Discovered composers & publishers of music themes

[promoguy98 254]

So, the NMSA site identified the WTVD Eyewitness News Theme that some of you have heard, as currently used on WTVD. It is by 4 Elements Music. It's titled as Eyewitness News 2024.

 

It was not done by Gari/Warner-Chappell. Said it before in one way or another, it's sad to see the slow death of the Warner-Chappell catalogs. No updates, no desire to serve broadcasters in a way that they had in the niche areas of news music. Once ABC pulls away, there goes a lot of royalties, which I guess are all that they are interested in when it comes to the news niche.

 

http://www.newsmusicsearcharchive.com/#3,1,2661

 

https://www.4elementsmusic.com/

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by promoguy98

[10Viewer 338]

The NMSA has ID'd the "WJKS 1977" theme (also used in ABC News promos around the same time) as an Edd Kalehoff production piece called "Important Printout". 

[SoFloTVClassics 1001]

TM Productions 1980's TV Demo

 

[SoFloTVClassics 1001]

Frank Gari Productions 1989, The Diversified News Reel

 

 

[J.W. Rodriguez 17]

Thought I'd keep this thread alive by asking a question.

 

A friend of my family that watched a TV station that used the theme and promo in question is wondering which composer came up with it in the 1980's?

 

HINT: It was a nod to a longtime slogan famously used by American Express. The two station IDs attached will explain.

 

[TheOneManHerd 555]

On 2/15/2025 at 11:19 PM, J.W. Rodriguez said:

Thought I'd keep this thread alive by asking a question.

 

A friend of my family that watched a TV station that used the theme and promo in question is wondering which composer came up with it in the 1980's?

 

HINT: It was a nod to a longtime slogan famously used by American Express. The two station IDs attached will explain.

Sounds like VTS Productions.

[TVLurker 216]

I'm curious as to who did the NBC News Today 95-03 music package w/ the stingers/extended cuts?

[sfomspphl 498]

On 2/26/2025 at 5:37 PM, TVLurker said:

I'm curious as to who did the NBC News Today 95-03 music package w/ the stingers/extended cuts?

 

I thought that was Nonstop or 615

 

Not my favorite because it displaced the Ray Ellis retro theme…although funny that one originally aired 82-85 and less than 10 years later resurrected then updated as “retro”

Edited February 28 by sfomspphl

[TVLurker 216]

14 minutes ago, sfomspphl said:

 

I thought that was Nonstop or 615

 

Not my favorite because it displaced the Ray Ellis retro theme…although funny that one originally aired 82-85 and less than 10 years later resurrected then updated as “retro”

 

This was during the period where the John Williams theme and the "Only on Today" music package co-existed. The music beds were also jazzier and more electronic.

[justin2kx 240]

Apparently the "WMBC 1998 news theme" from NMSA is identified as "Wall Street" from GMP Music (GM 105) Confirmed via comments: 

The link to the full 90s track i'm sure was also heard in local ads and shows at that time: 

https://app.gmpmusic.com/ords/f?p=110:42::::RP,42:P42_SGID,P42_RETURN:3E8A3A71D20438E1E050007F0100782E,44&cs=1B3043CABEE16A012860904510AE57606

 

Edited April 30 by justin2kx

[Earl Grizzell 10]

On 2/23/2014 at 7:12 PM, promoguy98 said:

To kick off a new week, thought I would ID another theme that I use to have a demo of (for confirmation purposes)....

 

It is called "Making a Difference" from Hal Brown's defunct VTS Productions. The main image song campaign, featured KUSA and was performed by Christian singer Sandi Patty. Several stations have used the news theme and/or vocal campaign. It's currently listed on the NMSA site as the "WRTV 1990 News Theme"

 

 

 

In the video, the theme starts at :30 seconds for the ID, then at :40 seconds for the full-length song.

 

Hopefully the embedded link shows up. Huge thanks to CircleSeven.

ENJOY!

I was a composer producer in the late 80's for VTS (Earl Grizzell).  Pretty sure this is a Brad Kelly composition.

[sfomspphl 498]

On 5/23/2025 at 4:55 AM, Earl Grizzell said:

I was a composer producer in the late 80's for VTS (Earl Grizzell).  Pretty sure this is a Brad Kelly composition.

 

Welcome Earl, was this one for KCRA your baby? The brassy Stan Atkinson “we have news for you…next” intro march. 

 

 

Your name sounds familiar from trying to lookup the author info for “Where the News Comes First” themes. 

[Earl Grizzell 10]

10 hours ago, sfomspphl said:

 

Welcome Earl, was this one for KCRA your baby? The brassy Stan Atkinson “we have news for you…next” intro march. 

 

 

Your name sounds familiar from trying to lookup the author info for “Where the News Comes First” themes. 

