Movies Rock selects Grammy Winner David Paich as coordinator

Seven-time Grammy winner David Paich, whose songs for Toto include the 1983 Record of the Year “Rosanna” and co-writing the chart-topping “Africa” with Jeff Porcaro, will serve as Music Coordinator for the Movies Rock two-hour prime-time special, airing December 7 on CBS from the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

Carrie Underwood will sing the theme from the Sound of Music, Beyonce will perform “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” while Elton John will do a tribute to music from animated films. Other artists scheduled to appear include Mary J. Blige and John Legend singing a duet on Casablanca’s “As Time Goes By,” Jennifer Hudson performing a medley of James Bond themes and John Williams leading an orchestra in a medley of his movie themes.

The special is being produced in part by the Producers Guild of America and Conde Nast Media Group as part of their special magazine supplement sent free this month to subscribers of 14 of their titles. The Movie Rocks issue, dedicated to the use of music in films, features Bill Murray on the cover dressed as Vegas-era Elvis.

“I love award-winning film music and giving the selections a musical twist is a real challenge for me,” commented Paich, who earned Producer of the Year and songwriting honors for “Rosanna” at the ’82 Grammys, when Toto IV won a then-record six awards. “Working with people of this caliber is always an honor.”

Paich is one of the most successful songwriter/producers in pop music. His hits for Toto include “99,” “Hold the Line” and “Georgy Porgy,” as well as Cheryl Lynn’s smash, “Got to Be Real.” His credits include co-writing with Boz Scaggs on songs like “What Can I Say” and “Lowdown,” for which he shared a Best Rhythm & Blues Song Grammy in 1977. Paich earned an Emmy Award for Best Song with his father, songwriter/ composer Marty, for the Ironside theme, “Light the Way.” He wrote or co-wrote songs for Bryan Adams, Cher, George Benson, Jon Anderson and Chicago, among many others. Those for whom he has worked as an arranger include Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin and Donna Summer.