Dan Foliart: The Composer Behind Iconic TV Themes

Dan Foliart is an American composer and songwriter best known for crafting memorable themes and scores for beloved television series. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, his work has achieved mainstream recognition through its integration into hit shows, making his music a staple of American living rooms for decades.

Early career

Born in 1951, Dan Foliart's musical journey began early, studying piano and developing a passion for composition. His professional break came in the late 1970s when he started working in television, collaborating with lyricist Howard Pearl. This partnership led to their first major assignment, contributing music to the popular ABC sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," which premiered in 1976.

Breakthrough

Foliart's career-defining moment arrived with the 1988 launch of the hit ABC family sitcom "Full House." His collaboration with lyricist Bennett Salvay produced the show's instantly recognizable and upbeat theme song, "Everywhere You Look." This theme became synonymous with the series throughout its eight-season run, earning Foliart widespread acclaim and solidifying his reputation in the television industry.

Key tracks

Everywhere You Look — The iconic theme from "Full House" remains his most famous work, defining the sound of a generation of television.

Laverne & Shirley Theme — His early work on this series' music helped establish his foothold in the competitive world of television scoring.

Family Matters Theme — Foliart composed the cheerful theme for this long-running sitcom, further showcasing his skill for creating catchy, character-driven melodies.

Step by Step Theme — He provided the music for this 1990s TGIF lineup staple, continuing his successful partnership with producer Thomas L. Miller.

Following the success of "Full House," Dan Foliart remained a sought-after composer for television. He scored numerous other series throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including "Getting By," "Meego," and "The Hughleys." His work often involved close collaboration with production companies like Miller-Boyett Productions, a leading force in sitcoms during that era.

Beyond television, Foliart has also been active in the theater world. He served as President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) from 2009 to 2013, advocating for the rights of music creators. His career exemplifies the craft of television composition, where a theme song can become a cultural touchstone.

Fans of Dan Foliart's melodic and upbeat television compositions might also enjoy the work of Jesse Frederick, who composed themes for "Full House" contemporaries like "Perfect Strangers." Ray Colcord shares a similar niche in crafting memorable 80s and 90s TV music. For a broader scope of television soundtrack work, explore Mike Post, a legendary figure in TV scoring. The thematic compositions of Bruce Broughton also resonate with Foliart's detailed musical storytelling.

The catchy themes of Dan Foliart are a regular feature on classic TV soundtrack radio stations and online streams dedicated to nostalgia and television music. His work is frequently played on stations that celebrate the sounds of the 1980s and 1990s, connecting listeners with a defining era of broadcast television.

Listeners can discover the memorable television music of Dan Foliart on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to various stations available on onairium.com to hear his iconic themes and celebrate the art of TV composition.