Comments on: Dancing With The Stars Band

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:38 +0000

While Sean has his confident opinion and I do see his point, I do believe he is missing the 'context' of the music in this situation…sorta like saying the Ramones wore too much black. They did wear a lot of black, true but…c'mon. The dancers are the focus of the show, not the band. Sean is confusing 'art' and 'function'. To keep things 'fair' in the competition the band needs to be somewhat equal on the songs which means being a little more faceless as opposed to having the guitar player rip off a wicked face-melter on that tango or a singer scream like Rob Halford on that waltz. I'm just not convinced that this show is really for Sean. Probably should just let it go or keep quiet that he actually cares that much about the show…kinda weird.

By: Elmer Falcione

Elmer Falcione — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:22:13 +0000

Sir: My request is that, if possible, you can give me the Title of the song that Harold Wheeler’s Band played, (one of his male singer’s sang it), while Dancer’s, Michael, and Anna performed their competative dance, The Waltz, on Monday Nite, Eastern Standard Time, the 26th day of October 2009? That particular original song, years ago, brought back some great memories to me. I just can’t remember the Title, and who had originally sung it. By the way; as far as I am concerned, Harold Wheeler, and his band, and singers, are the best performers that has been in the business for years. I really appreciate his music. Its just right for the Dancing With The Stars Program, which is a favorite of mine. I just can’t seem to find a CD on his music? Iv’e tried everywhere here in the Tampa Bay Area. Even on the different music web site’s. Thank you for your valued time in my request. Respectfully; Elmer Falcione
P.O. Box 1115
Safety Harbor, Florida 34695-1115

By: Harold Wheeler and the Dancing With The Stars band - SeanPAune.com

Harold Wheeler and the Dancing With The Stars band - SeanPAune.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:34:58 +0000

[...] on April 15th of 2008 I took on the subject of the Dancing With The Stars band, and Harold Wheeler, the band conductor and arranger. In the year that followed, this has been a [...]

By: Rebecca M.

Rebecca M. — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:50:34 +0000

I think the band is certainly a very weak spot on DWTS.. I don't watch regularly because I find the music really difficult to listen to. The singing is just extremely poor, and usually flat…never sharp, and rarely on key. I guess the ratings are good, and they just don't want to spend more on the band….or whatever it would take. Couldn't Disney afford to do better?

By: Kyle Holmberg

Kyle Holmberg — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:48:07 +0000

Dancing With The Stars is the only show that I see that actually shows the live band musicians, American Idol used to, but it's because they want all the attention upon the main people in the show. Sean, they didn't switch up the beat on anything, it was the dancers fault, mind you, the musicians have been playing for decades, 1/2 of the dancers have been 2-stepping it for a couple weeks, if you see a mistake, it is unlikely that it is the musicians fault. Ira Nepus and Andy Martin are 2 of the 3 trombone players in the section and I believe Wayne Bergeron is one of the trumpets, and possibly Eric Marienthal or Sal Lavano (who squeaked on his Clarinet on a piece last season or 2 seasons ago…). These names are the BEST in the business, Wayne is probably the strongest trumpet player on earth right now, while Andy Martin and Ira Nepus have been making tracks for video games, tv show intros, and dumb live pop shows since the 70's… Eric, Andy, and Wayne are in the Grammy-winning Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and Ira is in the Grammy-winning Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra….

I have no idea about the singers, you're probably right, musicians don't like 'em ;)

Oh, and, the Moulin Rouge version of “Roxanne” is such a terrible, terrible piece… I played it last week at a corporate Gala, and while playing the Bass Trombone part had immense fun, the music itself is a disgrace to The Police and any other close to mediocre musical productions that come near comparison to High School Musical and other operatic rock that would decimate any true music-listener's ears…

Also, as to them not practicing the music enough, they aren't given enough time and that is the way of a professional musician. That is something to complain to ABC about, they want to spend as little money on possible on the often stepped on musicians and therefore, ONLY pay for the 1 rehearsal and complete run-through.

