WQKL imaging voice

BFSEsq · Unread post by **BFSEsq** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 12:35 pm

I noticed for the first time today that WQKL 107.1 Ann Arbor has changed their (very) long time imaging voice, and I really don't like the new guy. Feels like the wrong direction. I don't know names. The last guy had a great, unique, deep voice. The new guy sounds like he belongs on AC or Hot AC. He's reading the same promos, so it's painfully obvious that it's a downgrade.

Is this just change for change's sake? It kind of feels like it. "It's been a long time, we need to shake it up." But did anyone ask for this?! The existing promos seemed like they fit the station much better than the new ones.

If I can find any examples I'll post them.

mmb5 · Unread post by **mmb5** » Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:09 pm

Like just today? I heard the usual voice on Saturday.

thatonedude · Unread post by **thatonedude** » Tue Apr 01, 2025 2:20 am

BFSEsq wrote:I noticed for the first time today that WQKL 107.1 Ann Arbor has changed their (very) long time imaging voice, and I really don't like the new guy. Feels like the wrong direction. I don't know names. The last guy had a great, unique, deep voice. The new guy sounds like he belongs on AC or Hot AC. He's reading the same promos, so it's painfully obvious that it's a downgrade.

Is this just change for change's sake? It kind of feels like it. "It's been a long time, we need to shake it up." But did anyone ask for this?! The existing promos seemed like they fit the station much better than the new ones.

If I can find any examples I'll post them.

Their longtime VO was Matt Anthony, who has a very unique style which works with AAA.

Streaming it now, and the new guy sounds similar to the VO used by 107.1 the Peak in New York. Not sure what that gentleman’s name is, but the voice sounds awfully familiar.

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48125er · Unread post by **48125er** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:42 pm

Their sister station 94.5 the Q in Grand Rapids switched to the same voice, caught me off guard hearing for the first time today, sounds like it belongs on a small town top 40 or AC station like 105.3 in Jackson.

Unread post by **MWmetalhead** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:29 pm

Pretty sure that is the voice of Steve Stone. Very good (and popular) voiceover talent.

I like the new voiceovers. Perhaps I'm in the minority.

Stone is often heard on alternative rock stations. He also was the V/O artist used by the ill fated Detroit Sports 105.1.

I believe 93XRT in Chicago has used him for the past few years. That station is considered by some to be the standard bearer for the AAA format.

thatonedude · Unread post by **thatonedude** » Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:02 pm

MWmetalhead wrote:Pretty sure that is the voice of Steve Stone. Very good (and popular) voiceover talent.

I like the new voiceovers. Perhaps I'm in the minority.

Stone is often heard on alternative rock stations. He also was the V/O artist used by the ill fated Detroit Sports 105.1.

I believe 93XRT in Chicago has used him for the past few years. That station is considered by some to be the standard bearer for the AAA format.

If it’s him, I think he’s a good fit. I’ll listen a bit more this weekend to form a more concrete opinion.

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Unread post by **MWmetalhead** » Sat Apr 05, 2025 10:07 pm

Stone is also the new imaging voice for 92 KQRS in Minneapolis. Cumulus corporate perhaps signed him to a deal covering multiple markets.

AMFMTV · Unread post by **AMFMTV** » Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:42 pm

Matt Anthony a buddy of mine. On 107 20 years or so. He lost a few stations since Cumulus, I'm told, has gone to a 20 person VO roster, all formats. Mostly repped by Atlas Talent, or Benztown who is affiliated with Cumulus.

PDs have to choose from this list, or the VO is pushed down by corporate. Homogenization continues.

AMFMTV · Unread post by **AMFMTV** » Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:44 pm

MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Sat Apr 05, 2025 10:07 pm Stone is also the new imaging voice for 92 KQRS in Minneapolis. Cumulus corporate perhaps signed him to a deal covering multiple markets.

KQ sounded best with Dick Ervasti, who retired from VO 2016. Then John Wells and Rob Naughton.

KQ adding more classic alternative and 80s titles. Stone part of the new paint job.

Unread post by **MWmetalhead** » Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:51 pm

I still hear Ervasti on KQDS in Duluth.

(Must be material they've been using for years.)

Matt Anthony fits AAA like a glove. The Steve Stone material sounds good, too.

radioandtventhusiast · Mon Apr 07, 2025 4:07 pm

AMFMTV wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:42 pm Matt Anthony a buddy of mine. On 107 20 years or so. He lost a few stations since Cumulus, I'm told, has gone to a 20 person VO roster, all formats. Mostly repped by Atlas Talent.

.PDs have to choose from this list, or the VO is pushed down by corporate. Homogenization continues.

I'm not sure the imaging voices on most of Cumulus's Toledo stations. I know the Ticket is Jim Cutler and 98.3 NashIcon is Steve Kamer and another male voice. WRQN, WXKR and Q105 have had the same voices, and K100 has a new imaging voice after having the same one for nearly 20 years.

AMFMTV · Unread post by **AMFMTV** » Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:37 am

MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:51 pm I still hear Ervasti on KQDS in Duluth.
(Must be material they've been using for years.)

Matt Anthony fits AAA like a glove. The Steve Stone material sounds good, too.

Ervasti died 2021. I wonder if they're paying his estate for continued VO use? Ervasti didn't do buyouts.

radioandtventhusiast · Tue Apr 08, 2025 1:52 pm

AMFMTV wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:37 am
MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:51 pm I still hear Ervasti on KQDS in Duluth.
(Must be material they've been using for years.)

Matt Anthony fits AAA like a glove. The Steve Stone material sounds good, too.
Ervasti died 2021. I wonder if they're paying his estate for continued VO use? Ervasti didn't do buyouts.

Coast to Coast AM still uses Ervasti's recorded liners.

AMFMTV · Unread post by **AMFMTV** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 12:19 pm

radioandtventhusiast wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 1:52 pm
AMFMTV wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:37 am
MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:51 pm I still hear Ervasti on KQDS in Duluth.
(Must be material they've been using for years.)

Matt Anthony fits AAA like a glove. The Steve Stone material sounds good, too.
Ervasti died 2021. I wonder if they're paying his estate for continued VO use? Ervasti didn't do buyouts.
Coast to Coast AM still uses Ervasti's recorded liners.

Perhaps an agreement with CTC? Dunno. Wouldn't put it past anyone trying to avoid fees since he passed. I'm sure there's still stations on the fringe still running Corley's voice.

radioandtventhusiast · Thu Apr 10, 2025 12:32 pm

AMFMTV wrote: ↑Thu Apr 10, 2025 12:19 pm
radioandtventhusiast wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 1:52 pm
AMFMTV wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:37 am
MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 3:51 pm I still hear Ervasti on KQDS in Duluth.
(Must be material they've been using for years.)

Matt Anthony fits AAA like a glove. The Steve Stone material sounds good, too.
Ervasti died 2021. I wonder if they're paying his estate for continued VO use? Ervasti didn't do buyouts.
Coast to Coast AM still uses Ervasti's recorded liners.
Perhaps an agreement with CTC? Dunno. Wouldn't put it past anyone trying to avoid fees since he passed. I'm sure there's still stations on the fringe still running Corley's voice.

For hosts that came after Ervasti passed, they have a different VO for the phone numbers to call that certain host.

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