.......While boy bands starting their own series is nothing new (i.e. The Monkees of the 1960's and the short-lived New Kids On The Block cartoons in the early 90's), MAKING THE BAND brings the concept to an entirely different level. This group will acually form on the show and it follows their lives as they struggle to make it big. For those of you who have missed it, the premiere episode featured a flock of guys from all over the country auditioning for Mr. Pearlman, vying for a spot in this hot new group. The competitors were narrowed down to eight young men who then packed up their belongings and moved into a house together in Orlando. The lucky guys are Ashley Parker Angel, Bryan Chan, Erik-Micheal Estrada, Ikaika Kahoano, Paul Martin, Micheal Miller, Trevor Penick, and Jacob Underwood. The cameras follow this hunky household as they continue to complete for one of the five spots in the band - which means three of the guys are soon to be left out in the cold.
.......If this sounds a little like the MTV series' Real World and Road Rules - that's because it's the product of the same creators. Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray, the master minds behind both shows, play a part in producing MAKING THE BAND, alongside MTV exec Ken Mok, so you can be sure viewers won't miss one juicy detail of this real-life musical adventure.
.......Now that we are well into first season of this enticing new show, lets take some time to review the eight young hopefuls who make up the O-Town household.
***TREVOR PENICK***
.......Trevor is the California boy with a heart of gold. in the premiere episode he expressed his strong eelings about family and his desire to help support his parents if he were to make it big with O-Town. He's a self-proclaimed BSB fan who was often teased about his favorite group by his fraternity brothers back at California State University at Fullerton. Of his personality, Trevor says, "I am definitely a leader. I love to get things started. I am an attention-getter. I'm spontaneous, crazy, and I love the spotlight."
***JACOB UNDERWOOD***
.......Jacob Underwood admits that he loves to be the life of the party. He says he has always been known as a leader and usually takes the role as the comic relief as well. A California native, Jacob loves to express himself through music by singing, songwriting, and playing the guitar. For all of you who have already been swept by his sparkling baby blues, Jacob says he looks for a girl who is fun loving and has a strong personality. "But most importantly she has strong morals and loves Jesus Christ," says the aspiring musician.
***IKAIKA KAHOANO***
.......With his exotic good looks(*I dont think so*) and good-natured charm, Ikaika seems destined for stardom. He calls Hawaii home and considers himself "funny, serious, and spontaneous." Before making the move to Orlando, Ikaika aspired to be a doctor and studied at the Universary of Hawaii. This "born entertainer" enjoys playing the bass guitar and drums. If he could choose three wishes to be fulfilled , he would ask for "a cure for all diseases, that everyone had enough money to survive, and a time machine."
***PAUL MARTIN***
.......Robert "Paul" Martin is no newcomer to the world of boy bands. This former Mississippi College student actually attended the same high school as 'N SYNC's Lance Bass and maintains a friendship with him. He says that he was pushed into theater by his mother, who is also his biggest fan, because he was horrible athlete as a child. He loves to sing pop music is looking for an intelligent girl who smiles a lot and has the ability to laugh at herself and him when the going gets tough.
***MICHAEL MILLER***
.......It's no surprise that at a statuesque 6'4'' Michael Miller has walked straight off the runways and right into the center of O-Town. Before he joined the MAKING THE BAND cast. Mike was trying his hand at modeling, but has always yearned to break into music. Another love of this handsome guy's is traveling. " I love to travel, I'm a sponge, I enjoy experiencing other cultures. I've had no bad trips, " he says, "My favorite was when my family went to South Africa for New Year's." In the spare time, Mike loves to hang out at clubs, shoot hoops and play beach volleyball.
***ASHLEY ANGEL***
.......With a piano teacher for a mom, Ashley Angel has always had music in his life. He began playing the instrument at the age of four, and today he also he also enjoys singing and songwriting as well. A native of California, Ashley describes himself as "th efunny one," who is also a natural born leader. He sites his mom as his hero because, "in the face of a lot of adversity and troubles, she has pulled through and been strong. She is an extremely sucessful person." He's attracted to girls who are honest, outgoing, and kind.
***BRYAN CHAN***
.......Bryan is the designated "clean freak" of the house, which should make living with six strangers a challenge for the talented guy. He is a kick-back and relax kind of guy who says he prefers talking in a coffee shop with friends than going clubbing. Bryan's friends have nicknamed him Muhammed Ali because of his drive and determination to succeed. This well-meaning guy struggles to achieve his goals despite the lack of support he recieves from his parents because of their differences in opinion.
***ERIK-MICHAEL ESTRADA***
.......Born and raised in New York City, Erik has been training his voice for the past four years. He loves writing songs and maintaining a close relationship with his mother and step-father. This confessed born leader admits that he can get "crazy" at times but also tries to be a good listener. Erik would love to meet a girl who is adventurous, intelligent, and loves music as much as he does. Are there any takers out there, ladies?
*Teen Celeb. August 2000*
