Meet Chad Fishburne

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chad Fishburne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Chad with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I get my work ethic from my Dad. He is the reason I am who I am and I couldn’t ask for a better role model or father. He worked for 30 years for the same company rising through the ranks to the executive VP level. It wasn’t his dream job, but he did it all for his family.

I remember when I was in high school and I just gotten cut from the baseball team. I hadn’t put in the work I should have in the off season and was questioning my character. My dad said, “Son, people who don’t have character don’t worry about whether or not they have character.” I sat there for a second and realized… I could not disagree wit that logic. I immediately felt better and it was around this time I started focusing on my martial arts training. My goal was to get to the black belt level and I achieved that goal before heading off to college where I continued my martial arts training.

My work ethic has also played a huge part in the opportunities I’ve gotten in ring announcing. While I realize it takes a promoter who’s willing to give me a shot, it’s my job to make sure I put myself in the right position to get that shot.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Ring Announcer and MC. The most exciting (and important) part of my job is getting the fighters and crowd HYPE. I’m so passionate about combat sports and entertaining crowds that I feel like this role was a natural progression considering my emceeing background. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a range of live event experience– hosting stand-up comedy shows to emceeing live game shows to ring announcing for some awesome promotions. But it all started with an opportunity with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks when I was asked to be their In-Game Host.

I put a lot of effort into preparation to make sure I set myself up to do the best job possible for the fighters, fans, and promoters. Am I saying this fighter’s name correctly? Am I honoring the fighters, their team, and family properly with my introductions and announcements? Is the audience engaged and having a good time?– these questions are always on my mind. Each and every time.

As a ring announcer, I feel like I have a few key characteristics which set me apart. My passion, excitement, and vocal abilities are all top notch. Another thing which I’m particularly proud of is my catchphrase… “It’s time for this crowd to get loud!” (Trademark pending) You will hear it soon on broadcasts from some of your favorite promotions.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I constantly rely on my improvisational skills. It doesn’t matter what type of event you’re emceeing, things will happen that you were not expecting. Improv training gives you the ability to roll with the punches in any situation. I highly recommend taking an improv class to any performer.

Thoroughness… Do your homework. Sometimes the information you receive on a spreadsheet is wrong or not updated. Your job is to do right by that fighter. If you don’t know something, ask them. Not sure what the official just said regarding the decision? Ask them again. Take the time to get it right.

Punctuality… It’s not hard. Plan ahead and be on time. Promoters have a LOT to concern themselves with on fight day. Don’t be one of their concerns.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

If you run a promotion which involves a great cause or charity, please reach out to me to collaborate. I offer discounts on my ring announcing services for charitable organizations (this goes for emceeing other live events as well). I can be reached through my website– emceechadfishburne.com or on IG– @emceechadfishburne.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Mark Fulinara
Kyle Wurzel
David Erickson Photography

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