When they speak, people listen

Andrew Glazer

FAIRGROUNDS -- The voice from above is deep, soothing and all-knowing.

“Good afternoon, it’s 3 o’clock and this is the Voice of the Fair,”

said Jon Lundgren, 43, with a deep baritone that spilled from the dozens

of funnel-shaped speakers planted around the fair. A list of 30 fair

highlights followed before his stock sign-off:

“Have a great day, this is the Voice of the Fair.”

Lundgren has been the only Voice of the Fair for the last four years.

At least for the fair-going public. The equally golden-throated Rick

Fatland, the Morning Voice of the Fair, announces weather, news, soap

opera updates and horoscopes for carnival staff living temporarily on the

grounds.

“I just signed off,” Fatland told Lundgren as he prepared for his

first broadcast Tuesday morning. “Don’t worry, I didn’t steal your

thunder. I made sure to say I was the o7 Morningf7 Voice of the Fair.”

Lundgren, who spends most of the year teaching music and drumming

professionally, said he looks forward to fair season each summer.

“I get to eat the food and meet some great people,” he said.

Fatland recruited Lundgren after hearing his voice. Lundgren had been

playing in the Main Street Band, a brass band that still plays the fair

each year. At the time, Fatland himself was one of four announcers.

“We each had a different personality and voice pattern,” Fatland said.

“I think it was confusing to the people. It’s vital to have continuity.”

The first word of advice Fatland offered his protege was to slow down.

“He gets so excited, but I didn’t want to break his spirit,” Fatland

said.

He also recommended Lundgren pretend he was describing the fair to a

close friend. Even Fatland, who said he has no fear of speaking to

crowds, said he froze up once when he realized he could be heard by

thousands. He peered out the window of his office and saw dozens of

people setting their watches to his announcement.

“That’s the best advice,” Lundgren said. “You just have to imagine

you’re speaking to each individual person, one on one.”