CNN executives have chosen Anthony James, composer and CEO of British Company Music Candy, to write the theme music for their new flagship show 'Piers Morgan Tonight'. Along with his writing partner Yiorgos Bellapaisiotis, Creative Director for Music Candy, they've created the thematic package and a powerful sonic Identity for the talk show slot previously held by Larry King. The show will be the centrepiece in primetime TV, interviewing some of the most influential people in the world.
Executives at CNN are looking to take the channel to new heights, with 'Piers Morgan Tonight' at the forefront, showcasing their new and fresh direction. With this in mind, Executive Producer Jonathan Wald, Emmy Award-winning former executive producer of the "Today" show and NBC's "Nightly News", wanted exciting and attention grabbing theme music, stating he didn't want a 'morning show theme' or a 'News theme'. Anthony James was the perfect answer. His philosophy for Music Candy, an independent British production music library, is based on all their composers being specialists, living and breathing the genres they write, creating genuinely unique and evocative music. (Visit our download site to listen to our stunning catalogue).
Rather than have one theme, Anthony suggested to CNN to create an initial package of 40 themes, beds, stings and bumps with different moods to reflect the various personalities of guests from celebrities to ex-presidents. The music has a sonic identity incorporating a 5 note logo into all the tracks.
Anthony James has a history of creating distinguished and celebrated theme music, having written amongst others the now legendary theme music and idents for the BBC's 'Steve Wright in the Afternoon'. In fact Jonathan Wald wanted Anthony to write the theme music after hearing a montage of the work he'd written for Steve Wright. Anthony said 'This is the biggest TV event of the year for which we have created the theme music event of the year. Theme music establishes the first impression of any show and we've created a dynamic theme that will soon be recognised worldwide as soon as you hear the opening notes'.
CNN is available in over 100 million U.S. households and can be seen in over 212 countries. CNN predict that 'Piers Morgan Tonight' will be at the centre of national and global conversation and therefore see it as their opportunity to display the power and reach of the CNN brand. For this to be fulfilled they recognised they needed distinctive and memorable theme music.
'Piers Morgan Tonight' airs for the first time on January 17th with Piers Morgan filling the shoes of the illustrious Larry King following his retirement from 25 years of hosting 'Larry King Live'.