 
AOL Chat 7/26/00
RobertLIVE: Hi, everybody. Today the O in AOL stands for O-Town. Today we can hear the cyberfans screaming already. Right next to me, just for you, for America Online, are the final five from ABC's Making the Band, O-Town. Thanks for joining us in the studio today. Is this the first time you guys have chatted together online?
O-Town: Actually, it is. Personally, I don't know. I'm not used to not having a camera around here.
RobertLIVE: I am honored. I love the show. It's great to have seen how far you guys have come. It's a little part of history for AOL that you are doing us first. We appreciate that. Let's get right to the fan questions, if you don't mind. Actually, what I think I'm going to do is have you each introduce yourselves, so the transcriber can get used to you and the AOL people can know who is talking and when. Ashley, how about you?
Ashley Angel: I'm Ashley Angel. I'm 18 years old. I grew up in California.
Erik Estrada: I am Erik Estrada. I am 20 years old and born in Bronx, New York.
Trevor Penick: I'm Trevor Penick, and I'm 20 years old. I'm from Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Dan Miller: I'm Dan, the newest member of O-Town. I'm 19 years old from Ohio.
RobertLIVE: Dan, you were originally part of the first 25 that was selected?
Dan Miller: This is true.
RobertLIVE: For those of you who aren't that familiar with Dan, watch.
Dan Miller: Please. Jacob is also here, too!
RobertLIVE: We've got a little insight there. The exciting thing is that AOL teams have been promoting your visit here today. Our first question will be from AOL Kids: Ashley, was it weird for you to one day be going to the mall and hanging out with your friends, and then the next thing you know, you can't go to the mall or go anywhere because of your fans?
Ashley Angel: I've got to tell you the truth. I love going to the mall. I love getting recognized. I love the fans. We don't call them fans anymore, we call them our friends. They know too much about us to just be fans. They've watched everything we've gone through on the show. They know about us personally. It's like, going to the mall -- it's a blast. I love it. I love going to the mall.
RobertLIVE: Have your friends and family accepted your celebrity yet? Is it more exciting for them?
O-Town: I don't think we've accepted it yet. I don't think about celebrity, period.
RobertLIVE: Let's see. HoneyBuddy wants to know: Will you guys be doing any touring in the near future?
Erik Estrada: Hopefully we'll be doing some touring coming up soon, hopefully. Maybe even October, we're talking. If not October, definitely early next year for sure, definitely. We're in the process of formulating a tour. We're going to be doing six major malls around the US, as people get firsthand to actually see us perform, you know. We're excited about that. That's not a major tour. It's not like a full show, only a couple of songs.
RobertLIVE: Erik, since you answered that question, your first performance was at Southwest Middle School. How have you guys already progressed from that moment, your first performance?
Trevor Penick: Southwest was about here. Here is where we need to be, and here is Southwest. We're probably around right here. Maybe a little higher. No. We're not this low. We're probably 70% where we want to be. I forgot they can't see us.
RobertLIVE: If you could remember to make sure you say your names, that would be great. Trevor has answered your question. Have you guys ever thought about having girl dancers?
O-Town: This is every day of my life. It's a really good idea. We should talk about this, when we go on tour, having girl dancers -- dancers in the background.
RobertLIVE: You probably want auditions to start with a thousand possible women? What requirements would you ask of these women?
O-Town: That they can dance, look good. And look good while dancing.
RobertLIVE: There you have it. Do you guys know if Mr. Lou Pearlman is going to make a Making the Band for girls?
O-Town: I hear there is a new show coming out on another station that is for girls. I don't know if it's already been done with or auditioned or anything, but I know there is one starting. I don't know too many details about that.
RobertLIVE: Lou is spearheading that?
Trevor Penick: I think it's already been cast. The show is going to be called Pop Stars.
RobertLIVE: Lou is... for all of those that aren't familiar with him, which means they haven't been watching the show, he helped find and do exactly what he's doing with you for *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. Has he been a real inspiration for you guys?
Ashley Angel: Lou is totally different than you think he is. He is the biggest kid. He's so much fun. Making the Band is an incredible idea, and it was a lot of Lou's idea.
RobertLIVE: Why don't we take another question: Where is Ikaika? Isn't he part of the band?
Dan Miller: You have to keep watching the show. It all starts to play out really soon. Actually, this Friday things will start to happen. The Friday after that, more things will happen. You'll see why I'm here and Ikaika is not. We'll answer your question then.
RobertLIVE: Very good. Are you guys going to be going back to school in August? Are you dreading it?
Trevor Penick: I'm dreading- not back to school, actually. We will not be attending school this year or probably next year. We are going to be very busy recording the album or doing shows. School had to be put on hold for a little while. Hopefully within the near future, I and the other guys will be able to get back to college and get our degrees.
RobertLIVE: What do you think you are going to miss most about not being in school?
Trevor Penick: The little things. Walking through the halls. I was such a big fan of school. I will miss everything about it, except for the homework.
Ashley Angel: I just graduated high school last year. I have a lot of friends that are seniors and juniors. I can't wait to go back in the middle of school year and hang out at lunch.
RobertLIVE: I am sure they are all going to love that. They would love to schedule that with you now. Jacob, have you ever considered piercing your nipple? I think it would look so sexy.
Jacob Underwood: She does have the hottest screen name. That's cool. You are a fan. You are a friend.
RobertLIVE: Let's not dodge the question.
Jacob Underwood: Have I thought about it? Yes. Would I do it? No, because it hurts so bad.
RobertLIVE: Words from the wise. Can you give us a hint of tonight's show?
Trevor Penick: Let's see....
