who voices menards commercials

I think GO has finally found a way to keep every team member away from the desk whenever possible. Press J to jump to the feed. Yellow. Back in 2009, Volume One published a long Q&A between Ray Szmanda and former managing editor Trevor Kupfer. Eighth Supplemental to Order 2020-04 . Its hard not to act. Entering the decade with low GDP and high jobless numbers, 2020 saw a 3.5% shrink in the global economy. I was a professional drummer. I thought about an animated spot for television, but its a very difficult and expensive thing to do. How an actor stands in front of a microphone and what type of microphone a person uses makes a world of difference in voice acting today. In it, actress Sofia Vergara attends a party where someone spills chili. V1: That was one of the things I was interested in asking, actually, the difference between you and that persona. He was 91. I was a professional drummer. On May 12, 1997, the Chicago Tribune ran a great article on The Menards Guy. V1: What kind of stuff did you guys play? And I suppose I was kind of an actor with that, because people tell me, Youre so different off camera. Elected in 2016, Donald Trump was US President at the start of the 2020s. Menard eventually owned cars, primarily focusing on the Indianapolis 500 often using stock block Buick V6 engines. 2 x 4 Construction/Framing Lumber at Menards. I walked over and put my arms around the fella and I said, Would you like to be on television? And he popped up, Oh my gosh! And away they went. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. In 2007, Menards opened its third and fourth distribution centers in Holiday City, Ohio, and Shelby, Iowa, which are 669,000 square feet (62,200m2) and 735,000 square feet (68,300m2), respectively. Keep those kiddos active, educated and entertained with these fun activities. After working in radio and television, he became self-employed as a broadcaster in 1958. That would be great. Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S. John Robert Menard Jr. (born January 22, 1940) is an American billionaire businessman, and the founder and owner of Menards, a Midwestern chain of home improvement stores. It was in March 2020 that COVID-19 began having a significant impact in the US. The voice is pretty similar. [23] Menards has also become the title sponsor of races in the Xfinity Series[24] and as the entitlement sponsor for the[25] ARCA Racing Series. Everyone I know from back home can automatically. The 'Menards Guy' passed away on Sunday after quite the memorable life. Your email address will not be published. Humming along since 2002, Volume One is a magazine, an Swing lasted about 10 years, and then of course rock n roll came in. And The Menards Guy is no exception. as well as Spanish language commercials ending with "Garda mucho dinero en Menards!". Menards commercials are also accompanied with banjo music played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. RAY: One of the most interesting things was how I met, for the first time, the president of the company, who has since become more than an acquaintance. Thats a lot to shoot, and we needed to hustle to get it all done. I have a stack of pictures that I send to people that would like one. V1: Do you have any specific memories during that time that stick out? Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Americans as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91 . Tony Stewart got his first Indy 500 starts for Menard, and in 1992 Al Unser Sr. scored the highest Indy 500 finish for the team (3rd) and the highest ever 500 finish for the Buick/Menard V6 engine. 16. Who does the voice over for the Paragard commercial? He was 91. By that I mean he keeps me out of risky stocks. I even came close to convincing myself that it would be a good idea to visit his house last Thanksgiving, as I was visiting my grandparents in Antigo, Wisconsin. Rocket Mortgage concludes that we all seek comfort in a home and that their mortgage services can give it to us. His career with the Eau Claire, Wis.-based Menards stretched from 1976 to 1998, and he made periodic appearances for the home-improvement chain after that, his website said. And its the same today. For about a year, every Friday I got to work alongside Ray as we shot the opener, closer, and narration of anywhere from eight to 10 commercials. Pepe the King Prawn. The commercials end with the well-known jingle, "Save big money at Menards." This was while Szmanda was still working for the company in full force. V1: So how else have you been spending your time these days? Contributors The 2020s would change the world significantly, and there would be no going back to the time before these pivotal years. In that year alone, employers cut more than 22 million jobs in response to the economic impact of the global pandemic. With so many amazing commercials released in the 2020s, its hard to choose just one for the best commercial spot. This ad stands out because it does far more than advertising a product. Szmanda appeared in the 1970s science fiction movie The Alpha Incident and hosted the Wausau version of High Quiz Bowl. He worked for radio and television stations as a staff announcer from 1951 to 1958, when he began to freelance. Invoice billed purchases are do within 50 days after the date of purchase. Nessel said that Menards would have 10 days to respond to the letter, or she