A Voice Like No Other

A Voice Like No Other

Publication: The Lookout

Date: January 22, 2006

Column: First Look

Category: Identity; Paul Winchell; Tigger; Piglet; Impersonations Scripture: Exodus 4; John 10

You may not remember his face, but you remember his voice. Ventriloquist Paul Winchell's funny tones earned him a reputation as one of the best recognized voices in the world. He appeared several times on TV's Ed Sullivan show, but he's best known for providing the voice of Tigger in Disney's Winnie the Pooh movies. Winchell died on June 24, 2005 at the age of 82.

Ironically, on June 25, the very next day, another familiar voice from the Pooh movies fell silent when actor John Fiedler died at age 80. Fiedler gained fame as the voice of Piglet.

A few days earlier these men were preceded in death by the voice of yet another well-known cartoon character. Thurl Ravenscroft died at age 91. He had provided the bass voice for the breakfast cereal mascot Tony the Tiger.

Comedian Rich Little made a living by doing vocal impersonations, imitating well-known voices like John Wayne, Jack Benny, and Richard Nixon with amazing accuracy. Known as "the man of a thousand voices," Mel Blanc gained fame by providing the voices for Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Barney Rubble, and other cartoon characters.

We know some voices for their musical styles. Most of us immediately recognize the one-of-a-kind sounds of Frank Sinatra, Bob Dillon, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, or Louis Armstrong.

And what about the voices of well-known speakers and leaders? Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech is famous not only for its words, but also for the impassioned tone in his voice. Anyone can quote John F. Kennedy's dictum, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," but something about JFK's Massachusetts accent made it more memorable. Ronald Reagan spoke with a twinkle in his voice that disarmed his critics and charmed his followers.

My grandfather died years ago, but in my mind's ear I can still hear him singing bass in church. How I would love to hear his voice again! I've been married for more than 30 years, and there's no sweeter sound than the cheerful tones of my wife on the other end of the phone or greeting me when I come home. I have an old tape recording of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" routine, and every time I hear it their clever quips and flawless timing make me laugh.

Every person has unique fingerprints—and voiceprints as well.

Some voices cause me to tense up inside and others make me shake my head in disagreement. But when my granddaughter says, "I love you, Papa," my heart melts into a puddle of grandpa pudding.

Thank the Lord for every one-of-a-kind voice he has created. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that includes your vocal cords.

Just as your fingerprints are unique to you alone, you have a voice like no other. It's a gift from God to be used for his glory. Others will remember the sound of your voice long after you're gone.

"Who gave man his mouth?" the Lord asked Moses (Exodus 4). Who indeed? Who gave us the ability to communicate our ideas and dreams, share our emotions and insights, and pass along words of holy truth? Who invented a baby's laughter? Who enables us to hear and recall a mother's word of encouragement, a beloved leader's exhortation, a favorite teacher's favorite phrase?

"My sheep know my voice," Jesus said (John 10). His is truly the voice like no other. And after all the others have fallen silent, his voice will still be heard.