RADIO MUSIC LISTENERS TUNE IN TO OLD STANDARDS.Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer VALENCIA - A music trend that harks back to the radio's golden age is now sweeping the nation, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. industry insiders, and Valencia's Westwood One Westwood One, Inc. (NYSE: WON) is the largest radio network in the United States based on programming quantity. It is based in the city of New York, and it is managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation. History The company was founded by Norman J. Radio Network is helping lead the charge. The Westwood One network - which serves 8 million listeners in 210 cities - has found revived listener interest in ``adult standard'' songs and styles, from Cole Porter Noun 1. Cole Porter - United States composer and lyricist of musical comedies (1891-1946) Cole Albert Porter, Porter to Duke Ellington to Norah Jones Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30 1979 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American singer-songwriter, musician and occasional actress of American and Indian descent. , according to program director Chick Watkins. ``By adding those artists into our mix of standards we have brought people back to the radio who hadn't been listening,'' Watkins said. ``We've brought back some of the songs that were hits from the past.'' Adult standard songs include anything that has withstood the test of time, Watkins said. The standards are from ``The Great American Songbook,'' an evergreen collection of mid-20th century songs that was the staple of top vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald Noun 1. Ella Fitzgerald - United States scat singer (1917-1996) Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole a legendary king of Britain, who is said to have reigned in the third century. See also: King . According to Watkins, the audience for the standard sound is expanding to include a much younger audience than ever before. In fact, Rod Stewart's latest album, titled ``The Great American Songbook,'' is a collection of revisited classics such as, ``It Had to Be You,'' a song made famous by Frank Sinatra, Watkins said. Stewart's new album has already sold 1 million albums, and Neil Diamond, Bette Midler Bette Midler (born December 1 1945) is an American singer, actress and comedienne, also known to her fans as The Divine Miss M. She is named after the actress Bette Davis although Davis pronounced her first name in two syllables, and Midler uses one. and Barry Manilow  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. are all following suit with similar albums. And according to Watkins, other contemporary artists are simply lifting from the style and sound of the old classics, Watkins said. Nineteen-year-old singer-pianist Peter Cincotti, a Columbia University Sophomore who recently released his debut album, has drawn comparisons to Harry Connick Jr. for style. ``These songs are timeless and the lyrics are everlasting - it's not about some craze at the moment that's going to die in the next year,'' Cincotti says. ``These songs should appeal to everyone.'' Norah Jones, who won eight Grammys this year, proves Cincotti's point. Playing with what Watkins calls an old-fashioned style, Jones has earned a following of listeners of all ages. ``She's doing original songs in such a way that they are melodic with a lot of strings,'' Watkins said. ``It's a kind of approach that appeals to the young and old alike.'' Watkins' show airs on Westwood One Radio Network stations every day between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Associated Press Contributed to this report. Nicholas Grudin, (661) 257-5255 nicholas.grudin(at)dailynews.com |
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