Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck has been a conservative radio talk show host since 2001. He hosted the Glenn Beck show on CNN Headline News, before moving over to the more conservative Fox news channel. He was born in Washington and started in radio at the age of thirteen, when he won a local radio contest to be a DJ for an hour. Between the ages of thirteen and fourteen, he worked for a country music station, a Christian music station, and a rock station. By the age of eighteen, he had his own morning show. Despite his early success, he suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction, and by age thirty was facing divorce. He worked to recover, and remarried. In the process, he began a long and arduous search for faith, investigating churches and philosophies along with his family. He worked in Washington, Salt Lake and Florida. While working in Salt Lake he worked for Latter-day Saint employers. He converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) in 2000. He has openly and poignantly shared his conversion story. (See external links.)
He took over for a fired radio personality, and his talk show went from 18th to 1st place in the ratings within a year. It is now the third highest rated talk show among adults aged 25 - 54. Beck interviews guests and talks about issues of the day while including humorous anecdotes. On occasion, he mentions the Church and its leaders as well. His television show deals mainly with human interest stories and special guests.
Beck has two daughters from first marriage, the eldest with cerebral palsy. He relocated his radio program to Philadelphia from Florida in order to live close by. He has adopted children with his second wife, Tania. His show is heard through many markets throughout the United States. He also has written books about America as well.
Beck publishes a conservative magazine called Fusion Magazine. His broadcasts are available online at www.glennbeck.com, as is his newsletter.
In 2009 Beck launched his "Common Sense Comedy Tour." NCM Fathom and Mercury Radio Arts presented an encore showing of Glenn Beck's Common Sense Tour, live from the Midland Theatre in Kansas City. The performance was recorded on June 4, 2009. The one-night event showed in selected theaters on June 11, 2009. The performance examined common sense, which according to Beck, is no longer common:
- "Glenn spares no one, including politicians and celebrities, as he takes a look at the state of our culture and the frightening lack of common sense, especially in Washington. Explore the comedy behind the chaos that has become America. Hear the tales and revisit the wisdom that our grandfathers and forefathers relied on to build America."
During the summer of 2010, Beck announced in Salt Lake City that his eyesight is failing. He had been diagnosed with "macular dystrophy."
On August 28, 2010, Beck staged a huge rally, titled "Restoring Honor," on the Mall in Washington, D.C. as a call to support American troops, return honor to American government and life, and return God to the head of the equation. The rally drew around 300,000 participants and was meant to be apolitical -- attendees were asked to leave political signs and banners at home. For a report on the perception of Glenn Beck and the success of the rally, click here.
Before the rally, Beck held a conference with leaders of Christian religions, asking for their support. You can read about it here.
The most polite crowd in history? [1]
How do Mormons feel about Glenn Beck? [2]
Why was there no Mormon leader representing the faith at Glenn's rally in D.C? [3]
In May of 2011, Beck announced another rally to be held that summer, this time in Israel, called "Restoring Courage," meant to rally people of all faiths in support of Israel. [4] Beck was received warmly in Israel in July 2011, and received several rounds of applause when he addressed the "Knesset," the Israeli parliament. The rally was scheduled to take place in August. [5]
Also in May of 2011 the website TVNewser announced that Beck will launch his own web-based TV channel, GBTV. Beck hired away his FOX News producer, Joel Cheatwood, and that started the rumor that he was set to purchase a cable station or launch a webTV channel. The byline of the channel will be "The Truth Lives Here." [6]
Radio and TV Programs
- Glenn Beck can be heard on XM satellite radio on channel 165, 9 a.m.-noon ET.
- Click here for radio affiliate stations airing his show from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Glenn Beck's departure from Fox News
Books by Glenn Beck
- The Overton Window
- An Inconvenient Book - Real Solutions to the World’s Biggest Problems
- The Real America - Messages from the Heart and Heartland
- The Christmas Sweater
- Common Sense: The Case Against an Out of Control Government (Inspired by Thomas Paine)
"The Overton Window," "An Inconvenient Book" and "The Christmas Sweater" have all hit No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in their respective categories.
Glenn Beck describes his conversion to Mormonism.
Glenn Beck pays tribute to Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley:External Links
Glenn Beck's conversion to Mormonism videos:
