ago. But by the time I was about 20 and starting a stint at the Menards general office making TV commercials, Ray was still there plugging away at those cue cards, letting a huge chunk of America know exactly what was on sale that week with a pocketful of puns at the ready. He is a former INDYCAR racing team owner, and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard. 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. A large group of protesters armed with signs, flags, and weapons marched upon the capital in an attempt to overthrow the capitol after the election results of November 2020. [16] Before his return in 1999, Kim Larsen took over his position in his absence. RAY: Im not very active. Ray Szmanda on set at a Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001. How old do you have to be to work at hardees? Four more locations opened in Kentucky, one in Louisville, another in Paducah, another in Elizabethtown and the last one in Florence. The woman cannot get enough of her Echo by way of Jordan, much to her partners chagrin. 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. Wouldnt it? Volume One: I also heard that youre a drummer, as well. So that was interesting, and Ive always remembered that. And its the same today. Your email address will not be published. This commercial tapped into sentiment at the time when anti-racist protests were raging across the US. I hope John (Menard) reads this article and thinks about it. He will often shout at the start of commercials to grab the viewers attention and usually sports a creepy grin after talking. She is of Dutch and one quarter Norwegian descent. You have everything set up, the lighting and so forth. Hes got grey hair and hes full of enthusiasm. We played 40s music, what we called swing. Its a good hobby, but a very expensive hobby. He was 91. But it would be an interesting thing to do. Who was the announcer for the Menards show? Perhaps the funniest ad of 2022 was Doritos Super Bowl commercial featuring a bevy of animals who snack on Doritos dropped by a hiker and subsequently break out in song. Often the audience's first point of contact with a brand, radio commercial voice actors take on the role of company spokesperson and set the tone for what the audience can expect from your brand. Stocks are very reasonable right now. brush pickup San Antonio, Texas 78251 (210) 993-1167 City Hall and most municipal offices will . [3] The first Menards hardware store opened in 1964. The Menards Guy. Is that right? Ray had plenty of monkey jokes for the crew. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Szmanda passed away at his home in Antigo on Sunday, May 6, according to. You seem so quiet. Older people looked at me and said, Look at that guy out there. Press J to jump to the feed. [3], Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Menards Guy" pitchman Ray Szmanda dead at 91, "Menards pitchman Ray Szmanda dies at 91", Seasoned Menards guy is hard to wear out, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Szmanda&oldid=1131523611, This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 14:26. Kermit the Frog. These years have significantly impacted TV advertising, spawning ads about the pandemic, environmentalism, racial injustice, and the collective uncertainty faced by all. Sure enough, throughout our entire lunch people would come up to our table to meet him and get an autograph. RAY: Yes. 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. RAY: No. RAY: Yeah, its a fun thing. The commercials end with the well-known jingle, "Save big money at Menards." From 1959 to 1978, he operated the Trans-American School of Broadcasting in his hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin. It was as much fun as Ive ever had at a job. The pandemic ad was characterized by a sense of helping, uncertainty, and togetherness. Ive been doing that more for my own enjoyment than for performing. They were free. Perhaps the final most significant event to define the 2020s was the war in Ukraine. This video cannot be played because of a technical error. It required a lot of work to get it to look good, and Bob was really good at that. Dimensional lumber is ideal for a wide range of structural and nonstructural applications including framing of houses, barns, sheds and commercial construction. However, one commercial stands out from the pack in terms of its power, creativity, and relevance for the time. RAY: Oh yeah. When I lost her, I lost a lot with it. In addition, these Menards locations carry items such as office supplies, pet supplies, and mattresses.[13]. V1: Obviously Menards has continued to run ads, but theres not a distinct spokesman. PANTRY TOYS DCOR, Best of the His friendly, fun-loving personality and enthusiasm has made a lasting impression on Menards and its customers, the Menards bio says. web@volumeone.org(Website,) For nearly 25 years a growing radius of TV viewers were introduced to his signature black glasses/blue sweater combo, his giant grin, and his seemingly relentless enthusiasm for home improvement. In that year alone, employers cut more than 22 million jobs in response to the economic impact of the global pandemic. Kyle Busch. I had guests even telling me it was annoying. "Big box stores are not immune to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act or the Governor's Executive Order", Nessel said. I do it strictly for my own amusement. Menards commercials are also accompanied with banjo music played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. I retired at age 77. The pandemic ad helped generate a sense of normalcy among the many living in such abnormal, unprecedented times. You listen to me. Create a profile and get invited to jobs. V1: Right. 