CBS Sunday Night at the Movies Returns to the Air with its Classic Theme Music Written by Rochester’s Ferdinand Jay Smith and Chuck Brucato
Rochester, NY—June 3, 2020—The familiar CBS Sunday Night at the Movies theme song can be heard once again after 31 years thanks to a new Sunday Night at the Movies five-week run of epic films that began airing May 5 on the CBS Network. The 20-second theme was co-written by Rochesterians Ferdinand Jay Smith and Chuck Brucato.
Smith, who is Chairman of JAY Advertising and Marketing Communications, and Brucato, founder of Brucato Productions, wrote and produced the music, which actually marries two different pieces, Smith’s underlying trombone power theme with Brucato’s melody. It was produced in under two months at JAY Advertising's Studios in Rochester, NY. Horns were recorded in New York City with members of the Blues Brothers band.
Sunday Night at the Movies aired for a decade from 1979 – 1989. The theme had not been used until now, when a shutdown of television production due to the coronavirus pandemic prompted a revival of the Sunday series.
Smith and Brucato were surprised to learn that the Sunday night favorite was back on the air.
The theme was Smith’s first network project. “I had the TV on,” he said, “and heard this promo and said, that’s our music! We’re very excited about it being back on the air after all this time and having it reach new audiences.”
“I was amazed,” said Brucato, “I was sitting at home and overheard the song playing from the other room. It was a real shock and really quite an honor and a happy surprise. Watching and hearing the opening theme all these years later reminded me how much the music and visuals stand out and have legs. You know when it starts to play something special is about to happen.”
Smith and Brucato went on to write and produce numerous other theme music for CBS programs including the History of News and the History of Entertainment. He also did voiceovers for CBS News promos. In Rochester he also did the theme music for WHEC TV 10 and the current music for WROC TV 8.
Smith’s expertise spans film and video animation, directing, writing, on-air talent, producing and music composition. An award-winning television director, producer and broadcaster, his music is heard around the world on television networks. His creative work has been recognized internationally.
The prolific composer’s network television theme music includes the long-running HBO theme, themes for two NBC Olympics’ broadcasts, Movies of the Week on ABC, NBC, A&E Network, Golf Channel, Cinemax, NHL Network, Buffalo Bills NFL Football theme and many more.
Brucato is a songwriter and Jingle (Music Branding) writer producer who has written and produced more than 600 jingles airing nationally, regionally and locally.
Smith and Brucato’s history of collaboration goes back long before the writing of this theme to when Brucato was a lead singer and main writer for the Rustix, the Rochester R&B band that Smith managed and signed to Motown Records. The band performed and recorded in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. Following his career with the band Brucato joined Smith’s agency, Jay Advertising, as a writer/producer.
The duo has worked together on various demos for television networks and continue to collaborate today. They are currently developing a positive and upbeat kids program, details of which will be announced soon.
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About JAY Marketing & Communications
Founded in 1973, JAY Marketing & Communications is a full-service advertising and marketing communications agency focusing on driving retail results and delivering smart and memorable branding solutions based on insights, experience and knowledge of clients' unique market demands. The agency provides clients with strategy, creative, integrated media planning and buying, research, sponsorship and experiential marketing, web and digital development, and production including full design, audio, music, video, content and production facilities, all under one roof. JAY's extensive branding experience includes award-winning work for Wegmans, Raymour & Flanigan, Five Star Bank, St. John Fisher College, HBO and many others.