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Chuck McKibben

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Charles "Chuck" McKibben (born February 1947 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American voice actor, broadcast producer/director, voice-over coach, and audiobook reader. McKibben uses the proper name of "Charles" for his more serious readings.

Biography

Education

McKibben went to Cleveland Elementary School, Dayton, Ohio, where he was in the class of 1962, and Belmont High School, Dayton, class of 1966. He also attended the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, Broadcasting Division, for several years.[1]

Early career

McKibben began his career as an announcer on WING (AM) in Dayton, Ohio while still in high school.[2][3] By his mid-20s, McKibben had advanced from various radio announcing jobs, such as being the afternoon "drive time" host on Cincinnati station WSAI-FM, to becoming the personal recording engineer/producer and studio manager for "The Man of 1,000 Voices," Mel Blanc.[4] McKibben's daily responsibilities at Mel Blanc Audiomedia in Beverly Hills, California included recording Blanc himself (famed "voice" of a vast number of cartoon characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester and Tweety, etc.) for a variety of motion picture, advertising and theme park projects. In addition, McKibben conducted recording sessions for commercials and syndicated radio programs with many iconic performers, such as Academy Award-winning actors Kirk Douglas and Jack Palance, Jack Benny, Vincent Price and Rod Serling, plus major voice artists such as Ernie Anderson, Paul Frees, Casey Kasem and Gary Owens.

Career in New York City

McKibben's experience in Los Angeles was followed by a 30-year career (1976–2006) in New York City as the writer, producer, director and frequent "voice" of numerous radio and TV commercials. Although he worked primarily as the staff broadcast production director for two advertising agencies, and received numerous industry awards for his creative efforts, he also enjoyed considerable acceptance as a freelance voice artist.

Commercial Associations

In the late 1980s, for example, McKibben was chosen to launch the "My First Sony" line of children's electronics as the sole national TV spokesman, and through the 90's, he was a daily "presence" for New York viewers as the senior promo announcer for Time Warner Cable of New York City. McKibben's longest association as a TV spokesman for any advertiser was his 15-year run with Lexus of Smithtown (Long Island), completed just prior to his leaving New York.

Audio Books

Although he continues to record commercials and narration for clients as far away as Abu Dhabi, since January 2007 (when he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Chuck McKibben has concentrated on the audiobook field, recording extensively for North Carolina-based publisher AudioRealms, Inc.

Teaching

In addition, McKibben teaches voice-over skills to aspiring voice actors, and produces demo recordings for them, in his home studio. His name appears at www.harlanhogan.com in the list of recommended voice-over coaches on the East Coast.

Works

  • Tumbles the Turtle that Got Glued Back Together. Producer and narrator.
  • Shadow Kingdoms, by R. E. Howard. Audio book. Contains: The Lost Race, read by Charles McKibben. ISBN 978-1-897304-12-9
  • The Time Traders, by Andre Norton. Narration credit: Charles McKibben
  • The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson, read by Charles McKibben. ISBN 978-1-897304-05-1
  • The Things that are Not There, by C. J. Henderson, narration credit Charles McKibben. ISBN 978-1-897304-42-6
  • Voodoo Planet, by Andre Norton, read by Chuck McKibben. AudioRealms (2007). ISBN 978-1-897304-37-2
  • In November 2015, The Center City Philadelphia Macy's store invited McKibben to become their announcer for the annual Christmas Light Show, a 50-year Philadelphia tradition held in the former Wanamaker's location next to City Hall. This position was formerly held by the late John Facenda, the original voice of NFL Films. McKibben introduces the light show spectacular, and it's narrator, Julie Andrews. Several hundred thousand people take in this event every year.

References

  1. ^ http://www.clevelandschoolreunion.net/Class%20of%201962.html Cleveland H.S. Class of 1962 -- Class Photos page.
  2. ^ The Dayton Daily News, July 29, 1967
  3. ^ http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/dale-huffman-former-wing-disc-jockey-made-a-name-for-himself--320091.html "Former WING Disk Jockey Made a Name for Himself"
  4. ^ The Hollywood Reporter, section R5, November 29, 1972
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