RobertLIVE: The show is on Friday nights. For those of you lucky enough to watch this tomorrow, that would apply.
Trevor Penick: House of... we did perform at House of Blues and we did perform in front of a record executive and some stuff starts to happen with Dan and whatever. Don't take what you see with me seriously. They are both my best friends
. RobertLIVE: Speaking of friends, Christina wants to know: Do you guys still hang out with guys that didn't make the band?
Erik Estrada: Yes, we do. We were recently with Bryan in New York. It's always a good thing.
RobertLIVE: What did you end up doing?
Erik Estrada: Going to a club and hanging out and talking and catching up, what are you doing? He's on his career now. This show has been nothing but a positive launch pad for his career, along with Mike and Paul. They are doing well. We try to talk to them as much as possible. We have a busy schedule. It's hard for us to get to talk to our parents on a regular basis.
RobertLIVE: You mentioned launch pad. All I can picture is you diving off of the stage New Year's Eve. Who was diving off the stage?
O-Town: Jacob.
RobertLIVE: You guys got killed by the management team after that. What were they upset about?
Trevor Penick: They were upset because we were supposed to be...
Ashley Angel: We were supposed to be all casual. No one was supposed to know who we were because the show hadn't started yet. Jumping off the stage wasn't a good way to remain low-key. I talked to the people that yelled at us that night. They were like, you know what? We overreacted. I was like, yeah, you did. We were right. We were having fun at 2000 New Year's.
RobertLIVE: Let's go to the next question: Hey, guys, I love you so much. Do any of you have AOL and would you talk to fans online? They are doing it right now. Thank you very much, for the first time ever, if I could add that there. Are any of you guys online?
Trevor Penick: We all have AOL. Dan does. You do? And I do. Erik does. The four of us do.
RobertLIVE: What are you going to do about that next year, the rest of you have AOL?
Trevor Penick: I bring my laptop on the road. Sometimes we get e-mail addresses and stuff. I do have an e-mail address, I can have people write me stuff on that.
RobertLIVE: Do you want people to write to you? Do you have an official O-Town site yet?
Trevor Penick: Me, the guys and my brother are working on that. My brother is a computer programmer. We're getting ready to set up our own site, by us, with new pictures and a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff and recent news. We don't know yet. It's going to be something else.
RobertLIVE: Maybe when we get the information, we'll post it first on AOL.
Trevor Penick: That would be awesome. We'll let Robert post it so everybody can know what the official site will be. You can write me. Robert is tonight's host. :) E-mail me at nameless4tv at AOL.com.
RobertLIVE: We appreciate that. Hi, O-Town, I was wondering if Ashley is still with his girlfriend, Shelley. I watched the show, but wasn't clear if they broke up. Thanks.
Ashley Angel: You've got to keep watching. There is more stuff with that. You've got to keep watching.
RobertLIVE: How many of you guys have had girl trouble since the start?
Dan Miller: Every day.
RobertLIVE: What was the girl trouble you had?
O-Town: There was a girl in my life, period.
Trevor Penick: It is hard to keep a girlfriend during this whole situation. They are far away, you are far away from them. You are very busy. You each have separate lives. It takes two very strong people to work it out. Lots of times it doesn't work, only in some cases does it.
RobertLIVE: And he is not here and no longer part of the group, but do you think that's why Ikaika left the band?
O-Town: Strong reasons.
RobertLIVE: Priority is hitting the stage and music?
Trevor Penick: Our priority is our craft and our career right now. We want to be, you know, we want to be on top. We're going to work to get there really hard.
RobertLIVE: A lot of sacrifices. Do you guys ever get homesick?
Trevor Penick: Every day. Not every day, but a lot of the times. We actually get some breaks when we have four or five days off when we're dead and not doing anything, where we get a chance to fly home and visit our friends and family. That comes, you know, maybe once every two or three months. Right in the middle of that or towards the end of that time, I could say we all pretty much get homesick. We miss our friends and family a lot.
RobertLIVE: Which family member do you each miss? I know your mom has been an inspiration for you. Your mom helped you get into the business, a piano player. Are your moms the focus for you guys?
Trevor Penick: My father, actually. He sacrificed so much for our family. We grew up not very wealthy at all. He worked at least 20 hours every day. He's done it for 35 years. He's finally getting ready to retire next year. Hopefully sooner, if things go well.
RobertLIVE: Very good. I hope they do. Here is another question from AOL Kids: Where did you come up with the name O-Town? This is from Monica.
Dan Miller: That was actually a name given to us by the fans.
RobertLIVE: Friends.
Dan Miller: We were in the process of filming the whole show, didn't have a name in the show yet. The nickname for Orlando is O-Town. On our bus and when we were shown in public appearances or when we were doing shows, the media would hype it up as the O-Town project, O-Town guys are spotted, O-Town boys. Just happened to be in our first show at the House of Blues, they were chanting "O-Town." We looked at each other and we were like, all right.
O-Town: We're O-Town.
Dan Miller: The fans decide.
RobertLIVE: Friends. The friends.
Dan Miller: The friends. The name is only something to refer to Ashley, Dan, Erik, Trevor and Jacob, too. The music is what we are. Let the fans decide the name and we'll come up with the music.
RobertLIVE: Very good. Who is your favorite pop band? If you could open for anyone on tour, who would it be?
Jacob Underwood: We heard Jackson Five are back in the studio recording an album. It should be done before ours. If they go on tour, when they go on tour, that is our one request from God.
Trevor Penick: We will beg, plead and pray.
RobertLIVE: One of you was listening to Michael Jackson when he was signing?
