THINGS GOING `SMOOTH' FOR U.S. MARCHING BANDS

THINGS GOING `SMOOTH' FOR U.S. MARCHING BANDS

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Wireless Flash) -- American marching bands are moving to the beat of a different drummer -- a Latin percussionist to be exact. For the second year in a row, Latin songs are big hits with high school and college marching bands, according to Hal Leonard Music, which sells sheet music to school bands. Santana's "Smooth" and Lou Bega's "Mambo No. 5" are Numero Uno with the fife and drum crowd and high school bands are also singing the praises of Drew Carey's theme song, "Cleveland Rocks." However, not everything is music to the ears of band directors. Although Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys are popular with teenagers, their songs have yet to strike a chord with marching bands.