Published: May 27, 2008 06:48 pm         

Comedy Central taps Mt. Olive man for commercial voice-over

Auctioneering champ’s voice to promote ‘Blue Collar’ weekend.

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Mt. Olive resident Bryan Knox will soon be appearing on Comedy Central.

Viewers won’t have a chance to actually see Knox, but instead hear him.

Knox, the 2007 International Auctioneer Championship Grand Champion, said he was approached by Comedy Central after finding footage of his auctioneering abilities on YouTube.

“I had the idea to do an ad in the style of a cattle auctioneer and I just went to YouTube and found Bryan on there,” said Ari Douthit, who directed the commercial.

Knox was then tapped to record a commercial voice-over promoting a weekend of programming called the “Blue Collar Bonanza,” featuring comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, Bill Engvall and others.

“I went into a recording studio in Birmingham and a director from New York was patched in directing us,” Knox said. “Some of the ‘Blue Collar’ guys will have responses to some of the things I’m saying.”

Knox, who once served as a minister at Cornerstone Church in Mt. Olive, said he was a fan of the “Blue Collar” comedians, particularly of the clean-routined Foxworthy. He said he was proud to be doing something affiliated with the “You might be a redneck if ... “ comedian, though he admitted, “Ron White scares me a little.”

When he first received the call, Knox thought someone might be playing a prank on him. He said it took a little while for it to sink in that Comedy Central wanted to use his services. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never thought I would,” he said.

Douthit referred to Knox as “a talented guy” when it comes to his vocal gymnastics. “He’s also easy-going and cooperative to work with,” he said. “I’m not sure if that’s a southern thing or if that’s Bryan. There’s a difference between what he’s doing and voice-overs for commercials, but he took direction well.”

Knox said he didn’t make enough from Comedy Central to retire on, but it’s a memory he’ll cherish. “You’d be surprised at how little it payed, but I can forever put on my resume that I was the voice of the ‘Blue Collar’ comedy weekend.”

Despite his voice-over opportunities, Knox’s day job is still auctioneering, which he does for the Decatur-based Amerisouth Auctions. In addition to being the 2007 auctioneering champion, he’s also the 2001State Bid Calling Grand Champion for the state. He’s only been in the auctioneering game for a little more than 10 years, he said.

His fast-talking talents have also earned him recognition in newspapers and magazines, including the Christian Science Monitor.

Additionally, Knox serves as an instructor at Nashville Auction School, the same auction school that helped to launch his own career, according to Amerisouth’s Web site.

The “Blue Collar Bonanza” will air the weekend of June 7-8 on Comedy Central. For more information about Knox, visit the Amerisouth Web site at www.amerisouthauctions.com.