Ray Chew Leads Live Music for 'Dancing With the Stars' 35th Season

Music director Ray Chew leads the live musical performances for "Dancing With the Stars," which begins its 35th season on Sept. 15 and 16 on ABC and Disney+. Chew has been a constant presence for the show's music over the last 17 seasons, modernizing its sound from classic ballroom to current pop culture trends.

Chew directs a 14-piece band, one of the largest live bands on television today. His team is responsible for recreating hit Broadway musicals like "Wicked" and nights dedicated to TikTok viral hits, covering various genres, tempos, and styles.

The production process operates on a tight weekly schedule. Choreographers select songs in real time, and Chew's team receives assignments on Wednesday. He describes this deconstruction process as "unbaking the cake," where they identify each musical element, including signature sounds and vocal nuances, for 16 songs.

Arrangements for these songs are prepared from Wednesday through Friday, followed by a full-band rehearsal on Saturday. The band, including singers and musicians, assembles in the ballroom to ensure all songs are correct and properly mixed for the audio team.

Meanwhile, music supervisor Nancy Severinsen manages song rights clearance, a complex task that can involve contacting multiple writers and up to seven publishers per song. Chew notes that clearance often occurs at the last minute, sometimes requiring adjustments to original plans to satisfy rights holders, as seen during the "Wicked" night.

On show day, Tuesday, Chew's schedule begins at 3:30 AM and concludes when the show wraps that evening. The 14 musicians and singers are expected to deliver a live, high-quality performance starting with rehearsals at 5:30 AM, followed by dance team rehearsals, camera blocks, and a dress rehearsal before going live at 5:30 PM.

Chew's extensive experience includes music directing for "Saturday Night Live" in the 1980s, the Grammy Awards, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and "American Idol." He considers "Dancing With the Stars" a "unicorn" in live television due to its commitment to live musicians.

The show's evolution under Chew has seen its audience grow younger and more engaged, shifting from a traditional ballroom sound to a more contemporary presentation. This adaptation includes incorporating younger, bouncier songs to appeal to a broader demographic.

The increasing rarity of live musicians in television makes "Dancing With the Stars" a notable exception. Chew emphasizes that the audience appreciates the unique life the live band brings to each song, distinguishing it from master recordings. Janet Jackson and her producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have acknowledged the show's covers.