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John Tesh

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Not to be confused withJohn Test.

John Tesh
Background information
Birth nameJohn Frank Tesh Jr.
Born(1952-07-09)July 9, 1952(age 72)
Garden City, New York,U.S.
GenresPop,contemporary worship,20th-century classical music
Occupation(s)Composer, musician, radio host, news anchor, sportscaster
Instrument(s)Piano, keyboards
Websitetesh

John Frank Tesh Jr.[1](born July 9, 1952) is an American musician and radio and television presenter. He wrote theNBA on NBCbasketball theme "Roundball Rock",and theIntelligence for Your Liferadio show. In addition, since 2014, he has hostedIntelligence for Your Life TVwith his wife,Connie Sellecca.[2]

Tesh has won sixEmmysand has four gold albums, two Grammy nominations, and anAssociated Pressaward for investigative journalism. Tesh has sold over eight million records. His live concerts have raised more than $7 million forPBS.He has co-hosted the television programEntertainment Tonight.He has previously worked as a sports commentator and host for theOlympic Games,Wimbledon,theUS Open,theTour de France,Ironman Triathlon,and as anews anchorand reporter. In 2018, Tesh was inducted into theNorth Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Early life

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Tesh was born inGarden City, New York,onLong Island,the son of Mildred (Bunny), a nurse, and John Frank Tesh Sr., a textile chemist, both fromNorth Carolina.[1][3][4][5]He graduated fromGarden City High Schoolin 1970. Playing piano and trumpet from the age of six, he was named to the New York State Symphonic Orchestra in high school, while also playing the organ in a rock band.[6]Tesh studiedcommunicationsand music atNorth Carolina State University.He was also a "walk on" with the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams.[7]

While at North Carolina State, studying physics and chemistry, he took a TV and radio course. Tesh worked part-time reading the news forRick DeesatWKIX (AM)Raleigh in 1974. His roommate,Bill Leslie,anchor atWRAL-TV,helped him get into the radio and TV field.[2]While in the area, Tesh worked as a news anchor in Raleigh, Orlando, Nashville, and New York'sWCBS-TV;this portion of his career spanned 12 years.[2]

Career

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Entertainment Tonightand television career

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His television career included a stint as a news anchor and reporter at WSM-TV (nowWSMV-TV) inNashville, Tennessee,in the 1970s, where he often covered the same stories asOprah Winfrey,who worked ata competing Nashville station.From Nashville, Tesh shuffled toWTVDinDurham, North Carolina,then down toWFTVinOrlando,and finally up to New York'sWCBS-TV,where, at age 22, he was their youngest reporter.[6]In the fall of 1978, Tesh was a roving reporter for CBS during the1978 New York City Marathon,which he ran and completed in 3:51:56.[8]However, he became more well known when he co-hosted the television showEntertainment Tonightfrom 1986 to 1996.

Tesh also served as a sportscaster forCBSand laterNBC,anchoring events such as theTour de Francebicycle race from 1983 through 1986 (Tesh has the distinction of being the anchor for the first American broadcast of this event), theUS Open,and gymnastics at the1992and1996 Summer Olympics.

Tesh hosted the short-livedOne on One with John Teshtalk show in 1991–92 on NBC daytime, and co-hosted the showJohn & Leeza from Hollywoodwith fellowEntertainment TonightpersonalityLeeza Gibbonsfrom 1993 to 1994, also on NBC daytime. In 2014, Tesh returned to syndicated television in the seriesIntelligence for Your Life TV,based on his radio show.[9]

Tesh appeared in "The Icarus Factor",an episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generation,playing aKlingonwarrior.[10]He also appeared as himself in a 1987 episode of the daytime serialSanta Barbara.[11]

Musical career

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In 1987,Yanniwas assembling his first touring band to promote his albumOut of Silence,as well as selections fromKeys to Imagination.Being good friends, Tesh asked Yanni if he could join the band as keyboardist along withJoyce Imbesiand drummerCharlie Adams,as he had never been onstage for a live performance, and he needed the experience. Despite already having a full-time job withEntertainment Tonight,and the long hours of rehearsal for the band, he performed exceptionally well, although he participated in only one tour with Yanni, playing in approximately twelve shows, including the "1988 Concert Series",before being replaced byBradley Joseph.Later, Yanni assisted Tesh in signing his first recording contract withPrivate Music.[12]

