ABOVE: THE CLASSIC “HMM! HAA! EEE!” Local voice artist and radio personality
Tess Morgan has worked for Whole Foods, Harley Davidson, Oscar Meyer, SC Johnson,
Pandora, Target, Lincoln Center, Netflix, Paper Mate, Menards and, perhaps most
notably, Oakwood Mall’s old in-store messages.

Whether you know it or not, you’ve heard Tess Morgan. Probably in a radio ad, as she does the vast majority in our market. Likely in one of her many news broadcasts. Maybe as the national in-store voice for Menards. Possibly on the recently discontinued Mix 98 (WISM) show Jim & Tess in the Morning. Or any of the million-and-a-half other projects for which she has provided a voice. Regardless, the Eau Claire-based Clear Channel news anchor/director is a veteran in the world of vocal talent, and has become a nationally sought-after commodity.

“It’s acting. That’s what it’s considered. You’re playing a character. I don’t mean a mom or an office worker, but more of an image or idea.” – Eau Claire-based voice talent Tess Morgan

Tess came to Eau Claire in 1999 after radio stints in Rockford and Madison. The broadcast journalism graduate from Brown College (in Minneapolis) has done everything from commercials, promos, phone systems, and infomercials to news, TV voiceover, training videos, and product demos. Her clients have included: Harley Davidson, Oscar Meyer, SC Johnson, Pandora, Sub-Zero, Target, Viterbo University, Lincoln Center, Netflix, Paper Mate, Oakwood Mall’s old in-store messages, and Oprah’s satellite radio promos.

“I barely remember all this stuff,” she said. “I just do it, it’s out the door, and I don’t really think about it until someone says, ‘Was that you?’ ”

With Clear Channel having stations all over, Tess’ voice has appeared in markers around the nation and has led to deals like Whole Foods, for which she provides the radio ads for the West Coast and Arizona. She’s gotten similarly “big” in markets such as Lexington, Ken., Rochester, NY, and San Francisco. 

The reason her voice is sought after is its lack of accent and deeper female tone “that’s out of the ordinary.” This is the type of thing you’d expect in an ad for jewelry or a spa. But her versatility also sets her apart. Her website promises everything from “refined elegance to scorching sex appeal” and goofy little girl, girl next door, and the woman men fantasize about marrying.

“Sometimes I’m given direction, like to do it real, a certain age, ditzy, peppy, airy, bright, and adult – like sexy,” she said. 

While this kind of terminology seems funny, it’s the easiest way to reach potential clients looking for something specific – as opposed to, say, “does mid-tone voices.”

“It’s acting,” she said. “That’s what it’s considered. You’re playing a character. I don’t mean a mom or an office worker, but more of an image or idea.”

Clients have even given her specific characters like gameshow contestants and regional accents to specific celebrities like Joan Rivers and Britney Spears.

“I love it when somebody sends me a weirdo character to do,” she said. “They don’t happen often, but it tests me and gives me a chance to play around. … The character stuff is something I had to figure out on my own, but I’m a big goof, so I like doing it.”

Just as actors consider their body their “tool,” Tess has an insanely acute awareness of her voice. She knows not to drink milk or Mountain Dew (phlegm), not wear sticky lipstick, find chairs that allow sitting up straight, and to keep loose and de-stressed. “I’m totally tuned into my breathing and saliva,” she said with a laugh. “And I know my allergies so well that I have to wait an hour for a sinus tablet to kick in and roughly how long it lasts.”

Tess has already become an unlikely local celebrity on a national scale, but she’s not stopping there, so keep your ear to the ground.

“It would be great to get a movie trailer or announce the Oscars or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Something that’s on that next level, you know?” she said. “Or a cartoon or movie voiceover. Even if it’s a background character. That would be so awesome.”

LISTEN BELOW! Hear Tess Morgan reading "Green Eggs and Ham"
in character voices suggested by Volume One.
For more info, including a full demo reel, visit TessTalks.com