Behind the Mic: Heather Walters

Heather Walters has a cool, gal-next-door sound that has been used in all radio formats, from Country to Hot AC to NTS and beyond, and used in Top 10 TV markets across the country!

What are you up to presently (freelance/on-staff at a station)?

I am so fortunate to be on so many of the best, most award-winning radio stations!
KKBQ-FM/93Q Country – Houston, TX
KSCS-FM/New Country 96.3 – Dallas
WKLB-FM/Country 102.5 – Boston
KSTP-FM/KS95 – St Paul-Minneapolis
KYGO-FM/98.5 KYGO – Denver
KFKF-FM/94.1 KFKF – Kansas City
WFMS-FM/95.5 WFMS – Indianapolis
KBEE-FM/B98.7 – Salt Lake City
WKHK-FM/K95 Country – Richmond
…to name an honorable few!

What do you love about your job?

I’m also a writer, so what I appreciate most is how all copy has a story to it; whether it’s about a cool ticket giveaway or about supporting each other through these difficult times, I love bringing the life and character to whatever story is being told.

How did you get started as a VO actor?

PD Johnny Chiang hired me right out of college to host mid-days in Houston. One day, he said, “Have you ever thought of becoming an imaging voice? You’d be great at it!” So, I went for it!

Check out Heather’s Imaging Demo:

play

Heather Walters - Country Demo

What was your first gig? Any memorable ones since then?

My first imaging gig was for The New 93Q (KKBQ-FM) in Houston (which I still have the honor of voicing with my buddy, Scott Fisher!); my first national commercial was for Canon Cameras, and my first TV promo was for Food Network. They were all amazing experiences! But I think my most memorable VO experience was when I voiced the national commercial for Michelle Obama’s tour, Becoming. That was the coolest honor!

Take a tour of Heather’s studio!

Who are your VO idols/mentors?

There are so many women I’d love to be when I grow up…Joanna Gaines…JK Rowling…VO extraordinaire Virginia Hamilton…as you can see, I like to aim for the fence! lol.

If you weren’t doing voiceover, what else do you think you’d be doing for a career?

I’d be a bestselling children’s novelist. Most definitely.

What did it feel like the first time you heard your voice on the radio/television?

“Hey, that person sounds like me…Oh wait, that IS ME!!” lol.

How has new technology changed the way you work?

I’m able to work quickly and from anywhere, really. I’ve voiced TV promos in Vegas hotel rooms, TV news copy in an airport terminal, etc. It’s amazing, really.

What gear do you use on the road? In your studio?

ROAD: Sennheiser 416, Audient iD14, Mac laptop, Adobe Audition
STUDIO: Sennheiser 416, Avalon V5, Audient iD14, Mac laptop, Adobe Audition

Which production system do you use and why?

I now use Adobe Audition. I used ProTools for forever, but when I hosted mid-days in NYC, the production crew there used Adobe Audition. I loved how everything bounced in seconds and not in real-time (like ProTools used to do), so I switched to make my VO “quality-of-life” more efficient, and I’ve never looked back.

Have you ever had a voice coach? Would you recommend it?

YES!! And, YES!!! My go-to coach is Dave Walsh for all-things VO, including TV Promos, Commercials, and Affiliate News. He’s AMAZING!!!

Do you have a different approach to reading radio imaging copy as opposed to TV/Radio commercial ads?

I approach all copy the same – what story is being told? And how do I want to tell it?

Can you offer 3 helpful tips for newbies trying to make it in the voice-over industry?

Invest in a coach first…create a demo…then go for it!

Favorite 2 pizza toppings?

Sausage and mushrooms!

If you could invite one person to dinner, living or dead, who would it be?

I would like to cook my way through The Magnolia Table cookbook while Joanna Gaines reads from it. I’ve never actually read my way through a cookbook before, but her passages were so loving, I enjoyed them as much as the scrumptious recipes.