In the 1990s, Tesh was credited with the theme music toBobby's World,hosted by Howie Mandel, and theNBA on NBCtheme, known as "Roundball Rock".Tesh composed theNBA on NBCtheme after an idea hit him while traveling. In order to recall his idea at a later juncture, Tesh recorded the initial beat vocally on his answering machine, by ringing his home phone and leaving a message for himself.[13]The theme was used for theNBA on NBCbefore the network stopped carrying NBA games following the2001–02 season(as well as anelectric guitar-driven spinoff that was used on NBC'sW NBAtelecasts from1997to2002), though NBC would revive the theme for its basketball coverage during the2008 Summer Olympics.Tesh would later license the song toFox Sportsfor itscollege basketball coverage.[14]

In August 1994, John performed at theRed Rocks Amphitheatrein Morrison, Colorado, for his firstLive at Red Rocksconcert. Tesh performed with conductorJohn Bisharatand the 70-piece Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The concert featured Tesh playing grand piano,Charlie Bisharatplaying electric violin, andEverette Harpplaying alto saxophone. Also featured were Olympic gold medal-gymnastsNadia Comaneci(1976) andBart Conner(1984) performing gymnastic routines specially-choreographed to Tesh's music.

After Tesh left his ten-year job as co-host forEntertainment Tonightin 1996, he turned to his career as a contemporary keyboardist. This led to him startingThe John Tesh Radio Showin 2003.

John Tesh Radio Showand spin-offs

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Tesh currently has a nationallysyndicatedradio show called theJohn Tesh Radio Show,which typically airs onadult contemporary,classic hits,Christian andsoft rockradio formats. The music is interspersed with variousfactoidsand other information Tesh considers useful to listeners, often with topics such as health and well-being.[2]

These factoids are called "Intelligence for Your Life", played on radio stations across the United States and Canada, and theArmed Forces Network.Select pieces of "Intelligence for Your Life" are broken up and distributed in vignette form to other radio stations (includingtalk radioformats) and for use on morning shows. There is also a three-hour weekend show, "Intelligence for Your Health", launched in 2010, hosted byConnie Sellecca.[15]

Across all of its versions, Tesh's radio programs reach listeners across the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, placing it on thelist of most-listened-to radio programs.Tesh's main rival isDelilah,and these two shows are sometimes aired in the same market on competing stations, or occasionally on the same stations in differing time slots.

The show started as a weekend show in 2000 on Clear Channel's KKDJ-FM/Bakersfield and then a few other stations, expanding to a daily version in 2003. The program was originally syndicated byWestwood Oneunder the nameOn the Air with John Tesh,albeit with a slightly different format. It is produced by Tesh with a staff of 35 and still distributed by syndicator Westwood One.[15]In September 2016, the partnership with Westwood One was renewed in a new multi-year agreement. At the time, Westwood One indicated that it was airing on 280 radio stations.[16]As of 2022, the programs are distributed through a partnership withCompass Media Networks.[17]

In late 2014, a television version of these factoids,Intelligence for Your Life TV,debuted in syndication to local stations. In April 2016, the TV program was seen on 174 stations. The series also features health segments hosted by his wife, Connie Sellecca, based on her own radio program, "Intelligence for Your Health".[9]

Tesh also authored a book,Intelligence for Your Life: Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth,in 2008, reprinted in 2012 (ISBN0849964636,publisher Thomas Nelson).[18]

Personal life

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Tesh has been married to actressConnie Selleccasince 1992. They have one daughter together named Prima. His wife also has a son named Gib, with actorGil Gerard,who now appears on some of Tesh's radio and TV programs. Tesh and Sellecca reside in Los Angeles.[19] In the 1970s, he also briefly datedOprah Winfrey.[20] Tesh is a Christian. He was raised aBaptistand was involved in the church during his youth.[citation needed]He played organ, sang in the choir, and went to church camp. He became inactive in the church during his adult life, but became involved again after Sellecca introduced him to pastor Louis Lapides. Since then, he has written and performed Christian music.[7]

