NEW YORK (AP) — "One Shining Moment" will sound different when the NCAA Tournament comes to an end this year.
Turner network executives said they have re-recorded the famous song, which, along with a string of inspiring, tear-jerker highlights, has been a staple at the end of the finals telecast since 1987.
For the first time, TBS is airing the entire Final Four. Craig Barry, executive vice president of Turner Sports, said the network has been asking "how do we make it better, how do we move into the 21st century with it, without losing its tradition?"
It's a delicate topic. The most famous version is sung by Luther Vandross, which CBS used from 2003 through 2009. Then, CBS aired a recording by Jennifer Hudson in 2010. Fans went to social media and complained — loudly — so the network went back to Vandross' version the next year and has stuck with it ever since.
The song was composed by David Barrett, whose version was used from 1987-1993, then again from 2000-2002, with a cover by Teddy Pendergrass featured in the interim.
While offering few clues about what the new version will sound like, Barry said the song will retain what he called its "adult contemporary, R&B" style.