I had my own trio. voiced by Eric Jacobson. Cursed Commercials Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Im having a ball, Szmanda said on his personal website. The US Congress issued stimulus payments to Americans to keep the economy robust through the pandemic, contributing in part to an approximate 5.7% growth in the economy in 2021. Ive been doing that more for my own enjoyment than for performing. Wed sometimes be in the studio or on location, but oftentimes wed be right out in the open in the store during regular business hours. I cant imagine what a cashier thinks. 100 Dundas Street, Suite 700 London, ON N6A 5B6 Call Us Toll Free at 1-888-359-3472. Advertisers have created some remarkable and groundbreaking TV commercials in the 2020s (and were only over two years into the decade!). I had my own trio. Perhaps the most significant event of the 2020s was the onset and spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The insurance company reviews the claim for its validity and then pays you or your doctor. Menards commercials are also accompanied with banjo music played by Gary Shaw of Wisconsin. The Menards Guy. With so many amazing commercials released in the 2020s, its hard to choose just one for the best commercial spot. The Menards Guy, Menards Guy Isn't Who--or What--you Think He Is, Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children. Dennis Morgan did it. voiced by Eric Jacobson. He also narrated a recording of the Bible. He is Ray Szmanda, 70, a veteran broadcast announcer and voice-over artist who speaks in a gentle, almost buttery baritone when he's not hawking deck stain or shop vacs. In the wake of Donald Trumps presidency, the US political climate was one of intense disunion and heated rhetoric between right and left. Then they went to a blue polo shirt. 5 mo. Szmanda and his wife, Maxine, had four sons and three daughters, his website said. editorial@volumeone.org(Editorial,) 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Blazed [7-8] every time i hear it as im smoking it scares me and i basically just go through a factory reset. I retired at age 77. Then I did a Sunday morning thing, Masters of Rhythm. Ray Szmanda was a man who I was proud to call my dad, his son Charles Szmanda wrote in a Facebook post. Ray Szmanda/Living or Deceased. 2002-2023CopyrightVolumeOneMagazine. Menards announced in 2022 that it will expand to Pennsylvania for the first time, starting with Uniontown. voiced by Steve Whitmire. Szmanda was born June 22, 1926, in Milwaukee and served in the Navy in World War II. That 15 minutes of fame, for me, came to be about an hour. I was pretty shocked, because these guys all looked and sounded great. Plus, John pitches Chuck ideas for the funeral - and Chuck takes them! Ive been keeping busy with music. It was as much fun as Ive ever had at a job. During the Christmas shopping season the jingle changes to "Warm seasons greetings to you all from Menards!" The mail comes to the chain's Eau Claire, Wis., headquarters addressed to "The Menards Guy," or, more formally, "The Menards Man." He's told stories for Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and TSN. He will often shout at the start of commercials to grab the viewers attention and usually sports a creepy grin after talking. Menard.". Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Szmanda lived in Antigo, Wisconsin. These economic fluxes significantly impacted brand advertisers and approaches to the 2020s TV commercials. It showed the enormity of the company. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 16. Who does the voice over for the Paragard commercial? I do it strictly for my own amusement. Ray Szmanda on set at a Menards commercial shoot for Gorilla Rack Shelving, circa 2001. I even came close to convincing myself that it would be a good idea to visit his house last Thanksgiving, as I was visiting my grandparents in Antigo, Wisconsin. [17] Bob Holtan, John Menard's friend and radio station owner, wrote the lyrics to the "Save Big Money" jingle in the early 1970s. It then continues to stock footage of the tools being sold while Ray gives a basic description of the tool and lists the price. Im an advertising man, not a red herring. the voice of the Menards commercials gives me anxiety. The enemies of advertising are the enemies of freedom.J. [5] In 2008, the company expanded into Missouri. You seem so quiet. Older people looked at me and said, Look at that guy out there. Receive an invoice for every purchase. A rare car. I thought about an animated spot for television, but its a very difficult and expensive thing to do. Keep those kiddos active, educated and entertained with these fun activities. V1: Can we expect a comic book anytime soon? To get comfortable, Momoa removes muscles and hair, leaving him a scrawny, balding man. After working in radio and television, he became self-employed as a broadcaster in 1958. Read on V1: So how are you liking retirement so far? Posted by 2 days ago. Volume One scored one. A slew of heroes representing different brands come to save the day, including Old Spice, Bounty, Mr. Clean, Febreeze, Olay, Charmin, and Head & Shoulders. A long, hard road in broadcasting. Ive got a film major grandson in Colorado, and he wants to do it. I hope John (Menard) reads this article and thinks about it. Menardsis a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. There were a couple of elderly ladies that walked by my booth, and I was signing pictures. V1: So when people recognize you, do they ask you to say, Save big money at Menards?, RAY: Always. So, the next time you