Power of Love

Background:

American pianist and composer of new age and contemporary Christian music, recording artist, television host and syndicated radio show host John Tesh was a sportscaster, news anchor and reporter before reaching fame as the co-host of the nightly show business news magazine “Entertainment Tonight,” a coveted gig he held from 1986 to 1996. Tesh gained even more recognition for his work in music thanks to the albums “Garden City” (1989), “A Romantic Christmas” (1992), “Monterey Nights” (1993), “Sax by the Fire” (1994), “Live at Red Rocks” (1995), “Sax on the Beach” (1996) and “Sax All Night” (1997). Three of Tesh's albums, “A Deeper Faith,” “Christmas Worship” and “Power of Love,” dotted the Billboard Pop and Christian Music charts and he earned a 2003 Grammy nomination for his work in the latter. Also in 2003, Tesh began building a solid reputation in the world of radio with a nationally syndicated radio show called “John Tesh Radio Show,” from which he has been named Radio Ink magazine's “Reader’s Poll Favorite Syndicated Radio Personality.”

Outside the spotlight, Tesh is known as an avid fan of “Star Trek.” Once in an interview he said that “Star Trek” (1966) was the only show he was permitted to watch as a kid. He later appeared as a Klingon warrior in a 1989 episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” called “The Icarus Factor.” In addition, a character in a “Deep Space Nine” comic was derived to resemble Tesh. Tesh has also been a lifelong advocate for worship music and is a regular music director at his Sherman Oaks, California, church.

As for his married life, Tesh is divorced from Julie Wright (together from 1982 to 1991) and is now the husband of actress Connie Sellecca. They reside in Los Angeles.

Lambda Chi Alpha

Childhood and Family:

John Frank Tesh was born on July 9, 1952, in Garden City, Long Island, New York. He was educated at Garden City High School and after graduating in 1970, attended North Carolina State University where he studied communication and music. In college he became a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He also studied with teachers from the prestigious Juilliard School as a youth.

John has been married twice. He tied the knot with first wife Julie Wright in 1982, but they divorced in 1991. He married his current spouse, actress Connie Sellecca, on April 4, 1992. The couple has one child together named Prima. John also has a son named Gib.

A Romantic Christmas

Career:

New York native John Tesh developed a love for music as a child He began playing piano and trumpet at age 6 and as a teenager joined the New York State Symphonic Orchestra. He also played organ and trombone in local rock bands and worked as a news anchor at WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, while in college. Upon earning his degree in music and communications, Tesh moved to Orlando, Florida, where he accepted a television position at WFTV. Tesh went on to move throughout the southeastern U.S., working in a series of TV stations, including WSM-TV in Nashville where he served as a news anchor and reporter until he joined the CBS network's New York City affiliate WCBS. At age 23, he became the station's youngest reporter.

In 1981, Tesh became a commentator on “The CBS Sports Spectacular” and later won Emmys for his Pan American Games topic and the theme to the Tour de France. He served as a sportscaster for the latter event from 1983 to1986 and was the anchor for the first American broadcast of the bicycle race. Later, he covered gymnastics at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.

In 1986, Tesh left CBS in favor of a hosting gig in the syndicated “Entertainment Tonight” with co-anchor Mary Hart, from which he would enjoy prominence for the next ten years until he quit to focus on his music. In 1988 with the release of a debut album called “Tour de France,” his dreams came true. Initially panned by critics, Tesh acquired more following with his subsequent album “Garden City” (1989). After establishing his own label, GTS, he released “A Romantic Christmas” (1992), which became his biggest hit to date. “Monterey Nights” and “Sax by the Fire” followed in 1993 and 1994, respectively. “Live at Red Rocks,” a PBS special and album became something of a phenomenon in 1995.

The following year saw Tesh leave “Entertainment Tonight” in order to solely concentrate on music. His work paid off and he continued to receive notice with a string of hits like “Sax on the Beach” (1996) and its follow-up “Sax All Night” (1997). His next work included “John Tesh & Friends” and “One World” (both 1999), “Pure Hymns” (2000), “Classical Music for an Intimate Mood,” “Pure Orchestra,” “Pure Gospel” and “Classical Music for Babies” (all 2001), “The Power of Love,” “Christmas Worship” and “A Deeper Faith” (all 2002) and “Worship Collection: Awesome God” (2003). “The Power of Love” received a 2003 Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album. “Worship at Red Rocks” (2004) was certified gold by RIAA.

In May 2007 Tesh released “A Passionate Life.” It was followed by the albums “Pure Movies 2” in 2008. The albums “Awesome God,” “Christmas Worship,” “Alive Music and Dance” and “Worship at Red Rocks” will be available in 2010. Tesh also started “The John Tesh Radio Show” in 2003 and has since become one of the most listened to voices on the air. The show currently airs on about 250 stations nationwide.

Awards:

• Emmys: Pan American Games and Tour de France