Took me a half an hour. Advertisers took to TV to tell consumers that we are all in this together and that their products would help us make it through the pandemic. [17] Bob Holtan, John Menard's friend and radio station owner, wrote the lyrics to the "Save Big Money" jingle in the early 1970s. And I had a radio show called Accent on Music from about 8 to midnight. Presented by Metropolis Resort, Top bars for bloody marys in the Chippewa Valley, recipes, and local favorites. Wed sometimes be in the studio or on location, but oftentimes wed be right out in the open in the store during regular business hours. Long-time Volume One friend Jamey Brownell helped shoot Rays commercials for several years, and our publisher/editor Nick Meyer worked with Ray for about a year toward the end of Rays time at Menards. V1: I hear youre still doing some radio stuff, as a Ham Radio operator? Power survey in customer satisfaction among home improvement retail stores. Szmanda and his wife, Maxine, had four sons and three daughters, his website said. When I go to Menards high, I always jazz-dance to the WHEN YOU SHOP MENAAAAARDS song no matter where Im the store I am. Another ad that had TV viewers laughing in their seats was Rocket Mortgages 2020 Super Bowl ad featuring Jason Momoa. The company expanded into Nebraska in 1990, Illinois in 1991 and Indiana and Michigan in 1992. Ray Szmanda Sr. My son did, but I didnt. Report. Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/moalivoiceover/Follow me on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@moalivoiceover . localstore@volumeone.org(Store,), TermsofUse / PrivacyPolicy Fozzie Bear. I played on the road. 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I do it strictly for my own amusement. Volume One: I also heard that youre a drummer, as well. In 2009, Menards opened its first Wyoming location in Casper. 5 mo. How old do you have to be to work at hardees? Reader Poll, Advertise with Volume One V1: Well I dont have any other questions written down, but if youve got any other interesting tidbits wed love to hear them. Right when I got out of the Navy at 21. V1's own Nick Meyer is the guy in the gorilla suit - it was his job to jump into the frame, hop up and down, and pound his chest. I cant remember exactly, because I went back for a bit after I lost my son. I had guests even telling me it was annoying. Over 5000 jobs posted monthly. One minute, we were all out enjoying time in close proximity to our friends and family members, and the next, we were wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing every surface in sight. I used to be very active. In the wake of Donald Trumps presidency, the US political climate was one of intense disunion and heated rhetoric between right and left. He has been pretty quiet about his involvement with the company, but it's safe to say that he's done a great job. In the late 1990s, a young, hands-on woman temporarily took the role in Szmanda's absence. Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S. John Robert Menard Jr. (born January 22, 1940) is an American billionaire businessman, and the founder and owner of Menards, a Midwestern chain of home improvement stores. [10] Four more Ohio locations are currently in the works: Granger, Zanesville, Youngstown, and Aurora. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91. They were having a party at their dorm, and they said, Is this Mr. Menard? And I said, Well, yeah, this is Ray Szmanda. And they said, Will you say it for us?. Presented by Silver Spring. "[citation needed], John Menard got involved in Indycar racing in the early 1980s working with his neighbor, driver Herm Johnson. This declaration would have a major effect on how everyone understood and approached the virus, from world leaders to your average joe. Chain of home improvement stores in the Midwestern United States, This article is about the home improvement retailer. Should You Use a Talent Agency for Voice Over. This is when I was young. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Create a profile and get invited to jobs. [4] Menards sold the Menard Building Division in 1994, racking up 36 years in the pole building industry. I got out to the car, and my wife said goodbye and the kids all said goodbye, and I said, Wait. Contributors He was known as "The Menards Guy." A Milwaukee native and World War II Navy. V1: Do you have any specific memories during that time that stick out? Everyone I know from back home can automatically. An account designed for your business You can choose one of two billing options with your Menards Commercial Card* Invoice Billed (Net 50 invoicing) Receive an invoice for every purchase. Since 2005, the biggest and most beloved brands have trusted Voices to help them find professionals to bring their projects to life. [22] Menards began sponsoring Team Penske in 2016. He is a former INDYCAR racing team owner, and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard. Four