Awards

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During his early career as a television journalist in the 1970s, Tesh received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism.[21]In 2018 John Tesh was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In 2019 he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. In 2007, Tesh won the Syndicated Personality/Show of the Year award byRadio & Recordsmagazine for his radio show.[22]Tesh was nominated in 2003 for the Grammy for "Best Pop Instrumental Album" forPower of Love.John has also earned three gold albums, six Emmys for his sports themes, and aKeyboard MagazineAward.[23]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • 1987:Music from the Tour de France, Vol. I(Tesh Music BMI)
  • 1988:Tour de France(Private Music)
  • 1989:Garden City(Cypress)
  • 1992:A Romantic Christmas(Decca)
  • 1992:Ironman Triathlon(GTSP)
  • 1992:Music in the Key of Love(GTSP)
  • 1992:The Games(GTSP)
  • 1993:Monterey Nights(GTSP)
  • 1993:Winter Song(GTSP) 1994: (Decca)
  • 1994:A Family Christmas(Decca)
  • 1994:Sax by the Fire(Decca)
  • 1995:Sax on the Beach(Decca)
  • 1996:Discovery(Decca)
  • 1996:Choirs of Christmas(GTSP)
  • 1997:Avalon(Decca)
  • 1997:Sax All Night(Decca)
  • 1998:Grand Passion(GTSP)
  • 1998:Guitar by the Fire(Decca)
  • 1998:Songs from the Road(BMG)
  • 1998:Pure Movies(GTSP)
  • 1999:One World(GTSP)
  • 1999:John Tesh & Friends(Columbia River)
  • 2000:Pure Hymns(Faith MD)
  • 2000:Pure Movies, Vol. 2(Garden City)
  • 2001:Pure Orchestra(Garden City)
  • 2001:Pure Gospel(Faith MD)
  • 2001:Classical Music for an Intimate Mood(Garden City)
  • 2001:Classical Music for a Stress-Free World(Garden City)
  • 2001:Classical Music for Babies (and Their Moms)Vol. 1 & 2 (Garden City)
  • 2001:Classical Music for a Prayerful Mood(Garden City & Faith MD)
  • 2002:Awesome God(Garden City)
  • 2002:The Power of Love(Garden City)
  • 2002:Christmas Worship(Word)
  • 2002:A Deeper Faith(Garden City)
  • 2002:God of Wonders(Garden City)
  • 2002:Worship God(Garden City)
  • 2003:A Deeper Faith, Vol. 2(Garden City)
  • 2007:A Passionate Life(Garden City)
  • 2008:Grand Piano Christmas(Garden City)
  • 2009:Grand Piano Worship(Garden City)
  • 2010:Grand Piano Romance(Garden City)
  • 2011:Big Band Christmas(Garden City)
  • 2012:Big Band(Garden City)

Live albums

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  • 1995:Live at Red Rocks(Decca)
  • 2004:Worship at Red Rocks(live) (Garden City)
  • 2005:Red Rocks Platinum(live) (Garden City)
  • 2008:Alive: Music & Dance(Garden City)
  • 2020:Songs and Stories from the Grand Piano(Garden City)

Compilations and collections

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  • 1990:Tour de France – The Early Years(Private Music)
  • 1993:Monterey Nights(Decca)
  • 1995:Anthology
  • 1997:Victory – the sports collection(GTSP)
  • 1999:Heart of the Sunrise - The Millennium Collection(John Tesh)
  • 1999:One Day(Unison)
  • 2000:Pure Hymns(Faith MD)
  • 2000:Forever More: The Greatest Hits of John Tesh(Decca)
  • 2003:Worship Collection: Awesome God(Garden City)
  • 2009:The Best of Christmas
  • 2009:John Tesh – Greatest Hits – Live in Concert Vol. 1 CD/DVD(Garden City)

Singles

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Other albums

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  • 1995:Backstage with John Tesh(Digital Entertainment) (an interactive CD-rom)[26]
  • 2005:Drive Time Intelligence(26 tracks of Intelligence For Your Life on the go, plus 3 bonus music tracks)[27][28]
  • 2010:God of Wonders(Word)

