As co-founder of an advertising firm and a voice artist for over three decades, James Conlan ’68 has told many stories, from voicing “The Boss” in more than a hundred commercials for Jimmy John’s sandwich chain to narrating Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” on Audible. Now, Conlan is sharing his own story, answering our questions about his time on Mount St. James, career twists and turns, his dream gig, and how he ended up lending his voice to a movement to end war.
FIRST, A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU, JAMES
Where did you grow up?
Des Plaines, Illinois, and Birmingham, Michigan.
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A musician.
What is your dream job now?
Staying alive.
What hobbies and passions have you pursued over the years?
Well, I enjoyed building WWII model airplanes for a while, but for the most part, I got to live my hobbies as actual jobs.
Are you an introvert or an extravert?
I am a closet introvert. I function in public as an extravert.
Who is the most famous person you have met?
Nancy Pelosi.
Favorite TV show or movie?
“Foyle’s War.”
What is a skill that you are working on?
Being kind.
ON YOUR VARIED CAREER PATH
You spent four years in the Marshall Islands as a member of the Peace Corps. How did that experience shape you and your world view?
Two ways: First, it helped me to understand that one could live happily without money or material possessions; second, it gave me valuable lessons in working as part of a team.
After the Peace Corps, where did life and career take you?
To the University of Michigan School of Art, BFA 1976.
You spent six years with the Beyond War Foundation, dedicated to ending war. What drew you to this mission?
Our daughter was 3 at the time. She had nightmares about a nuclear apocalypse. My wife and I learned about Beyond War and found its mission appealing: We are one, war is obsolete, work together to build a world beyond war.
As co-founder of a creative advertising boutique, Radio Works, you and your partner wrote and produced thousands of radio commercials for 30 years. What were a couple of your most memorable commercials?
Pick anything from our 26-year “Fast Ed” campaign for Jimmy John’s. Actually, many of our funniest commercials were produced for small advertisers in local markets all over the country. I think what makes a commercial memorable is how it connects emotionally with the listener, then uses that connection to create a bond with the listener that creates a preference for the advertiser.
How did you end up becoming a voice artist?
My first job in advertising was as a copywriter. Many of our clients wanted radio commercials. I found that my voice suited the kind of comic dialogue I was writing, so I cast myself in many of them.
ON VOICEOVERS, NARRATION AND BEING A VOICE ARTIST
How is your voice typically described?
Warm, confident, sincere.
What makes a voice compelling to listen to?
Confidence, clarity and connection.
What projects would folks most likely recognize your voice from?
The voice of “The Boss” in over a hundred commercials for Jimmy John’s.
You’ve narrated more than 100 books on Audible. Do you have any favorites?
Certainly “Moby Dick.” A novel called “The Beech Tree,” by Don Phelan. “Hauntings,” by James Hollis. “To Timbuktu for a Haircut,” by Rick Antonson. “The Prince and the Pauper,” by Mark Twain.
What would be your dream gig?
Narrating a Stephen King novel.
You can produce any accent within two days. What is the most challenging accent to do?
Regional dialects. For example, I once narrated a novel that took place in Scotland. Every character had a different Scottish accent.
What is something most people are surprised to learn about voice artists?
It’s not as easy as it looks. Many people with good voices can’t manage to perform.
What is your favorite word to say?
Absquatulate.
What is your least favorite word to say?
Literally.
If you could pick any famous person’s voice for your car’s GPS device, whose would you choose?
Edward Everett Horton.
You also coach other voice artists. What are your top tips?
1. Be yourself. 2. Be yourself. 3. Be yourself.
ON ALMA MATER
What made you choose Holy Cross?
Jesuit education, small student body, no math requirement, strong academics.
What was the most impactful experience you had at Holy Cross?
Joining the Fenwick Theatre Company, acting in many plays, directing some, writing music for some. It was a chance to explore many aspects of my talent.
How do you think you are different because of your education from Holy Cross?
Different? I think the whole of my Jesuit education — high school, seminary and college — made a difference in having a broader view of the world.
What is something you learned at Holy Cross that you still use today?
My command of the English language … and losing my Michigan accent.
What was the funniest thing that ever happened to you on campus?
I once climbed up the tower of one of the student dorms and perched on the top. I thought I was unobserved, but someone took photos. You can see it in the ’68 yearbook.
AND FINALLY …
What has been the most pivotal moment of your life so far?
Moving from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Houston. It forced me to re-examine my career and strike out on my own.
What moment of your life do you wish you could relive?
Water skiing on the Majuro lagoon.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Making millions of people laugh.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“Find a way. There is always a way.”