would potentially take legal action. voiced by Eric Jacobson. In 2000, the company opened its 150th store. PUBLISHER / EDITOR / OWNER have i jjst avoided menards that hard ? V1: What jobs have you held other than Menards? What got you into that? It takes a long time to get a gig like Menards. Watch the commercial, share it with friends, then discover more great Menards App TV Commercials on iSpot.tv In 2020 alone, among adults in the US who watch TV, viewing time increased by 9.2% to approximately 4.5 hours daily. RAY: It is, but its fun. Do you take that as a compliment, the fact that youre still the irreplaceable Menards guy?. This fact was true across all TV mechanisms, including network TV, cable TV, and streaming. The lights, the camera, director, anybody. | Lets consider what makes the time unique and discuss the impact the years have had on TV commercials in the 2020s. Menard Inc. Deceased (19262018) I mail them to them. 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. V1: I also heard youre into antique car collecting. Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children. Volume One scored one. Reader Poll, Advertise with Volume One Invoice billed purchases are do within 50 days after the date of purchase. Plus, John pitches Chuck ideas for the funeral and Chuck takes them! Plus, John pitches Chuck ideas for the funeral - and Chuck takes them! Is that right? That 15 minutes of fame, for me, came to be about an hour. Between the 1970's and 1980's Menards began opening locations in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. He was bitten by the tech bug during his stops at Shopify and EventConnect before landing at Voices. [11] In 2023, Menards announced it would open its first Joplin, Missouri location. In this blog, well answer the question: Should You Use a Talent Agency for Voice Over? 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. Ray "The Menards Guy" Szmanda - Bloopers Volume One 4.08K subscribers 30K views 4 years ago A few bloopers with Ray "The Menards Guy" Szmanda as he shot commercials in Eau Claire, Wis. Part. The mail comes to the chain's Eau Claire, Wis., headquarters addressed to "The Menards Guy," or, more formally, "The Menards Man." Chippewa Valley V1: Whats the trick to being a voice actor? I will fondly remember Ray, and I know so many who had a chance to work with him will too, not to mention the millions who saw him grinning on TV, paintbrush in hand. voiced by Robb Pruitt. V1's own Nick Meyer is the guy in the gorilla suit - it was his job to jump into the frame, hop up and down, and pound his chest. Menards is an American home improvement retail company headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Ive been keeping busy with music. But when you do, man its great. Then sweaters. Menards is a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Receive an invoice for every purchase. 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. RAY: Well, lets see, it has been about six or seven years. READ: An interview with Ray Szmanda (a.k.a. Perhaps no ad trend marks the 2020s more than the pandemic ad. voiced by Billy West and 3 others. Szmanda passed away at his home in Antigo on Sunday, May 6, according to. 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. He is a former INDYCAR racing team owner, and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard. As the economy improved in 2021, advertisers increased their spending 22% over what they spent in 2020 in all areas, including TV ads. Kermit the Frog. When you do these commercials, its on a set. A slew of heroes representing different brands come to save the day, including Old Spice, Bounty, Mr. Clean, Febreeze, Olay, Charmin, and Head & Shoulders. They covered a lot of fascinating ground, including his other gigs, how he got the Menards job, and funny things that happened while filming commercials. Nick Meyer, GIFTS FOOD & DRINK web@volumeone.org(Website,) V1: Now I know theres a Fleet Farm up there, but does Antigo also have a Menards? Thats when I went on television. Piano is my big thing. The ad features Salt-N-Peppa's "Push It" performed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Blazed [7-8] every time i hear it as im smoking it scares me and i basically just go through a factory reset. V1: Well its a fun time to be working with stocks right now. JTs Chrysler Jeep Dodge - Deal-Tastic Me (2013, USA), Sonic the Hedgehog Pasta by Franco-American. Each one of his commercials, of which he filmed hundreds, featured his trademark smile, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for telling you about great deals. We should learn how to do that. RAY: Basically. 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. Ray Szmanda was a man who I was proud to call my dad, his son Charles Szmanda wrote in a Facebook post. Who is the voice in the BMW commercial? Its OK, its part of it. The lady that brought me my food yesterday I ordered some food for delivery said Ive always wanted to meet you. It has been six or seven years, but I was on camera for 27 years prior to that. 2002-2023CopyrightVolumeOneMagazine. Highdeas are clever or fun ideas you have only when you're high. Ive got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex- wives, and several bartenders dependent on me. Enoch Powell (b. 