Walt Disney Art Classics Convention 2004 - Part 2
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CLASS: MASTER CLASS/CLASSIC DISNEY VOCAL PERFORMANCES
Disneyland Hotel Center Ballroom

Theater Professor Craig Hodgkins called the class to order, before welcoming Master Class speakers Corey Burton (famed Disney voice artist) and Randy Thornton (Grammy Award winning record producer).

Left to right: Randy Thornton, Corey Burton, Craig Hodgkins

Burton, said Hodgkins, had done too many Disney voices to recount. (Corey Burton obliged by immediately providing an example—some familiar announcements heard in Disneyland.) Hodgkins mentioned that Thornton had been with Walt Disney Records for over 17 years.

The first question, directed to Corey Burton, asked about his entrance into the voice over field. Burton recalled that his first “gig�? was at the age of 17. A friendship with legendary Hanna-Barbera voice artist Daws Butler (Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Cap’n Crunch) got him through the door for a session with the Walt Disney educational Company. It seemed they wanted Hans Conried to play a character called Professor Plumbutter. But Conried was not available, so Daws Butler recommended a young man he knew—Corey Burton. And, thirty years later, Burton was still providing voices for Disney.

Corey Burton performs.

His next job, about a year later, was a call to provide a voice for the Magic Mirror. Burton met Les Perkins of Walt Disney Productions at this meeting. Although his demo tape didn’t open any doors at that time, Perkins, who later founded Disney Character Voices, remembered the young man. And Burton’s career at Disney built from there.

The same question was then addressed to Randy Thornton. He recalled that he was working at the Art Center College of Design. While there, he produced a spoof of NPR. He had always loved Disney, so when a friend there mentioned a job was available, he applied, but was turned down. Two weeks later, though, he was called back. Thornton’s first job was as a clerk in Walt Disney Records. He was in charge of the Master Tapes (which he modestly stated was little more than a glorified courier). He did remember first working with Corey Burton on a recording of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Hodgkins asked Burton about the influence Paul Winchell had on his career. Burton responded by saying he met him while they were recording tracks for The Gummi Bears. Bill Scott had voiced Gruffi Bear for the first year, then passed away. Burton replaced him. “Winch�? was Zummi Gummi.

Paul Winchell on the Paul Winchell-Jerry Mahoney Show

Burton had grown up watching the Winchell-Mahoney. He described him as both brilliant and funny. He recalled one of Winchell’s pranks. A crew was shooting background on The Gummi Bears, when they heard a voice coming from inside an apparently empty box. After puzzling over the phenomenon, they realized it was Paul Winchell, “throwing�? his voice in a “dead�? studio. Burton said that was when “I realized what an awesome talent he was.�? he went on to say he wished Paul Winchell hadn’t retired.

Hodgkins next asked about Paul Frees. Burton eagerly volunteered that Frees “invented�? Ludwig von Drake ( a voice Burton now provides for Disney).

Walt Disney interviews Professor Ludwig von Drake.