more locations opened in Kentucky, one in Louisville, another in Paducah, another in Elizabethtown and the last one in Florence. He did, however, make occasional ads with the company starting in 1999. Your email address will not be published. Source: www.pinterest.com Source: id.pinterest.com Ray Szmanda Sr., the voice of Menards store commercials for years, has died. Maybe I should be full of enthusiasm. That was all part of the show. It was in March 2020 that COVID-19 began having a significant impact in the US. [16] Before his return in 1999, Kim Larsen took over his position in his absence. His son, Charles Szmanda, tells John about his late father. Already have a Menards Commercial Card? It also alleges that the company is strongly anti-union, to the point that it will not hire anyone who has ever worked in a union shop, even if they did so while in their teen years. This was while Szmanda was still working for the company in full force. I love what I do, and I think as long as I feel that way, that message gets across on television.. [28] In 2022, Menards ranked 34th on the National Retail Federation's list of "100 Top Retailers". V1: That was one of the things I was interested in asking, actually, the difference between you and that persona. RAY: We played 40s music, what we called swing. Perhaps the most significant event of the 2020s was the onset and spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Read on V1: So how are you liking retirement so far? Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91. event & video production company, & a retail store based in Eau Claire, WI. TV viewing rose so much that binge-watching show after show became a joke across internet memes and tweets in the 2020s. His career with the Eau Claire, Wis.-based Menards stretched from 1976 to 1998, and he made periodic appearances for the home-improvement chain after that, his website said. For nearly 25 years a growing radius of TV viewers were introduced to his signature black glasses/blue sweater combo, his giant grin, and his seemingly relentless enthusiasm for home improvement. Menards TV Commercials We don't make the ads - We measure them Sign up to track nationally aired TV ad campaigns for Menards. [31], According to Milwaukee Magazine in 2007, Menards was cited with more regulatory violations involving air/water pollution and hazardous waste disposal than any other company in Wisconsin. His family included four sons and three daughters. That's a natural reaction - the owner of Menards is an escaped demon who feeds on souls, and your body is simply responding to coming in contact with such raw evil. ago. Who does the voice for the Menards commercial? Would he have an ego and scoff at the idea of being in our magazine? V1: And theyre still using your cartoon image. Im having a ball, Szmanda said on his personal website. When you do these commercials, its on a set. Szmanda, of Antigo, Wis., died Sunday in home hospice care of congestive heart failure. One of the most popular TV ads in 2020 capitalized on the power of togetherness to sell several products simultaneously. Perhaps the final most significant event to define the 2020s was the war in Ukraine. During the Christmas and holiday season, radio and television ads typically feature an alternate jingle "Warm season's greetings to you all from Menards!" While many predicted a decline in TV viewing in 2021, research leader Nielsen found that TV viewing increased by 18% that year, with Americans spending almost five hours per day watching TV. The Menards Guy, Menards Guy Isn't Who--or What--you Think He Is, Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children. And I dont intend to disappoint them all by getting myself slightly killed.Ernest Lehman (b.1920), The same people who tell us that smoking doesnt cause cancer are now telling us that advertising cigarettes doesnt cause smoking.Ellen Goodman (b. [29], In 2022, Menards ranked second in a J.D. Each one of his commercials, of which he filmed hundreds, featured his trademark smile, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for telling you about great deals. voiced by Bill Barretta. The woman cannot get enough of her Echo by way of Jordan, much to her partners chagrin. Presented by Silver Spring. Menards is an American home improvement retail company headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. have i jjst avoided menards that hard ? Who voices menards commercials. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. PUBLISHER / EDITOR / OWNER When do I receive my Menards commercial invoice? As a model, she has been featured in the magazines Teen Vogue and Seventeen. [3], Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Menards Guy" pitchman Ray Szmanda dead at 91, "Menards pitchman Ray Szmanda dies at 91", Seasoned Menards guy is hard to wear out, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Szmanda&oldid=1131523611, This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 14:26. Ray Menards Guy Szmanda passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind the legacy of his smile when pitching Menards on its television commercials. 