Trevor Penick: I am a die-hard Jackson fan since I was five years old. I have everything, so much stuff in my room. That would be a dream.
RobertLIVE: Speaking of dreams of that night when, you know, you found out you were the final five, how crazy was that day? What happened when they turned off the cameras?
Ashley Angel: It was the craziest day ever, because it was so many weeks building up to that moment. The cameras didn't go away. They filmed us for hours after that. We didn't get a moment alone until we were lying in bed getting ready to fall asleep. I remember thinking, what happened? My life is totally changed. I am doing what I love to do. I remember being so excited, you know, that I was with these guys, that we were going to go out there and do what we love to do and try to be successful at it.
RobertLIVE: Just for a little insight, how long are they filming you guys every day?
Trevor Penick: Every day from the moment we woke up until we went to bed. How many hours?
Erik Estrada: It was 24 hours a day. If they had the camera in the room with the Mike, we were asleep -- and they would wait until we were asleep, then they would go away. Then they would know when we had to get up in the morning and would be ready an hour before we had to wake up. They had a crew there.
RobertLIVE: What an incredible disadvantage to celebrity. You have to not only prove yourselves on talent, but be judged by who you are and... create the persona with all of this stuff going on.
Ashley Angel: That is one of the big draws of the show. You don't see us in our final version until the very end of the episode. You know? I think people see the finished project, you know, so much that I think it's intriguing for them to watch when we're not in our good moments, when we're messy and not singing on key. I think it makes us more real. Hopefully people connect with us more. And they grow with us when we get better.
RobertLIVE: Absolutely.
Jacob Underwood: People had no clue bands were bad in the beginning. When you get put together, you don't sing off perfectly onstage and dance perfectly. Jackson Five started off, they weren't perfect. They had to practice all the time. They are seeing us very bad. Our Southwest Middle School performance, that wasn't the greatest thing ever. They are going to see us progress. That's what we like. Everybody likes the underdog. We hope they connect with us like that.
RobertLIVE: The songs are well received at the school, I remember that. SchoolHTC wants to know: When does the new CD come out? Do you know that yet?
Trevor Penick: We don't have a release date yet. We're going to start working on it as soon as we get off this radio tour. We're hoping for a Christmas release.
RobertLIVE: How many songs do you think you will have on that?
O-Town: Probably 12. We don't know.
RobertLIVE: What is the song you guys all connect with the most, do you think?
O-Town: It's actually a song they are going to see on the show you haven't heard yet, called "Say Say." It's a song we write as a group. All of us participated on it. You've got to watch to see that. It's a good song. We're pushing to get it on the album. It means a lot, because it's the first song we wrote.
RobertLIVE: I wish we could hear it right now.
O-Town: No.
RobertLIVE: What is Lou really like? Is he really involved in the band? For the people who aren't watching that episode, can you give us insight into the boat thing?
Dan Miller: We took a little trip on the boat and ended up getting to rehearsal real late. We were admonished for it. It was our fault.
RobertLIVE: It was like a lesson. It was all planned out. They totally did this on purpose to see if you guys would fall for it.
O-Town: Lou just likes that boat. He loves to be around us. He is highly involved with the project and involved with us and involved with the criteria. He is hands-on. He is just with us here where we are right now. We're on a four-city radio tour right now, at the moment. He tries to make it to as many locations as possible.
RobertLIVE: How did you get on the Pokemon soundtrack? So many people are going to buy this soundtrack. That must have been great.
Trevor Penick: It was a friend of Lou's at Atlantic Records [who] knew about the opportunity. Lou said, hey, we've got O-Town. They would love to do something like that. We said it was a great song, hey, let's do it. It's a good opportunity.
Dan Miller: We're proud of this song. "All For Love" and "Baby I Would" are great songs. They are early O-Town. "One Heart" is O-Town as a whole.
O-Town: We're not O-Town without Dan. Now that Dan was involved with the song, I think we feel closer to that song now. We're really proud of it.
RobertLIVE: Was Dan one of the original 25 who tried out? And can you tell us more about Dan? Dan, don't we hear from you? Who and what and how? Who are you?
Dan Miller: I am not good talking by myself. I was one of the members of the top 25. I was on the first episode a little bit. I got a cameo appearance in there. I am from Twin River, Ohio. I apparently made a good impression on them. When things happened with Ikaika, I was fortunate enough I stuck in their brains and they wanted me back. I can't tell you too much. You've got to keep watching. The show will tell a lot. I don't like to talk by myself a lot.
RobertLIVE: Did you have to work, like, around the clock to catch up with the routines and with all that stuff? Did you have much more work to do because of this?
Dan Miller: Of course. Beyond working on the material, I was worried about working on bonding with the guys, because that's probably the hardest thing is making sure, you know, I grow as a brother between these guys, not only as a band member. So when I came in, the dancing and singing, that was going to happen, you know, because I was going to work at it. The other stuff that was the hardest, making sure I didn't offend them or they liked me enough to keep me around. That's about it.
RobertLIVE: Excellent. I am sure you will be around for a long time. Hi, my name is Ashley. When are you going to make a video for your single All For Love?
Jacob Underwood: "All For Love" wasnt our single, it was a song for the show we recorded. It was kind of to help us decide who was going to make the final five, who would blend well on the recording, who was good in the studio. It was part of the competition, and it's just for the show. We're not doing a video or releasing it as a single.
RobertLIVE: It's such a good song. You guys do such a great job with it.
Trevor Penick: We want to come out with something different no one else has really heard of before. It's a good song, but it pretty much sounds like everything else out there right now. We want to come out with something totally different to blow everyone else's mind.
O-Town: We didn't get to have a whole lot of choice in picking it or helping write it. That's something we're into, is writing our own music or at least sitting down and being involved in like the selection process and meeting the writers and connecting with the song before, like, this is it, let's do this.
RobertLIVE: Cool. Let's see. We've got another question here: This is Mario. I wanted to know, when you guys are being taped for TV and even right now, are you more nervous or are you used to it now? The cameras, you guys are probably used to these things.
O-Town: When it comes to the interview process, we're a lot more well-seasoned than most artists just getting into the business. Due to the show, you know, other than the fact we were around cameras 24-7, we had to give in-depth interviews or bi-weekly interviews on the occurrences that happened during those two weeks. We have to express them. We had a lot of time to experience the interview process. It helped us in being able to communicate with our fans and being able to express exactly what we want to express to them and in a fashion they can understand.
Ashley Angel: The first couple of weeks, it is awkward. You don't really know -- you know you've got to be yourself, but it's still awkward. After a while it goes away, and you forget the camera is there. Then it's just everyday life.
Trevor Penick: If you are like me and Ashley -- actually all of us. We're all performers. We are all hams. Every once in a while, you know, nothings going on and the camera is staring right at your face, you've got to ham it up and play to the camera. There are a lot of outtakes they don't show on the show. There are so many things we do. We're going to try to get some never-before-seen footage from the show, never-before-seen interviews.
Jacob Underwood: If you want to see it, call and request it. Go on the MTV site and let them know how much you want it.
RobertLIVE: And the MTV site which we're promoting has an exclusive outtake every week. Check that out, too. What are your reactions when you sit back and watch an episode of Making the Band? Do you guys get a chance to see the show?
Trevor Penick: It looks like this.... You have to watch it two or three times. The first time we watch it, something will happen funny that we remember. We'll start laughing over the next seven lines. We have to watch it two or three times to get the full amount of the show. We usually get the tape a couple of days before Friday and come over to mine and Erik's apartment, because we have the VCR, and we watch them three or four times. When we see stuff, we remember. We live through it, but it's interesting for us to see how they piece it all together. When stuff happens, we're like, I can't believe they did that. This week, for instance, I kissed two different girls on the same episode. They are both my best friends from home. It's not going to look that way. It's going to look different. I want to let everyone out there know they are both my best friends, no more. Theyre like taking girls in the show and making it look like it's a relationship.
Trevor Penick: Sometimes it is.
O-Town: You, it is.
RobertLIVE: I like this next question: You guys, you are used to reality TV. Who do you think will win Survivor?
O-Town: Jack.
O-Town: I've never watched Survivor.
Erik Estrada: We don't know the characters. This show is like Survivor.
RobertLIVE: From 1,000 to 25 to eight to here you guys are. That must be an incredible...
Erik Estrada: We have an island in our kitchen.
RobertLIVE: You would wake up late and kind of saw everybody getting ready. What were the challenges of living together?
Trevor Penick: Being ready on time. Getting all five of us on time. Getting all of them out.
O-Town: I can't comment on anybody being late.
RobertLIVE: Just wanted to bring that up on the AOL chat.
O-Town: That was the hardest thing to do. Except for today, everyone's been doing better.
Ashley Angel: I've been doing better.
RobertLIVE: For all of you guys here on time, thank you for doing that.
O-Town: Those were great questions.
RobertLIVE: Thank you very much. I hope we can do this again. Please come back to America Online soon. Thanks for all of your great questions, everyone!! Wow -- learned lots of great stuff! Be sure to follow the band along every Friday night on ABC at 9:30PM ET. Take care, everyone, and have a great night!
 -----------------------------------------------------------Planet Hollywood Star Chat 9/29/00
MODERATOR: You've lived these boys dreams. Worried with them through their auditions. Agonized over their rehearsals. Traveled with them. Thanks to the TV show "Making the Band," you've watched every move. PlanetHollywood.com is proud to introduce five talented young musicians: Erik, Trevor, Dan, Ashley, and Jacob...or as you might know them, OTown!!
OTown_Ashley: What's up everybody!! Thanks for coming to chat with us!
Alwaysabsbsweetie asks: Hey Ashley!! I was wondering, what is your favorite song to sing live and why? Love ya! Dana
OTown_Ashley: I think that would have to bethats tough! I'd have to say, "Take Me Under," which you may have heard. But it's new! People are like WOW, we've never heard this before!!
Stephy asks: Are any of those awesome songs that you recorded in Germany going to be in the Album? I loved them!
OTown_Ashley: Thank you very much! We like them a lot too. We hope they will be on the album. We're in the process of choosing what songs will be on the album now and we're submitting the songs we've written to Clive Davis, the president of J records.
OTownGirly asks: ASHLEY THAT SONG THAT YOU AND JACOB WROTE (SAY,SAY) WAS REALLY GOOD. IS IT GOING TO BE ON THE ALBUM?
OTown_Ashley: We hope so!! We really like that song! Clive seems to like it, so hopefully it will make it on.
Ashleys_Sweetie asks: Hey Ashley! I LUV U!! Are you guys gonna have another season of "Making The Band"?
OTown_Ashley: Yes!!!!!!! I love you too!! We're really excited because the second season will be us recording the album and us going on tour, that way you can see what life is like on the road!
ashleys_angel_3 asks: When will the new season air? I hope u guys liked the heart cookies w/your names on them I gave u in Detroit. Luv ya Ashley. TARA
OTown_Ashley: I'm not exactly sure, but it should be maybe late fall, early spring... I'm not sure though.
OTownGirly asks: ASHLEY, I SAW YOU GUYS AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD AND I WONDERED IF YOU ARE COMING TO FT. MYERS?
