We recently connected with Joe Loesch and have shared our conversation below.

Joe, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

As a grade school student, I perfected my skills as a ventriloquist and performed throughout the St. Louis area. The reception I received as a young performer encouraged me to pursue an entertainment career. After moving to the Los Angeles area with my family, my musical trio in high school quickly gained local popularity. We were asked to open for the Smother Brothers at the Ice House in Pasadena and would often perfom for tour groups on Saturday afternoons at the Hollywood Bowl. I caught the performance bug early in life. My band won first place in the 1966 Hollywood Bowl Battle of the Bands Vocal-Group competition. It was here where I met Richard and Karen Carpenter, they won first place in the Jazz-Combo competition.

Joe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Perfecting character voices at a young age for my ventriloquist dummies gave me a foundation for performing voices for other venues. I studied acting in high school and at the Pasadena Playhouse. Agnus Moorehead (of the Bewitched TV show fame) was my acting coach. The acting bug would return to visit me after a prosperous music career.

I helped Reese Witherspoon lose her Southern accent for a movie role early in her career. After working with her, I realized I had a knack for teaching.

There’s a reason they call my profession voice acting. I help students lose their inhibitions to enunciate so that every word is understood while sounding conversational. I encourage my students to take acting classes to help them become better voice actors.

Many of my students are now full-time voice actors. There is no more incredible feeling than to earn a living from the comfort of your home studio.

I use the military discipline I gained from the Army in my business and training. It helps me to stay focused and get the job done.

Students refer to me as either Coach or Mojoe. I can help you to get your MoJoe workin’!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I was an audio engineer/producer for an automotive-syndicated advertising company. I produced over 30,000 radio and TV commercial soundtracks for car dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Because it was an ad agency, I had the opportunity to audition for some on-camera commercials. Here is where I put my acting chops to use. I landed commercials for Toyota, Folgers Coffee, Sun-Sweet Prunes, Ford, and Chevy. For some time, I was the on-camera spokesperson for Philips/Magnavox. I began to land roles in movies and music videos. At that time, I was also narrating and producing audiobooks. I was producing the music soundtrack for a series of cartoons for the Disney Channel. When the producer asked where he could find a voice for an evangelistic praying mantis, I spoke up in that character’s voice, which led to several voices throughout the series. This was when I decided to devote my career to acting for the microphone. Teaching is an extra bonus, something I’m also good at.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Staring out in VoiceOver, most people will sell themselves short. They think they have to give it away to get started. Don’t fall into this trap. It’s difficult to break the mold once you set yourself up as cheap. I tell my students that when we agree they’re ready to put a demo together if I produce it, they will sound like they’ve been doing this all their lives. Potential buyers will see you as a professional. Never say, “This is my first VoiceOver job,” or anything that might lead them to think otherwise.

Over time, I have learned that if I don’t want to work with someone, I don’t tell them no, I simply price myself over their budget. Try not to burn bridges as you go. Always treat everyone with respect. Today’s secretary may wind up owning the company at some point.

Contact Info:

• Website: joeloesch.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/vomojoe/
• Facebook: facebook.com/joe.loesch
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/joeloesch/
• Youtube: youtube.com/@mojoefriday