Videography

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  • 1993:A Romantic Christmas
  • 1995:Live in Monterey
  • 1995:Live at Red Rocks
  • 1997:The Avalon Concert
  • 2000:One World
  • 2002:Christmas Worship
  • 2004:Worship at Red Rocks
  • 2008:Alive: Music & Dance
  • 2009:Greatest Hits: Live in Concert, Vol. 1
  • 2012:Big Band Live
  • 2020:Songs and Stories from the Grand Piano

References

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  1. ^abKetcham, Diane (July 7, 1996)."About Long Island; John Tesh Proves You Can Go Home Again -- to Garden City".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 10,2023.
  2. ^abcd"John Tesh and Connie Sellecca".Radioink.April 27, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 26,2017.
  3. ^"John Tesh Biography (1952-)".Filmreference.
  4. ^"Entertainment Tonight's Laid-Back John Tesh Has a Flip Side: He's a Composer Who's Driven to Score".People.
  5. ^"Bonnie Tesh Lillis, 71, lived in Bridgewater".Ct Insider.November 13, 2012.
  6. ^abBio at CrossmapArchivedOctober 27, 2006, at theWayback Machine
  7. ^ab"John Tesh Discusses His Faith and Music".Transcripts.cnn.Cable News Network. April 11, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon December 15, 2012.RetrievedAugust 14,2012.
  8. ^"John Tesh: 1978 NYC Marathon data and info".results.nyrr.org.RetrievedFebruary 5,2022.
  9. ^ab""Intelligence For Your Life" TV To Launch On September 15, 2014, Set To Air On 130 Stations Into 83% Of U.S. Homes ".Prnewswire(Press release).
  10. ^"John Tesh".IMDb.
  11. ^[1][permanent dead link]
  12. ^Yanni; Rensin, David (2002).Yanni in Words.Miramax Books. pp.123, 202.ISBN1-4013-5194-8.
  13. ^Gayomali, Chris (May 26, 2011)."Watch: How John Tesh Wrote the NBA 's Iconic Theme Song".Time.RetrievedMarch 12,2013.
  14. ^"Fox Sports is bringing John Tesh's iconic 'Roundball Rock' back to basketball broadcasts".For The Win.December 7, 2018.RetrievedDecember 7,2018.
  15. ^ab"John Tesh and Connie Sellecca".Radioink.April 2016.RetrievedFebruary 26,2017.
  16. ^Polsky, Jana (September 26, 2016)."MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR" INTELLIGENCE FOR YOUR LIFE "RADIO AND WESTWOOD ONE".Westwoodone.Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 26,2017.Westwood One and Intelligence For Your Life with John Tesh, Connie Sellecca and Gib Gerard has renewed their partnership in a new multi-year agreement that will bring the Intelligence for your Life radio programs... Westwood One has exclusively represented the programs for 15 years.
  17. ^"TeshMedia Expands Compass Media Partnership".RadioInsight.November 10, 2022.RetrievedNovember 12,2022.
  18. ^"for Your Life: Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth".Goodreads.Goodreads Inc. 2016.RetrievedFebruary 26,2017.
  19. ^"John Tesh".WRAL-FM.Archived fromthe originalon August 13, 2012.RetrievedAugust 14,2012.
  20. ^"John Tesh says it's true: He and Oprah dated".April 13, 2010.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  21. ^"There's More To 'ET's'Unlikely Co-Host Than Meets the Eye".Washington Post.RetrievedMarch 18,2023.
  22. ^"2007 Industry Achievement Awards".Radio and Records.September 28, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 11, 2008.
  23. ^"About John".Official John Tesh Website.Archived fromthe originalon April 10, 2008.RetrievedApril 27,2008.
  24. ^"A Thousand Summers - John Tesh | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  25. ^"You Break It - John Tesh | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  26. ^"Backstage with John Tesh - John Tesh | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  27. ^"Drive Time Intelligence, Vol. 1 - John Tesh | User Reviews".AllMusic.
  28. ^[2][dead link]
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Preceded by Co-host ofEntertainment Tonight
1986–1996 		Succeeded by
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