Name: Kevin Harvey: The Golden Voice of Independent Wrestling
From: Climax, Michigan
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 199 3/4 lbs.
Professional Wrestling Debut: April 24, 1999 in Bangor, MI for Real American Wrestling
How did you get started in professional wrestling?
The fact I even got a start in wrestling is something that defies scientific explanation. I was a big-time mark, at least to a lesser degree than I am today. I sent a tape to Real American Wrestling of some announcing I had done in high school. The short version of the long story is they liked it, called me back, and I had my first booking. Quite honestly it was one of the happiest moments of my life.
What makes that voice so Golden?
Long before I began my wrestling career, I was an announcer or MC for just about anything you can think of in small town America. Since my early teen years I was calling the shots for everything from basketball and volleyball games to homecoming events and MC-ing anniversary parties.
I take pride in the inflections and tones I'm able to achieve over microphones. I credit my voice to two things. The first is countless hours of practice since the age of 9. The second, and probably more credible is my time spent with the Kalamazoo Mall City Barbershop Chorus. Through the coaching of director Gene Hanover, I learned how to develop better tones and be far more articulate.
Not only can I ring announce, but I sing a mean "Wait 'Til The Sun Shines, Nellie!"
Why ring announcing?
I can go on all day about the importance of the ring announcer, but I'll save time. That's an article I wrote months ago that at some point will be archived on this site. I stick to ring announcing because it's what I know and it's what I do best. A lot of greenhorns want to get in the ring and be a wrestler. I know and accept the fact I was not meant to be a wrestler. I have nothing but respect for all the workers who have done the right thing: Training, breaking in, and paying dues (yes, in that order...). The most I'll ever do in the ring are extremely gimmicky, toon matches that make me look like the no-wrestling-talent putz that I am.
Who do you credit your success to?
I credit my success to everyone else I've ever worked with on the road. Advice I've received from veterans like Barry Horowitz, the Iron Sheik, and countless others has always been taken to heart. Even scumbag promoters who play the age old game "stiff the workers, put myself over 5/6 matches on the card, and make the business look bad" have taught me lessons.
They're all part of the one saying that is always true about pro wrestling. Sometimes it's very good. Sometimes it's very bad. Whatever happens, you've got to keep your head up, drive home, and do it again next weekend.
What is/was the greatest moment of your career?
Picking a greatest moment in a career this young would be plain silly, but I'll do it anyway. The very first time I stepped in the ring will always be the defining moment of my career. That's the moment I proved my doubters wrong. That's the moment I learned my first lessons in professional wrestling. That's the moment a little boy's dream came true. That's the moment the story of my career began.
I hope it's a long story.
If you could do one thing in the wrestling world, what would it be?
The obvious answer from anyone in wrestling might vary, but I guarantee the letters WWE would be in it somewhere. I'm not much different, but I realize there are limited jobs out there for wrestlers. There are far less for announcers.
What does Kevin Harvey do when he's not working in wrestling?
Though Michigan will always be home and near and dear to my heart, I now live in the suburbs of one of the greatest cities in the world, Chicago, IL. I love all the fun things life in and around the city has to offer. I am a home theater enthusiast and buy DVDs as if my life depended on it. I do what I can for Best Buy to help fill most of my hours in a week.
Anything else you'd like to say?
Whether I make it anywhere beyond where I am right now doesn't matter a lot to me. Simply becoming part of any professional wrestling show is an honor. Being in wrestling was something I had as a lifelong goal. I was fortunate to meet that goal at the age of 18. I've done a lot in a little time and I'm hoping to do a lot more.
I'd like to thank everyone I've ever met in wrestling. Every wrestler, promoter, referee, manager, valet, booker, fan, and everyone else along the way that has taught me something. I pick knowledge up each and every step of the way. I don't care if it's learning proper counters to a hammerlock or when you just have to stand up for yourself and take care of business, they're all lessons. That's the beauty of wrestling. While you're in it, you never stop learning. I hope I keep learning for a long time to come.
Last but not least, are you a mark?
Yes, I am, and thank you for asking! Everyone in wrestling is a mark. Have any doubts about that? I'm a giant mark. In fact, I'm the world's biggest Kevin Harvey mark. Everyone should be a mark for themselves. Why? Because if you can't convince yourself your the best thing in the world, how do you expect to sell yourself to the fans?
Where did you go for two years?
As is now noted on the home page, I lost a lot of faith in the business. When ECW and WCW folded, I knew the chances of me fulfilling my goal of working nationally as an announcer were slim to none. Plus, my day job changed and a lot more hours were demanded of me, including weekends. In case you haven't noticed, that's when 99% of all independent shows happen.
I tried to convince myself I didn't miss all the travel and hectic life one can lead, even as a lowly "Golden Voice of Independent Wrestling." I tried to convince myself I didn't like what WWE did, nor would I ever again. But, it all came to one realization.
I love professional wrestling, always have, always will. There is no way around it. It's an entertainment form like no other. I can't explain the high I get stepping into the ring. No one can. Many performers note that it's a disease. But, unlike your conventional maladies, it's one for which we do not seek a cure.
I am back, however in limited capacity. I am able to take select bookings and remain part of the single greatest form of athletics and entertainment on the face of the planet earth.
