Steve Stone is an Emmy-award-winning voice actor whose voice has been featured on many TV and radio networks, including iHeartRadio, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and ESPN. Benztown Voices has recognized Steve with inclusion on their “Benztown 50” list of radio’s biggest imaging voices.
Steve is our featured voice actor today, “Behind The Voices.”
Jeff Lynn: Like many of us, you seem to have been bitten by the radio bug at a young age.
Steve Stone: I got my start in radio at 19 in Northern California’s Bay Area. I was hungry to get into the business and, fortunately, had a great mentor at the start.
My biggest radio influences would be the voice and production of Danny Ocean on 610 KFRC in San Francisco back in the early 80s and Live 105 in the 80s as well. John Frost and his format defining production during his time at KROQ and Pat Martin’s production during his time at KRXQ in Sacramento. As far as early radio voiceover influence, it’s the late Chris Corley, Brian James, and Keith Eubanks. As a kid, I was enamored with Ernie Anderson, Danny Dark, Don LaFontaine, and Hal Douglas.
JL: Who currently inspires you?
SS: Current inspirations are Brian Lee, Josh Goodman, Jeff Berlin, Dan Nachtrab, Joe Cipriano, and many others. I am influenced by every voice I hear.
JL: Describe a typical workday.
SS: Normal workday is waking up with coffee in hand and reviewing all emails and scripts that have come in overnight. I get going early with auditions and then scheduled sessions; then it’s cranking out scripts as they come all day; sometimes, it’s a long day with breaking news scripts, especially for clients on the West Coast. I don’t take any long breaks during the day. It’s usually 15-20min somewhere in the early afternoon to eat something and take a breather.
JL: I’m asking everyone about AI because it is such a hot topic. Has it impacted what you are doing?
SS: AI has affected my work for sure. The first notable changes were the replacement of jocks and many in-house creative staff. Which is really hard to see happen.
As far as AI in voiceover work, it has and will continue to change things. Many companies are seeing AI voices as a cost-saving solution, but I’m not so sure in the end it really will be.
The technology is advancing at a rapid pace, but it has yet to show me that it can bring that human connection to the work. The voice work I do is varied. From music to news and sports…that versatility from one voice is not something I believe AI has mastered yet. We also can’t live in fear. It’s important to be aware of it and to watch its development and impact closely.
Many industries have fundamentally changed over the past few decades with the rise of new technologies. Change will never stop. In the end, I can only control what I offer my clients. Superior creativity, customer service, and that human passion that drives me every day.
JL: A client you don’t have that you want.
SS: A bucket list client in radio would probably be Z100 NYC. The station is iconic. As far as TV, I would love to be the voice of the Super Bowl one day.
JL: Tell me three funny things people might not know about you.
SS: I have an irrational fear of reptiles.
I have a hard time saying the words “regularly,” “cellular,” or “limited edition.”
I am right-handed, but I shoot hoops lefty.
Atlas Talent Agency represents Steve. Check out his demos 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.