While I have kept my post polite in my opinion, some of these repliers are correct in saying that you need to know what you're talking about before you discredit names you don't even know…

**Sorry for the double post, I meant to put it here**

By: seanpaune

seanpaune — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:31:41 +0000

If they are "Big Band" format, then why have they changed the rhythm and arrangements of music by people such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (a favorite of theirs) and the Brian Setzer Orchestra? At the end of the day it is the producers who are ultimately at fault because they assign the songs, and some of these songs should simply not be attempted if this is the format they want to play them in.

By: Kyle Holmberg

Kyle Holmberg — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:41:24 +0000

Dancing With The Stars is the only show that I see that actually shows the live band musicians, American Idol used to, but it's because they want all the attention upon the main people in the show. Sean, they didn't switch up the beat on anything, it was the dancers fault, mind you, the musicians have been playing for decades, 1/2 of the dancers have been 2-stepping it for a couple weeks, if you see a mistake, it is unlikely that it is the musicians fault. Ira Nepus and Andy Martin are 2 of the 3 trombone players in the section and I believe Wayne Bergeron is one of the trumpets, and possibly Eric Marienthal or Joe Lavano (who squeaked on his Clarinet on a piece last season or 2 seasons ago…). These names are the BEST in the business, Wayne is probably the strongest trumpet player on earth right now, while Andy Martin and Ira Nepus have been making tracks for video games, tv show intros, and dumb live pop shows since the 70's… Eric, Andy, and Wayne are in the Grammy-winning Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and Ira is in the Grammy-winning Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra….

I have no idea about the singers, you're probably right, musicians don't like 'em ;)

While I have kept my post polite in my opinion, some of these repliers are correct in saying that you need to know what you're talking about before you discredit names you don't even know…

By: Jeff D

Jeff D — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:21:46 +0000

Deb is exactly right. These arrangements are made for a standard "Big Band" format. That fits BALLROOM dancing.

The songs are adaptations. If the dancers choose inappropriate songs for the style of dance then the fault is theirs. This is not a Hip Hop competition.
Most of these posts are probably by people not familiar with the Big Band style. The vocalists may not be the best I don't know, but put yourself in their shoes… They are hired to sing a song and if the style conflicts with the original song then it's going to sound bad. Not their fault. It's the old "square peg in a round hole" thing. I am sure ALL of these players are top quality session guys who can play anything but on this gig they have to play the "INK". Get it.

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:35:24 +0000

I was aware of that part of the equation (limited rehearsal with the band/dancers together) and I certainly can't argue against your point in that regard. The arrangements should be true to the timing of the originals, unless the dancers specifically need and request changes.

But as far as the musicality of Harold Wheeler and his group, I feel they do awesome work at least 90% of the time.

Now I will say that in many cases, I might prefer to listen to the original versions if that were all I was doing (listening to music). After all, don't we all normally prefer to hear an original version? It's the one we know and are used to. Human nature to prefer it.

But in the context of it being accompaniment for the dancers, I think that the DWTS Band's arrangements are, more often than not, more appropriate versions. The originals might actually be a distraction from the dancing in some cases.

Yes, it is a bit of added challenge for the dancers, since they only get the one dry run. But that isn't the band's fault!

Once again, this is just my own opinion…not unlike yours…well, other than the fact that I feel the DWTS Band is a collection of very talented artists and does an awesome job (where can I sign up?).

By: Boricuababe1455

Boricuababe1455 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:55:46 +0000

I agree with you again, I can not stand that band. They are absolutely horrible. And the singing!!! OMG!!!, it's actually extremely funny that they don't show them that often and thank goodness because I don't think I could take anymore. It's nice to watch the dancing because ballroom dancing is extremely difficult and I give praise just for them having the guts to get up there and do it and the majority of them get it right, it's just that damn band, where did they come from?