 

1 minute ago, Earl Grizzell said:

 

Yes. I wrote the original theme in’83/‘84. Would you like me to tell the back story?

 

[Earl Grizzell 10]

On 5/31/2020 at 12:42 PM, TServo2049 said:

The singers in the promo sound almost like Dallas to me. This MIGHT have been the work of VTS, who was based in Asheville, NC but recorded most of their stuff in Dallas (as well as having several working connections with FirstCom founder/TM co-founder Jim Long), but I certainly won’t be able to confirm anything from Hal Brown, because the Oodles World venture he was running at the time of our correspondence turns out to have been a Ponzi scheme, he pled guilty to defrauding investors of $22 million, he’s awaiting sentence and he may well spend the rest of his life in prison (he’s 70, the maximum sentencing totals up to 50 years).

 

So bizarre to find this out, he seemed like such a nice guy over the phone, always willing to discuss his VTS work with me (at least until I started always getting his voicemail; this was a few years ago, but perhaps it did have to do with the Oodles con getting longer and longer, I guess I’ll never know). He seemed sincere over the phone, but I guess like they say, “beware the nice ones.” So we’ll have to search for news articles and other stuff (or I’d have to establish contact with someone else who was involved with VTS) if we ever want to know about VTS’ involvement in this or anything else we don’t know about.
 

Fortunately, we know a lot as it is (not all of it reflected on NMSA - see: WRTV’s “Making a Difference” package which is still listed there as WRTV 1990/Unknown), but I don’t believe I ever got an answer from him on this package (I had my suspicions, I remember wanting to ask him, and I believe I even emailed the audio to him back when we were still talking, but I feel like I’d remember if I got confirmation one way or the other).

I was hired by VTS as a VP, writer/producer and oversaw the LA-based office/studio in the late 80's - 1990; If you want some insight, let me know.

[Earl Grizzell 10]

On 6/2/2020 at 4:49 PM, sfomspphl said:

Just discovered this site.  I will be happy to chime in on the FACTS re KCRA TV news and VTS Productions.  I am the original composer and copyright holder of the tv news theme entitled "Where The News Comes First". If anyone out there wants to dialogue ... let me know. thanks!

 

 

On 6/2/2020 at 4:49 PM, sfomspphl said:

Wow what a story - too bad for all involved

 

Was hoping some of the KCRA Where the news comes first mystery could be solved via VTS but maybe it was other shops

 

[Earl Grizzell 10]

On 6/3/2020 at 11:46 AM, TServo2049 said:

From what I remember, Earl Grizzell did the original 1983(?) iteration without any involvement from VTS, then did the more well-known 1986 "symphony" update at VTS (where he worked from 1986-90). Since he's the guy who wrote the theme, perhaps he'd know more about the later themes which used the melody.

 

There's a 1995 copyright assignment document referencing Grizzell's original 1986-87 WNTCF registration, with Grizzell as party 1 and Kelly Broadcasting as party 2. So Kelly could have had some kind of rights to the melody and commissioned the themes from unrelated producers. (Granted, that document is dated 1995, several years after said mystery themes, so who knows?)

Just found this, and glad to chime in on the FACTS.  True, I composed the original theme for KCRA-TV whose slogan was "Where The News Comes First".  My signed contract with the Sacramento based NBC affiliate clearly protected me as the Copyright owner of the theme notation and prohibited any rearranging or adaption related to the theme without my permission.  Unfortunately, after many years of successful use of my composition, the copyright was violated, which led to litigation.  I can also set the record straight on my involvement with VTS Productions (86-90) and the related drama.  Let me know ... thanks!

On 3/19/2017 at 3:09 PM, sfomspphl said:

 

I can say there isn't much more to the end. It was a 30 second cut that ended with a riff on the WTNCF signature. Maybe there's a longer version that wasn't used on air.

 

There were also some mixdowns of that cut used for bumpers.

 

Still wondering if anyone has reached out to Grizzell to see if the original 1983/84 era cuts of WTNCF are around. Classic stuff, especially that preshow bumper - it just screams 'news'. Amazed someone who was green to composing news themes came up with it.

Hi.  Earl Grizzell, here. Just happened on this site ... Thanks for the compliments. Would be happy to update all here and relay the FACTS on some issues in the wake of my original composition and production of the 5 note theme I wrote to compliment the spoken ID "Where The News Comes First". Let me know, thanks!  Earl Grizzell, composer/producer

On 3/19/2017 at 3:09 PM, sfomspphl said:

 

I can say there isn't much more to the end. It was a 30 second cut that ended with a riff on the WTNCF signature. Maybe there's a longer version that wasn't used on air.

 

There were also some mixdowns of that cut used for bumpers.

