Million-dollar voice
Homewood’s Dr. Robert Levin is center stage every SEC Saturday, but it’s not his athletic ability that finds its way to the spotlight.
Rather, it’s his voice that’s worth a million dollars.
As The University of Ala-bama’s “Voice of the Million Dollar Band,” Levin’s words have filled Bryant-Denny Stadium during the pregame and halftime shows since 1990.
“It’s about the band. What I’m trying to do is highlight what they’re doing,” Levin said. “I want to call attention to the band, try to give an exciting introduction or explanation of what they’re doing.”
Levin happened upon the opportunity when he met then-band director Kathryn Scott at a party in 1990.
“I was just talking to her,” Levin said. “I tend to be a funny person. You know you probably had somebody in your class that would imitate people, and I was that guy. I like sports and comedy, and the combination sort of led me to doing this.”
Now, Levin can’t wait for his 23rd season.
“It’s incredible,” Levin said. “It’s exhilarating. And then you’re in the middle of the whole field. It’s special and terrific, unique I would say. It’s a certain amount of work in getting there, giving up the time, doing the script, making sure it’s right, worrying about it and getting nervous about it, but the payoff is what you’re experiencing.”
Most fall Saturdays Levin can be found roaming Tuscaloosa or whatever city the band is in that day. He travels with and sits with them if space allows, but if not, you can find him high up in the press box chatting with the sports-writing elite.
“I’ve developed some wonderful relationships, and it has taken us to places that we probably wouldn’t have gone,” Levin said.
His wife attends each game, and together they’ve had the opportunity to see almost every SEC stadium, in addition to attending every major bowl game.
“I feel it’s a privilege,” Levin said. “I’m lucky to be sitting in that press box, announcing over that public address system and being involved with the band. They’re that great.”
For the last eight years, he has also served as a public address announcer at the Hoover Met for SEC baseball tournaments.
“I’m sort of a backup for them,” Levin said. “I feel like I’m helping. I enjoy baseball and sports of all kinds. It’s fun to be out there and doing it. I think it’s a blast.”
Levin has served as a PA announcer for functions for such as the BBVA Compass Bowl and will serve as master of ceremonies for the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging’s third annual Dancing with the Silver Stars event in November.
“It’s very rewarding,” Levin said. “It’s so different from practicing medicine that it’s really a wonderful diversion from what I normally do. We all need outlets or hobbies, and somehow, I fell into this and it’s been a great thing.”
On weekdays, Levin reverse-moonlights from his role in the Million Dollar Band at Homewood’s Alabama Pediatrics, where he has practiced medicine since 1981. His office sees children of all ages, even into their college years, where he’ll join some of them in the stadium on Saturdays in the fall.
So next time you hear a bellowing voice at halftime of an Alabama game, look around. Levin isn’t far away.