Golden Voice Narrators

See also: �5 Questions with Narrator Johnny Heller �      CANDACE LEVY | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 

In June 2019, Johnny was inducted as a Golden Voice, AudioFile's lifetime achievement honor for audiobook narrators.�

Have you ever done anything outrageous to get into character for an audiobook?

I don’t know about outrageous--most things I do lean toward the bizarre in general, so it’s hard to say what would be more outrageous than another thing. One odd thing that comes to mind--narrators always want to get books that are series, because that way you get to do a bunch. Michael Buckley wrote a book for young adults called N.E.R.D.S--the National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society. And I was not told that there were going to be a bunch of books. So the first book were five kids who have “weaknesses” that are turned into strengths that help them defeat evil criminals. A kid with braces, the braces become weaponized. A little tiny kid becomes really mighty and strong. And Essential Listening from Johnny Heller one kid has bad asthma, and his inhalers become like rocket packs so that he can fly around. So the first story was all of them, but then I didn’t know there was going to be a story about each one, and each kid was going to be the hero, and my asthma kid had really bad asthma. When I had to recreate his character, I had to hyperventilate to make it happen, and at least three times recording, I passed out. I was wheezing too much because I’d made that the character choice. So there’s a lesson for you--if you’re going to make a character choice, make sure it’s something that’s not going to make you pass out.

Tell us about any interactions with authors.

Generally it’s a great thing. I like interactions with the author like: “Hey, I’m doing your book,” and they say, “That’s great, I’m looking forward to it,” and then after, they say, “That was great, let’s go have a drink.” I’m not really keen on anyone saying, “Look, do it this way,” because I think they have their art and we have ours. Troy Soos does the Mickey Rawlings Baseball Mystery series, and he and I hit it off pretty well and got to know each other a little bit. He wrote a character in one of his books named Johnny Heller! I was an umpire who threw Babe Ruth out of a game. Dan Gutman, Terry Trueman, Tod Goldberg--because of social media, it’s much easier to get in touch with these guys and be friendly with them. Chris Moore I consider a friend now. It’s always good to get to know the authors, because you get a better feel for what they’re hoping you’ll do with their work. I try and let every author know that I’m doing their stuff and I’m looking forward to it, and I hope they respond positively. I’ve gotten notes that said, “Hey, I was really concerned about how they would do my book, I really appreciate what you did with it,” and I think that’s very rewarding.

What’s your favorite genre to narrate?

My favorite stuff is the private eye thriller kind of thing. I’ve just always liked that. My voice seems to lend itself that way. I did NOIR by Christopher Moore, and that was perfect for me. I just like that style, the Bogart kind of guy. And I dig history a lot, but if I had to pick one, I’d pick noir and then history and probably anything that’s got a smart-ass as the hero, something funny--allegedly funny, at least.

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AudioFile Interview, October 2009—Johnny Heller’s energy and his youthful, boyish voice bring an immediacy to the many children’s and young adult titles he narrates. Having a well-developed sense of humor doesn’t hurt, either! He’s a pesky little sister in M IS FOR MAMA'S BOY, a charming Satchel Paige stepping out of history in SATCH & ME, and a snarky, intruding narrator talking directly to young listeners in A TALE DARK & GRIMM--and his audiobook performances engage kids every time. Narrator Johnny Heller doesn't write the jokes he tells in audiobooks like PLATO AND PLATYPUS WALK INTO A BAR, but he knows how to tell a joke. "I'm not sure that can be taught or learned. It simply exists in some people and not others." - 2011 Best Voice in CHILDREN & FAMILY LISTENING