Dancing With the Stars faced a lot of backlash from fans for ousting bandleader Harold Wheeler and the live orchestra, so the reality-competition series has hired a new bandleader to replace him.

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Perhaps as a result, Dancing With the Stars has hired Ray Chew to lead the new in-house band. Chew has worked on many live television events, including the 65th annual Emmy Awards, American Idol and President Obama's Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.

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"I'm looking forward to continuing the musical legacy established on Dancing With the Stars, a show that respects live music and musicians," Chew said after assuming his new position. "It is important to me and to the producers to maintain the integrity of the music presentation for the dancers as well as for the viewers. Towards that end, my approach will be to utilize first class live vocalists, arrangers, copyists and musicians of all instruments."

Going into its 18th season, Dancing With the Stars has been making changes to its format as ratings continue to slip. The series moved to only one night a week in season 17, a format that will continue this spring with season 18.

A season 18 cast announcement is expected within the next few weeks.

Dancing With the Stars season 18 premieres on Monday, March 17 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Tags
Dancing with the Stars, Reality TV, ABC