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{{short description|American boy band}}
{{Otheruses3|]}}
{{about|the band}}


{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
]
| name = O-Town
'''O-Town''' is a ] formed from the first series of the ]-produced ] series '']'', in ]. The members of the band are Jacob Underwood, ], Erik-Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, and Dan Miller. After releasing two albums near the end of public interest in the boy band format, O-Town has no future plans to perform concerts or release further albums.
| alias = OTWN, OTOWN
| image =
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = ], U.S.
| genre = ]
| years_active = 2000–2003, 2013–present
| label = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]}}
| current_members = Dan Miller<br/>Erik-Michael Estrada<br/>Jacob Underwood<br/>Trevor Penick
| past_members = ]<br/>Ikaika Kahoano <br/>
| website = {{official website|http://www.otownofficial.com}}
}}

'''O-Town''' is an American ] formed from the first season of the ] series '']'' in 2000. As of 2015, the group consists of Erik-Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, Jacob Underwood, and Dan Miller. The original line up included ] and Ikaika Kahoano, who was replaced by Miller after dropping out of the group.

After releasing two albums near the end of the boy band fad of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the group disbanded in 2003. The group was originally managed by ] during their first season of ''Making the Band'', but later managed by Mike Cronin and Mike Morin for their debut album and remaining television seasons.


==History== ==History==
In ], ], the man responsible for the formation of the ] and ], embarked on a nationwide talent search, culling 1,800 auditions in eight cities down to 25 young men, and eventually eight finalists. These eight young men would, as the premise for a new ] reality show, compete for five spots in Pearlman's newest boy band creation, to be signed to his record label, ]. Midway through the first season, five of the eight were chosen. These five were Underwood, Angel, Estrada, Penick, and a young man by the name of ]. Several episodes later, however, Kahoano was forced to choose between the band and his family: he chose his family. Selecting from the group of 25 semi-finalists, the remaining four members of the band chose Miller to be Kahoano's replacement. With the final five members of O-Town in place, ''Making the Band'' tracked the development and struggles of the new band.


===Formation and debut album (1999–2001)===
==Brief existence==
O-Town was assembled for the first season of the ] reality television series '']''; the group was named after ], the city where auditions were held.<ref name="encyclopedia"/> In the selection process, ] and a panel of judges selected ], Erik Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, Jacob Underwood, and Ikaika Kahoano.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/o-town-mn0000884251/biography|title=O-Town Biography|last=Azpiri|first=Jon|publisher=allmusic|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> However, Kahoano left for personal reasons and was replaced by Dan Miller.<ref name="allmusic"/>
The ratings of ''Making the Band'' were strong enough to warrant second and third seasons, which saw the return of O-Town and continued to track their development as a pop group, following tours, performances, and other seminal events in the band's history. Such events included the development of their second CD, ''O2'', their transition to a new record label, ]' ], and an ongoing struggle to "prove themselves" as legitimate artists. The third and final season of ''Making the Band'' was broadcast on ], instead of its original network, ABC.


After season one, former ] executive ] signed O-Town to his new label ].<ref name="allmusic"/> Their first release, the self-titled '']'', boosted by the publicity of the weekly television series, debuted at no. 5 on the ] album chart for sold more than three million copies worldwide.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="perfect fit">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020208103905/http://www.mtv.com/bands/o/otown/news_feature_110201/index.jhtml|archive-date=February 8, 2002|title=O-Town: The Perfect Fit|publisher=MTV News|date=November 2, 2001|access-date=December 17, 2020|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/o/otown/news_feature_110201/index.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first single, "]", peaked at number 10 on the ].<ref name="Billboard">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/o-town/chart-history|title=Chart History: O-Town|publisher=Billboard.com|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
As a band, O-Town enjoyed only mild success. Their first album, the self-titled ''O-Town'', boosted by the publicity of the television series, sold more than two million copies. The novelty of the band soon wore off, however, and the band never really found the market acceptance they sought; the boy band niche was already largely filled by competitors *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. Sales on O-Town's second album, ''O2'', were below expectations, and J Records dropped the band from the label.


In the late spring of 2001, O-Town released "]", which became the biggest hit of their career as a group, reaching no. 3 on the Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7768145/o-town-all-or-nothing-interview-chorus-week/|title=O-Town Discusses to the 'All or Nothing' Chorus Was an Instant Classic: 'It is a key change'|last=Weatherby|first=Taylor|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 17, 2020|date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> In 2001, the group was the opening act for ]' ] in the U.S.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
==Dissolution==
O-Town understood that gaining a foothold in the music industry would be a challenge, considering the transparent nature of the band's formation. ''Making the Band'' had the unfortunate effect of emphasizing the extent to which bands like O-Town were packaged and corporately controlled, facets of the music industry that listeners were not attracted to. At the same time, however, the television show also illustrated the humanity of the band members, showing their struggle for market acceptance and group identity. Though the group released several mega-hit songs, O-Town was never able to reach the popularity attained by other boy bands of the time.


