Ryan Tedder

Ryan Tedder Headshot

Musician • Singer • Songwriter • Record Producer

Birth Date: June 26, 1979

Age: 44 years old

Birth Place: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hailed as the Undercover King of Pop, Ryan Tedder not only became a dominant force on the charts around the globe with the anthemic arena rock of his own band, One Republic, but also helped to shape the musical landscape as a prolific songwriter for both emerging talent and established superstars. A protege of R&B visionary Timbaland, Tedder initially worked behind the scenes, penning material for the likes of t.A.T.

u., Natasha Bedingfield and Jennifer Lopez, before scoring a hit alongside his mentor, "Apologize," with One Republic that thrust him into the global spotlight. The Colorado quintet subsequently became a radio staple but it was the songs that Tedder gave away to other artists which cemented his reputation as one of pop's most bankable hitmakers. With the likes of Leona Lewis' transatlantic chart-topper "Bleeding Love" and Beyonce's Grammy-winner "Halo," Tedder had developed a big beat power ballad sound that was unmistakeably his own. But later collaborations with acts as diverse as North Carolina rapper B.

o.

B, emo rockers Cobra Starship and synth-pop chanteuse Ellie Goulding proved that he was far from a one-trick pony.

Born in Tulsa, OK in 1979, Tedder was raised by an extended family of Christian missionaries, who encouraged him to learn the piano via the Suzuki method aged just three. Inspired by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel and Sting, Tedder also began singing in various church and school groups, practicing at least two hours every day throughout most of his teenage years, as well as writing his own material. While studying for a degree in Public Relations and Advertising at Oral Roberts University, Tedder secured an internship at Dreamworks SMG where he produced demos for songwriters and labels and was offered a publishing deal as a result. However, keen to become an artist in his own right, Tedder rejected the deal and shortly after won an MTV talent show with one of his own songs, "The Look," to win a contract with Lance Bass' now-defunct management company, Free Lance Entertainment.

Labelling the show "a bunch of hype that didn't turn into anything," Tedder's victory wasn't exactly the big break that he had hoped for. However, his potential was spotted by R&B producer Timbaland, who decided to take Tedder under his wing and give him time to develop as an artist. Deciding that he would prefer to front a band, Tedder teamed up with his former high school classmate, lead guitarist Zach Filkins, to form One Republic in 2002, with bassist Brent Kutzle, drummer Eddie Fisher and rhythm guitarist Drew Brown eventually completing the core line-up. After a deal with Columbia Records fell through, the band became the first rock act to sign to Timbaland's Mosley Music Group in 2007 and released their first single, a collaboration with their new boss in the same year. "Apologize" immediately propelled One Republic into the big league, reaching No.2 on the US Hot 100, spending 25 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 and also picking up a Grammy nomination.

Having previously penned tracks for Russian duo t.A.T.

u. ("Divine"), Jennifer Lopez ("Do It Well") and Natasha Bedingfield ("Love Like This"), Tedder's reputation as a song-writer then rocketed when he and teen pop sensation Jesse McCartney co-wrote Leona Lewis' post-"X-Factor" (ITV, 2004-) debut single, "Bleeding Love," in 2007. Setting the template for what would become Tedder's signature blend of booming beats and emotive soulful melodies, the track reached number one in 35 countries, sold nine million copies and launched Lewis to global fame. Tedder suddenly became an in-demand songwriter overnight and after One Republic released their 2007 debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, he also penned similarly structured hits for Jordin Sparks ("Battlefield"), Beyonce ("Halo") and Kelly Clarkson ("Already Gone"), with Clarkson even commenting on the resemblance between the latter two herself.

In 2009, Tedder continued to work his magic on tracks by "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert, British soul singer James Morrison and Irish boyband Westlife just to name a few, and launched his own Patriot Records label before returning to the One Republic fray with second studio effort, Waking Up. A year later, Tedder made his first major guest appearance outside the band when he provided the melodic hook for Far East Movement single "Rocketeer," later going onto fulfil a similar role on tracks by Gym Class Heroes ("The Fighter"), Vanness Wu ("Is This All") and B.

o.

B ("Never Let You Go"). In 2011, he contributed to Adele's seminal 21 ("Rumour Has It," "Turning Tables"), Colbie Caillat's All Of You ("Brighter Than The Sun") and Demi Lovato's Unbroken ("Who's That Boy"), duetted with Sara Bareilles on "Gonna Get Over You" and added Big Time Rush, David Cook and The Lonely Island to his ever-expanding list of collaborators.

After receiving a Producer of the Year, Non Classical, nomination at the 2012 Grammy Awards, Tedder regrouped with One Republic to record third album, Native, which on its 2013 release peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and spawned their biggest hit in the shape of "Counting Stars." Distancing himself even further from his earlier trademark pop ballads, 2013 saw him help Ellie Goulding score her first UK chart-topper with the dubstep-tinged "Burn," revive James Blunt's career with the rousing folk-pop of "Bonfire Heart" and team up with EDM maestros Sebastian Ingross & Alesso for the floorfilling "Calling," as well as contribute to the "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (2013) soundtrack ("We Remain") and provide one of the highlights from One Direction's third album, Midnight Memories ("Right Now").

Credits

California Dreaming

Executive Producer
Movie
2021

That's My JamStream

Guest
Game Show
2021

Songland from NBC

Actor
Show
2020

Paul McCartney: Nothing for Free

Composer
Show
2019

Songland

Judge
Reality
2019

Songland

Producer
Reality
2019

Songland: Extras

Actor
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

Best of Logic

Music Performer
Show
2019

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

2018 MTV Video Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2018

The Launch

Judge
Show
2018

SHM Re-United

Music Performer
Show
2018

Logic Feat. Ryan Tedderr: One Day

Music Performer
Show
2018

Best of DC Area

Music Performer
Show
2018

The Sunday Project

Guest
Show
2017

School of RockStream

Guest Star
Series
2016

Cassius Feat. Ryan Tedder & Jaw: The Missing

Music Performer
Show
2016

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life -- An All-Star Grammy Salute

Music Performer
Show
2015

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert

Music Performer
Show
2013

Gavin DeGraw: Sweeter Live

Producer
Show
2012

SmashStream

Guest Star
Series
2012
68%

Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso Feat. Ryan Tedder: Calling (Lose My Mind)

Music Performer
Show
2012

Gym Class Heroes Feat. Ryan Tedder: The Fighter

Music Performer
Show
2012

CNBC Meets

Guest
Show
2011

Majors & Minors

Host
Show
2011

The VoiceStream

Guest Star
Reality
2011

The VoiceStream

Music Performer
Reality
2011

Far East Movement Feat. Ryan Tedder: Rocketeer

Music Performer
Show
2010

The Project

Guest
Show
2009

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Music Performer
Talk
2003

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Music Performer
Talk
1992

Today

Actor
News
1952

Today

Guest
News
1952

Today

Music Performer
News
1952

News aboutRyan Tedder