Dah-lings, I'm here in Hollywood, hobnobbing with all of the other famous people. 🙂 Of course, one thing I have always loved about being a voice-over actor is that you really can be famous and completely anonymous at the same time!

I was delighted when I realized that I would be flying to Los Angeles today of all days. Today, 17 June 2006, just happens to be Barry Manilow's 63rd birthday. You may think that he is just a legendary singer/producer/arranger/composer with millions of fans and record sales, not to mention an all-around nice guy. However, I invite you to read the page on my web site for his inspirational advice to singers, voice-over talent and anyone who must perform for a living.

I suppose you might think I am starstruck since I have seen Barry Manilow in concert (gasp) 49 times. I'm convinced that people become fixated on celebrities when something is missing in their own lives. Barry brought music back to my life, and he was one of the catalysts to my pursuing my voice-over career. It's no wonder that I would seek him out on his birthday, especially since I don't live in California. How often would I get the chance be around a bona fide star?

Before I continue, I should probably tell you that, even though I was thrilled to touch my favorite star, the cops were never called. In fact, I think I did a favor for him as I brushed away some dirt that had smudged the face of that magnificent star. Still, you should be prepared for the graphic pictures that follow. They are not suitable for everyone. Consider yourself warned!

Last month, I was privileged to participate in a Women in Animation masterclass in New York City with Pat Fraley and Hillary Huber. Tomorrow, I’m jetting off to the other coast for their audiobook masterclass in Los Angeles!

The Saturday class filled so quickly when Pat announced it that he opened a session on Sunday. I am grateful to have snagged one of the 12 spots in the Sunday class.

While I’ve completed 2 commercial audiobooks in my studio, I am very excited at this opportunity to learnRead More

Was Charles Dickens really writing about the French Revolution in his novel A Tale of Two Cities, or could he perhaps have been writing a prediction about my move of my domain name to a new web host?

It was the best of times because I have a new web site. Along with a new design, the site contains updated demos, pictures of my beautiful new studio with its stunning Parisian theme and testimonials, as well as expanded informational content. It was the worst of times because the site design has been completed for some time, but I haven't been able to launch the site. My main domain karencommins.com still points to Earthlink's servers, while the new site can be previewed under either the KarenCommins.com or KarenVoices.com domains on 1and1.com servers. If you have clicked the logo on my blog, you have already seen the new site.

Last week, I was on vacation with Drew in Ft. Lauderdale. Otherwise, I would have liked to attend the annual Audio Publishers Association (APA) meeting and Book Expo America conference, held this year in Washington, DC.

The Audie Awards are juried awards in the audiobook and spoken word industry for the finest work in numerous categories, similar to the Grammy, Oscar and Emmy awards given in other mediums. The APA and Audiofile Magazine created a wonderful multimedia presentation that contains sound clips and reviews for all of the finalists in this year’sRead More

I heard on the news that the Gwinnett County Board of Education unanimously ruled to keep the Harry Potter books on the school library shelves. A local mother who reportedly had not even read the books had started a movement to have the books banned because she claimed they encouraged witchcraft.

As a citizen who lives in this county, a suburb of Atlanta with the largest school system in the state of Georgia, I am pleased to see the Board’s ruling on this matter. The Harry Potter books are an unparalleled phenomenon in encouraging kids to actually READ.Read More

I had an appointment at the hair salon today. As I drove to the salon, people on the radio were endlessly chatting about American Idol. Once I arrived, all of the stylists and fellow customers were all abuzz about their favorite performer. Everywhere I go, people constantly talk about this show and the people on it.

I don’t watch it….except, of course, when Barry Manilow is a guest. Even then, I don’t watch the live show; I’ll let my trusty TiVo record it for me.

I understand the popularity of the show. What I don’t understand isRead More

As I was on my way to the airport on Friday the 5th, I read an e-mail message on my PDA announcing a new marketing book. Since I am an avid student of marketing, I probably would have ordered the book anyway, but the contest to promote the launch of the book made the immediacy of the purchase all the more compelling. The author was attempting to reach #1 status on Amazon by midnight, Friday.

The book is Book Yourself Solid : The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can HandleRead More

I wrote this press release to announce the release of my first audiobook, CITY OF ANGELS. I didn’t market the second book, ANGELS FLIGHT, in the same manner. Now that my blog is on-line, I expect to utilize my press room category more frequently! 🙂