Jon James is Very Honored But a Little Nervous About Tonight’s Chamber Awards

Very seldom do I get butterflies anymore but I have them today. Tonight, I make my debut as the voice of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet.

When Peter Thompson, the president of the chamber, asked me if I'd be interested in being the voice that tells the stories of the amazing award winners, I didn't hesitate to say yes. He told me I'd be working with Laura Hudson (Kennebec Savings Bank and School Street Band) who was writing the scripts. Right away, I was comfortable with the team. The third member of the team is Jimmy Walker of Time Warner Cable Production. This guy does a world class job of marrying audio and video for this event every year. His work leaves me in awe.

To make it a bit more nerve wracking, I'm replacing the silky voice of Bob Dow, a fellow radio guy who had done this for years, so I know I have big shoes to fill.

I've done these sorts of things before at my production company, TheVoiceGuy.net, but I do them, send them away to people I don't know and I'm never actually at the event. This is different. This event will be attended by the movers and shakers of central Maine, many of whom I know and all of whom I respect. That, I think, is where the nerves come in.

I'll be in good company tonight. My wife, Marie-Anne is going and we'll be sitting with Norm and Theresa Elvin (G&E Roofing and The China Dine-ah) and Sue Grenier from G&E. Plus, there will be that always "to die for" Augusta Civic Center food. Oh, and did I mention I'll be wearing "big boy clothes?" That includes a necktie, which I always hate to wear.

Below are this years award winners. Like I said, the movers and shakers of the Kennebec Valley!

• Business of the Year- J.S. McCarthy Printers (Rick Tardiff)
• Business Person of the Year, Scott Bolduc (Bolduc Technology Group)
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Peter Prescott (Everett J. Prescott Inc.)
• Pesident's Awards
  1. Lakeside Marina Motel and Cabins (Andy and Sheree Wess)
  2. O'Connor Auto Group (Randy and Theresa Hutchins)
  3. The Red Barn (Laura Benedict)
• Public Service Awards
  1. Family Violence Project (Deborah Shepherd)
  2. Michael Seitzinger, Esq. (Augusta Trails)

Congratulations to ALL of these deserving winners!