People Who Shape Our World - May 17, 2008

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This entry was posted on 5/17/2008 3:39 AM and is filed under People Who Shape Our World.


By AmericasNewsToday.Org staff

Glenn Beck — born February 10, 1964 — is a radio/television host, conservative political commentator, and entrepreneur. His nationally-syndicated radio show, The Glenn Beck Program, airs on over 280 stations through Clear Channel's Premiere Radio Networks, and his self-titled television show began in May 2006 on CNN's Headline News.

In addition to his radio and television programs, Beck is the publisher of Fusion Magazine, a comedy magazine written from a conservative perspective. He is also a New York Times bestselling author. He also stars in a one-man stage show which tours the United States twice a year.

Beck began his radio career when he won a local radio contest to be a DJ for an hour, and was eventually granted a part-time job. He hosted Christian radio on Saturday, rock on Sunday and country on weeknights.

After graduating from high school, Beck pursued his career as a Top 40 DJ. By the time he was in his 20s, Beck was on WKCI-FM (KC101), a Top 40 radio station in Hamden, Connecticut, hosting the local morning show with Pat Gray. Originally the show was billed as the Glenn and Pat Show. When Gray left the show, Beck continued with co-host Vinnie Penn. While working in Connecticut, Glenn appeared and sang background vocals on The Delrays "Red, White and Blues" CD, a fundraising effort by then Gov. John Rowland produced by guitarist Tom Guerra. The CD was well received and was promoted by a series of live appearances.

Years later, he began to explore the world of talk radio with a three-hour program on KC101's sister station, WELI. Beck then worked at Tampa, Florida's WFLA-AM and launched The Glenn Beck Program during the afternoon drive, filling the slot held by Bob Lassiter after the station's new owners, Clear Channel, fired him. Beck hosted the new radio show, combining politics and comedy. In the first year, The Glenn Beck Program moved from 14th place to the #2 position.

His theme song back in the Tampa days was a copy of the song, "AM Radio (song)" by the band Everclear. "You got Glenn Beck on your AM radio... AM radio."

Within 12 months, Premiere Radio Networks offered Beck the opportunity to go national. In January 2002, The Glenn Beck Program launched nationally; by May 2008, it had reached over 280 stations as well as appearing on XM Satellite. With over six and a half million listeners, it was ranked 4th in the nation. In January 2006, CNN's Headline News announced that Beck would host a nightly news-commentary show in their new primetime block Headline Prime; the show, simply called Glenn Beck, began in May 2006.

On November 5, 2007, The New York Times reported that Premiere Radio Networks was extending Beck's contract. Two sources with knowledge of the deal said the five-year contract was valued at $50 million.

Glenn Beck was raised a Roman Catholic. He was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, and attended high school in Bellingham. He graduated from Sehome High School in 1982.

Beck has two teenage daughters, Hannah and Mary, by his first marriage; Mary has cerebral palsy. He has two children, Raphe (adopted in 2004) and Cheyenne (born 2006), with his second wife, Tania.

Beck's television show, "Glenn Beck", airs nightly on CNN Headline News at 7:00 p.m., repeating at 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (All times Eastern.)

On the Web:
http://www.glennbeck.com/.

Article photo provided by The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB.org).


 

 
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