===''O2'' and split (2002–2003)===
Though fans tried to organize campaigns to get O-Town signed to a new label, these efforts were met with little success. As a result, the group disbanded late in 2003.
O-Town's second album ''O2'' was released in November 2002 by J Records. It included a newer single, "We Fit Together".<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/o-town|title=O-Town|last=Naden|first=Corrine J.|work=Contemporary Musicians|publisher=Cengage|date=2002|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> The album was observed to have a different sound from O-Town's debut album, with a mix of "soulful ballads and songs with more of a rock ‘n’ roll approach," according to ''Contemporary Musicians''.<ref name="encyclopedia"/> ] reported that O-Town hoped that the album would show the group to be more than "] wannabes."<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1456293/o2-gives-o-town-members-room-to-breathe-write/|title=O2 Gives O-Town Members Room To Breathe, Write|publisher=MTV News|date=July 25, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020823020859/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1456293/20020725/story.jhtml|archive-date=August 23, 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> However, with teen pop trending down in listener interest in 2002, ''O2'' did not sell as well as the first O-Town album.<ref name="allmusic"/> As a result, in 2003, J Records released O-Town from their contract, and the group disbanded.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031207050448/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480282/20031107/story.jhtml|archive-date=December 7, 2003|title=For The Record: Quick News On Disturbed, O-Town, Guns N' Roses, Madonna, Simple Plan, Jack Johnson & More|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480282/20031107/story.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=November 7, 2003|access-date=December 17, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Solo careers (2003–2013)===
==Discography==
The members of O-Town moved on to solo careers. The most successful member was Ashley Parker Angel, who was signed to ]'s ], also given his own reality show on MTV, '']''. Angel released a solo album, '']'', in 2006.<ref name="Ashley allmusic">{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Maris|title=Ashley Parker Angel Biography|publisher=allmusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ashley-parker-angel-mn0000531886/biography|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> In 2007, he began playing the role of ] in the ] production of '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/making-the-band-idol-joins-broadways-hairspray-com-137818|title="Making the Band" Idol Joins Broadway's Hairspray|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|work=Hairspray|date=January 19, 2007|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> Trevor Penick signed to Mach 1 Music and performed as Tre Scott.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://okmagazine.com/news/catching-withtre-scott/|title=Catching Up to...Tre Scott|work=OK!|date=September 26, 2007|last=Eng|first=Joyce|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> Erik Michael Estrada stayed in the music business as a songwriter. Jacob Underwood went on to start his own country band, Jacob's Loc.<ref name="where are they">{{cite magazine|url=https://assets.billboard.com/articles/news/9339741/making-the-band-artists|title='Making the Band': |last=O'Brien|first=Jon|magazine=Billboard|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
===]===
*'']'' (]) #5 US, #7 UK
*'']'' (]) #28 US


In 2013, Angel declined to join the O-Town reunion: "It was a difficult decision, that ultimately necessary to move on to the next chapter of my career."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/18/ashley-parker-angel-otown-o-town-reuinion-concert-tour/ |title=Ashley Parker-Angel - I Won't Rejoin O-Town ... |publisher=TMZ.com |date=2011-01-19 |access-date=2014-05-26}}</ref>
===]===
'''From ''O-Town'':'''
*"Liquid Dreams" (]) #10 US, #3 UK
*"All Or Nothing" (]) #3 US, #4 UK


===''Lines & Circles'' and single ''Empty Space'' (2013–present)===
'''From ''] Soundtrack'':'''
*"We Fit Together" (]) #20 UK


On May 28, 2014, O-Town released a preview of the single "Skydive" on SoundCloud. The single is from their third studio album ''Lines & Circles''. The album was released on August 24, 2014.<ref name=soundcloud>{{cite web|title=Skydive by All About The Melody on SoundCloud|url=https://soundcloud.com/all-about-the-melody/skydive|publisher=]|access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref>
'''From ''O-Town'':'''
*"Love Should Be A Crime" (]) #38 UK


