America's Top 10
Encyclopedia
America's Top 10 was a television program of music hits based on Billboard's Hot 100, with the exception of the last season in 1992 which used the Radio and Records chart. It aired in syndication by Gold Key Media from 1980-1982 and by All American Television
from 1982-1992. The show was hosted by Casey Kasem
, the host of American Top 40
and Casey's Top 40
, until 1991. After that point, the show was hosted by Siedah Garrett
and then Tommy Puett
; Kasem later returned as host until he closed down the show in 1992 to focus on launching "Casey's Countdown," an adult contemporary music
spinoff of Casey's Top 40. From around 1987 onwards, the show was also transmitted by various regions of ITV
in the United Kingdom
, where it was often broadcast as part of the network's then-new overnight service.
Charlie Tuna
served as announcer, and Syd Vinnedge, who would later become executive producer of The Price Is Right
, was producer.
from each chart. He would sometimes venture into other chart genres as well – such as Christmas or dance or disco – if there was an interesting chart feat taking place. A few times, interviews with artists from various music genres would also be shown.
In the first few years, a generic music bed would be used behind Casey's voice as the Top 10 pop songs were announced, one by one. Later years, snippets of the actual song would be used behind his voice. The other Top 10 charts would normally not be announced song by song, but rather Casey would highlight several of the specific songs within each Top 10. The songs highlighted would be based on chart movements or interesting chart feats for that week.
All American Television
All American Television was a television syndication company active from 1981 to 1998. It was founded by Anthony J. Scotti, Ben Scotti, and Joseph E. Kovacs...
from 1982-1992. The show was hosted by Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem
Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem is an American radio personality and voice actor who is best known for being the host of the nationally syndicated Top 40 countdown show American Top 40, and for voicing Shaggy in the popular Saturday morning cartoon franchise Scooby-Doo.Kasem, along with Don Bustany and...
, the host of American Top 40
American Top 40
American Top 40 is an internationally syndicated, independent radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs. Originally a production of Watermark Inc...
and Casey's Top 40
Casey's Top 40
Casey's Top 40 was a CHR/Pop music countdown that was hosted by Casey Kasem and distributed by Westwood One from 1989-1998. Kasem joined Westwood One when he was unable to reach an agreement with ABC Radio Networks in 1988, who was the distributor of American Top 40 at the time.-Similarities...
, until 1991. After that point, the show was hosted by Siedah Garrett
Siedah Garrett
Siedah Garrett is an American songwriter and singer.-Biography:She appeared as a contestant on Password Plus in 1980.She performed "One Man Woman" on Quincy Jones' Grammy-Award winning "Back on the Block."...
and then Tommy Puett
Tommy Puett
Tommy Puett is a former American actor and singer of the 1990s.-Career:Born Ralph Thomas Puett III in Gary, Indiana, Puett is best known for starring in the TV drama series Life Goes On, playing Tyler Benchfield, from 1989 to 1991...
; Kasem later returned as host until he closed down the show in 1992 to focus on launching "Casey's Countdown," an adult contemporary music
Adult contemporary music
Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music....
spinoff of Casey's Top 40. From around 1987 onwards, the show was also transmitted by various regions of ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where it was often broadcast as part of the network's then-new overnight service.
Charlie Tuna
Charlie Tuna
Charlie Tuna is the stage name of Art Ferguson , a radio personality based in Los Angeles, California currently working at KRTH-FM....
served as announcer, and Syd Vinnedge, who would later become executive producer of The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)
The Price Is Right is an American game show which was created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Contestants compete to identify the pricing of merchandise to win cash and prizes. The show is well-known for its signature line of "Come on down!" when the announcer directs newly selected contestants to...
, was producer.
Format
Much like American Top 40, America's Top 10 counted down the top 10 songs of the past week. Because of the 30-minute format of the show, Casey Kasem would highlight one song from the pop, R&B, country, and album charts, airing one music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
from each chart. He would sometimes venture into other chart genres as well – such as Christmas or dance or disco – if there was an interesting chart feat taking place. A few times, interviews with artists from various music genres would also be shown.
In the first few years, a generic music bed would be used behind Casey's voice as the Top 10 pop songs were announced, one by one. Later years, snippets of the actual song would be used behind his voice. The other Top 10 charts would normally not be announced song by song, but rather Casey would highlight several of the specific songs within each Top 10. The songs highlighted would be based on chart movements or interesting chart feats for that week.