'Dancing With the Stars' Hires Ray Chew as New Music Director
Credit: AmericanIdol.com
What's an American Idol alum doing on Dancing With the Stars? Taking over as music director, of course!
Veteran musician and orchestrator Ray Chew is joining Dancing With the Stars for Season 18, replacing longtime band leader Harold Wheeler, who was released from the show just a few weeks ago. Executive producer Conrad Green defended the controversial decision to fire Wheeler, an act that has prompted considerable backlash from the musicians union. For Green, firing Wheeler was not a cost-cutting move to do away with live music. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the decision was apparently rooted in taking the show's live music in a different direction.
“Live music is the lifeblood of Dancing With the Stars and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with Ray and his talented band," said Green. "Ray is one of the most versatile and dynamic musicians working today. It promises to be a spectacular season.”
Chew is certainly a qualified choice to assume the role Wheeler left behind, as his credits as music director include the 65th Annual Emmy Awards, American Idol, Showtime at the Apollo and a wide range of live events, from President Obama’s Inaugural Neighborhood Ball to the Democratic National Convention. After the announcement was made, Chew explained what his plan is for the music direction, going forward.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the musical legacy established on Dancing with the Stars, a show that respects live music and musicians," said Chew. "It is important to me and to the producers to maintain the integrity of the music presentation for the dancers as well as for the viewers. Towards that end, my approach will be to utilize first class live vocalists, arrangers, copyists and musicians of all instruments."
Chew shepherded American Idol's musical direction during its best years (2002-2010), so this is great news for fans of eclectic musical arrangements with a traditional twist. We'll see how Chew fares when Season 18 of Dancing With the Stars premieres March 17 on ABC.