Eric Hester
Encyclopedia
Eric John Michael Hester (born January 9, 1974) is an American
composer
. Hester was nominated for the CableACE Award
in 1995.
. In 1979, he moved with his family to Newport Beach, California. In 1988, he moved to San Clemente where he attended San Clemente High School and studied with composer and songwriter, Mike Bacich, of Oingo Boingo
. In 1992, Hester moved to Los Angeles
, where he attended the University of California, Los Angeles
extension program.
Hester's first composing work came on Roundhouse
, on Nickelodeon
, which he was nominated for the CableACE Award
in 1995 for the song, "Second Chance".
song "Follow Me" (also the theme to Nickelodeon's Zoey 101
). He also was the string arranger on the track.
1990s
2000s
in the United States
. Hester also provided other music for The Phil Hendrie Show, including "Bad High School Band Music". There is a character on The Phil Hendrie Show named after Eric Hester.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. Hester was nominated for the CableACE Award
CableACE Award
The CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming...
in 1995.
Early life and family
Eric Hester was born on January 9, 1974 in Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. In 1979, he moved with his family to Newport Beach, California. In 1988, he moved to San Clemente where he attended San Clemente High School and studied with composer and songwriter, Mike Bacich, of Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
. In 1992, Hester moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he attended the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
extension program.
Hester's first composing work came on Roundhouse
Roundhouse (TV series)
Roundhouse is an American sketch comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from August 15, 1992 through January 27, 1996.-Background:...
, on Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
, which he was nominated for the CableACE Award
CableACE Award
The CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming...
in 1995 for the song, "Second Chance".
Album Producer
Hester was a contributing producer on the Britney SpearsBritney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
song "Follow Me" (also the theme to Nickelodeon's Zoey 101
Zoey 101
Zoey 101 is an American television series that ran from January 9, 2005 to May 2, 2008 starring Jamie Lynn Spears as teenager Zoey Brooks, produced for Nickelodeon and syndicated worldwide. The show was initially filmed at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, then at stages in Valencia,...
). He also was the string arranger on the track.
Film and television scores
The following list consists of select films and television shows for which Eric Hester wrote the score and/or songs.1990s
- RoundhouseRoundhouse (TV series)Roundhouse is an American sketch comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from August 15, 1992 through January 27, 1996.-Background:...
(1992–1995) - Barnyard Buddies (1996)
- Turmoil (1997)
- Cheap Theatrix (1998)
- Violent Times (1997)
- Rained In (1998)
- Sworn to Secrecy: Secrets of War (1998)
- Compassion (1999)
- The PretenderThe Pretender (TV series)The Pretender is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series starred Michael T. Weiss as Jarod, a genius and former child prodigy with "the ability to become anyone he wants to be," i.e., to flawlessly impersonate anyone in virtually any line of work...
(1998–2000)
2000s
- Voyeur.com aka BigBrother.com (UK) (2000)
- The Fountain (2001)
- My First Day (1991)
- Nash BridgesNash BridgesNash Bridges is an American television police drama created by Carlton Cuse. The show starred Don Johnson and Cheech Marin as two Inspectors with the San Francisco Police Department's Special Investigations Unit. The show ran for six seasons on CBS from March 29, 1996 to May 4, 2001 with a total of...
(2000) - Mr. Chi Chi's Guide to the Universe (2000–2001)
- Future Murder (2000)
- Three Blind Mice aka Ed McBain's Three Blind Mice (USA: complete title) (2001)
- Altered Species (2001)
- Flatland (2002)
- VH1 Big in 2002 Awards (2002)
- Revelation (2002)
- The Monkey's Paw (2003)
- The Utopian Society (2003)
- Knee High P.I. (additional music) (2003)
- American Almanacs: A Living History (2003)
- Bollywood and Vine (2004)
- Pizza: The Movie (2004)
- Marcus Apple (2004)
- Jack (2004)
- A Soft Embrace (2004)
- Client 3815 (2004)
- A Night at Sophie's (2004)
- Rodney (2004–2006)
- The Swap (2005)
- 20 Things to Do Before You're 30 (USA) (2005)
- Ana (2005)
- Zoey 101Zoey 101Zoey 101 is an American television series that ran from January 9, 2005 to May 2, 2008 starring Jamie Lynn Spears as teenager Zoey Brooks, produced for Nickelodeon and syndicated worldwide. The show was initially filmed at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, then at stages in Valencia,...
(2005–2007) - Lost Mission (2006)
- Making the Cut (2006)
- Waiting (2007)
- An Excellent Choice (2007)
- Sympathy (2007)
- Women On Top (2007)
- Snowball" (2007)
- The Flower Girl" (2008)
- Peter Rabbit" (2008)
- Frail (in production) (2009)
Concertos
- Cape Cod Recessional (2000)
- A Hymn To A New Season (2001)
- 911: Triumphant Spirit (2003)
Other Projects
Hester is the composer of "Ted's of Beverly Hills", the satirical theme song/jingle heard often on the nationally syndicated The Phil Hendrie ShowThe Phil Hendrie Show
The Phil Hendrie Show is a comedy talk radio program. The show is syndicated throughout North America on Talk Radio Network. It is known for outrageous guests, the majority of whom are fictional and voiced live by the host, Phil Hendrie...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Hester also provided other music for The Phil Hendrie Show, including "Bad High School Band Music". There is a character on The Phil Hendrie Show named after Eric Hester.
Awards
- CableACE AwardCableACE AwardThe CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming...
Nomination: Roundhouse (1995) (Best Original Song)
- Telly Award:
- My First Day (2003) (Best Original Score)
- My First Day (2003) (Best Original Song)
- John Lennon Songwriting Award: My First Day (2003) (awarded twice for two separate songs)
- Aurora AwardAurora AwardThe Prix Aurora Awards are given out annually for the best Canadian science fiction and fantasy literary works, artworks, fan activities from that year, and are awarded in both English and French...
: The Fountain (2004) (Best Original Score)
- Accolade Award: The Fountain (2004) (Best Original Score)
- Omni Award: The Fountain (2004) (Best Original Score)
- Axiem Award: The Fountain (2004) (Best Original Score)
Discography
- Snowball Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2008
- Lost Mission Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2007
- Zoey 101: Music Mix CD, 2007 "Follow Me" by Britney SpearsBritney SpearsBritney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
Production and String Arrangement by Eric Hester
- Shorts: Volume 1, 2006
- My First Day, 2005