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ANDY TAYLOR | INTERNATIONAL STADIUM ANNOUNCER, HOST AND EMCEE
Hey, I’m Andy Taylor, a voice artist often referred to as the Voice of the US Open. In a nutshell, I’m a stadium announcer, event host and emcee who works in entertainment and sport production across the country and around the world.
From humble roots as a broadcaster in Missouri, I’ve lent my voice to everything from tennis Grand Slams and the Olympic Games — to a variety of international marquee events, even a popular game show.
As a voice over talent specializing in commercial narration and audio production – from my studio in Boston, I provide voice over for projects seen and heard globally.
THE SERENDIPITOUS ORIGINS OF A VERY UNIQUE LANE OF VOICE WORK
My career path took an unexpected detour in the Summer of 2002. As a local radio personality, I had just launched a new morning show on Springfield Missouri’s KTTS-FM. The demands of resurrecting the legendary station’s community-impact consumed my days.
But then, out of nowhere, local partners Silver Dollar City and Cooper Tennis Complex reached out. The U.S. Fed Cup Team was coming to Springfield. Billie Jean King and the USTA needed an announcer.
The truth? I planned on moving that weekend, so I was hesitant. But because I was recommended by trusted clients, I agreed to help — a fortuitous choice that completely altered my trajectory.
CAN YOU PICTURE YOURSELF AS THE LEAD ANNOUNCER OF THE US OPEN?
At the conclusion of the final day, a blazered executive in a ball cap tapped me on the shoulder, complimented my performance, and simply asked: “Can you picture yourself doing this at the U.S. Open in New York?”
Knowing that life-altering opportunities don’t just magically appear — I laughed off the question, dismissed the absurdity of the idea, and thanked the man for his kindness — then immediately returned to the daily routine of morning radio. I never gave it a second thought.
That is, until two weeks later, when the USTA phoned me at work.
During the call, an assistant said the gentleman I brushed off was Arlen Katarian — President of the United States Tennis Association. Arlen was serious and insistent about the offer.
After making arrangements to remotely host my morning show while in New York, I set out for the Big Apple.
CONCEPT EVOLUTION: FROM PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER TO STADIUM ANNOUNCER
In Flushing Meadows, I was fortunate to share announcer duties with WNEW-FM legend Thom Morrera. After retiring from broadcasting, Thom continued working as a relaxed and reliable PA voice for the US Open and the New York Rangers. He was tremendous. Unbiased. Always level. Smooth as glass. Thom embodied a style of public address announcing that was popular in U.S. sports stadiums for generations. Think Bob Sheppard, Yankee Stadium’s steady voice for over 50-years.
However in 2002, the USTA was determined to shatter the “detached” norm of standard PA announcing. The goal was to blend entertainment with the action on court. To engage fans in the sport’s largest venue — Arthur Ashe Stadium — through captivating storytelling.
Though unexplained to me at the time, I quickly understood why I was there.
The USTA needed a voice and delivery-style that matched the atmosphere they were determined to cultivate. They required a sound which could emotionally reflect the excitement of the game, but they also needed a performer versatile enough to punctuate ceremonies and introductions with the appropriate tone.
THE VISION: Make the US Open more than an annual sporting event. Transform the fortnight into a cultural, wildly entertaining New York staple, highly anticipated by both casual and exuberant tennis fans.
So, at the 2002 US Open, day sessions featured “Public Address Announcer” Thom Morrera. At night, an unknown local morning show host from Springfield, Missouri became a STADIUM ANNOUNCER.
WHEN YOU HEAR ROLLING THUNDER, PREPARE FOR LIGHTNING
The truth is, at the time, I had no idea what I was doing. But it was thrilling. All I knew was that the USTA hired me for my voice, and my ability to accurately reflect the emotion of the written word. For two weeks, I simply focused on performance — matching the expectation I created during the Fed Cup event back home.
Along the way, I experienced one of the most thrilling US Opens in decades.
The Williams sisters faced-off in the Women’s Final. Pete Sampras earned his 14th Grand Slam title, defeating Andre Agassi in the Final. America’s top-talents created an atmosphere of raw excitement that was easy to emulate and accentuate through each vocal performance. For both talent and client, it was an ideal “Stadium Announcer” debut.
Following the fortnight, I returned to Missouri captivated by possibility. While I adored the responsibility of my local morning show, the experience exposed an additional lane of voice work and storytelling.
While continuing my daily role at KTTS-FM, I worked closely with the USTA — not only at the US Open — but as the announcer for all stateside Fed Cup and Davis Cup Ties. In 2011, as additional opportunities came into focus, I retired from broadcasting to focus on voice work full time.
INDEPENDENT VOICE TALENT
As you can read here, the decision to retire from radio wasn’t easy. Choosing to leave the stability of full-time employment never is. It’s not for the risk averse.
Since 2011, I have methodically developed multiple lanes of voice work, while constantly educating myself on every aspect of running a small business. From finance to legal — marketing, graphic and web design — software, hardware, equipment, studio design — I have dug-in, voraciously learned, failed time and again, carved-out a few niches, and developed rewarding relationships along the way.
In 2015, I relocated to Boston, where I remain based today. As a voice artist, my lanes of vocal work include both voice over and live announce, along with hosting and emceeing major events. Portfolios including all of my voice work are included below.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me. Drop a line! Would love to hear from you.
All the best,
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VOICE TALENT | STADIUM ANNOUNCER, HOST AND EMCEE
With tremendous gratitude, I have been fortunate enough to serve as the Voice of the US Open for over two decades. This unique opportunity led to other global tennis events, including the Olympic Games and marquee tournaments in Qatar.
It also opened doors to additional genres. I’ve had the chance to announce, host and emcee other sports like basketball, taekwondo, squash, padel, lethwei — even government summits, concerts and a popular game show. Follow the links below to learn more.
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VOICE TALENT | VOICE OVER
From my studio in Boston, and while on the road hosting events, I also provide voice over for clients globally. Popular categories of my voice over work are included in the following demos.
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