How to get a proper american radio accent?

Question

Im 16 and I got my job at a local radio show three times a week for one hour talking to random people about whatever they want to talk about. I have a more half australian europian accent, since i grew up with my dad and mom who grew up outside the us. the people who worked at the radio centre said i should have a more american voice. I lived on the west coast of the USA all my life and now I want to have a proper american radio voice. Do you guys have any tips on how to change my accent into an american? I want to since it sounds cool the accent and it would be perfect for my job. im not rushing my accent but i want a steady speed of changing it. Any tips on how to change it? thanks :D i want to change my dull deep accent lol oh yeh i have quite a deep voice XD

Answer 1

Max, congrats on the gig. I also started my radio career when I was 16 and continued it for another 10 or so years. With my experience, I'm not sure you need to rid yourself of your current accent.

Years ago we debated bringing in a talent from the UK specifically because of his foreign accent (Visa issues hampered that idea). In any case, the station might like the fact you do have the voice and accent you already have. In fact, I'm sure they do. While vocal quality/uniqueness isn't as important as it used to be years ago it can still help define a career.

...just something to think about =)

If you really want to pick up a more "American" accent, listening to other jocks might not be the best method because it would be easy to pick up on their crutches (bad/improper broadcasting habits). You may want to look into some of those "Learn English" type of websites or CD audio kits to help with proper enunciation and give you more of a feel for how a typical American says things.

But unless your accent is so thick it's hard to understand (which doesn't seem to be the case), I’d consider keeping the accent. Men and women love foreign accents regardless of which country they are in. An American accent is loved in Australia or Europe meanwhile we love their accents here in America.

Answer 2

The number 1 rule in radio is "Always be your self" - so I would ignore that advise.

Answer 3

there is so specific way you talk how you talk and accents are hot i wouldn't rush it

Answer 4

To speak like an American Air Personality you must practice the "Non-Regional" American Dialect.  The reason we learn to speak with a non-regional voice tone is simple... It makes us "fit in" at any radio station in the country without sounding like we are an "Out of Town-er"  A person with a perfect non regional dialect will fit in in just about any market in the entire United States.

Answer 5

Just Google of Yahoo. Radio stations. You can listen on the internet and get lots of good ideas for American accents. Be sure to list something like : Rock Radio Stations. Or something like that.....so you get a general category.