BusinessReport.com

In his nearly four decades in broadcasting, Jeff Blackwell has put his commanding baritone to good use. He’s deejayed on a country-music station, delivered news on talk radio and recorded countless radio ads for everything from cars to sporting goods.

But while he’s read a lot of copy over the years into the microphones of sound-proofed studios and audio-recording booths, nothing could prepare Blackwell for his latest gig: He’s the voice of Pope Benedict XVI in an audio version of the pontiff’s new book, a narrative history of Catholic leaders from Clement of Rome to Augustine entitled Church Fathers.

“It’s totally different than anything I’ve ever done before,” says Blackwell, 55, a south Louisiana native who quit high school at 17 to pursue his passion for radio broadcasting. “I’ve listened to a lot of audio books, and I always thought it would be cool to do this, but I never imagined I would be doing the pope.”

A lesser man might be intimidated. After all, the pope is an imposing figure on the world scene, whether or not a person is Catholic. But Blackwell is taking it in stride, and, as one might expect, feels as though he is doing a job he was always meant to do. Call it divine providence.

“I feel very comfortable with it,” he says. “I want it to just kind of naturally flow, with a gentle voice that is teaching and instructing.”

It seems like a natural fit. Blackwell is a gentle, friendly man who exudes genuine warmth. He speaks with a friendly, easy voice that is strong but not overpowering. In sum, he’s the kind of guy who should be the voice of the pope; if the pope actually knew him, he’d no doubt be pleased to have Blackwell reading his text.

And perhaps when all is said and done, they shall meet some day. For now, however, Blackwell deals with an intermediary, Ohio-based Catholic Audio Company. It has negotiated the exclusive rights to produce the audio version of Church Fathers, and has also produced audio versions of several other Catholic books, including one that Blackwell voiced last summer, Render Unto Caesar.

That was Blackwell’s first foray into the field of recording audio books. The job came to him out of the blue, when he received an e-mail from his longtime friend, political consultant Roy Fletcher, suggesting he check out an ad on a Web site called Catholicjobs.com.

“It said, ‘Wanted: audio book reader,’” Blackwell says. “So I clicked on it, and all it said was to send a sample reading.”

From his private recording studio where he now runs a small audio-production company, Blackwell made a demo. He heard back from the company several weeks later and was asked to read a portion of the book, which was written by the Rev. Charles J. Chaput, the Archbishop of Denver.

“Little did I know that was my audition tape,” he says.

Blackwell got the job, and his career as an audio book reader was launched. Late last year, the same company called to ask if he’d be interested in recording Pope Benedict’s book. He had to audition again, and this time his tape went all the way to Vatican City, though Blackwell doesn’t think Benedict himself actually had to sign off on it.

Since late December, Blackwell has been working on the project, spending between three and four hours a day in the recording booth. He hoped to be finished with the book by the end of January, which will be released on CD later this year. Though he finds it an easy book to read, with short, self-contained chapters, the many Greek and Latin words pose a challenge. For help with the pronunciation, Blackwell relies on the publisher of Catholic Audio Company—and modern technology.

“I’ll e-mail him the list of my questions, and he’ll send me back an audio file with the correct pronouncing,” Blackwell says.

Associated Press

HOLY FATHER: Pope Benedict XVI’s new book, Church Fathers, profiles leaders of early Christianity from Clement of Rome to Augustine and their triumph over pagan hostility and persecution.ASSOCIA

Whether recording audio books turns out to be a worthwhile financial venture for Blackwell remains to be seen. He has yet to receive his first check from the book he recorded last summer. It’s expected any day, but he doesn’t know how much it will be. His deal with the company bases his compensation on a percentage of the audio book’s net sales, but he’s not sure what that sales figure is—and hasn’t asked.

“I’m not sure I want to know,” he says. “But I’m just going with my heart, and it feels right.”

Whatever he earns from Render Unto Caesar¸ Blackwell is optimistic he’ll make significantly more from Church Fathers. The pope’s book likely will be distributed and sold more widely than Chaput’s, which means not only more money for Blackwell but more exposure as an audio-book reader.

That would be good. But for Blackwell, this project ultimately isn’t about money or fame. It’s about doing something meaningful and spiritual.

“I really feel a sense of responsibility,” he says. “When I take this book and sit down in the booth, before I say the first word I say a prayer because I want it to be done right and I want those who hear it to be blessed.”