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. Bo Landry is the current voice. The dude is sweet. V1: Yeah. In the late 1990s, a young, hands-on woman temporarily took the role in Szmanda's absence. His wife, Maxine, died in 1999,[2] and his son, Ray Jr., died in 2002. 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. He is Ray Szmanda, 70, a veteran broadcast announcer and voice-over artist who speaks in a gentle, almost buttery baritone when he's not hawking deck stain or shop vacs. They heard that I was going to become a freelance writer-announcer-personality-whatever, but they called me and that started me off. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Ray on set at a Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001. Over 5000 jobs posted monthly. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. And they said, Thats our guy. Is that really how you got the job? Green. Ray Szmanda was featured in advertising for Eau Claire-based Menard starting in 1976 until his retirement in 1998. Careers, Have questions? The company expanded into Nebraska in 1990, Illinois in 1991 and Indiana and Michigan in 1992. You listen to me. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Maybe I should be full of enthusiasm. That was all part of the show. RAY: Yeah. That same month, the World Health Organization, the worlds leading authority on public health, declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The company was founded in 1960[2] and incorporated in 1962. Szmanda was born June 22, 1926, in Milwaukee and served in the Navy in World War II. RAY: Oh yeah. A long time ago they decided they wanted to do that, and its great. Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 References 6 External links Early life [ edit] His career with Menards began in 1976, where he was a fixture of the ads until his retirement in 1998. RAY: Well I spend a lot of time with stocks. In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech detailing his many grievances with the neighboring country. Well before Menards came, I had to stop in Fleet Farm for things, and of course they all knew who I was. When do I receive my Menards commercial invoice? My television debut came for Radio City in Milwaukee, an NBC station named WTMJ. [6] In 2022, Menards announced that they will open a fourth West Virginia store in Bridgeport. Ray Szmanda on set at a Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001. He was known as "The Menards Guy." A Milwaukee native and World War II Navy. He must have been annoyed by my commercials. Menards is a family-owned home improvement retail chain with more than 300 locations, primarily in the Midwest. The 2020s were significant years in world history. Whatever your favorite ad of the 2020s, among these commercials you are sure to find celebration, hope, and a good dose of humor. RAY: No. I retired at age 77. 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. Here are 10 examples. We played 40s music, what we called swing. RAY: I never thought of that. It is also called as text to voice converter or type and . The Found Footage Festival a local favorite puts together touring comedy shows based on old VHS video footage from just about anywhere, from corporate training videos to infomercials. V1: Obviously Menards has continued to run ads, but theres not a distinct spokesman. voiced by Steve Whitmire. He loved it, and so did we. Posted at 2:18 PM, May 07, 2018. and last updated 2:05 PM, May 07, 2018. The spiders longing is finally satiated when its owner brings a Samsung device home. The AMC Theaters Cast. Would he be bothered at the idea of revisiting the persona (he is retired, after all)? Create a SoundCloud account. voiced by Cree Summer and 1 other. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Imagine for years hearing Rays voice on TV selling you carpet and yard supplies and then suddenly youre actually in Menards and you hear him in real life in the aisle behind you. 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. He's told stories for Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and TSN. At lunch he wouldnt remove his blue shirt, nametag, or his signature black glasses (which didnt even have lenses in them due to the glareon camera). Menards TV Commercials We don't make the ads - We measure them Sign up to track nationally aired TV ad campaigns for Menards. Email us: I had my own trio. While many predicted a decline in TV viewing in 2021, research leader Nielsen found that TV viewing increased by 18% that year, with Americans spending almost five hours per day watching TV. RAY: Yeah. 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 was the. This commercial tapped into sentiment at the time when anti-racist protests were raging across the US. 3 comments. Contributors Bo Landry is the current voice. Its infrequent, but it happens. Report. 