In 2017, they premiered a new single "Empty Space" in addition to announcing a new EP.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/04/18/o-town-empty-space-new-song/|title=O-Town Return With New Song, 'Empty Space'|work=EW.com|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/song-premiere-o-town-debuts-empty-space-161357362.html|title=Song Premiere: O-Town Debuts 'Empty Space'|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en-US}}</ref> They also announced a new 2017 tour featuring ] on select dates, as well as some spots on the ''I Love the 90s'' nationwide tour.
'''From ''O2'':'''

*"These Are The Days" (]) #64 US, #36 UK (] release)
Their ''Part 1'' EP was released on August 4, 2017.<ref>{{Citation|last=O-Town|title=Part 1|url=https://www.amazon.com/Part-1-O-Town/dp/B073RZ2HFD/|access-date=2018-03-06}}</ref>{{update inline|date=September 2018}}
*"I Showed Her" (])

In June 2019, O-Town planned on filing a trademark for their band name, which ] believed was too similar to the ] label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8517477/boy-band-o-town-universal-music-group-motown-trademark-dispute|title=O-Town Locked in Trademark Dispute With Universal Music Group|date=June 24, 2019|website=Billboard.com|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>

On August 2, 2019, they released ''The O.T.W.N. Album''.

==Members==
;Current
* Dan Miller (2000–2003, 2013–present)
* Erik-Michael Estrada (2000–2003, 2013–present)
* Jacob Underwood (2000–2003, 2013–present)
* Trevor Penick (2000–2003, 2013–present)
;Former
* ] (2000–2003)
* ] (2000)

==Discography==
{{main|O-Town discography}}
;Studio albums
* '']'' (2001)
* '']'' (2002)
* '']'' (2014)
* ''The O.T.W.N. Album'' (2019)

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Work
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" | Ref.
|-
|rowspan="2"|2001
|rowspan="2"|]
| Choice Music: Breakout Artist
|rowspan="2"|Themselves
| {{Won}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref name="Hollywood">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/2001-teen-choice-awards-57162725/ |title=2001 Teen Choice Awards |publisher=] |date=August 12, 2001 |access-date=July 8, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626162508/http://www.hollywood.com/general/2001-teen-choice-awards-57162725/ |archive-date=June 26, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| Choice Music: Pop Group
| {{Nom}}
|-
|}

==Tours==
===Opening act===
* ] – ] (2001)
* Pop2000Tour hosted by ]. (active)
*Viral campaign surfaced which suggested O-Town as the headliner for the Upstate NY annual festival at the Afton Fairgrounds. Rumor turned out to be false, disappointing many local fans (2000).

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* (no longer updated) *

* (fansite, still updated)
{{s-start}}
{{s-new|first|reason=First season of show}}
{{s-ttl|title='']'' winners
|years=2000}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{end}}
{{O-Town}}
{{Lou Pearlman}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Otown}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 13:22, 10 January 2025

American boy band This article is about the band. For other uses, see O-Town (disambiguation).
O-Town
Also known asOTWN, OTOWN
OriginOrlando, Florida, U.S.
GenresPop
Years active2000–2003, 2013–present
Labels
MembersDan Miller
Erik-Michael Estrada
Jacob Underwood
Trevor Penick
Past membersAshley Parker Angel
Ikaika Kahoano
WebsiteOfficial website

O-Town is an American boy band formed from the first season of the reality television series Making the Band in 2000. As of 2015, the group consists of Erik-Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, Jacob Underwood, and Dan Miller. The original line up included Ashley Parker Angel and Ikaika Kahoano, who was replaced by Miller after dropping out of the group.

After releasing two albums near the end of the boy band fad of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the group disbanded in 2003. The group was originally managed by Lou Pearlman during their first season of Making the Band, but later managed by Mike Cronin and Mike Morin for their debut album and remaining television seasons.

History

Formation and debut album (1999–2001)

O-Town was assembled for the first season of the ABC reality television series Making the Band; the group was named after Orlando, Florida, the city where auditions were held. In the selection process, Lou Pearlman and a panel of judges selected Ashley Parker Angel, Erik Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, Jacob Underwood, and Ikaika Kahoano. However, Kahoano left for personal reasons and was replaced by Dan Miller.

After season one, former Arista Records executive Clive Davis signed O-Town to his new label J Records. Their first release, the self-titled O-Town, boosted by the publicity of the weekly television series, debuted at no. 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart for sold more than three million copies worldwide. Their first single, "Liquid Dreams", peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the late spring of 2001, O-Town released "All or Nothing", which became the biggest hit of their career as a group, reaching no. 3 on the Hot 100. In 2001, the group was the opening act for Britney Spears' Dream Within a Dream Tour in the U.S.

