Inspired by Bono from U2

In moments of clarity there are things surrounding us that point the way for the direction our lives may take. While searching for an answer to the question, what am I going to do with my life? I received inspiration from a profound source. I was at a concert for the internationally renowned band U2 when inspiration hit. Lead singer and songwriter Bono was on stage talking about his inspiration and how when he was a boy of age 14 his mother had died unexpectedly. Bono went on to say that his mother had encouraged him to be who he wanted to be, to do what he wanted to do, and that no one could tell him he wasn’t good enough, lacked the ability, or would never be successful. She let him know that he could do anything he set his mind to doing and be whatever he decided. When she died, Bono began writing songs and he attributes his success as one of the world’s top performers to the advice and encouragement he received from his mother.

Hearing Bono speak about how at age 14 he became an artist and how in spite of growing up with very few prospects he overcame the odds and formed a band with his friends from school that are still together to this day. His words of encouragement inspired me to chase a lifelong dream I had set aside many years ago; the dream to be a voice over artist. Ever since I can remember I have had a gift for creating different voices. As a child living in England I was exposed to a number of different dialects from my homeland. At the age of 7 my parents moved from England to Scotland where I learned how to speak with an accent very different to my native one. When I was 10 my parents immigrated to the United States and once more my accent changed. At the age of 17 I lived in Germany for six months and age 19 I lived in Florida, Venezuela, and Minnesota where I picked up more accents and dialects.

I have always had a good ear for accents so imitation comes easily to me. Along the journey through adolescence into adulthood I started doing impressions of famous people. My heroes growing up were Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Hank Azaria, and Jess Harnell. I listened intently to their voices and was able to mimic the characters they portrayed. I loved watching Saturday morning cartoons both as a child and as an adult and wondered what it would be like to voice a cartoon character.

I never imagined that being at a U2 concert would have such an impact on my life. Bono’s words lifted my soul, they inspired me to go after a dream that I had left in the past decades ago. Immediately after the concert I embarked on a journey to live out my dream of being a voice over artist. One year has passed since that benchmark event changed my life. I have been trained by a voice coach, produced demos, practiced and exercised my voice and I continue to audition and gain experience in voice over. The road thus far has not been easy and I know that nothing worth doing comes without cost. I still have a long way to go to reach my goals, but I am following my dream. I am a voice over talent. My name is Paul Cuthbert and this is my story.