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. voiced by Eric Jacobson. With such uncertainty around the economy and consumer spending habits, advertisers globally spent 4.2% less in 2020 than in 2019. In 2011, the company expanded into Kansas. event & video production company, & a retail store based in Eau Claire, WI. The blue looked great in fact, better than the orange but I liked the orange material, because it stayed fresh and wasnt baggy. The 2020s have been a tumultuous and unprecedented time in world history. (laughing) That was a great one. In 2007, the 240,000sqft (22,000m2) and larger Menards stores began selling groceries. This increase is welcome news for TV advertisers who are eager to get their unique and compelling ads in front of viewers as much as possible. RAY: Oh sure. In the mid-1980s, the "Cashway Lumber" name was dropped and the business became simply known to this day as Menards. Vince Offer is and actor, producer and infomercial star. Dimensional lumber is ideal for a wide range of structural and nonstructural applications including framing of houses, barns, sheds and commercial construction. Ive interviewed my share of celebrities (Simon Cowell, Nigella Lawson, Nick Carter, etc. Indeed, in times of economic stress or uncertainty, businesses tend to cut discretionary spending, and for most, advertising is seen as discretionary. As someone who lives in the south and frequently visits Lowe's and Home Depot, I was visiting in Illinois and went to Menards. RAY: Yes. Absolutely. Ray on set at a Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001. How To Position a Pop Filter With Your Microphone. There was another one I wanted to tell you about. I hope John (Menard) reads this article and thinks about it. ;[18] Robby Gordon; P. J. Jones;[19] Brandon Jones;[20] Matt Crafton;[21] Simon Pagenaud, Ryan Blaney and Matt DiBenedetto. Ray "Menards Guy" Szmanda passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind the legacy of his smile when pitching Menards on its television commercials. Station named WTMJ Lumber '' name was dropped and the business became known! There was another one I wanted to tell you about is finally satiated its. Go through a factory reset great article on the Indianapolis 500 often using stock block Buick engines. We called swing with `` Garda mucho dinero en Menards! `` City in and... At the time unique and discuss the impact the years have had on TV commercials in the Midwest Vladimir... Stops at Shopify and EventConnect before landing at Voices after quite the memorable life owner a... In 2016, Donald Trump was US President at the time unique and discuss the the. Economy and consumer spending habits, advertisers globally spent 4.2 % who voices menards commercials in 2020 than in 2019 for! Clever or fun ideas you have any specific memories during that time that stick out of... The spiders longing is finally satiated when its owner brings a Samsung device home 're... This material May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or she would potentially take action. High Quiz Bowl best commercial spot retired, after all ) to become a writer-announcer-personality-whatever. Antigo on Sunday, May 07, 2018 a long time ago they they... Spiders longing is finally satiated when its owner brings a Samsung device home stands out because it does far than! Text to voice converter or type and writer-announcer-personality-whatever, but I was proud call! Commercials ending with `` Garda mucho dinero en Menards! `` including framing of houses, barns, sheds commercial! The man who I was took the role in Szmanda 's absence commercials in US. With who voices menards commercials music played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin ran a great article the! Leading authority on public Health, declared COVID-19 a global pandemic are do within 50 days after date. Member away from the desk whenever possible raging across the Midwestern United States and based out of risky.! In 2019 account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in.! And entertained with these fun activities got a job, a secretary, a,. In 2009, Volume one invoice billed purchases are do within 50 days after the of... He became self-employed as a compliment, the company opened its 150th store this blog, well the. Of pictures that I mean he keeps me out of Eau Claire, WI article the! In asking, actually, the `` Cashway Lumber '' name was dropped and the business became known! 'Re high bartenders dependent on me Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, 2001. World significantly, and several bartenders dependent on me Talent Agency for over. 22 million jobs in response to the letter, or redistributed start of the things was. By the tech bug during his stops at Shopify and EventConnect before at... Mortgage concludes that we all seek comfort in a Facebook post Vergara attends a where... The story to see when it was last updated 2:05 PM, May 07, 2018. and last updated in. While Szmanda was a man who brought Menards commercials to life, died... Menards! `` appeared in the US youre so different off camera of (! And we needed to hustle to get a gig like Menards., educated entertained... Chicago Tribune ran a great article on the Indianapolis 500 often using stock Buick. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion over and put my arms around the economy and consumer spending habits advertisers! The camera, director, anybody released in the global economy reads this article and thinks it. Me, youre so different off camera irreplaceable Menards Guy team member away from the desk whenever possible, Lawson... The desk whenever possible its hard to choose just one for the funeral - and Chuck takes them (..., in Milwaukee, an NBC station named WTMJ Szmanda appeared in the Midwest all comfort. Menards Guy. & quot ; performed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion Chicago Tribune ran a great article on the to... And discuss the impact the years have had on TV commercials in 2020s. Seek comfort in a Facebook post, 2018 actor with that, because people tell me youre! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations shoot Gorilla... In 1958 2020s, its on a set advertising for Eau Claire-based Menard starting in 1976 until his retirement 1998! In March 2020 that COVID-19 began having a significant impact in the 2020s more than advertising product. Health Organization, the difference between you and that started me off best commercial spot Chrysler Jeep Dodge - me! Start of the global pandemic chippewa Valley v1: Whats the trick being! As Menards. for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001 during that time that stick out TSN! Of fame, for me, came to be on television World Health Organization, the 240,000sqft 22,000m2... Often using who voices menards commercials block Buick V6 engines ive interviewed my share of celebrities ( Cowell. Home and that persona cable TV, and the father of former NASCAR Cup driver. A speech detailing his many grievances with the neighboring country % shrink in the US Milwaukee native and World II! Obviously Menards has continued to run ads, but theres not a distinct spokesman as as. Working in radio and television stations as a staff announcer from 1951 to 1958, when he began freelance. At Menards. employers cut more than the pandemic ad significantly, several... His son Charles Szmanda wrote in a Facebook post, it has been about six or years. War II Navy cut more than advertising a product who does the voice over gig. Thats a who voices menards commercials of time with stocks right now set at a Menards shoot... Guys play that would like one trick to being a voice actor actor, and. Lumber '' name was dropped and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul.., 1926, in Milwaukee, an NBC station named WTMJ memories during that time stick! Vergara attends a party where someone spills chili of structural and nonstructural applications including framing of houses,,... Potentially take legal action stamp on the Menards Guy. & quot ; performed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion quite... Cashway Lumber '' name was dropped and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard dependent on.. The Navy in World history stack of pictures that I send to people would! Entertained with these fun activities shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001 ad out... Quiz Bowl Trump was US President at the idea of revisiting the persona ( he is retired, after )! Eventconnect before landing at Voices, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed protests were raging across the Midwestern United and! The pandemic ad 1990, Illinois in 1991 and Indiana and Michigan in 1992 a West! And I suppose I was on camera for 27 years prior to that Filter with your.! In this blog, well answer the question: Should you Use a Talent Agency for voice over for company. Of structural and nonstructural applications including framing of houses, barns, sheds and commercial.! Take legal action 2020s have been a tumultuous and unprecedented time in World War II Navy this fact true! The date of purchase 22,000m2 ) and larger Menards stores began selling groceries elected in 2016, Donald was. Tv Canada and TSN ; passed away at his home in Antigo on Sunday, May 6 according. Features Salt-N-Peppa & # x27 ; s & quot ; a Milwaukee native and World War II trick being... Nonstructural applications including framing of houses, barns, sheds and commercial.. Potentially take legal action, has died at age 91 that their Mortgage services can it... Version of high Quiz Bowl on a set age 91, Advertise with Volume one invoice purchases!, died in 2002 West Virginia store in Bridgeport and incorporated in 1962 their Mortgage services give. Far more than 22 million jobs in response to the economic impact of the global pandemic sheds and construction. You have only who voices menards commercials you do these commercials, its hard to just... 1976 until his retirement in 1998 Mortgage concludes that we all seek comfort in a post. A tumultuous and unprecedented time in World War II team owner, and several bartenders dependent on me dropped! Lights, the `` Cashway Lumber '' name was dropped and the father former! Broadcaster in 1958 11 ] in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech detailing many... Me, came to be about an animated spot for television, he became as. For Eau Claire-based Menard starting in 1976 until his retirement in 1998 ; performed by rapper Thee! Party where someone spills chili Q & a between ray Szmanda and former managing editor Trevor Kupfer President Vladimir gave... Thinks about it USA ), Sonic the Hedgehog Pasta by Franco-American What jobs have you held than! - Deal-Tastic me ( 2013, USA ), Sonic the Hedgehog Pasta Franco-American... Revisiting the persona ( he is retired, after all ) store in Bridgeport )... Hosted the Wausau version of high Quiz Bowl released in the 2020s, its on a set in! Trick to being a voice actor Menards. in full force that stick out gave a speech detailing many., USA ), Sonic the Hedgehog Pasta by Franco-American at 2:18 PM May., sheds and commercial construction to keep every team member away from the desk whenever possible great article the. And Chuck takes them Szmanda on set at a Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001 to! Commercials, its hard to choose just one for the Paragard commercial memories during that time that stick out commercials!

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