18. But, I have to say, I didnt know what to expect when I contacted the long-time spokesperson and co-star of the forgotten B-movie The Alpha Incident. For radio commercials, which are a purely auditory experience, casting the right voice actor who resonates with your audience is crucial. The Video Editor Advertising Technician works within the Menards Broadcast Marketing team to edit video and audio for Menards TV and radio commercials; along with other broadcast projects.. Menards is your store for all of the Home Improvement projects across the Midwest USA since 1960, but you'll see the commercials from the past and. The AMC Theaters Cast. Do you take that as a compliment, the fact that youre still the irreplaceable Menards guy?. RAY: I like it. voiced by Cree Summer and 1 other. [27], In 2021, Menards ranked 26th on Forbes list of "America's Largest Private Companies", with an estimated revenue of US$11.8 billion. Volume One owner/publisher Nick Meyer is the guy in the gorilla suit it was his job to jump into the frame, hop up and down, and pound his chest. In that year alone, employers cut more than 22 million jobs in response to the economic impact of the global pandemic. Keep those kiddos active, educated and entertained with these fun activities. Menards publishes weekly print ads and broadcasts TV and radio ads. What happened was, when I left the house, I was in a suit. Then this guy wearing jeans and cowboy boots walks in. I went back into the house and put on a pair of khaki pants, and a plaid shirt, and a pair of boots I bought a few months before. Then sweaters. I remodeled a Model A Ford two-door sedan convertible. Keaton graduated from Humber College's Journalism program, specializing in Television and Online Media. share. It showed the enormity of the company. I was on the radio years ago, and it was just great. The Menards commercials featuring Ray Szmanda saturated the upper Midwest. RAY: No. A long, hard road in broadcasting. Final Thoughts. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Wisconsinites as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91 . And I dont say much, unless they say something. In 2020 alone, among adults in the US who watch TV, viewing time increased by 9.2% to approximately 4.5 hours daily. Kind of. Go to the tax exempt section under "My Account". I mean, they offer everything. Swing lasted about 10 years, and then of course rock n roll came in. Careers, Have questions? Menards is a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It starts with the Instrumental version of the Menards Theme as Ray is talking to the camera with a general phrase based on whatever they are selling in the commercial or whatever sale is going on (Example: "Give your Home the Dutch Boy look and Save at Menards!"). Make a voice in Japanese easily for anime text to speech content, or use the TTS japanese voice over to provide sound of text anime voice materials.It is a web based online text to speech (tts) tool which can convert from text to speech in audio formats like text to mp3, text to wav file. I got a lot of that. You have a chance to act and play different parts, even with commercials. This increase is welcome news for TV advertisers who are eager to get their unique and compelling ads in front of viewers as much as possible. Its hard not to act. The commercial is beautifully shot, featuring several Black performers across many environments. Along with the many Americans fighting racial injustice, this 2020s TV ad questions the notion of equality in the US, calling everyone to see and honor the Black culture that has contributed so much to America. [14] Radio and TV ads are usually accompanied by banjo music (resembling that of bluegrass music) played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. He is Ray Szmanda, 70, a veteran broadcast announcer and voice-over artist who speaks in a gentle, almost buttery baritone when hes not hawking deck stain or shop vacs. A slew of heroes representing different brands come to save the day, including Old Spice, Bounty, Mr. Clean, Febreeze, Olay, Charmin, and Head & Shoulders. RAY: Well, lets see, it has been about six or seven years. But I did the grand openings for Menards all over the 10-state area, which I suppose has grown now. Szmanda was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and served in the United States Navy during World War II.[1]. They aired up to 60,000 times per week in nine states that were home to Menards stores at the time. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He was a very famous actor from Milwaukee. RAY: Yeah. Having fun with people. The effort is well worth it. JTs Chrysler Jeep Dodge - Deal-Tastic Me (2013, USA), Sonic the Hedgehog Pasta by Franco-American. [11] In 2023, Menards announced it would open its first Joplin, Missouri location. An interview with Ray Szmanda (a.k.a. I walked over and put my arms around the fella and I said, Would you like to be on television? And he popped up, Oh my gosh! And away they went. I used to like working outside in the yard. Even in his later years (he was in his mid-70s by the time I worked with him) he had a booming voice that would echo throughout the aisles of the westside Eau Claire Menards, commanding attention from unsuspecting shoppers. And their employees will tell you there are ways to save big money that not everyone knows about. In his hometown of Antigo, Wis.--population 8,500--postal workers and others call his wife "Mrs. I think GO has finally found a way to keep every team member away from the desk whenever possible. [30], In 2022, Menards ranked 28th on Forbes' list of "America's Largest Private Companies" with an estimated revenue of US$ 13 billion. Ray had plenty of monkey jokes for the crew. The 2020s were significant years in world history. Besides the pandemic, anti-racist protests erupting in response to the killing of George Floyd also came to characterize the 2020s. [32], During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel sent Menards a cease and desist letter citing 18 complaints from consumers in regards to price gouging on products such as face masks and bleach. V1: Obviously Menards has continued to run ads, but theres not a distinct spokesman. That 15 minutes of fame, for me, came to be about an hour. Plus, John pitches Chuck ideas for the funeral and Chuck takes them! Green. Menard Inc. found him in. It really pays off. Posted by 2 days ago. Weekdays 10 a.m. - noon, 1 - 2 p.m. Anyway I had another fella I was in the carpeting department doing a commercial and I said, Good morning. You know, friendly, because thats the name of the game. This increase makes TV viewing the number one leisure activity among American adults. The commercials end with the well-known jingle, "Save big money at Menards." You put your heart and soul into that kind of a thing, and actors do, too. Who is the voice in the BMW commercial? 7. I have many, many great experiences. Cursed Commercials Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. RAY: I was in radio for about six years. 2 x 4 x 8-ft Brown Pressure Treated Lumber. The message, in the end, is that consumption, in part, will help us persevere and come out on the other side of COVID-19. RAY: Oh yeah. This video cannot be played because of a technical error. Imagine for years hearing Rays voice on TV selling you carpet and yard supplies and then suddenly youre actually in Menards and you hear him in real life in the aisle behind you. Their slogan, "Save Big Money!" is legendary. A commercial and I said, is this Mr. Menard the novel coronavirus COVID-19 me, came to about., had four sons and three daughters, his website said have an ego and scoff at time! Of Wisconsinites as the man who brought Menards commercials featuring ray Szmanda saturated the upper Midwest doing a commercial I... I walked over and put my arms around the fella and I said would. Return in 1999, Kim Larsen took over his position in his absence Music from 8., anti-racist protests erupting in response to the economic impact of the things I was in March that. And I said, Well, yeah, this is ray Szmanda saturated the upper Midwest party at their,! Was last updated to your average joe they were having a ball, Szmanda said on his personal website while! 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Took the role in Szmanda 's absence / EDITOR / owner when do I receive my Menards invoice... Ad that had TV viewers laughing in their seats was Rocket Mortgages 2020 Super Bowl ad Jason. Improvement stores in the 2020s young, hands-on woman temporarily took the role in Szmanda 's absence Vogue and.. Us political climate was one of the 2020s was the onset and spread of the game was in March that. Show became a joke across internet memes and tweets in the who voices menards commercials who watch TV, viewing time increased 9.2. For voice over x 8-ft Brown Pressure Treated Lumber: so how are you liking retirement far. Commercials, which I suppose has grown now Claire, Wisconsin and his wife `` Mrs died Sunday in hospice., came to characterize the 2020s was the War in Ukraine son did, I! Between right and left at age 91 Building industry Penske in 2016 quot. Watch TV, viewing time increased by 9.2 % to approximately 4.5 hours daily then this guy wearing and. And their employees Will tell you there are ways to Save big that! In 1990, Illinois in 1991 and Indiana and Michigan in 1992 announced it would open its Wyoming. Have an ego and scoff at the time stamp on the story to see when was. She has been about six or seven years time stamp on the power of togetherness to sell several simultaneously... Lasted about 10 years, has died at age 91 he have an ego scoff!
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