OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
OnlineHost: Your host tonight is AOLiveMC1 (Rusti I).
OnlineHost: Paul Turner is the most powerful voice heard internationally on hundreds of the world's most influential radio and television stations. Some of his credits include E! Entertainment Television, ABC television and radio, Infinity Broadcasting, national pay-per-view boxing events and Radio One in London, England. Welcome to America Online!
AOLiveMC1: Welcome to America Online, Paul Turner. I want to thank you all for coming, we have lots to talk about. I hope I get a chance to answer all of your questions. It is indeed a pleasure to be here.
AOLiveMC1: It's our pleasure to have you here. We have some questions from our audience lined up. Ready to take some?
PTPEE: Yes.
AOLiveMC1: Here's our first question.
Question: Paul, I understand that you've produced a demo CD. What does it contain?
PTPEE: I'm the voice for hundreds of radio and television stations, including the voice of the Howard Stern show. The CD is a compilation of much of the work I do.
Question: Paul, when did you get started in radio?
PTPEE: At age 14 I started in radio.
AOLiveMC1: Paul, could you tell us about the services you offer?
PTPEE: Voice-over and production for radio and television stations across the world. For instance, if you listen to Howard, I'm the guy who leads him in and out of commercials.
Question: Do you enjoy doing radio or TV the best......why?
PTPEE: I enjoy TV best for the immediacy, fast breaking. Radio, I enjoy because its a more creative medium where you have to paint a picture without visuals.
Question: HI! Do you enjoy doing sports broadcasting or entertainment better?
PTPEE: Well, I don't call the games. I am the announcing voice in between the commercials.
Question: I see that you have done announcing for the G. Gordon Liddy Show. During the Nixon administration, and just after, the media portrayed Liddy as well.....almost insane. Who is the "real" Liddy. Do you know him well?
PTPEE: I work with G. Gordon on a professional level and know him as a broadcaster. His personal life, I don't get into it.
Question: No time to be bashful guy....how/where did you get the name...."The Most Powerful Voice in Radio?"
PTPEE: Its an industry nick-name.
AOLiveMC1: For late arrivals, we're talking with announcer, Paul Turner.
Question: Paul, where did you go to college and what was your major?
PTPEE: I attended Western Carolina University and my major was Radio and Television.
Question: Paul, Your voice is awesome, it really makes me take notice. Who do you like doing promos for better, Howard Stern or Don and Mike?
PTPEE: Thank you first of all, both of these shows are a lot of fun to do voice work for. The material is well written, and being that they are both from Infinity Broadcasting, they are like family.
Question: Where are you?
PTPEE: Philadelphia.
Question: Do you do any voice work internationally?
PTPEE: Yes. Canada, Europe, Great Britain, Etc...
Question: Hey Paul! You're the best there is on the radio! My friends have always told me that I have a good voice. What's your advice on how I can try to break in to the biz?
PTPEE: Education is important with every industry, but in the field of voice-over announcing, experience gets you farther than anything. Meet as many people as you can in the business, and work on announcing. As silly as it seems, practice with commercials you see on TV, or hear on the radio. Pick a style you like and go with it. It takes a few years to decide your particular direction, but good luck!
Question: Do you do any stations in South Florida?
PTPEE: I am on in Tampa, Miami and Sarasota.
Question: I am interested in breaking into the broadcasting field. What should I do in order to prepare before I go to college? Also, what colleges offer the best broadcasting degrees? What do you think about Northwestern?
PTPEE: I'm not familiar with Northwestern's program. Most likely there is a university in your area that offers a communication program of some sort. The best ones are the ones that offer hands on training. In other words, a lot of experience at a school radio station or labs in the radio department.
Question: Paul, this would seem like a really exciting job. Do you work with lots of great people?
PTPEE: Yes. The TV and Radio business is full of creative minds and very interesting people. I truly enjoy working with everyone that I deal with on a daily basis.
Question: Paul, here in the "cesspool of the midwest" (Toledo Ohio) we don't get Liddy's B'cast, nor the Don and Mike show. To whom would we write?
PTPEE: Both of these shows are licensed to Westwood One radio networks under the auspices of Infinity Broadcasting corporation in Washington, D.C. They originate at WJFK in DC. The phone number is (703)691-1900
Question: Paul, where would you like your career to go from here? Content...or looking for something else?
PTPEE: I enjoy what I do, and hope to be doing it for a long time. Although the exact direction of my career has slightly changed many times, it still seems to be within the same general area. I'm still behind a microphone.
Question: OK.....Enquiring Minds want to know....OK....'fess up....how..ummm...."mature" are you? (age)
PTPEE: I am 28 yrs old.
AOLiveMC1: Here's a comment for you Paul.
Comment: Your Pulp Fiction one for D&M is great!
PTPEE: Thanks for listening!
Question: Paul, when a producer sends you copy is there a typing style that helps you understand the mood for a spot? You know like caps... underline... for emphasis?
PTPEE: Yea. I (as you seem to as well) like to read ellipses for pauses and since BOLD and Italics don't always translate via fax, its a good idea to underline keywords...or words that you would want to emphasize.
Question: In the Age of Sampling and So Many "Consultants" deciding how a station is to sound, is it harder to get gigs as a station "voice" now compared to the late 70's?
PTPEE: No. As with any part of the entertainment business, you must constantly evolve to keep up with what is new and exciting, that includes voice-overs. Right now for instance, the trend is more MTV and Gen-X. That has been true for about a year. But I'm seeing it change. Things seem to be going back to where they were a year or two ago.
Question: All of us in our various jobs have had some rather harrowing experiences. What has been your most frightening moment in radio?
PTPEE: When I woke up one morning to hear Howard Stern playing out-takes of a voice-over session I had sent him a few days prior...quite embarrassing, but funny.
AOLiveMC1: Paul, how long does it take to do a voice-over?
PTPEE: It depends on the length of the copy. If all goes well, I still like to give more than one read of a particular piece of copy.
PTPEE: If anyone would like to talk more candidly, call us at 1-800-736-3878. That number puts you right in touch with operators at Paul Turner Productions.
AOLiveMC1: What would you put on a demo tape to get attention today?
PTPEE: Your best work would most likely make the tape. The intention is to get people interested. You can also call the 1-800 number to get a copy of the demo CD.
Question: What is the funniest "blooper" you have done on live radio?
PTPEE: All of what I do is pre-recorded, so bloopers aren't a worry, they end up in the trash.
Question: Do you write much of your own copy?
PTPEE: No. The copy I voice is pre-written by the various radio and TV producers and writers.
PTPEE: I would like to thank you all for dropping by to chat...once again call 1-800-736-3878 for more info.
AOLiveMC1: We're out of time for tonight's questions to Paul Turner. Thank you for joining us, Paul Turner. And thank you to our audience members for being here.
PTPEE: Thank you for having me.
AOLiveMC1: Good night.
OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
