What’s in a voice?

The power of recorded voice lives on for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks to the magic of social networking I recently became reacquainted with an old friend, Murem Sharpe. Her business, Evoca, harnesses the power of voice and voice recording. As a former broadcaster myself I am fascinated by this concept. Rather than simply commenting on a blog in writing, comments to a blog can now take on the life, lilt and accent of your individual voice.

Recently I had occasion to hear two people speak and was profoundly impacted by the power and strength of their voices. The first was a friend who recently passed away. Nancy Eastridge was an RN-turned lawyer-turned minister. She impacted many in her 46 years of life and was a powerful and persuasive public speaker. At her memorial service the minister played an excerpt from one of Nancy’s sermons. Hearing Nancy’s lively voice and charming Tennessee accent made me glad I knew her and I smiled through my tears.

The second was on the Evoca blog when I heard Gabrielle Giffords, the congresswoman victim in the Arizona shooting. She is reading the first amendment on the House floor, just days before she was shot. Her confidence in reading our constitution’s right to free press and peaceful assembly made me wish I knew her.

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There is a great lasting and staying power in the recorded voice. We need only think of the immortal “I have a Dream” speech of Martin Luther King that will be played on the news this coming Monday as it is every year. The recording enables the speech to live on in perpetuity.

A whole new dimension has been added to this blog by harnessing the power of your voice! Please leave me your recorded comments for a permanent record of your visit here.