So, my boss sends me an email yesterday, suggesting I check out the Reddit thread called “Nothing funnier than hearing Neil Augustine sign off from his stories on ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½.”
The poster writes: “Maybe it’s me, but every time he signs off from a story, I legit chuckle and try to imitate his voice, LOL.”
As I approach my 25th year at ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½, I’ve come to expect — and usually enjoy — people offering to do their Neal Augenstein imitation for me. It almost always consists of me saying my name, and either ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ or ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ Radio. In the biz, it’s called my lockout.
Sometimes the imitations come from elected officials, usually from much-appreciated consistent listeners. My kids are usually incredulous: “They know who you are?”
suggests the poster is not the only person working on their impersonation:
“Dude, I thought I was the only one that did this, glad to see I’m not alone,” said one poster. “Yup. After his sign off, I imitate it. Every time. Every time,” said another.
“I will randomly just do it every once in a while. I don’t have to be listening to ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½â€¦”I’m Neil Auginstine,” admits one impersonator.
“I saw him in court once here in Alexandria, dude looks nothing like what his voice sounds like. He’s a lot younger than I would have thought by just hearing his voice on the radio for years.”
OK, so that’s good, right?
Apparently not everyone is a fan: “Sends chills down my spine honestly,” according to one poster. “YES, I don’t know why, but I cringe a little sometimes when I hear his reports,” says a person named Chocolate Milk.
While most on Reddit don’t use phonetic analysis marks in their posts, it’s fascinating to hear their takes on how I sound to them.
From dubble-ya tee ahhh peee, this is Neal Augensteeeeeeeeeen
WTeeYuppy Newwwwwwwss.
Neil Auggeensteeeen, double U Tee oh pee nooz
In the years since I first started working for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½, the “typical newscaster voice” has continued to morph from the deep, resonant, (ask your parents, if you don’t know) to something more conversational.
When I started in radio, in the early 1980s, I was reminded often by bosses that I didn’t have “a voice for radio.”
You probably can’t tell from Twitter that I used to lisp. If you’ve heard me on , you’ve no doubt thought, ‘What’s up with that guy’s voice?’ If you’d be so kind, allow me to share the saga: “What Does Cole Slaw Have To Do With Being A Radio Reporter?”
— Neal Augenstein (@Augenstein²ÝÝ®´«Ã½)
And while I’ve come to embrace my sound is different from most on the radio — in fact, several competing DC-area radio shows include segments mocking me, with hosts providing free advertising for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ — it’s nice to know you’re listening.
When I first met him and he spoke I didn’t believe it was him. But the more he spoke, the more it became him and the voice I recognized.
And my favorite:
My wife and I sometimes have Neil Augenstein-offs to see who can Neil Augenstein the longest.
Now, that I’ve got to hear. Send me audio of your best Neal Augenstein imitation, using the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ App. In the drop-down menu, select Report to ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½, then Send Voice Memo.
Seriously, thanks for listening so carefully.
