Boston Logan International Airport is closing in on a new sound, and Massachusetts residents are lining up for the job. The Massachusetts Port Authority says its Voice of Logan competition has drawn people from across the state hoping to become the official overhead announcement voice heard by travelers moving through the terminals, and the window to enter is shrinking fast.
According to CBS Boston, Massport has received over 3,225 applications as of Monday, with auditions closing in less than a week. The deadline is midnight on October 4. That tally stands in contrast to how NPR characterized the response earlier in the search, reporting that hundreds of people answered the airport's open casting call — a description that predates the count Massport has since reported. Massport CEO Rich Davey said organizers have been blown away by the enthusiasm for the contest, and the authority said the response has turned the search for Logan's next voice into a statewide and national conversation.
Why Massport Wants a New Sound at the Gates
Massport wants the Voice of Logan to capture Massachusetts pride and give passengers a memorable welcome as they arrive or depart. As NPR reported, the authority is looking for a more distinctive Boston voice that welcomes people at Boston Logan and also gives them instructions about how to get around. Auditioners have been reading from a prepared script extolling Boston's virtues to visitors from around the world, giving each contestant a shot at putting their own regional stamp on the same lines.
That has sparked some friendly debate among entrants over what exactly a Boston voice should sound like. Some auditioners argued the winner should lean into a classic Boston accent, while others said the honor should reflect the city's broader cultural makeup. There's a lot of different voices, one contestant said, according to the outlet's report. There's a lot of different cultures.
A Contest With a Growing Roster of Notable Names
The Voice of Logan search has picked up some star power along the way. Boston Bruins players have taken part in the contest, actor Ben Affleck read the Voice of Logan script on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and former WBZ-TV reporter Beth Germano recorded her own audition at Logan Airport itself. Massport has urged anyone still on the fence to submit an audition before the window closes.
What Happens After the Deadline
Once auditions close, a selection committee will review every entry submitted and choose five finalists who best embody the spirit of Boston. Those five finalists will be listed on www.voiceoflogan.com ahead of public voting, which begins October 24 and runs through October 28. The winning entry will be announced November 5, with the Kiss 108 Morning Show set to reveal the winner.