see an Arby's commercial, take a listen and see if you can recognize the voice. Powered by the comforting voice of Kermit the Frog, Adidas tells us their iconic yet sustainable products are ideal for those who want to go green. RAY: No. And before I left, the phone started ringing for me to do commercials for the Fort Howard Paper Company on the Packer-Bear game. The AMC Theaters Cast. Absolutely. Szmanda passed away at his home in Antigo on Sunday, May 6, according to. editorial@volumeone.org(Editorial,) Whatever your favorite ad of the 2020s, among these commercials you are sure to find celebration, hope, and a good dose of humor. localstore@volumeone.org(Store,), TermsofUse / PrivacyPolicy Even in his later years (he was in his mid-70s by the time I worked with him) he had a booming voice that would echo throughout the aisles of the westside Eau Claire Menards, commanding attention from unsuspecting shoppers. Menards is a chain of Home Improvement stores across the Midwestern United States and based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Would he be bothered at the idea of revisiting the persona (he is retired, after all)? brush pickup San Antonio, Texas 78251 (210) 993-1167 City Hall and most municipal offices will . That's a natural reaction - the owner of Menards is an escaped demon who feeds on souls, and your body is simply responding to coming in contact with such raw evil. Village.com - Engaging extracurricular activities for children. Reader Poll, Advertise with Volume One Fresh air. From a global pandemic to new world leaders and the war in Ukraine, the 2020s have impacted people in many unexpected ways. While many predicted a decline in TV viewing in 2021, research leader Nielsen found that TV viewing increased by 18% that year, with Americans spending almost five hours per day watching TV. I will fondly remember Ray, and I know so many who had a chance to work with him will too, not to mention the millions who saw him grinning on TV, paintbrush in hand. RAY: Oh sure. The ad features Salt-N-Peppas Push It performed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Who was the announcer for the Menards show? [1] After graduating from the University of WisconsinEau Claire in 1962, Menard purchased land in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and built an office and shop. In 2022, Samsung showed its advertising chops in a wildly popular commercial in which a spider falls in love with a Samsung device it sees on a billboard outside its window. Advertising powerhouse Amazon brought us a hilarious 2021 TV commercial featuring heartthrob Michael B. Jordan standing in for one womans Amazon Echo device. Menard Inc. Deceased (19262018) So lumber was interesting. Please follow the steps pertaining to your situation to get your account activated for tax exempt ordering. I mean, they offer everything. Create a profile and get invited to jobs. In it, Momoa returns to his home after a long day. [32], During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel sent Menards a cease and desist letter citing 18 complaints from consumers in regards to price gouging on products such as face masks and bleach. Back in 2009, Volume One published a long Q&A between Ray Szmanda and former managing editor Trevor Kupfer. His son, Charles Szmanda, tells John about his late father. Menards is the third-largest home improvement store in the United States, behind Lowe's and The Home Depot. Having fun with people. Ray Szmanda, known to generations of Wisconsinites as the man who brought Menards commercials to life, has died at age 91 . Power survey in customer satisfaction among home improvement retail stores. But for some reason--he says he has no idea why--in the past two years or so he's become a bit of a cult figure, a pop icon to whom viewers write fan letters and request autographed photos. And The Menards Guy is no exception. Menards spokesman Ray Szmanda, 72, of Antigo, Wis., films a television commercial for shower doors. For about a year, every Friday I got to work alongside Ray as we shot the opener, closer, and narration of anywhere from eight to 10 commercials. Who is the voice in the BMW commercial? RAY: Im not very active. RAY: The other thing I wanted to tell you is that I had some college kids call me at 9 oclock one night. We should learn how to do that. Piano is my big thing. Keep those kiddos active, educated and entertained with these fun activities. Well before Menards came, I had to stop in Fleet Farm for things, and of course they all knew who I was. I mail them to them. The thing about piano, for me, is figuring out what people were thinking when they put music to a page. RAY: Well I spend a lot of time with stocks. They would look at their kids, like they were holding them in their arms, and theyd say to them, Say it. Sure enough, theyd say, Save big money at Menards! You know, that kind of thing. Days following the speech, Putin launched an attack on Ukraine that the international community quickly condemned. Menard Inc. found him in. The same year, the "Helping You Build Americas Heartland" jingle was made. [4] Menards sold the Menard Building Division in 1994, racking up 36 years in the pole building industry. Invoice billed purchases are do within 50 days after the date of purchase. With an uncertain economic future in 2022, advertisers are being cautious. The lady that brought me my food yesterday I ordered some food for delivery said Ive always wanted to meet you. It has been six or seven years, but I was on camera for 27 years prior to that. 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