OTown_Ashley: I don't know if we're going to Ft. Myers or not. I hope so! I don't know if anything is scheduled. I do know that when they do schedule something we will be going to two places in Florida.
sigh asks: Yo whassup Ashley? What's the toughest thing you've had to deal with so far, being in O-Town? Cy in San Diego
OTown_Ashley: I think just being away from home so much.
PIXIESTIX696 asks: Ashley, who are you closest with in the group? I love you! :):)
OTown_Ashley: We're all pretty close. We're equally bonded to one another...
otownsgurl asks: hey Ashley!! How do you fell about being a role model?? To people like me and other fans?? Love ya always!!!
OTown_Ashley: I love it!! I couldn't imagine that 9 months ago Id be doing this!! The fans are what keep us going. When we're tired of traveling, we get to places like Planet Hollywood and there are so many fans out there for signings and that is what makes it all worth it.
frack2820 asks: ASHLEY: I REALLY ADMIRE YOU! Who do you look up to? LOVE YA! HEATHER
OTown_Ashley: I look up to a lot of different people. Musically, Michael Jackson in particular. He was the first person I idolized. I also really look up to my mom who is an incredible person.
eriks_babie_gurl asks: Ashley, what is your major inspiration?
OTown_Ashley: What inspires me is the Arts, like music, acting, film because it's all so make-believe. It's magical. It makes your feelings so intense that you never forget those experiences! That what I like about it!!
Ashleys_Princess99 says: ASHLEY, will u marry me? I love you!!!!!
Jacobsgrl says: Ashley, you are so hot I love u
BlondeBommer821 says: i love u Ashley!!!!!!!
OTown_Ashley: I love you guys!! Thank you so much for supporting us so early on in our careers!!! It means so much!! Ok, its Dans turn now...
OTown_Dan: What's up everybody!
soozie_angel14 asks: DAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! I LLOVVEE YOU!
OTown_Dan: Thank you! We love you too.
jacob_n_ashleys_gals asks: Dan- how old are you?
OTown_Dan: I will be 20 on September 4.
bluebell43 asks: What were your friends reactions when you told them you made the band?
OTown_Dan: In the beginning I couldn't really tell all my friends, because it was top secret since I was going to be on the show later than everyone else. For a while they were in disbelief that I was going to be on the show, but they were very proud.
Diegochica asks: Dan how does it feel to be apart of the band now???
OTown_Dan: It feels great! I get to be a part of something that has the possibility of being very big. And I get to do what I love every day, so I am severely blessed.
Charli_N_Ayeley asks: Dan, how was it just getting up and leaving home to be in this band?
OTown_Dan: That was probably the toughest part. Literally one day I was there and the next day I was gone. And I didn't have enough time to say the proper goodbyes to a lot of people, so it was tough.
kellyk14 asks: Dan, Did the cameras ever bother you during this experience?
OTown_Dan: I don't think they bothered me...but it causes a little awkward feeling in the beginning. For the first couple of weeks, you're looking over your shoulder to see if the camera is there or not.
Lauren asks: Hey Dan, since you were the new guy, did you have any troubles fitting in with the rest of the guys?? Who did you "click" with the most right away?? We love you and youre HOT!! Luv Lauren & Lisa
OTown_Dan: Thank you! In the beginning...I think I got along with everybody. Everyone was very supportive, always there for me, besides the occasional giving me a hard time just to give me a hard time. I think the person I clicked with right away was Trevor.
Heather4Otown asks: Dan, have you started taping the second season of "Making The Band" yet?
OTown_Dan: No, not yet...the camera crew was supposed to be here yesterday, but something happened and they didn't show up. But the taping should begin some time in the week...
o_townfan10 asks: Dan, who do you consider your greatest inspiration?
OTown_Dan: Musically, Michael Jackson. But in everyday life, probably my parents.
Stephy asks: Dan, so far has any fan done anything crazy to get your attention. I LOVE YOU!!!
OTown_Dan: A fan gave us a hamster in a cage in Toronto. He just ran up with a hamster!!
otownisadorable asks: Dan, I love your Christian example on the show, praying etc. What keeps you so grounded?
OTown_Dan: Each other...you know, none of us want to go back to our hometown or our friends and have them say we changed. So if anyone gets bigheaded, we let them know!
Ashleys_Sweetie asks: Dan, if you were not in the music business, what would you be doing??
OTown_Dan: Trying to get into the music business! Not necessarily as a singer, but in some respect. Thank you everybody for the support! And we're looking forward to seeing you on the road! Look out for the second season! Ok... its Jacobs turn now.
dana says: love you so much you guys are such an inspiration
babyblueg01 says: Dan, I LOVE YOU!
frack2820 says: I LOVE YOU DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saraz says: Jacob, I LOVE YOU!!!!
OTown_Jacob: Hi everybody!
Heather4Otown asks: Jacob, how was your experience taping an episode of All My Children?
OTown_Jacob: It was weird...I never watched soap operas growing up. I didn't know what it was going to look like.
LissaLovesOtownAug27 asks: Jacob you looked so cute on Sunday how was it to perform live?
OTown_Jacob: It was awesome to be able to perform in front of our hometown crowd.
Otown_fan85 asks: Hey Jacob, I love the music you write. But my question is what is your favorite part about being on tour?
OTown_Jacob: Performing, the stage is my favorite place in the world...besides the recording studio.
O_TownGirl4ever19 asks: Jacob I really love the song you and Ashley wrote! Are there any other songs written by you???
OTown_Jacob: Yes, I write everyday. I have plenty of stuff to choose from.