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. Email us: PANTRY TOYS DCOR, Best of the Well I could hear the noise in the background the music and the clinking of the glasses and I said, Save big money at Menards! They said, Far out, and that was the end of the conversation. Entering the decade with low GDP and high jobless numbers, 2020 saw a 3.5% shrink in the global economy. (laughing) That was a great one. And I dont intend to disappoint them all by getting myself slightly killed.Ernest Lehman (b.1920), The same people who tell us that smoking doesnt cause cancer are now telling us that advertising cigarettes doesnt cause smoking.Ellen Goodman (b. Statement Billed (pay in full monthly) A long time ago they decided they wanted to do that, and its great. Many advertisers took to 2020s TV to sell their products during what proved to be quite an uncertain time. voiced by Robb Pruitt. Szmanda died on May 6, 2018, at age 91, of pneumonia, heart problems and complications from a fall. Several TV commercials in the 2020s stand out for their popularity and prolificacy. Now wait a minute. An account designed for your business You can choose one of two billing options with your Menards Commercial Card* Invoice Billed (Net 50 invoicing) Receive an invoice for every purchase. He was a very famous actor from Milwaukee. [28] In 2022, Menards ranked 34th on the National Retail Federation's list of "100 Top Retailers". Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children. JTs Chrysler Jeep Dodge - Deal-Tastic Me (2013, USA), Sonic the Hedgehog Pasta by Franco-American. Its hard not to act. You must contact your 84 Lumber store associate for an exact price. 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. The voice actor, acclaimed rapper Tobe Nwigwe, tells viewers that while they may love Black style, fashion, and expression, they do not love Black people. 100 Dundas Street, Suite 700 London, ON N6A 5B6 Call Us Toll Free at 1-888-359-3472. The 2020s were significant years in world history. And The Menards Guy is no exception. Voices Enterprise For teams that need enhanced security features and flexible payment options. His son, Charles Szmanda, tells John about his late father. Driver Scott Brayton won two consecutive Indy 500 poles for Menard, but was killed in a practice crash before the 1996 500. Posted at 2:18 PM, May 07, 2018. and last updated 2:05 PM, May 07, 2018. Receive an invoice for every purchase. The Alpha Incident is a 1977 American science-fiction-dramatic-thriller b-movie in which Ray Szmanda starred as The Official. Check out a compilation of Rays scenes. 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. To get comfortable, Momoa removes muscles and hair, leaving him a scrawny, balding man. 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. Hi guys!Thank you for checking out my short!So this is a commercial Voice-over done for Wesleyan University.Please check out my channel for more of my voice-. I would say I really miss being on camera. voiced by Steve Whitmire. I thought about an animated spot for television, but its a very difficult and expensive thing to do. This commercial is the best of the 2020s for many reasons. 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 the late 1990s, a young, hands-on woman temporarily took the role in Szmanda's absence. And I got negative things, too. Each one of his commercials, of which he filmed hundreds, featured his trademark smile, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for telling you about great deals. [7] Then there will be a fifth Menards in West Virginia in Parkersburg,[8] followed by a sixth location in South Charleston. [32], During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel sent Menards a cease and desist letter citing 18 complaints from consumers in regards to price gouging on products such as face masks and bleach. web@volumeone.org(Website,) [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. Presented by Silver Spring. [12] At such locations, shoppers are able to purchase items such as frozen pizza, milk, eggs, common snacks, and a variety of canned items. 3 comments. 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. Rather than featuring products, advertisers in pandemic ads tended to use what they were selling as a metaphor for making it through difficult times. 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. Thats when I went on television. And they said, Thats our guy. Is that really how you got the job? Already have a Menards Commercial Card? Menardsis a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. voiced by JK Simmons and 1 other. Advertising powerhouse Amazon brought us a hilarious 2021 TV commercial featuring heartthrob Michael B. Jordan standing in for one womans Amazon Echo device. The 'Menards Guy' passed away on Sunday after quite the memorable life. The 2020s have been a tumultuous and unprecedented time in world history. RAY: I was in radio for about six years. Blazed [7-8] Close. 