Please, please, please stop trying to sound like Kevin Harlan.
An SBTNsports.com Blog by David Brody
It’s easy to understand why young broadcasters try. Harlan is one of the best play-by-play announcers of his generation. His calls are full of energy, passion, and enthusiasm – all qualities aspiring announcers are told they need. In big moments, he has a remarkable ability to elevate the broadcast with rhythm, timing, and control.
But here’s the reality: you will never stand out by impersonating the original.
Too many young broadcasters confuse style with substance. They hear the volume, the cadence, and the dramatic pacing in Harlan’s voice and try to duplicate it. The problem is that those traits work because they are authentic to him. When someone else tries to copy them, it usually sounds forced.
The goal shouldn’t be imitation – it should be study. Listen to Harlan and understand what makes his calls effective: his pacing, his awareness of big moments, and his ability to let the play breathe.
Then apply those lessons in a way that reflects your own voice and personality.
Take the best ingredients of what Harlan does well – but bake a cake that sounds like you, not him.
David Brody is a veteran broadcaster and talent coach who has spent more than two decades helping play-by-play announcers and sports broadcasters refine their craft, strengthen their on-air presence, and build successful careers in the industry.
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