new crap from LA tonight. Thanks to VO master Chris Rollins for the clips — and doesn’t that dude on the KSWD ID sound just like him? Crazy.
…in the Wild Kingdom of the interwebs, it’s a rare Tuesday Toppy update (mainly because I left the files at work after I edited them Friday…doh!). Sneak up on it slowly…it’s a jumpy one.
Last October, in what could only be described as a fit of nothing else to do, Garrett Wollman cruised the mean streets of Keene, New Hampshire and scored us some IDs. (He also offered to score us some hookers and blow, but they’re tough to attach to an e-mail.)
And with that, we hit the Jeep and repair to camp, where my trusty assistant Jim will bandage his wounds and the call letters and cities of license will live to play another day. Join us next time for Lame Kingdom.
By Brian 3 Comments
It’s a pretty rare thing when we do a retrospective around here, but the news of the day demands it.
Earlier today, voiceover legend Brian James passed away in Phoenix at the young age of 48.
I’ve never made any secret of the fact that Brian is my favorite voice guy of all time. (That’s not a knock any of the other guys I’ve ever used, because my competitors always managed to snap up Brian’s genius before I had a chance to.) Brian was the rare talent who could pull off warm and friendly — and also the most sarcastic, borderline obscene promos imaginable. I think my bosses up until now would rather Brian have not been such a star, because anytime I write a promo with any smart-ass tendencies at all — and I write a lot of them — I always hear Brian James voicing them in my head.
Tonight, instead of doing a normal update, we’re going to feature the work of Brian James. These are just a few clips that we have on Toppy — I’m sure if I went back and listened, I could find tens, if not hundreds more. They might not always show his true genius, but these clips definitely showcase that unforgettable voice that made so many stations sing.
KFRC: 1
WRVQ: 1
KZHT: 1
WSIX: 1
WMYX: 1
WTVN: 1
KPRC: 1
Here are some comedy videos Brian did (warning: these are a little racy, so if that’s not your bag, you’re advised to skip them): Dating Help, Job Hunting, News Headlines.
Here’s a great story from KMOX/St. Louis’ Jon Grayson.
And here’s today’s story from All Access:
ALL ACCESS is saddened to report that voiceover legend BRIAN JAMES has suddenly passed away from a heart attack at 4a this morning (3/6), at his home in SCOTTSDALE, AZ. He was 48.
BRIAN is survived by his wife KIMBERLY, his son MAX, daughter EMMA, and a stepdaughter BROOKE.
More details as soon as they are available.
Meanwhile, CLEAR CHANNEL/SOUTHERN COLORADO New Media Mgr. RICH STEVENS has created a discussion board on FACEBOOK. Please visit it to post your thoughts on BRIAN when you click here.
CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 KZHT/SALT LAKE CITY PD JEFF McCARTNEY has added a BRIAN JAMES tribute page to his site.
And, KDWB/MINNEAPOLIS OM/PD ROB MORRIS has posted a BRIAN JAMES tribute page featuring some of BRIAN’s best work.
"Today, like many others in our industry, we pay tribute to the BEST DAMN VOICE GUY EVER," says MAGIC BROADCASTING PANAMA CITY Director of Programming and Top 40 WILN (ISLAND 106) PD CHRIS ALAN, who adds, "I’m still in shock! Just 2 weeks ago Brian and I were talking and laughing as I shared with him the news of our GOLD ADDY AWARD that his voice won for us. I can’t believe it!” Check out the ISLAND 106 tribute to BRIAN here.
Our thoughts are with Brian’s family.
By Brian 3 Comments
Like a great and growing number of people, I have become somewhat addicted to Facebook. Recently, I was out of town and had time on my hands and took one of those “quizzes” that people pass around on FB. (They’re not usually my thing, but I was epically bored.) The quiz was titled “Where Should I Live,” and it required the person taking the test to go to a website, answer a few questions and then it would spit out your ideal locations based upon the answers provided.
Of the top ten, I was only surprised by two, most notably the subject of tonight’s update: Providence (#9). I mean, when a young boy growing up in Iowa dreams of moving to the big city, Providence is not usually what comes to mind. (Although, as I read a little more about The Beehive Of Industry — no, seriously — the less I’m surprised that it popped up in my list…it seems like it might even be somewhat cool. So go fig.)
Anyway, enjoy IDs from The Beehive Of Industry, thanks to Garrett Wollman.
(What, you thought I wouldn’t rock that Beehive thing multiple times? You don’t know me at all.)
