Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I had a great chat with Cory about who we think the best announcers are (one might wonder why we are talking about that ;) ). We both agreed that Blair is the best FIRST announcer hands down, but we also agreed that there are lots of great announcers beside him out there. A few names come immediately to mind, but I won't spoil the question.

So how about it folks? Who is the best announcer of the 2006 season? Just to make it fun, let's include announcers from the 05 off season events to the question too.

And just to clarify, I am asking for announcers, not MC.

And please, no shameless self-promotion if you happen to be an announcer yourself :D :p!

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I think ALL the annouchers at the events I went to the last 5 years diid a great job. BAMM!! Thats what I am talking about baby!!!

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Well, Grady seemed to do pretty well pulling double duty on DaVinci this year. Blair is also pretty good, from my experience at FVC Orangeburg. I also like Sir Charles--even if he might not be as technically sound as the others, he's got that raw energy.

That said, I have to give the nod to Dan Green. Who else could work "I am JVN" into the middle of his play-by-play commentary?

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

My fav is Steve but my future all star is Joel.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Two of my favorites this year actually come from regionals. Buzz from florida is amasing and an extremely interesting guy, especially with all the involvement with other programs and his own tv show.

Chris from houston also did an extremely good job, was very energetic well spoken and entertaining to listen to.

Sir charles a yearly favorite for me, soo much energy, his first year there he was running through the crowds getting people on their feet. It was great.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I agree. I think that Blair is one of the better announcers out there and he's always a blast to watch. Who else would get inside a zamboni and slide out?

However, I'd definitely have to give the next slot to Andy. I've seen him do both emceeing and/or announcing at many competitions, and he always makes the environment more fun and gets the crowd going.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I was amazed at how good Joel Johnson was at the GTR this year. He delivery was smooth, clearly heard, witty, and informative. He is also can show excitement without yelling. I would put him at #2 behind Blair.

(Blair is also my favorite m/c, but that is another thread)

Personally, I think that many announcers do a good job. However, the one area that could be improved for most of them is that they yell too often. Announcing is like playing music. If you are always loud (like with a yell), your dynamics are not good. A musician knows when to play at "piano" and when at "forte". Announcers should also.

Andy B.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Hands down, I love Blair. I mean, who doesn't? I was shocked and amazed when Joel stopped by Galileo this year. His announcing was like music. It was pristine and smooth, and all together incredible. And of course, I have to give a shout out to the Voice of NJ (George) because he definitely has the play-by-play down and makes it one interesting competition.

Especially yesterday...When 11 slammed into the side wall, George's first words were "My God, there goes 11 giving me a heart attack with their ramming speed." It was hilarious.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I heard Joel J for the first time yesterday at BTB and thought he did absolutely amazing... definately in my top 2...

Blair for now takes the top spot...

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

i gotta say that my favorie announcer for the year was my teammate sean horman.

He made his debut at beantown blitz yesterday and any1 who was there will know y.

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Sir Charles hands down for me. I love him saying "booyah".

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Sir Charles. I love him. Come on who doesn't love his phrases.
Sir Charles gets the crowd going by occasionally running around near the stands and gts everyone off of their feet.
Our team still jokes around screaming "They are going for the empire state drop" everytime he comes in a conversation.
I really hope that we have him again at Peachtree next year.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Joel is amazing. When I turned on the GTR webcast, I was 110% sure that I was listening to Blair. I never would have guessed it was Joel until somebody said so.

After Blair my favorites would be: Dan Green, Joel Johnson, Andy Grady.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Dan Green and Steve W. No question.

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I agree with all the above. Let me also add that Greg Needel did a great job at the Chesapeake this year, and at Capital Clash last summer.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Joel J was by far the best announcer i've seen at all the regionals i've attended in 2006. As Andy said "smooth, clearly heard, witty, and informative".

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Personally, I like Andy Grady and Joel for best announcers. I have never heard Blair do play by play though, just the MC role and he does a great job with that.

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The best announcer is Ron Partridge, followed by Grady, and Joel if he speaks up a little. ;)

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I'm a little partial to myself but however, I'd hardly say I'm the best. I'm reserving that spot for Blair...he's the man hands down. I actually got to meet him in Atlanta this year, and had my audition to be on a field with Chiniqua next year.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Dan Green
Greg Needel
and
Steve W

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I think its hard to disagree with Blair as the #1.. he has announcing down to a science. After Blair, IMO, is Andy Grady.

Ron Partridge! I almost forgot about him, Ogre. I don't know where I would put him on my list (I didn't see him announce this year), but he's definitely one of the most informative announcers I've heard during my time in FIRST.

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Blair is amazing. He encourages fun on the field and tries his best to put on an entertaining show. I'll always remember the crazy stunts 1403 pulled on him this year on the Galileo field :p .

I also think Karthik is a great announcer as well. I always like to hear any additional bits of info on teams and he is the guy to provide it. (Also, I was mistaken for him almost 20 times while in Atlanta. :rolleyes: )

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

There are too many good ones to choose from!

Although I love:

Steve W
Blair
Bill Larkins
Joel J
Ron Partridge
and many others...

I got to give a special Thanks and "you rock!" to Andy Grady. If he's not doing a Regional or Champs, he always steps up to help a New England offseason event and make it spectacular. NE is lucky to have him :cool: .