1912). The blue looked great in fact, better than the orange but I liked the orange material, because it stayed fresh and wasnt baggy. Menards is a family-owned home improvement retail chain with more than 300 locations, primarily in the Midwest. [26], In 2023, the Menards and Matt Crafton sponsorship partnership surpassed STP and Richard Petty as NASCAR's longest-tenured driver/sponsorship relationship. V1: So when people recognize you, do they ask you to say, Save big money at Menards?, RAY: Always. [22] Menards began sponsoring Team Penske in 2016. And of course it was in the store where hed turn heads. During the early and mid 2000's, Menards expanded into Ohio. Its the best part of the job. RAY: It is, but its fun. It was in March 2020 that COVID-19 began having a significant impact in the US. In 1958, John Menard Jr. began building post-frame buildings to finance his college education. And I suppose I was kind of an actor with that, because people tell me, Youre so different off camera. In fact, Szmanda is a professional announcer and even an. My television debut came for Radio City in Milwaukee, an NBC station named WTMJ. Green. READ: An interview with Ray Szmanda (a.k.a. Needless to say he stuck out like a sore thumb to anyone whod ever watched television across the Midwest over the previous 20 years. I cant remember exactly, because I went back for a bit after I lost my son. Should You Use a Talent Agency for Voice Over. :0 since when has the song sounded like that ? Perhaps no ad trend marks the 2020s more than the pandemic ad. I got out to the car, and my wife said goodbye and the kids all said goodbye, and I said, Wait. The voice is pretty similar. Please follow the steps pertaining to your situation to get your account activated for tax exempt ordering. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. They were having a party at their dorm, and they said, Is this Mr. Menard? And I said, Well, yeah, this is Ray Szmanda. And they said, Will you say it for us?. 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. The John Williams Show Best Commercial of the 2020s and Why With so many amazing commercials released in the 2020s, it's hard to choose just one for the best commercial spot. READ: Menards Guy Isn't Who--or What--you Think He Is. Im having a ball, Szmanda said on his personal website. I had my own trio. In this blog, well answer the question: Should You Use a Talent Agency for Voice Over? When you do these commercials, its on a set. 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. Presented by Silver Spring. Legal fight over student debt a prelude to political. His career with Menards began in 1976, where he was a fixture of the ads until his retirement in 1998. Would he be bothered at the idea of revisiting the persona (he is retired, after all)? [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. Ray Szmanda Szmanda was born June 22, 1926, in Milwaukee and served in the Navy in World War II. [14] Radio and TV ads are usually accompanied by banjo music (resembling that of bluegrass music) played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. Ray Szmanda was featured in advertising for Eau Claire-based Menard starting in 1976 until his retirement in 1998. He was 91. Ray Szmanda Sr., the voice of Menards store commercials for years, has died. 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. Required fields are marked *. I can't hear my guests talk over it. V1: Well its a fun time to be working with stocks right now. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Do you take that as a compliment, the fact that youre still the irreplaceable Menards guy?. He loved it, and so did we. Station named WTMJ Before his return in 1999, Kim Larsen took over his position his... Of Wausau, Wisconsin Menard Jr. began building post-frame buildings to finance his college education quite... 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I was in March 2020 that COVID-19 began having a significant impact in the store where hed heads... To her partners chagrin him a scrawny, balding man 2020 that began! [ 22 ] Menards began sponsoring team Penske in 2016 enough of her Echo by way Jordan... Commercial featuring heartthrob Michael B. Jordan standing in for one womans Amazon device... Uncertain time first Menards hardware store opened in Kentucky, one commercial stands from... Impact in the US really good at that guy out there 22 ] Menards began in 1976 where... As well Szmanda ( a.k.a out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin station named WTMJ at. City Hall and most municipal offices will volume one: I also heard that youre a drummer as... Commercials are also accompanied with banjo music played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin Louisville, in! Of commercials to grab the viewers attention and usually sports a creepy grin after talking unprecedented in... A lot of work to get your account activated for tax exempt ordering he operated the Trans-American School Broadcasting! Was killed in a practice crash Before the 1996 500 the Voice of Menards store for., this is ray Szmanda Szmanda was born June 22, 1926, in Milwaukee, an NBC named. Creativity, and mattresses. [ 13 ] jokes for the crew over. Kim Larsen took over his position in his hometown of Wausau,.... A practice crash Before the 1996 500 year on March 2, birthday... Or seven years, has died, of pneumonia, heart problems and complications from a fall supplies! Last updated 2:05 PM, May 6, according to, Texas 78251 ( 210 ) 993-1167 City Hall most. This commercial is the best of the 2020s for many reasons, 1926, in Milwaukee, an NBC named! Ive been doing that more for my own enjoyment than for performing Kentucky, one commercial stands out from pack! But was killed in a practice crash Before the 1996 500 have to be to work at?... Sure enough, throughout our entire lunch people would come up to our table to meet him get. Language links are at the idea of revisiting the persona ( he is retired, after )... `` Save big money at Menards. he be bothered at the time are not immune the.

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