Need that authentic Golden Age of Radio sound? I specialize in classic 1940s-50s radio announcer voices for period films, vintage-style commercials, documentaries, and retro advertising campaigns.
Looking for a Old Time Radio Announcer voiceover? Email me, and let’s talk:
Donny@Donnyvoice.com
Why Choose a Real Broadcaster Over an Actor Doing an Announcer Voice?
Need a classic old-time announcer voice that sounds like the real thing…not an actor pretending? I'm Donny Baarns, and I've spent over a decade as an actual sports broadcaster calling games on TV and radio across 7 different sports. I've announced for Major League Baseball (Oakland A's), Division I universities, and countless sporting events. When you hire me for your PA announcer voiceover, you're getting the authentic energy and professionalism that comes from real broadcast experience.
I've called Major League Baseball for the Oakland A's. I’ve had the World Feed call for the Copa America Final, World Cup Qualifying, and been on FS1. I was featured in the New York Times for my broadcasting work. And my classic announcer voice was featured in Budweiser's tribute to Jackie Robinson.
When you hire me, you're getting authentic broadcast energy…not an impersonator.
My “Old-Time Announcer” voice was featured in Budweiser’s tribute to Jackie Robinson (:48-:57)
I did the play-by-play for this Adidas commercial with Patrick Mahomes (“Ohhh!”, “Mahomes…what a throw! TOUCHDOWN!” from :09-:13)
I worked with Netflix’s Tudum official fansite to voice this fun thumb-wrestling promo for their “Wrestlers” show
Perfect for:
Period films and TV shows set in the 1940s-1950s
Vintage-style radio commercials and advertising
Documentary narration about Golden Age of Radio or mid-century history
Museum exhibits and historical presentations
Retro brand campaigns and throwback marketing
Historical reenactments and educational content
Old-time radio drama productions
Nostalgia-themed podcasts and audio content
What makes my classic radio voice authentic:
Anyone can try to sound "old-timey," but authentic vintage radio announcing requires understanding the specific cadence, pronunciation patterns, and energy of that era.
Period-Accurate Delivery: I've studied announcers like Don Wilson, Paul Douglas, and Harlow Wilcox. The phrasing, emphasis patterns, and vocal placement were distinct from modern broadcasting—and I replicate those nuances.
Appropriate Energy: Classic radio announcers had a specific enthusiasm that was professional but not over-the-top. It was earnest, authoritative, and warm—very different from modern commercial reads.
Technical Understanding: Radio announcers of that era had to compensate for limited audio technology. Their articulation, pacing, and projection were crafted for AM radio clarity—details that make the difference between "trying to sound old" and actually capturing the era.
Versatility Within the Era: The 1940s radio announcer sounded different from the 1950s announcer. Early radio had more theatrical flair; later radio became smoother and more conversational. I can dial in the specific year/style you need.
CLASSIC RADIO VOICE STYLES BY ERA
EARLY RADIO (1930S-EARLY 1940S)
More theatrical, dramatic, and formal. Think of announcers introducing FDR's fireside chats or Golden Age dramas. Measured, authoritative, almost Shakespearean in delivery.
MID-1940S (WWII ERA)
Patriotic, earnest, urgent. News announcers and commercial voices during this period had gravitas and sincerity that reflected the times. Perfect for wartime-era content.
LATE 1940S-EARLY 1950S
The "classic" radio sound most people envision. Smooth, professional, enthusiastic but not manic. This is the Budweiser Jackie Robinson era—optimistic post-war America.
MID-LATE 1950S
As TV emerged, radio announcing became more intimate and conversational while retaining formality. Perfect for early rock 'n' roll era content or late Golden Age settings.
how classic radio voice projects work:
STEP 1: DISCUSS YOUR PERIOD & CONTEXT
What year is your film set in? What's the context—commercial, news broadcast, drama introduction? Understanding the specific era and purpose helps me deliver authentic period accuracy.
STEP 2: SCRIPT & STYLE REFERENCE
Send me your script and any reference materials. Do you have recordings of specific announcers from that era you want me to emulate? The more context, the better I can nail the authentic sound.
STEP 3: RECORDING WITH PERIOD TECHNIQUES
I record using techniques that replicate vintage radio delivery—proper microphone distance, period-accurate articulation, and the specific pacing of that era. I can even add subtle processing to mimic AM radio quality if desired.