 

Still wondering if anyone has reached out to Grizzell to see if the original 1983/84 era cuts of WTNCF are around. Classic stuff, especially that preshow bumper - it just screams 'news'. Amazed someone who was green to composing news themes came up with it.

THANK YOU!  That's me and I have much to clarify for anyone who is interested..  Let me know,   Earl Grizzell, Composer/Producer

 

 

[newsteam13 400]

 

Earl Grizzell, your KCRA theme made its way to KRDO ABC13 in my hometown of Colorado Springs. It was used from 1987 thru 1989.

 

As you can see, its NEWS13 intro mimics that of the Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA - aerial footage, headshots and all

[Earl Grizzell 10]

6 minutes ago, newsteam13 said:

 

Earl Grizzell, your KCRA theme made its way to KRDO ABC13 in my hometown of Colorado Springs. It was used from 1987 thru 1989.

 

As you can see, its NEWS13 intro mimics that of the Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA - aerial footage, headshots and all

Wow.  Yes, that's my theme and 1 of many large orchestral arrangements. FYI:  I was hired by VTS to VP a new West Coast office presence (Studio City, CA) in late 86 - til my 1990 departure.  Best I recall, at the time, I did make available my copyrighted tracks for jingles and news themes, etc for resale in non-compete/crossover markets... all up and up, contractual protections. Still very proud of that theme and is near and dear to my music career.

 

 

[sfomspphl 498]

12 hours ago, Earl Grizzell said:

Just found this, and glad to chime in on the FACTS.  True, I composed the original theme for KCRA-TV whose slogan was "Where The News Comes First".  My signed contract with the Sacramento based NBC affiliate clearly protected me as the Copyright owner of the theme notation and prohibited any rearranging or adaption related to the theme without my permission.  Unfortunately, after many years of successful use of my composition, the copyright was violated, which led to litigation.  I can also set the record straight on my involvement with VTS Productions (86-90) and the related drama.  Let me know ... thanks!

Hi.  Earl Grizzell, here. Just happened on this site ... Thanks for the compliments. Would be happy to update all here and relay the FACTS on some issues in the wake of my original composition and production of the 5 note theme I wrote to compliment the spoken ID "Where The News Comes First". Let me know, thanks!  Earl Grizzell, composer/producer

THANK YOU!  That's me and I have much to clarify for anyone who is interested..  Let me know,   Earl Grizzell, Composer/Producer

 

 

 

Earl we'd love to hear your stories - the inspiration behind and creation of the music to the facts of how it evolved. 

 

Coincidentally, RIP Stan Atkinson who passed this weekend.

 

The music you made was of the highest caliber to match his style of broadcasting. 

[Earl Grizzell 10]

52 minutes ago, sfomspphl said:

 

Earl we'd love to hear your stories - the inspiration behind and creation of the music to the facts of how it evolved. 

 

Coincidentally, RIP Stan Atkinson who passed this weekend.

 

The music you made was of the highest caliber to match his style of broadcasting. 

He was the consummate professional .. a superstar in the market for sure!

[Earl Grizzell 10]

On 5/25/2025 at 4:11 PM, sfomspphl said:

 

Welcome Earl, was this one for KCRA your baby? The brassy Stan Atkinson “we have news for you…next” intro march. 

 

 

Your name sounds familiar from trying to lookup the author info for “Where the News Comes First” themes. 

YES.  This one (attached) is one of the arrangements (over a number of years) I did for my original 'WTNCF' theme that I composed for KCRA-TV Kelly Broadcasting in late 83 ... Thanks.

 

[sfomspphl 498]

On 5/28/2025 at 1:58 PM, Earl Grizzell said:

YES.  This one (attached) is one of the arrangements (over a number of years) I did for my original 'WTNCF' theme that I composed for KCRA-TV Kelly Broadcasting in late 83 ... Thanks.

 

 

Cool, what was the story / process / inspiration that got you to that arrangement? Pretty iconic, nailed the newsy urgency and authority with some ebbs and flows. I remember it being used for many years. 

[Earl Grizzell 10]

1 hour ago, sfomspphl said:

 

Cool, what was the story / process / inspiration that got you to that arrangement? Pretty iconic, nailed the newsy urgency and authority with some ebbs and flows. I remember it being used for many years. 

 

1 hour ago, sfomspphl said:

 

Cool, what was the story / process / inspiration that got you to that arrangement? Pretty iconic, nailed the newsy urgency and authority with some ebbs and flows. I remember it being used for many years. 

 

1 hour ago, sfomspphl said:

 

Cool, what was the story / process / inspiration that got you to that arrangement? Pretty iconic, nailed the newsy urgency and authority with some ebbs and flows. I remember it being used for many years. 

I look forward to resounding at length... it's been a long day for now.  Bachatcha soon .. thanks!