Benztown Releases 7th Annual 50 List of Top Voiceover Talent

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The Benztown 50

Benztown has released its seventh annual Benztown 50 List of Radio's Biggest Imaging Voices, the radio industry's listing of the top 50 voiceover artists in the U.S. and Canada. Benztown enlisted P1 Media Group to compile and analyze industry data that was the foundation for the list. The list for 2020 reflects increased industry participation and interest, with more than 300 U.S. and Canadian radio groups providing information.

The Benztown 50 was analyzed and evaluated by P1 Media Group's proprietary algorithm, and is based on several criteria, including number of radio station affiliates, station size and market.

A special highlight of this year's Benztown 50 is the presentation of the voiceover industry's newest and now highest honor, the Chris Corley Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented to legendary voiceover talent, Randy Thomas. As America's premiere female live voice announcer, Thomas made history as a 10-time announcer for the Academy Awards. She is the first woman to voice ABC News Nightline and GMA3, the Tony Awards (20-time announcer), the Kennedy Center Honors (5-time announcer), the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (5-time announcer), and the DGA, AFI and EMA Awards, to name a few.

Thomas has also been heard on ABC News Live and Entertainment Tonight. Thomas has been winning accolades and opening doors for female voice artists for over 28 years, in addition to her experience as a radio personality in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Miami. She is represented worldwide by Atlas Talent Agency.

Dave "Chachi" Denes, President of Benztown, said: "We launched the Benztown 50 seven years ago to celebrate the top voiceover professionals in our industry and highlight the important role that voiceover talent plays in connecting with audiences and building powerful audio brands. Compelling voiceover has never been more essential to creating resonant brands, in a highly competitive listening environment that offers more choices than ever before. The good news is that more people are listening than ever."

Denes added, "It is our incredible privilege to present six-time Benztown 50 honoree Randy Thomas with the Chris Corley Lifetime Achievement Award for her brilliant contributions to our industry and profession through her incredible body of voiceover work. Randy is truly a voiceover icon, in every sense of the word, and sets the highest standards for all voiceover professionals today and in the future. We congratulate her and look forward to celebrating in person with her one day soon."

The following voiceover professionals comprise this year's Benztown 50 (in alphabetical order):

• Ann DeWig
• Austin Keyes
• Blaze Berdahl
• Brian Lee
• Brian Christopher
• Cayman Kelly
• Chad Erickson
• Cousin Deke
• Damon Oaks
• Dan Kelly
• Dave Kampel
• Dave Foxx
• David Kaye
• Donna Frank
• Dr. Dave Ferguson
• Erin Setch
• Harry Legg
• Heather Walters
• Jake Kaplan
• Jeff Berlin
• Jen Sweeney
• Jim Cutler
• Jim Merkel
• JJ Surma
• Joanna Stadwiser
• Joe Cipriano
• John Reilly
• John Willyard
• Josh Goodman
• Jude Corbett
• Jules Riley
• Kelly Doherty
• Lisa Keys
• Malcolm Ryker
• Melody Sharp
• Miles Hlivko
• Neil Wilson
• Pat Garrett
• Pete Gustin
• Rachel McGrath
• Rich Van Slyke
• Roberta Solomon
• Scott Fisher
• Scott Matthews
• Sean Caldwell
• Steve Kamer
• Steve Taylor
• Steve Stone
• Victor Lisle
• Wendy K. Gray

This year, Benztown recognizes six additional up-and-coming voiceover professionals as "Ones to Watch in Voiceover." They are:

• Matt Fogarty
• Dan Stone
• Mark Rider
• Amanda Madi
• Corri English
• Issa Lopez

To view the 2020 Benztown 50 list online, please visit benztown.com/bz50/.