V1: What Ive most been looking forward to asking you is ever since I was really little my dad probably told this story a hundred times and I never knew if it was true about when Menards was looking for a spokesman, and a bunch of good-looking guys in suits showed up. Power survey in customer satisfaction among home improvement retail stores. Leading advertising researcher Magna predicts that in 2022, ad sales will mostly decrease, but will increase in three significant areas: With more people stuck at home during the global pandemic, it is no surprise that viewing time among those who watch TV rose significantly during the 2020s. But knowing how to position a pop filter with your microphone is vital. Kermit the Frog. Who voices menards commercials. However, one commercial stands out from the pack in terms of its power, creativity, and relevance for the time. Nick Meyer, V1 Staff | May 7, 2018 A Special Note from Volume One Owner & Publisher Nick Meyer Today the news is spreading that Ray Szmanda, the Midwest-famous "Menards Guy," a multi-decade TV commercial pitchman for everything from paint to faucets to lumber, passed away May 6 at the age of 91. His career with Menards began in 1976, where he was a fixture of the ads until his retirement in 1998. [17] Bob Holtan, John Menard's friend and radio station owner, wrote the lyrics to the "Save Big Money" jingle in the early 1970s. This fact was true across all TV mechanisms, including network TV, cable TV, and streaming. Menards - Advertising Advertising For many years, Menards' television commercials featured free-lance announcer Ray Szmanda, who became a cult figure as "the Menards Guy." In the late 1990s, a young, hands-on woman temporarily took the role in Szmanda's absence. V1: I hear youre still doing some radio stuff, as a Ham Radio operator? A fella by the name of Bob Prock ran that production section for a long time, and did a great job. Already have a Menards Commercial Card? Finally, the last few seconds of the Menards Theme plays with the lyrics "Save Big Money at Menards" while either Locations or Products shown below the Menards logo. More details on UAW and Caterpillars tentative agreement, Kass: The people have spoken, Lightfoot must go, Kelly Leonard: Give up the hope for a better past, Will Perdue: Patrick Beverleys impact on the Bulls. Bo Landry is the current voice. V1: Is there anything in particular you miss as the Menards spokesman, like hearing yourself on the radio or seeing yourself on TV? 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. Keaton is a former editor and journalist for the Toronto and Ottawa Sun. You listen to me. [14] Radio and TV ads are usually accompanied by banjo music (resembling that of bluegrass music) played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. He also narrated a recording of the Bible. Your email address will not be published. And its the same today. Who was the announcer for the Menards show? READ: An interview with Ray Szmanda (a.k.a. Read on V1: So how are you liking retirement so far? Perhaps the most significant event of the 2020s was the onset and spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. In the wake of Donald Trumps presidency, the US political climate was one of intense disunion and heated rhetoric between right and left. She is of Dutch and one quarter Norwegian descent. 3 comments. It is a powerful celebration of Black culture, from styling to athletics to music. event & video production company, & a retail store based in Eau Claire, WI. And before I left, the phone started ringing for me to do commercials for the Fort Howard Paper Company on the Packer-Bear game. I used to like working outside in the yard. Ive got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex- wives, and several bartenders dependent on me. 1941), Remove advertising, disable a person or firm from preconising [proclaiming] its wares and their merits, and the whole of society and of the economy is transformed. Then I did a Sunday morning thing, Masters of Rhythm. The mail comes to the chain's Eau Claire, Wis., headquarters addressed to "The Menards Guy," or, more formally, "The Menards Man." Having fun with people. He continued to appear regularly in commercials until 1998 when he started a semi retirement as the spokesman for Menards and would only show up on TV commercials occasionally. Working high up in the lumber piles. I eat out quite a bit, and I dont think theres a time when I go out that somebody I dont know comes up and says, Hi Ray or I dont quite know you, but your face is familiar. RAY: The other thing I wanted to tell you is that I had some college kids call me at 9 oclock one night. Dimensional lumber is ideal for a wide range of structural and nonstructural applications including framing of houses, barns, sheds and commercial construction. In it, Momoa returns to his home after a long day. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. Antigo, Wisconsin, U.S. Raymond Jack Ray Szmanda, Sr. (June 22, 1926 May 6, 2018) was an American radio and television announcer known throughout the Midwestern United States as the spokesperson for Menards, a position he held for more than two decades. I mail them to them. In 2012, Menards opened its first Kentucky location in Owensboro. Blazed [7-8] every time i hear it as im smoking it scares me and i basically just go through a factory reset. Menard eventually owned cars, primarily focusing on the Indianapolis 500 often using stock block Buick V6 engines. Thats when I went on television. Im having a ball, Szmanda said on his personal website. [4] Menards sold the Menard Building Division in 1994, racking up 36 years in the pole building industry. PANTRY TOYS DCOR, Best of the I have many, many great experiences. When Buick left the sport, Menard bought the engine tooling from Buick and began producing the engines under the Menard V6 name. RAY: No. Spanish language commercials (whose music contains a mixture of mariachi and banjo sounds) end with "Ganar mucho dinero en Menards! It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Menards 60sec Donut Jingle. You seem so quiet. Older people looked at me and said, Look at that guy out there. Final Thoughts. RAY: Anytime you have someone that imitates you, does the same thing you do, thats a huge compliment. 2002-2023CopyrightVolumeOneMagazine. 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. Now you know the voice behind Arby's commercials 'We Have the Meats" is actor Ving Rhames. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When you do these commercials, its on a set. Then they went to a blue polo shirt. The ARCA Menards Series sponsorship for Sprecher is a great fit." Founded in Milwaukee in 1985,. voiced by JK Simmons and 1 other. It is much more obvious with later commercials featuring Ray (especially from the Late 1990s) as he will become more theatric and play up the hamminess of the "Menards Guy" character. I was on the radio years ago, and it was just great. Will Lyman Who does the voice over for the Paragard. Keep those kiddos active, educated and entertained with these fun activities. The Menards Guy, Menards Guy Isn't Who--or What--you Think He Is, Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children. And The Menards Guy is no exception. 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 Menards, commanding attention from unsuspecting shoppers. Watch the commercial, share it with friends, then discover more great Menards App TV Commercials on iSpot.tv audience & publishing schedule , Staff I never got my license to talk to other countries. Who is the voice in the BMW commercial? Plus, John pitches Chuck ideas for the funeral - and Chuck takes them! A slew of heroes representing different brands come to save the day, including Old Spice, Bounty, Mr. Clean, Febreeze, Olay, Charmin, and Head & Shoulders. A long, hard road in broadcasting. V1: Whats the trick to being a voice actor? Menardsis a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Needless to say he stuck out like a sore thumb to anyone whod ever watched television across the Midwest over the previous 20 years. Since 2005, the biggest and most beloved brands have trusted Voices to help them find professionals to bring their projects to life. The voice is pretty similar. He studiedbroadcasting at the American Institute of the Air in Minneapolis and took writing courses from the Universities of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Madison, according to his bio on the Menards website. 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. Ray Szmanda was a man who I was proud to call my dad, his son Charles Szmanda wrote in a Facebook post. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. I mean, they offer everything. Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 References 6 External links Early life [ edit] Szmanda appeared in the 1970s science fiction movie The Alpha Incident and hosted the Wausau version of High Quiz Bowl. Please follow the steps pertaining to your situation to get your account activated for tax exempt ordering. 2 x 4 x 8-ft Brown Pressure Treated Lumber. Presented by Silver Spring. The economy of the 2020s has been one of significant flux due largely to the uncertainty of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Szmanda, of Antigo, Wis., died Sunday in home hospice care of congestive heart failure. Ray had plenty of monkey jokes for the crew. Blue. And I suppose I was kind of an actor with that, because people tell me, Youre so different off camera. And there were two elderly people in their 60s, maybe that were so interested in the product we were advertising, they didnt see any of it. Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children, Guide to planning a party for kids, adults, or a corporate events! Keaton graduated from Humber College's Journalism program, specializing in Television and Online Media. Szmanda passed away at his home in Antigo on Sunday, May 6, according to. 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. $2999/year Find Work Why Voices Find Work Why Choose Voices? Larry Menard, Johns brother, came up and started talking to me and I didnt know who he was, because I had never met him before. They say, Say it. And I say Save big money at Menards!. The insurance company reviews the claim for its validity and then pays you or your doctor. Its hard not to act. In 2020 alone, among adults in the US who watch TV, viewing time increased by 9.2% to approximately 4.5 hours daily. The AMC Theaters Cast. In 1958, John Menard Jr. began building post-frame buildings to finance his college education. Menard Inc. found him in. I started lessons about five or six years ago. But I did the grand openings for Menards all over the 10-state area, which I suppose has grown now. I got a lot of that. voiced by Steve Whitmire. Right when I got out of the Navy at 21. Menards is owned by founder John Menard Jr. through his privately held company, Menard, Inc. Hes got grey hair and hes full of enthusiasm. RAY: Never. 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. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91 . Humming along since 2002, Volume One is a magazine, an Miss Piggy. V1: Well its a fun time to be working with stocks right now. VanSanten was born in Luverne, Minnesota. This declaration would have a major effect on how everyone understood and approached the virus, from world leaders to your average joe. I played on the road. voiced by Eric Jacobson. Posted at 2:18 PM, May 07, 2018. and last updated 2:05 PM, May 07, 2018. He did, however, make occasional ads with the company starting in 1999. Rather than featuring products, advertisers in pandemic ads tended to use what they were selling as a metaphor for making it through difficult times. Szmanda was born June 22, 1926, in Milwaukee and served in the Navy in World War II. ), but only Paula Dean, who invited me down to her Savannah, Georgia home for a meal, has come anywhere near the feel-good experience of talking with Ray Szmanda, who will gladly send you a signed photo or proudly belt Save big money at Menards! on request. Then this guy wearing jeans and cowboy boots walks in. The 'Menards Guy' passed away on Sunday after quite the memorable life. Watch, interact and learn more about the songs, characters, and celebrities that appear in your favorite Menards App TV Commercials. In 2022, Samsung showed its advertising chops in a wildly popular commercial in which a spider falls in love with a Samsung device it sees on a billboard outside its window. In 2020, Menards expanded into West Virginia, opening three locations in that state: one in Wheeling, another in Morgantown, and the last one in Huntington. The 2020s were significant years in world history. Each one of his commercials, of which he filmed hundreds, featured his trademark smile, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for telling you about great deals. Maybe I should be full of enthusiasm. That was all part of the show. As it turns out, Ray was more than happy to chat, he even invited me to his home for the interview (though we ended up going the phone route instead). And of course I do my homework before I buy, and I have a certified financial planner who keeps me honest with my estate. Report. Should Chicago adopt ranked choice voting? In that year alone, employers cut more than 22 million jobs in response to the economic impact of the global pandemic. I had my own trio. Ive got a film major grandson in Colorado, and he wants to do it. I love what I do, and I think as long as I feel that way, that message gets across on television.. In 2000, the company opened its 150th store. You have a Menard Tax Id AND a Menards.com account: Log into your Menards.com account using our Log-In page. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I would say I really miss being on camera. Advertisers have created some remarkable and groundbreaking TV commercials in the 2020s (and were only over two years into the decade!). Menard Inc. Deceased (19262018) Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Menards is an American home improvement retail company headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We played 40s music, what we called swing. Wed be tucked away in the paint aisle with lights, cameras, and microphones and as soon as he started in on the script at full volume, the rubbernecking from customers would be hilarious. Menards is the third-largest home improvement store in the United States, behind Lowe's and The Home Depot. "[citation needed], John Menard got involved in Indycar racing in the early 1980s working with his neighbor, driver