Contact: Stephanie Walker, 615-907-0185, tweet@bentankard

NASHVILLE, Feb. 26, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Award winning Gospel/Jazz Instrumentalist -- BEN TANKARD's New CD "FULL TANK" Tops SmoothJazz.com US World Charts. Selected by NBA as Motivational Speaker.

Over two decades ago, Tankard, a 6'6 former pro shooting guard had his NBA dreams dashed at training camp by a career ending knee injury. After attending a church service, Ben "rebounded" from disappointment, discovered his music gift, and become the bestselling Gospel/Jazz musician of all time with 18 top recordings.

Little did he know that years later, the NBA would "draft" him to come back to the league to share his testimony with young upcoming players at their closed All-Star Showcase Sessions.

"I was totally humbled when the NBA's Vice President of Player development reached out to me and told me that they had been observing my success and invited me to come share with the teams on how important it was to keep developing as a complete man -- even after the ball stops bouncing."

Tankard (or "Tank", as he is referred to in NBA circles) was the perfect selection to encourage the players. Being able to relate to them as a player was key, but his career success proved very helpful in inspiring them to dream beyond their present.

Tankard not only is a musical pioneer and accomplished Platinum winning artist / producer but a successful businessman (with 7 businesses) an aircraft owner and pilot, and soon to be Reality TV actor (more on that to come).

Ben says "Being wealthy has allowed me to minister effectively to wealthy people. It takes somebody WITH MONEY to tell somebody else WITH MONEY that it is NOT ABOUT THE MONEY." Ben shares his music gifts with the players with mini-concerts as they write out their dreams and visions.

Ben enjoys life in scenic Middle Tennessee with his lovely wife of 13 years, -- Jewel and their 5 children. With all their successes, the Tankards' "give back" by serving as Pastors of The Destiny Center Church in Murfreesboro, TN.

Ben says, "If yall are ever in the area on Sunday, drop on in and see us at the Destiny Center... we'll leave the light on for you"...

Tour information: www.bentankard.org 615-907-0185,
tweet @bentankard “Full Tank" available in stores or itunes / amazon.com BEN-Jamin' Universal Music: UPC # 885767461383

(See "Ben Tankard-Sunday Vibes" concept video: bit.ly/XCpD6g)