The singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s never really died; it just got better production values. Artists such as James Taylor, Elton John, and Chicago tamed their rock demons and laid the groundwork for Phil Collins, Sting, and Eric Clapton to do the same. Adult contemporary is bereft of production grit; clean, sanitized tracks are a necessity, as is virtuosic performance, evidenced by the rise of vocal gymnasts like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Mellowed rocker Bryan Adams and grown-up pop icon George Michael enjoyed lucrative careers as post-teen idols on adult-contemporary stations, while user-friendly jam acts like the Dave Matthews Band built strong followings among the format's thirtysomething demographic. Meanwhile, a new demographic began emerging: the Hot AC crowd. Hot AC is a radio format for younger, slightly edgier bands, a new breed of lite rockers who appear "alternative" while eschewing the vitriol of the alternative set. Witness the multiplatinum success of artists like Matchbox 20, 3 Doors Down, and Maroon 5.

Notable Artists: John Mayer, Lionel Ritchie, Christopher Cross