The concept is simple, the process is multifaceted, and the outcome tremendous. LibriVox takes books that are in the public domain (generally published in the US before 1923 and thus the copyright has expired) and makes them into audio books that then are released back into the public domain. Suggestions for titles to produce come from members of the LibriVox community. Volunteer coordinators manage the project with additional volunteers lending their voices to the recording. After all the chapters have been narrated and edited, the entire work is assembled and entered into the LibriVox catalog for the world to access, free of charge. The extensive LibriVox audio book catalog includes files available in MP3 and OGG formats.

You don’t need to be a professional narrator to volunteer. All you need is a passion for the written and spoken word, a computer, audio software (many free options) and a microphone. If you don’t want to lend your voice, there are many other ways you can support the initiatives of the LibriVox community. See the volunteer page for more information.

Congratulations LibriVox on five successful years! Here’s to many more classics becoming new works of art accessible to all…

On this day in 1925, the Shure Radio Company was founded in Chicago, Illinois by Sidney N. Shure. Over the past 85 years, this company grew from being a one-man business selling radio parts to an international corporation marketing a full line of audio electronics and world-class microphones. To read more about the history of Shure click on the picture of the Super 55 microphone, perhaps one of the most recognized for its vintage design and vibrant sound quality. You can also find Shure on facebook and the blogosphere.

The vast line of Shure microphones offer a solution for every application; live or studio recording, vocals or instruments. I have had the pleasure of recording voice-over projects on Shure microphones. My favorite is the KSM44 given the full-bodied, warm sound it provides.

What is your favorite Shure for voice-overs? The KSM 44, KSM32, or KSM27? The traditional Super 55 or another Shure?

It’s the 25th anniversary of the launch of “New Coke.” The risk that the Coca-Cola Company took on this date in 1985 is often called one of the largest marketing debacles of the 20th century because of the tremendous criticism and outcry from Coca-Cola drinkers that ultimately led to the return to the original formula 77 days later.

However, being a Coca-Cola fan, I tend to interpret it as a marketing event that successfully stirred up the beverage industry, mobilized the base constituency, and ultimately put Coke on top. Indeed, by the end of 1985 Coca-Cola Classic was outselling its new-fangled sibling and Pepsi. There were winners and losers in the promotion of these beverages. Bill Cosby lost credibility as the primary spokesperson for New Coke, while Matt Frewer as Max Headroom burst onto the scene to keep New c-c-c-Coke alive (unfortunately it was discontinued in 2002).

You can read more about the New Coke anniversary at Coca-Cola Conversions. I’d rather spend this silver anniversary of New Coke laughing at Pepsi’s debacle with the roll out of a clear cola: Crystal Pepsi. VanHalen may have sold a lot of “Right Now” singles, but Pepsi didn’t sell much of the cola. Here’s a video of a Saturday Night Life parody of the drink: a commercial for Crystal Gravy. Enjoy! It’s the Real Thing! Have a Coke and a Smile!…

On this Earth Day in 1971, the first “Crying Indian” anti-pollution Public Service Announcement was released. This landmark, award winning AdCouncil campaign, developed by the ad agency Martsteller for Keep America Beautiful, included two PSAs (“Horseback” and “Canoe”) which featured Iron Eyes Cody as the “Crying Indian.” Already a veteran of screen acting, in primarily Native American roles despite his Italian ancestry, Cody, and his single tear, became an early symbol of the environmental movement. The ads evoke sadness as they draw attention to the damage that pollution and litter do to the environment. The call to action is provided by the radio drama legend William Conrad. His deep, baritone voice-over reminds us that “people start pollution; people can stop it.” Conrad’s vast career includes over 7,500 radio drama roles, narrations for television and cinema spanning five decades, and producing and directing roles in multiple films.

View these landmark PSAs at the AdCouncil website. What memories of these ads do you have? Do they still inspire you toward environmental causes?

On this day in 2002, Thirteen/WNET in New York launched the animated, educational program Cyberchase, a math mystery program designed to inspire a love of math and problem solving in kids while teaching everyday math principles. This Emmy award-winning show has been at the heart of the PBS lineup ever since as one of the only educationally focused animated kids program on television. The cartoon is an entertaining and engaging watch as a team of three kids, Matt, Jackie and Inez, along with their cyberbird, Digit, use their math skills to save Cyberspace from the villainous Hacker.

The Cyberchase voice-over cast includes headline actors such as Christopher Lloyd and Gilbert Gottfried, as well as Novie Edwards, Jacqueline Pillon, and Annick Obonsawin. This video from Thirteen/WNET provides an inside look at the show and offers a glimse of the voice actors at work.

Cyberchase is a show that parents can enjoy with their kids and then continue to reinforce the learning during everyday teachable moments. Who said there is nothing educational on TV?

Cyberchase Trailer:

Other links of interest: iLearn Technology, Austin Children’s Museum, The STEM Blog

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being A Ghost Story of Christmas (full title) was first published on this day in 1843. This classic has been adapted to every publishing and performance medium imaginable. If you haven’t seen the latest movie adaptation of this classic, Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Robert Zemeckis, 2009), I recommend you pass on this one and watch the 1992 Disney/Henson version of the story, The Muppet Christmas Carol. In brief, Michael Caine is a much better Scrooge than Jim Carrey; and who can resist the musical genius of Paul Williams and Miles Goodman?

Another way to get your Dickens fix would be to read or listen to the original novel. There are numerous audio book versions of A Christmas Carol. I recommend the version narrated by actor Tim Curry (perhaps best know as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show). Curry’s natural English accent plays well for this 19th century classic. Curry’s variation on the different characters brings Dickens’ prose to life, while chronicling Scrooge’s inner turmoil and ultimate redemption. Curry captures the essence of this classic, injecting wit and enthusiasm throughout and ultimately inspires the generosity of the season.

So if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this year, I recommend Curry over Carrey. While both are exceptional actors, listening to Curry will provide a more authentic Dickens experience.

“Plus there’s more” – Scrooge-like misers can get a free version of this audio book if they are Audible subscribers and Applegazette readers.

Bah! Humbug!

Congratulations on the milestone Craig - keep up the good work!

Over its sixty-five year history, the Ad Council has coordinated the development and distribution hundreds of memorable public service campaigns. We’ve all learned a lot for the Crash Test Dummies; cried over environmental pollution with Iron Eyes Cody; and taken a bite out of crime. But, perhaps one of the most memorable is the forest fire prevention campaign led by Smokey Bear. Created in 1944, the “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” has been the longest running Ad Council campaign. Smokey Bear has been voiced by Washington DC radio personality, Jackson Weaver, voice artist Jim Cummings, and Los Angeles radio personality, George Walsh. The most current Smokey campaign, introduced in 2008, is voiced by actor, Sam Elliot.

In celebration of the anniversary of one of the best ideas created by the advertising industry, here’s a glimpse of a classic Smokey Bear campaign…