"I'm not worthless, like my father said I was." - Billy West

Welcome Billy West:

We’re joined on the Starline by a voice-over actor who did his best stuff in the 31st Century. His latest project is his book “Voice-A-Versa: Finding My Voice(s) Behind the Mic”. We welcome Billy West.

Billy, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You wrote this book about your own life, and then you had to read it out loud for the audiobook in your real voice, no character, nothing. Forty-five years of voices at your disposal, and you picked the one you never use on the air. Why'd your story need the real you?

The book doesn't flinch from a hard childhood. What made this the year to finally put it on paper?

"I was totally fearless as a voice-over actor. I would try anything I thought might work. My choices and voices were considered “off the nose” because I didn’t want to offer up character clichés or use the “safe” way out." Where did that fearlessness come from Billy?

The Rockin' 8:

“Voice-A-Versa: Finding My Voice(s) Behind the Mic” is the book and Billy West it’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, just trust your first instinct. There is no Pressure.

1. You sold guitars in a Harvard Square shop by day and gigged Boston clubs by night. What's the worst guitar you ever talked somebody into buying?

2. Your own X bio calls you a "microphone diaphragm destroyer." What's the take that actually blew one out?

3. Billy. where is your favorite place to think?

4. You had got a room full of guitars, which was your daily driver?

5. In your world: voiceover, animation, radio... who doesn't get the credit they deserve?

6. If someone else had to narrate the story of your life, which actor gets the job?

7. You had a fake ID when you were 20. Do you remember what name was on it?

8. Settling this once and for all: in Supergirl, is it Braille Face or Rivet Face?

Sneaking in One More:

Your earliest comedy wasn't for a crowd but for your mom, on the hard days, just to pull her out of it. What did a smile from her mean to you now?

One Big Question:

There's a line in the book: "The past lives in your head because it cannot survive anywhere else."

So when did you find peace Billy?

The Wrap:

He listens to classical music to relax the voices, enjoyed playing a telecaster and wants you to read “Voice-A-Versa: Finding My Voice(s) Behind the Mic”, wherever books are sold. Billy West thanks for taking the time to talk with us today,

And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.

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