Is it a computer?

Is it a famous actor?

Is it a CTA operator plucked from obscurity?

Those were some of the possibilities riders recently shared with "Going Public" about the voice of the CTA. Who is behind that friendly, upbeat voice heard every day on buses and the "L"?

"Going Public" tracked down "the voice" to find out who he is, what else he does and if he's ever been spooked by himself while taking public transportation. Lee--who asked that his last name not be published for professional reasons (he doesn't want to be typecast as the CTA voice)--is a family man who lives with his wife and two daughters in Wisconsin.

The 46-year-old voice-over actor has been in the business for about 16 years and has served as the CTA voice since 1997. His vocal inspiration for his CTA audition: The announcer on Disney World's monorail who offered a friendly delivery from Anywhere USA.

Lee landed the job after six months of waiting. Now, about three or four times a year, Lee returns to Chicago to re-record new routes, stops and announcements, including changes associated with the Pink Line service that launched last month.

But why didn't he stand atop a platform, shouting: "I am THE voice of the CTA"?

"I don't want to get pigeonholed," Lee told "Going Public" during a telephone interview. "When I first landed this job, I had just gotten into the business, and I needed to get a better foothold as a known Chicago talent."

Even though he is now established, Lee keeps his CTA secret.

"I remember Dana Carvey saying he stopped doing the Church Lady character because he didn't want to be 60-years-old, drunk in a comedy club doing the Church Lady," Lee explained. "I've done over a hundred recording sessions this year, only two have been for the CTA."

When he first got the CTA gig, Lee had to sit through two and a half "solid days of recording." In addition to announcing all the CTA stops--using three different inflections to broaden the transit agency's choices--he also had to count from 1 to 999 to provide all the numbers for CTA "L" run numbers.

How did he handle nearly three days of non-stop talking?

Lots of tea and warming up, Lee said, adding that this is a part of the daily ritual that keeps his valuable vocal cords in top shape.

"I drive a lot for my work, since many of my clients are in Chicago and Western Illinois," Lee said. "I do my exercises in the car, and I really amuse other drivers with my tongue twisters and singing."

Although he entertains other drivers on the road, the announcer seldom hears his own voice on the CTA.

The Wisconsin native rarely rides the "L" or bus when he comes into Chicago. But he recently took his daughters, ages 10 and 14, on the Red Line where they heard his handiwork.

"They're pretty much at the age where they're not easily impressed," Lee said. "To them, it was just dad talking." Even if Lee's daughters weren't jumping in the "L" aisles, surely Lee must have been in awe of his own voice booming throughout the car.

Not so much.

"For me, in my day-to-day existence, this is just one more job I did," Lee said. "I don't think of it in terms of legacy, but I am really proud of my work."

Talk to us

What do you think of the voice of the CTA? Send your opinions to kkyles@tribune.com. Please include your full name, age and neighborhood. We may print your comments in "Hey CTA," which appears in this space on Wednesdays, or post it on redeyechicago.com.

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KKYLES@TRIBUNE.COM