BIO
John McDaniel is a Tony and Grammy award-winning musician, conductor, and composer with an impressive career in both Broadway and television. Born on September 2, 1961, in Quincy, Illinois, McDaniel grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at the age of five. He went on to study at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and later moved to New York City to pursue his career in the entertainment industry.
McDaniel made his Broadway debut in 1990 as the conductor and pianist for the musical "Grease." He went on to work on several other Broadway productions, including "Miss Saigon," "Annie Get Your Gun," and "Taboo." In 2004, he won a Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun."
In addition to his work on Broadway, McDaniel has also made a name for himself in the television industry. He served as the musical director and composer for "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" from 1996 to 2002, earning three Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the show. He also worked on several other television programs, including "The Martin Short Show," "The Wayne Brady Show," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
McDaniel has also worked as a composer and arranger for several recording artists, including Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, and Audra McDonald. He won a Grammy Award in 1998 for producing the cast recording of "Annie Get Your Gun."
In recent years, McDaniel has continued to work as a conductor and composer for both Broadway and television. He served as the conductor and music supervisor for the 2017 Broadway revival of "Miss Saigon" and the 2019 Broadway production of "The Prom." He also composed the score for the 2018 Off-Broadway production of "Midnight at The Never Get."
McDaniel has also continued to work in television, serving as the musical director for several episodes of "The Tony Awards" and "The Kennedy Center Honors." He has also worked as a composer and arranger for several television specials, including "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving" and "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz."
Throughout his career, McDaniel has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry. In addition to his Tony and Grammy Awards, he has also received several Emmy nominations for his work on television. He was also inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2018.
In conclusion, John McDaniel is a highly accomplished musician, conductor, and composer with an impressive career in both Broadway and television. He has worked on several hit Broadway productions, won a Tony Award for Best Orchestrations, and served as the musical director for several television programs, earning three Daytime Emmy Awards. McDaniel continues to work in the entertainment industry, composing and arranging music for both Broadway and television productions.