MiamiGirls asks: Will any of the songs you wrote be on the album?
OTown_Jacob: We're trying to get them on, but it's hard. It's hard to say now.
otownisadorable asks: Jacob, I love how you express your mind! Keep it up! Do you feel that you have become the leader of the group?
OTown_Jacob: If I am the leader, it's by example, but there is no proclaimed leader in this group.
OtownRules asks: Jacob who influenced you over the years to become an artist?
OTown_Jacob: Michael Jackson. I've been watching and studying him since I was 5 years old.
bacia asks: YOU SEEM TO BE THE "BUSINESS" ONE. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PRODUCING IN THE FUTURE?
OTown_Jacob: Yes. I have a home studio that Im working on... I hope to someday produce my own music and some for other people
AshleyRulz asks: what do u do in your spare time?
OTown_Jacob: I work on playing different instruments and writing musicand sleep!
ASHSGIRL asks: WHAT DOES YOUR TATOO MEAN?
OTown_Jacob: Its something I drew about 2 years ago... it's Hebrew and it stands for Jesus Christ, Son of God, and Savior. It symbolizes my beliefs.
ILoveEriksMuscles asks: HI JACOB! If you were stranded on a desert Island what three things would u bring? I LOVE YA!
OTown_Jacob: My guitar, my writing book, and my Bible. Thanks, everyone, for logging on tonight! Bye! Erik is up next...
Diegochica says: stay strong...
frack2820 says: I LOVE YOU JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WILL YOU MARRY ME? HEATHER
bsbandotown says: Jacob you rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lauren says: JACOB!! I LOVE YOU AND YOURE HOT!!
PIXIESTIX696 says: I LOVE YOU JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jacob_n_ashleys_gals says: JACOB KISS ME! LOVE YOU JACOB!
OTown_Erik: Thank you all for coming!! And yes my throat is better!
LOVINASHLEYALWAYS asks: ERIK, HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED TO SING? LUV YA ~TONYA
OTown_Erik: Around 3.
OTOWNROCKZZZ asks: ERIK WAS IT TOUGH WHEN YOU WERE SICK TO KEEP UP YOUR CAREER
OTown_Erik: Yeah, considering I had a throat infection and my primary job is to sing... it was extremely difficult!
elektra2882 asks: ERIK, what did you think about all the craziness at Planet Hollywood on Sunday? Does it feel good to get so much acceptance here in Orlando?
OTown_Erik: It felt incredibly GOOD!! We had just gotten off a plane and we were really tired. The first place we stopped was Planet Hollywood. It was a nice welcome home!!
Lemeus19 asks: Hey Erik! I saw you on Saturday in PA and you guys were amazing! I was wondering who you would like to go on tour with if you had the opportunity?? You can answer for yourself or for the group as a whole. LOVE YA!! Melissa
OTown_Erik: The ideal person would be Michael Jackson.
Barbs asks: Erik who do you idolize?
OTown_Erik: I don't idolize anybody, but I respect many different artists like Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Take 6 and Aerosmith.
Otown_fan85 asks: Erik I love your voice, but anyways my question is what artist would you like to do a duet with in the future?
OTown_Erik: Uh..... hmmm.... I think Mariah or Christina, but hopefully BOTH!
machel131 asks: Erik, are you planning to perform at any upcoming awards shows?
OTown_Erik: No, but we will be attending the VMAs, but we're not going to perform.
ILoveEriksMuscles asks: Erik, what is the hardest part about being in OTown? I LOVE YOU!
OTown_Erik: I love you too, and the hardest part would be... waiting to finish the album and getting out music out there!
anne asks: Erik, have you guys played any pranks on each other lately? Explain.
OTown_Erik: We don't play a lot of pranks on each other in this group. Honestly, we really dont have the time.
Heather4Otown asks: Hey Erik! Are you guys living together again to shoot the second season?
OTown_Erik: We currently live with each other still, but the second season will cover more of the touring aspect of out lives.
Stephy asks: Erik, if you weren't in O-town right now, where do you think you would be?
OTown_Erik: LOL... I would be trying to form a group like O-Town!!!
o_townfan10 asks: Who do you consider the most important person in your life?
OTown_Erik: Jesus Christ... and my mother.
alwaysabsbsweetie asks: Erik, do you guys still get yelled a lot? lol I think it makes you guys stronger!
OTown_Erik: There is not a lot of yelling going on anymore. We know what our job requires and we do it.
ashleys_angel asks: erik, what does it feel like to be a role model and what does it feel like when people tell you that you are hot? I LOVE YOU AND YOR ARE HOT!! Leah from Canada
OTown_Erik: Not a lot of people tell me I'm hot! Thank you VERY much. It's so much more responsibility than anyone can imagine!
cornflash88 asks: What are some of your upcoming appearances?
OTown_Erik: All my Children on Sept 18 and Ashley and I judge Say What Karaoke Sept 15. And look for us in the audience at the VMA's on Sept 7th and look for some special appearances on my birthday on Sept 23rd.
OTown_Erik: Sorry, I had to be so brief! I enjoy every time I get to chat with you guys!! I hope we get the music out there as soon as possible!!! See you guys!! Now, its time for Trevor!!
Skye_Tracer says: LOVE YOU!!!!
Sherry says: I LUV YOU ERIK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Skye_Tracer says: BYE LOVE YOU!
KatharineandJenna says: WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
OTown_Trevor: Hello to everyone! Thank you for joining tonight! Let's get to the questions!
AngelBear asks: Trevor Whats The Hardest Thing About Being In The Band?
