What’s New With CHADD PIERCE August 2023 is part of a series in which MVO: The Voice-Over
Guys checks-in with one of our male voiceover talents to learn more about a recent
media project he has voiced. Here’s what Chadd shared with us.
Q. You mentioned a really cool voiceover project in your recent MVO: The Voiceover
Guys update. Can you talk about who the project was for and where it was heard or
seen?
A: Alpha Media’s Bay Country makes a Swift change! At the end of July, as a massive influx of fans flooded the San Francisco Bay Area for back-to-back nights of Taylor Swift concerts, KBAY-FM conducted a stunt. The lone-local Country station abandoned the usual programming of Morgan Wallen and Luke Bryan for an all-Taylor-Swift weekend. They commissioned an entire rebrand of all ID elements and a host of tribute pieces, and Chadd provided the fun & lighthearted voice to match the vibe. From spoken lyrics to obscure references only a “Swiftie” would know, a complete station makeover was implemented, and “Tay Bay” was born (and died two days later for a return to normal).
Q. What made the media production’s content especially interesting from your
perspective?
A: It’s not the first time this sort of “takeover” stunt has been employed, but for the radio
industry, this was different for a few reasons. KBAY is (usually) a Country station, but
playing the entire Taylor Swift library would typically lean largely pop. In a market with
no other Country stations, the station could afford to take a small hit to public perception
from die hard Country fans who are also non-Swifties. Fortunately, Taylor just released
new recordings of several Country Chart toppers from early in her career to escape a
clause that prevented her from performing the songs otherwise “owned” by her former
record company. The buzz from that release brought much of her Country catalogue
back to relevance. The stunt went off without a hitch and Taylor Swift put on 2 amazing
shows (even going past city noise curfew).
Q. As the voice talent in your media project, were there any kinds of special ways you
prepared for your voiceover performance? Or anything unique you had to execute from
a technical standpoint?
A: It was a necessity to do research on the song lyrics. There were references I wanted
to understand before jumping into the script, and some were kind of obscure. I learned a
LOT about the artist I never knew, and gained a new respect for this epic performer who
also seems like a genuinely good person with relatable awkwardness and a cats
obsession.
Q. Briefly, are there any other recent voiceover projects you’ve done that you want to
share with us?
A: Most of recent projects have come from radio companies. I was signed as the
voice of WKHX-Atlanta, and am nominated for a One Voice award for my work with
KUPL-Portland, OR.
ABOUT CHADD PIERCE
Chadd’s approach to voiceover is uniquely holistic. He’s sat in the director’s chair, as cast and coached talent, serves as copywriter, performs on-camera, and is an active a/v editor and post-producer. Easily directed within a huge range. Exudes a smart 4th Wall-breaking “wink”, and conversational realism.