Music For The Morning

Chris Bowman has a savvy friend, who had a brainstorm that led to Bowman being selected to write the theme song for The Early Show.

It all started last June when Bowman, a 39-year-old guitarist who lives in Dayton, Ohio, quit his job in order to devote more time to composing and playing music. Soon thereafter, his friend read in the newspaper that Bryant Gumbel had been named to anchor The Early Show and, reasoning that a new show would need a new song, suggested to Bowman that he send Gumbel a sample of his music.

Having the necessary equipment in his basement, Bowman pressed one of his CDs and mailed it off to Gumbel, who often receives unsolicited work. But he did listen to Bowman's music, and he liked what he heard.

"Out of the hundreds of videotapes, audio tapes, and CDs that were sent to me, Chris Bowman's work clearly stood out and compared favorably with the best efforts of established professionals," says Gumbel. "I'm happy for him and glad that his taste and ours fit so nicely."

As for Bowman, he says, "I am completely tickled. It was a one-in-a-million shot, like winning the lottery."

His melody will be used in a variety of styles, including Latin, adult contemporary, folk, rock, orchestral, and blues, to match the spirit and style of the program's many moods.

The music was adapted by Joel Beckerman, president of Man Made Music, which specializes in music for television, advertising, and records. The company provided the music for this year's television broadcast of the opening of the Super Bowl.