Herm Johnson. For many years, Menards' television commercials featured free-lance announcer Ray Szmanda, who became a cult figure as "the Menards Guy." Interestingly, advertisers tended to focus on messages of encouragement and hope more than they did on selling products in pandemic ads. This video cannot be played because of a technical error. His son, Charles Szmanda, tells John about his late father. [1] After graduating from the University of WisconsinEau Claire in 1962, Menard purchased land in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and built an office and shop. Ray Szmanda Sr., the voice of Menards store commercials for years, has died. Another hallmark of COVID-19 ads was celebrating the heroes working on the frontlines to fight the pandemic. event & video production company, & a retail store based in Eau Claire, WI. I was very pleased to hear that the young man and Ive never met him that does them now is doing the same act I did. They walked right on the set (laughing) looking for the price of the chair or whatever it was. Chippewa Valley V1: What kind of stuff did you guys play? And I dont say much, unless they say something. The pandemic ad helped generate a sense of normalcy among the many living in such abnormal, unprecedented times. (laughing) That was a great one. [35] The policy for children was later relaxed.[36]. have i jjst avoided menards that hard ? Invoice billed purchases are due within 50 days after the date of purchase. V1: Right. Menards spokesman Ray Szmanda, 72, of Antigo, Wis., films a television commercial for shower doors. Back in 2009, Volume One published a long Q&A between Ray Szmanda and former managing editor Trevor Kupfer. So lumber was interesting. Mine are the commercials for Jim "The Hammer" Shapiro, who wanted to rip the hearts out of those who caused Rochester residents personal injury. Days following the speech, Putin launched an attack on Ukraine that the international community quickly condemned. Jon Hamm has proudly done the voice-overs for Mercedes-Benz since 2010. 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. Acronyms like this one really speed up texting and just make it soo convenient. 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. I was a professional drummer. People were in shock. Well look at the pros and cons of each. Is that right? Who does the voice for the Menards commercial? [5] In 2008, the company expanded into Missouri. Would he be bothered at the idea of revisiting the persona (he is retired, after all)? My television debut came for Radio City in Milwaukee, an NBC station named WTMJ. Menards commercials are also accompanied with banjo music played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. His friendly, fun-loving personality and enthusiasm has made a lasting impression on Menards and its customers, the Menards bio says. RAY: Oh yeah. Theres something about being on camera that just makes your day. Indeed, in times of economic stress or uncertainty, businesses tend to cut discretionary spending, and for most, advertising is seen as discretionary. In fact when I used to come to Eau Claire for commercials I was on the air most of the time. Political division would carry well into the 2020s, as the debate between the two sides continues with no seeming resolution. Thousands of activists took to the streets to call for an end to racism and police brutality. Swing lasted about 10 years, and then of course rock n roll came in. Ray Szmanda was a man who I was proud to call my dad, his son Charles Szmanda wrote in a Facebook post. Dennis Morgan did it. I jumped in the car, went to the audition and thats when it happened. During the Christmas and holiday season, radio and television ads typically feature an alternate jingle "Warm season's greetings to you all from Menards!" It occurred to me he might have been Larry Menard. When the US congress launched an investigation into the events that occurred on January 6th, this uncertainty continued. And I got negative things, too. There were a couple of elderly ladies that walked by my booth, and I was signing pictures. We flew together all over the Midwest for commercials, so we got to know each other pretty well. He has been pretty quiet about his involvement with the company, but it's safe to say that he's done a great job. He worked for radio and television stations as a staff announcer from 1951 to 1958, when he began to freelance. What happened was, when I left the house, I was in a suit. | Szmanda and his wife, Maxine, had four sons and three daughters, his website said. The first commercial was for the S400 Hybrid, a vehicle with night vision, adaptive cruise control, and no kidding, massage seats! [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. To life, has died and three daughters, his son Charles Szmanda wrote in a.... 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