STEP 4: REVIEW & HISTORICAL ACCURACY CHECK
You review the recording. If anything feels anachronistic or not quite right for your period, we adjust. Getting vintage authenticity right matters for your project's credibility.
Pricing for classic radio announcer voiceovers:
Every sports announcement project is unique, so I provide customized quotes based on your specific needs. Factors that affect pricing:
- Project scope (30-second commercial vs feature film narration, for example)
- Research required (generic “old-timey” vs specific historical accuracy)
- Rush delivery needs
- Usage rights (independent film vs national commercial)
Email me at Donny@Donnyvoice.com with your script and project details for a customized quote.
classic radio voice faqs
CAN YOU REPLICATE SPECIFIC HISTORICAL ANNOUNCERS?
I can capture the style and era of specific announcers (Don Wilson, Paul Douglas, etc.) without doing an impersonation. For legal and creative reasons, I deliver "in the style of" that era rather than exact impressions, which gives you authentic period sound without rights complications.
DO YOU ADD EFFECTS TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE OLD RADIO?
I deliver clean, professional audio. If you want AM radio crackle, compression, or vintage processing effects, your sound designer can add those in post-production for maximum control. If you need me to deliver pre-processed "vintage radio" sound, I can do that too—just let me know your preference.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE HISTORICAL ACCURACY?
I research the specific era you need. I'll ask questions about context (news broadcast vs. commercial, early vs. late decade, regional considerations) to ensure the delivery matches your period setting. I've studied archival radio broadcasts and can reference specific examples for accuracy.
CAN YOU DO OTHER VINTAGE ERAS (1920S, 1960S)?
My specialty is 1940s-50s Golden Age radio, but I can extend to late 1930s and early 1960s with appropriate reference materials. For 1920s or earlier radio (very different style), we'd need to discuss your specific needs.
WHAT'S YOUR TYPICAL TURNAROUND TIME?
Standard turnaround is 3-5 business days after script approval. Rush delivery (24-48 hours) is available for urgent projects. For feature films or extensive documentary narration, I recommend booking 2-3 weeks in advance to allow time for research, recording, and revisions.
DO YOU PROVIDE MUSIC OR SOUND EFFECTS?
I provide the voiceover/announcements only. If you need period-appropriate music or sound effects, I can recommend sources for authentic 1940s-50s music beds and vintage sound effects libraries.
WHAT FILE FORMATS DO YOU DELIVER?
I deliver high-quality WAV files (broadcast standard) and MP3 files. If you need a specific format for your post-production workflow or vintage processing chain, just let me know—I can accommodate most format requests.
Where are you located? Do you work with clients outside your area?
I'm based in Florida but work with clients nationwide and internationally. All of my voiceover work is done remotely from my professional home studio. Whether you're planning a wedding in California, a youth sports event in Texas, or a corporate conference in New York, I can deliver high-quality announcer voiceovers digitally.
Where Can I Read More About Your Actual Broadcasting Experience?
Good question! Visit DonnyCast.com to see my full broadcasting portfolio, including play-by-play highlights, game calls across 7 sports, and behind-the-scenes stories from my years calling MLB, Division I athletics, and professional sports. And for my most current soccer TV broadcasting highlights, visit https://tvtalent.com/donny-baarns/
TRUSTED BY 7800+ CLIENTS WORLDWIDE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 Average Rating on Fiverr, Upwork, People Per Hour, and other platforms
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Donny did an incredible job narrating the instructional video for my game in a classic announcer style. It sounds very professional and I'm really happy with the result! The delivery was quick and sooner than expected too!"
— sharleskenas, United States
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Donny is honestly the best he helped work within my budget for a feature film I did and he delivered it the same day. Honestly one of the best voiceover artists..."
— oddlife123, United States
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Very real and raw-sounding sports announcer. This is the second time Donny has worked for us, and he does not disappoint."
— athrexstudiox, United States • Repeat Client
See all 7800+ five-star reviews on my Fiverr profile: www.fiverr.com/donnyvoice
BRING AUTHENTIC VINTAGE RADIO SOUND TO YOUR PROJECT
Email: Donny@Donnyvoice.com
Tell me about your period film, documentary, or retro advertising project. I'll help you capture the authentic sound of Golden Age radio with the same professionalism that landed my classic voice in Budweiser's national campaign.
Let's make your vintage content sound genuinely period-accurate.