OTown_Trevor: The hardest thing would have to be lack of time with family and friends back at home. We don't get to go home too much... phone calls get a little old after a while.
MyAshley asks: Hey Trevor, what do you think of all the other boy bands? And does it bother you when people compare you to them? Love you Trevor! :)
OTown_Trevor: I give respect to all the boybands... Backstreet and 'NSync paved the way for everyone else to come in and do their stuff. I respect their music and I respect them as people. I take it as a compliment when people compare us to them, because they are worldwide stars... and we are nobody.
TrevorsBatGurl asks: In what way do you feel you have changed the most since MTB started?
OTown_Trevor: My singing has improved greatly.
lilwahoo14 asks: Trevor, Are you excited to open for Boyz II Men in your hometown?
OTown_Trevor: WOW!! That will probably be the greatest night EVER! I couldn't be more excited!
PrinceesLaura72181 asks: Trevor How did you like being on TRL?
OTown_Trevor: That was awesome...I've dreamed of being on TRL since it started. For me to even think I would be on that show was amazing. Carson was great. It was great to look down at all the people. It was a dream come true!
OTown_Girly asks: Trevor whats the best part about being a member of O-Town??
OTown_Trevor: The best part is definitely being on stage, performing for our fans. The fans we love so dearly!
Aria asks: what was your role on ALL my children?
OTown_Trevor: We were OTown...guest stars, singing at a party. They needed a group to come and be on the show to sing...Erica Kane was having a party...and she wanted to get an upcoming group, and they chose us.
Heather4Otown asks: Trevor, can you give us any hints on your first single? Luv ya!
OTown_Trevor: Look for it on the radio the first or second week of October. It's hot! Request it! And we should hopefully have a video in November, maybe the last week of October.
ashleys_angel_3 asks: Trevor, whats your favorite CD out right now? U were such a sweetie when I met u guys in Detroit at the airport. Luv ya. TARA
OTown_Trevor: The Wyclef Jean CD.
bluebell43 asks: Who is your favorite performer?
OTown_Trevor: Michael Jackson. He would have to take the cake. When he is on the stage, he is the MAN. You can't put more energy in the man. He is just Mr. Performer!
Courtney asks: Do you ever get nervous on stage?
OTown_Trevor: I don't get nervous...I get very anxious. I get butterflies in my stomach because I'm anxious...I can't wait!
CDNmo asks: who or what do you guys use to keep yourselves grounded... so all this fame doesn't become too overwhelming??
OTown_Trevor: We keep each other grounded. If we see anyone getting out of line, we pretty much tell them to tone it down. Our family and friends don't treat us any differently. I'll be the first to go home and get made fun of for just for being me... Pretty much our friends, family and each other keep us grounded.
Abercrombiegrl220 asks: Trevor!! I love you guys!! Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to pursue the music career??
OTown_Trevor: I would have to say to never ever give up on your dreams because one day it could all just happen. Go to every audition you can, go to as many places as you can, because you never know who will be there. Never give up!
MODERATOR: Unfortunately, the fellas of OTown have to get back to the studio now. Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to chat with all of us at PlanetHollywood.com!! We enjoyed you being here!
OTown_Trevor: Thank you! Thank you for being in the room and talking to OTown. Thank you for being a fan! And we hope we can live up to everything you want us to.
Jacobsgrl: LOVE YOU BABY
The_Sweetest_Girl: Hey I love you Trevor!!
Sherry: I LUV YOU TREVOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IluvOTown4E: we looooooove you sooooo much!!!!!!!!!
Courtney: Bye o-town. We love you
Lindsay: Bye Trevor!! Love You!!!
Desiree: You guys all rule!
Lauren: I LOVE YA AND YOU DANCE AWESOME
Luvs2LuvAshley: U guyz rock!!! I love Ashley!! :)
MODERATOR: Goodnight everyone and thanks for participating in our chat with OTown! Check PlanetHollywood.com to find out when well feature more awesome chats! Until then, well see you in the movies
------------------------------------------------------------ABC/Disney Chat 6/23/00
Disney_Host: Hello music fans! Welcome to today's chat with hot new band, O-Town! You've seen them on ABC's "Making the Band" and this weekend you'll see them again as hosts of Disney's Sizzlin' Summer Weekend on ABC and the Disney Channel! So, send in your questions for the eight talented singers of O-Town now!
O-Town: O-Town says hello! What's up guys? This is Eric. This is Ashley and I'm in New York right now.
RaInBoW_bAbE_luvz_u: Do you think you guys will still be singing in a group when you in your 60's and 70's?
O-Town: Hopefully, I'll still be walking by that time and still singing and dancing and still be in O-Town.
Trevor: Singing hopefully but I don't know about dancing.
Amanda_2005: With being on the road all the time when do you see family and friends?
Bryan: We fit them in whenever we can. We get to see them on the holidays and special occasions.
Summer_Jam_Host: What's an average day like?
O-Town: We are on the road constantly. We spend a lot of our time on the road.
EZGuest835: I think you guys are so cool. Do you think you'll go on tour at all soon?
Ashley: We are going on a radio tour starting the 27th of this month, hitting all the major radio markets and we will be traveling for about a month and a half. We'll be doing a little singing on the radio hopefully a little dancing show on the radio.
EZGuest98: Do you wish that you guys didn't have to be cut?
Eric: Yeah. We wish we could have had a band of 8 guys but unfortunately they ran us to a group of 5.
Bryan: We knew from the beginning that the group would be 5, so we had that over our heads. Regardless of what happens tonight, we will always have the friendship between us.
RaInBoW_bAbE_luvz_u: When the final five become a group, will you do your own concerts, or just be an opening act for a couple tours? I believe Britney Spears did that.
