"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is turning his love of classic show tunes into a bonafide album release.

Universal Republic Records will release an album by the exec producer and actor later this year. MacFarlane will be backed by a full orchestra and croon songs from the 1940s and '50s.

MacFarlane's love of that era's music is no secret, having performed live at Carnegie Hall in New York and London's Royal Albert Hall. He also regularly sings at charity benefits and last year fronted a variety special for Fox.

In a statement uncharacteristically free of irony or gags, MacFarlane noted that it was "rare in this day and age to have the opportunity to create an album that celebrates the classic, sophisticated sound of rich, lush swing orchestrations. It will be an absolute joy to sing this music."No, you're not reading that wrong -- this is "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane we're talking about here. But he's serious about music.

Film and TV composer Joel McNeely will produce and arrange the album, which will include music from songwriters such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe and other compositions picked by MacFarlane.

Original material will include McNeely's own "She's Wonderful Too," originally composed for "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles."

MacFarlane uses a complete orchestra for all three of his shows -- "Family Guy," "The Cleveland Show" and "American Dad." He also recently landed an Emmy nom for music and lyrics.

MacFarlane will record the album at the Capitol Records recording studio.


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