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I'll have to go with Greg Needel who did an outstanding job in Annapolis.

The Rising Star Award should go to this guy, IMHO. He really got the crowd's attention in Monty!

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Blair, no comparison. Good voice, movement and animation. Great knowledge of FIRST.

Close second Dave Verbug?--- and his knowledge of teams. I am not sure if he studies this stuff or just has that locked away in an incredible mind. He read off some statistics of teams during the semifinals at Western Michigan and I was amazed.

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Steve W
Blair
George "The Voice of NJ"

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

there is not enough love going out to The Voice of New Jersey here!

"We Want George! We Want George! We Want George!" <-- that was Team 11's cheer at nationals so that we could get him back on the mic where he belongs

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Blair is so awesome I met him in 2003 in Portland when I volunteered and last year in Rochester he signed my broken tetra piece i though it was kinda funny..but Blair is so nice and Mark the guy with the blue hair is pretty cool too.

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I would have to say that Blair is my favorite announcer of all time. I have had the privelege to see him many times at regionals, and he always adds that extra peice to the competition that makes it amazing. After Blair I would have to put Andy Grady, yet another awesome announcer who always adds alot of enthusiasm to the match.

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I thought Dave Verbrugge did a really good job as the announcer at Detroit. Usually you see him in the MC role, but he also made a great announcer. As Scott Ritchie said, his knowledge of teams' history and statistical research is unparalleled, whether he's an announcer or MC.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

I had the pleasure of working with Joel at the GTR this year. I've never had more fun as an Emcee. Joel has that Phil Hartman type voice, where he can go from normal speak to announcer speak in a split second. Joel's a real student of the game and his announcing reflects that. In my book Blair and him are 1a and 1b.

A special mention to Ron Partridge, who's one of my all-time favourites. His dry style worked perfectly, and he had a wealth of knowledge when it came to FIRST history. I'll never forget listening to him call the Newton elimination rounds in 2002 as Beatty stormed through the field. Beatty would usually put a lock down on the match in the first 15 seconds, so Ron would have to find a way to kill the next 1:45. It was hilarious.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Ok, lots of great names, lots of great announcers!

Here is what I want you guys to do. I don't have any access to any competition archive this year, nor do I have the time to find them (finals coming up).

Since you sounds like you think you know what you are talking about, I am going to ask you to provide "evidence" to back it up. A link to a webcast archive, a mp3 file of the announcing, a google video link, I don't care. Anything to prove that you know what you are talking about when it comes to the greatest announcer of this season!

Surely that's not too hard, right? ;)

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

GEORGE THE VIOCE OF NJ!!! i get to sit next to him and anyone who can fit "Hunting the elusive wild pig and propane and propane accessories” into his commentary gets a A++ in my book!! so *puts hands on head" a great big MOOOOOOOO to you george!!!!!!! :D

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

george, fo sho. :rolleyes:

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george- THE VOICE OF NJ.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Yea being a Jersey girl and all--and of course a MORT member, I MUST say THE VOICE OF NJ, GEORGE. Who else would do a flip to introduce a team? COME ON PEOPLE. Him and Chiniqua are the Dynamic Duo.

"We want George..." <--so started that chant

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I don't remember who was the announcer for Curie this year (too busy in the pits..). But I will never forget this quote: "Booh-Yea, Booh-Yea, 610's droppin' them like it's hot, OH Man 610's droppin' them like its HOT!" (Match 3 in Curie if you wanna listen)

That was Awesome!

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

That would be Sir Charles, I don't even have to listen to the match to know that...the description was a dead giveaway.

Which announcer would that be Pete? Me or the chicken?

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Jeff Seaton, the one and only for me, I grew up in FIRST with him, so I have to say that. He's the best. Next is Blair, he's awesome, and anyone who jumps on goals and rides Segways on rollerblades is a winner in my book. ;)

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George Ackley, The Voice of New Jersey, gets my vote.

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George by far is my favorite! The Voice of NJ all the way!!!

We want George!

Love him so much!

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Definitely going with The Voice of NJ and Chiniqua.

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Booyah booyah booyah!

But yeah, Sir Charles really was a good Announcer. He was enthusiastic and pumped up for EVERY SINGLE match. he never skipped a beat, great job!

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

My favorite announcer is SHANIQUA (did I spell that right?), the voice of the NJ regional. she really knows how to get the crowd going and it was so great to have her at nationals too.

another great guy is...uh...I think his name is Sky...I forget his last name but he's a tall bald guy. also at NJ
actually he might be a head ref but he's still really cool

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Technically Chiniqua is an MC, so she's not really part of the question, but nonetheless she is my favorite MC to work with, granted I have only worked with her, but we work well together so it's all good.


And in reference to your other person, Sky is indeed a head ref.

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

It is a three way tie for me. Mean Dan Green is an excellent announcer and is hard to top. Sir Charles is really good at getting into the game and just assaulting you with energy. Finally the voice of Indianna Colin Fultz is very good at announcing. He and JVN made aa team on Par if not better than Dan and Paul (Scary isn't it).

Re: Who is the best Announcer 2006 Edition
 

Out here in the desert our main man is Don Knight. The voice of the Arizona Regional has also been heard in Denver and at Nationals.

Ken