Tony Nominee & Band Leader Harold Wheeler Departs DANCING WITH THE STARS

According to The Hollywood Reporter, longtime DANCING WITH THE STARS band leader Harold Wheeler, and his 28-piece group of singers and musicians will depart the long-running ABC dance competition.

The news was announced in a joint statement from ABC and BBC Worldwide Production: "Our talented Music Director, Harold Wheeler, will not be joining us for Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. Since Season One, Harold and his band have performed brilliant music in our ballroom for our dancers and the American viewers at home," "We are grateful to him and his band for their amazing work and years of collaboration. We wish him the best of luck."

While the band leader and his crew will be replaced by another band in the upcoming 18th season premiering this March, American Federation of Musicians president Ray Hair had some harsh words for ABC over the show's recent trend of replacing live music with preexisting sound recordings. "People who love Dancing with the Stars also love the superb performances of the orchestra because it is such an integral part of the show," Hair said. "The tight, elaborate musical productions that catapulted the show into the top 10 in 17 countries can't be duplicated by recordings and a small combo. Viewers, whether they are young or old, will reject that as artistic fraud."

He continued, "It's not like ABC and Disney don't have any money and can't afford an orchestra. It's about the insatiable thirst for profits at the expense of music, art, and those who create it. Firing the band, using recordings, and hiring fewer musicians won't boost ratings. It will kill the show."

Dancing with the Stars recent format change of a two-night-a-week show to a one night a week show will continue for the upcoming season.

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