Neil Wilson is a voice actor who has done projects for Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, Netflix, ESPN, Discovery, Travel, Smithsonian, Pandora, and local radio and TV affiliates.
His website describes him as “…from flat-out exuberance to forthright honesty, Neil is the guy next to you at the game to the guy next door- your buddy and your bro, there when you need him.
He is featured today in “Behind The Voices.”
Jeff Lynn: So how did you end up behind the mic?
Neil Wilson: I played radio from the mid-nineties until October 2011 when then Clear Channel asked me to leave during one of their infamous RIFs. I worked in nearly every department on the programming side. Morning producer/co-host, middays, nights, afternoons, MD/APD, and then into imaging and the off-air creative side of things. Still, today, it gives me a unique perspective as a voice-over guy.
JL: Coming from a former long-time radio programmer, I have known a lot of voice actors. I am also interested in their studios. Tell me about yours.
NW: My studio is my absolute happy place. Check it out HERE
JL: OK, everyone should check out that link. That is very cool. I’m also very curious about AI. Cloning voices and what that could mean to what you do.
NW: There is a lot to this on many levels. I think it’s safe to say we are all watching AI closely through numerous lenses. From a voice over performance standpoint, I maintain that nothing will replace our experiences and feelings as humans and the ability to express those stories. AI doesn’t sit in traffic, AI doesn’t lose a loved one, AI doesn’t experience visiting a new place or the joy of seeing their children’s eyes light up on Christmas morning. It just can’t tell those stories as well without real-life experience. And the challenge now is making sure we connect even deeper through how we write, perform and emote life. There are also tons of legal concerns. Enough so that there is legislation in both the House and Senate now that will allow all of us to protect our voice the same way we do our NIL. Currently, it’s just the Wild West…
JL: Speaking of your instrument. How do you protect it and not get sidelined by illness?
NW: When I need to hot toddies are amazing! LOL. I also make sure I protect my voice with proper rest, exercise and diet. It can sound a little rough post 49ers games though.
JL: How many stations and projects are you juggling daily?
NW: I don’t tend to keep count of how many stations I work with on a monthly or daily basis… but I am lucky to work with clients from coast to coast in major markets and small ones. Some really creative PDs, brand managers, and leaders. It’s a fast-paced world, and I try to give my stations the performance they need (as well as some fun outtakes) as quickly as possible. I want them to know they can count on me if/when they come up with an idea or concept for their imaging.
JL: You lead me into my final question by mentioning outtakes. Best blooper or flub?
NW: I wish I had audio of this, but I literally was not rolling when it happened. I was brought on to voice some promos for HBO a couple of years ago. I had a session booked with the entire creative team at the network and at the production company. It was a phone patch session, and they dialed into my studio. They directed me for a good 20 to 30 minutes and then said, “We got what we need.” I clicked over to my DAW, and no audio was recorded. It was rather embarrassing to tell them nothing had been recorded. All in all, it came out great, but yeah, pretty boneheaded on my part.
Find Neil Wilson and check out his demo here.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
