Radio?s golden age is gone, but Flo Ayres, veteran voice-over actress and lifelong Baltimorean, still thrives.
Since Ayres broke into the radio business in the 1940s, the petite, spunky lady has performed thousands of voices, including Granny Packer, Jim Henson?sSissy the Skunk and the voice of the White House tour and SeaWorld?s shark exhibit.
Ayres? latest project, “Do-zees and Don?t-zees,” teaches children manners through songs and skits featuring characters such as Picky Ricky. The CD received the 2007 Parents? Choice Gold Award and features background vocals from Grammy-winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.
What?s the biggest challenge for a voice actor?
It?s a type of communication where you have nothing going for you but your voice. You must portray this character and set it up in people?s mind with no visuals. From that aspect, it?s difficult. If you?re doing a granny, you better sound like a granny and come across even visually for the listeners so they can see this character. You have to make it come alive for people from nothing but sound.
How has the radio industry changed?
It?s changed drastically. With technology, it means we can sit in our homes with equipment and cut commercials for anybody across the country. It?s taken the joy out of the business. We don?t go to studios much anymore. … Now, we?re sitting in a closet at home recording. That?s not much fun.
Why did you write “Do-zees and Don?t-zees”?
Lately there?s not much of an avenue for characters, and I love working with children ? even when I?m just having fun with them, I do voices. I looked around and wasn?t happy with the way I saw kids acting. If I?m in a restaurant, they?re running around. If I?m in a bank line, they?re on the floor kicking up their heels. I began to think maybe a CD on manners would be helpful. I have a little 10-year-old in my life and I thought of all the things he had to learn. You can?t beat kids over the head with lectures on manners; you have to make it fun.