O2 and split (2002–2003)

O-Town's second album O2 was released in November 2002 by J Records. It included a newer single, "We Fit Together". The album was observed to have a different sound from O-Town's debut album, with a mix of "soulful ballads and songs with more of a rock ‘n’ roll approach," according to Contemporary Musicians. MTV News reported that O-Town hoped that the album would show the group to be more than "'NSYNC wannabes." However, with teen pop trending down in listener interest in 2002, O2 did not sell as well as the first O-Town album. As a result, in 2003, J Records released O-Town from their contract, and the group disbanded.

Solo careers (2003–2013)

The members of O-Town moved on to solo careers. The most successful member was Ashley Parker Angel, who was signed to Universal's Blackground Records, also given his own reality show on MTV, There and Back. Angel released a solo album, Soundtrack to Your Life, in 2006. In 2007, he began playing the role of Link Larkin in the Broadway production of Hairspray. Trevor Penick signed to Mach 1 Music and performed as Tre Scott. Erik Michael Estrada stayed in the music business as a songwriter. Jacob Underwood went on to start his own country band, Jacob's Loc.

In 2013, Angel declined to join the O-Town reunion: "It was a difficult decision, that ultimately necessary to move on to the next chapter of my career."

Lines & Circles and single Empty Space (2013–present)

On May 28, 2014, O-Town released a preview of the single "Skydive" on SoundCloud. The single is from their third studio album Lines & Circles. The album was released on August 24, 2014.

In 2017, they premiered a new single "Empty Space" in addition to announcing a new EP. They also announced a new 2017 tour featuring Ryan Cabrera on select dates, as well as some spots on the I Love the 90s nationwide tour.

Their Part 1 EP was released on August 4, 2017.

In June 2019, O-Town planned on filing a trademark for their band name, which Universal Music Group believed was too similar to the Motown Records label.

On August 2, 2019, they released The O.T.W.N. Album.

Members

Current
  • Dan Miller (2000–2003, 2013–present)
  • Erik-Michael Estrada (2000–2003, 2013–present)
  • Jacob Underwood (2000–2003, 2013–present)
  • Trevor Penick (2000–2003, 2013–present)
Former

Discography

Main article: O-Town discography
Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2001 Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Breakout Artist Themselves Won
Choice Music: Pop Group Nominated

Tours

Opening act

  • Britney Spears – Dream Within a Dream Tour (2001)
  • Pop2000Tour hosted by Lance Bass. (active)
  • Viral campaign surfaced which suggested O-Town as the headliner for the Upstate NY annual festival at the Afton Fairgrounds. Rumor turned out to be false, disappointing many local fans (2000).

References

  1. ^ Naden, Corrine J. (2002). "O-Town". Contemporary Musicians. Cengage. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Azpiri, Jon. "O-Town Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  3. "O-Town: The Perfect Fit". MTV News. November 2, 2001. Archived from the original on February 8, 2002. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  4. "Chart History: O-Town". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  5. Weatherby, Taylor (April 24, 2017). "O-Town Discusses to the 'All or Nothing' Chorus Was an Instant Classic: 'It is a key change'". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  6. D'Angelo, Joe (July 25, 2002). "O2 Gives O-Town Members Room To Breathe, Write". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2002. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  7. "For The Record: Quick News On Disturbed, O-Town, Guns N' Roses, Madonna, Simple Plan, Jack Johnson & More". MTV News. November 7, 2003. Archived from the original on December 7, 2003. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  8. Brown, Maris. "Ashley Parker Angel Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  9. Jones, Kenneth (January 19, 2007). ""Making the Band" Idol Joins Broadway's Hairspray". Hairspray. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  10. Eng, Joyce (September 26, 2007). "Catching Up to...Tre Scott". OK!. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  11. O'Brien, Jon (March 24, 2020). "'Making the Band':". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  12. "Ashley Parker-Angel - I Won't Rejoin O-Town ..." TMZ.com. 2011-01-19. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  13. "Skydive by All About The Melody on SoundCloud". SoundCloud. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  14. "O-Town Return With New Song, 'Empty Space'". EW.com. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  15. "Song Premiere: O-Town Debuts 'Empty Space'". Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  16. O-Town, Part 1, retrieved 2018-03-06
  17. "O-Town Locked in Trademark Dispute With Universal Music Group". Billboard.com. June 24, 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  18. "2001 Teen Choice Awards". Hollywood.com. August 12, 2001. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.

External links

First
First season of show 		Making the Band winners
2000 		Succeeded byDa Band
O-Town
  • Erik–Michael Estrada
  • Dan Miller
  • Trevor Penick
  • Jacob Underwood
Studio albums
Singles
Related articles
Lou Pearlman
Groups created
Media
Categories: