Last updated on: July 1, 2025
Garry Tedder is Ryan Tedder’s father, who is the lead vocalist of OneRepublic. Though Ryan is popular globally, his father contributed a lot to making him so popular. Garry is not in the limelight, but he influenced Ryan’s music and his values at an early age.
Quick Facts About Garry Tedder
| Full Name | Garry Tedder |
| Birthdate | 1950 |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Husband/Wife | Marlene Cunningham (former spouse) |
| Education | N/A |
| Age | 76 years old |
| Parents | Not known |
| Siblings | Not known |
| Children | Ryan Tedder (Son) |
| Grandchildren | Copeland Cruz Tedder, Milas Tedder |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
A Musician by Heart
Garry Tedder was a musician. He enjoyed music and transferred that passion to his son. Music was all around their home. Ryan would listen to his dad play and sing since he was a very small child. This motivated Ryan to try music as well.
Ryan started playing piano at 3 years old. Garry taught him. He wasn’t strict but was innovative. He was making learning fun for Ryan.
Candy Corn and Piano Lessons
Garry employed a sweet trick to make playing the piano enjoyable. When Ryan was small, he would not always practice willingly. So Garry put candy corn on the piano keys. Ryan could eat one whenever he played the notes right.
This enjoyable technique worked. Ryan practiced harder and improved daily. He mastered attention, patience, and discipline. These helped him achieve later in life.
A Strong Christian Family
Ryan was raised in a Christian home. His family consisted of missionaries and pastors. They valued faith. Ryan was raised by Garry and his wife, Marlene Cunningham.
Marlene was a school teacher, and she was supportive of Ryan’s education. Garry and Marlene together provided Ryan with musical and moral instruction. It helped Ryan develop into a nice and diligent adult.
Family Life
Garry Tedder’s only child is a son, Ryan Tedder, who was born in 1979. Ryan wedded Genevieve Tedder in 2007. Garry has two grandsons now:
- Copeland Cruz Tedder, born in 2010
- Milas Tedder, born in 2014
Garry stayed close to his family after he and Marlene broke up. Ryan also has two half-sisters, Michele Skelton and Tamra Cunningham, from his mother’s subsequent relationships.
Ryan’s Music Journey
Thanks to Garry’s initial support, Ryan didn’t limit himself to the piano. At the age of 7, he started singing. He later taught himself to play other instruments as well. Ryan was made self-assured and inquisitive by his father’s passion for music.
Garry never forced Ryan to attain fame. Rather, he provided him with tools and motivation. Ryan went on to become the lead vocalist of OneRepublic and composed songs for Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and a host of other artists.
READ ALSO: Ryan Tedder Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Teaching by Example
Garry was not only a musician. He was teaching his son. He did not just tell him—she showed him. With music, he taught Ryan to work hard and be humble. Even little things, such as using candy corn, exhibited his intelligent way of learning.
Business Connection with Ryan
Garry and Ryan even co-founded businesses. During the early 2010s, they assisted in founding a restaurant chain Southern Hospitality in Denver. This demonstrated their deep connection beyond music. It also indicated that Garry encouraged Ryan in numerous ways.