O-Town: To say that we are going to be having our own tour just for O-Town is kind of crazy at this point because we don't have the fan base. But I would imagine starting off opening for people would be the obvious choice to do.
Trevor: Hopefully that will be happening sometime soon; maybe early next year. Michael Jackson. My main man Michael. Because Michael Jackson is the pop legend of the world and he is the most incredible performer.
Bryan: That is the one consistent thing in the house - that we all looked up to Michael Jackson as the King of Pop Music.
Summer_Jam_Host: Who is the craziest member of the group?
O-Town: I think the craziest member would be Trevor - the most erratic.
Michael: I'd have to say Ashley and Eric together. Eric and Ashley would come up with the most bizarre stories.
O-Town: What Mike is referring to is Saturday Night Live in Ashley and Eric's room. We did improv sketches right before we went to bed.
Guest-Daisy: Do you think that you'll stay in touch with the guys who didn't make it?
O-Town: Absolutely! Definitely!
Guest-pirobug: When will your CD be coming out? WE just GOTTA know!!
Trevor: We are hoping that possibly right before Christmas--maybe middle or end of November hopefully if things go well.
Guest-daniela: How did the group get the name O-Town?
Eric: The project itself--the whole recording--was named O-Town because it was in the city of O-Town. And the fans would see our bus and see it in the paper and the fans would comment on it. It was basically us letting the fans name us.
Bryan: For anyone who is not from Orlando, O-Town is the nickname for Orlando.
Mist176: Do any of you write your own music or play an instrument?
O-Town: We write music and play instruments. Trevor is learning the drums. Jacob writes music. We all get along.
Guest-candygirl_13: I watched your show from the beginning. Is it weird for you that you are now the big stars and everybody wants to meet you instead of the other way around?
Michael: It's always hard to get used to, but it was never weird. It is always something that we have looked forward to.
Guest-EZGuest794: What is/was Trevor's major in college?
Trevor: Theater. I'm 20 now. I was in my 3rd year and I had to take a year off to do this. So depending on tonight I might or might not go back.
Guest-Atrack: Do you have any suggestions on how to "make the band?"
Eric: Don't put any limitations on yourself if you are looking for people to be in a band.
Michael: Make sure there is a vibe between everyone in your band. That is very important.
Ashley: Make sure everybody is on the same page as to commitment level because you are only as strong as your weakest member and that is important to remember in a group and that you are all on the same page and that everyone has the same dedication.
Guest-Carly: How did it feel to have cameras follow you guys everywhere and through everything?
Ashley: At first it felt like an invasion of privacy a little bit because you wake up and go to bed and there is a camera in your face all the time.
Guest-SuzyGirl: Do you guys feel as though you have no privacy since whatever you say goes on camera?
O-Town: You never can escape. At first it feels like an invasion of privacy but it dissolved and it becomes normal in your life. You learn to be yourself entirely in front of the camera without holding back.
Bryan: I think it's great. We have had fans come up to us from Canada. We recently met some people from Mexico.
Guest-heavens_angel: How do you feel about having several different countries knowing everything about you?
O-Town: I think it's great that people from other countries can watch what we are going through.
Guest-Carly: What is the name of your first CD? I would like to purchase it
O-Town: If you have any suggestions, let us know! Hopefully when it does come out, you will hear a lot about it.
Guest-afrogurl: Hi O-town! When is your video for "All For Love" going to be out?
Ashley: "All For Love" was definitely a song we did during the show and now that a big record label is coming into the mix, there is a lot of collaboration as to what song becomes our single first. So "All For Love" may or may not be our first single. But it will definitely be available.
Guest-Mal438: Ashley, has your step-dad accepted you being a part of this yet?
Ashley: Yeah. Things between us have gotten better since the conversation a few weeks back, although things are not totally resolved, they are getting better and that is an improvements.
Guest-ASH: How much have your lives changed since you've been a part of all of this?
Ashley: Entirely. It's been the biggest blessing of my life. I think all the other guys that were involved with this helped me to keep in touch with Ashley before the project and bring him into this new evolved Ashley that is creating itself as time goes on. We go through so many experiences; you get a new outlook on life. Change is inevitable. My family and friends help me to keep grounded.
Guest-Deniece_98: Are you scared of what the future will hold?
Michael: Not at all. I think there has always been a pre-destiny to our futures and our careers. I think everything is kind of planned for us.
Guest-J5C7O: Okay there's like TONS of cereal in the house, so what's everyone's favorite cereal?
Trevor: My favorite is Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Eric: I'd have to say it's a toss up between Golden Crisp and Golden Grahams.
Michael: It's Banana Nut Crunch!
Bryan: I'm into the Crunch Berries.
Guest-162534: If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be and why?
Eric: I've met a lot of the people that have inspired me. One of the top 3 on my list was Boyz2Men and I recently met them.
Ashley: It would be Michael Jackson. Just to talk with him and the places he has been.
Trevor: Mine would have to be Will Smith. Because he is such a great role model to kids and he does everything 110 percent. He is so talented and good at what he does. Just seeing him in public appearances--his personality and mine seem similar in how crazy we are. I'd love to sit down and have lunch and play basketball with him.
Michael: Jennifer Lopez for obvious reasons. And my second one would be Ty Reese.
Guest-aeisha: Are you guys having fun in Orlando? Did you think making a career would be such hard work?
Ashley: Yeah we are having a blast in Orlando and although we knew it would take work, I don't think we realized how much work it is. When you look at groups you just see the finished product. What is unique about our show is that you get to look behind all that and see all the work that it takes. Not only work, but there is a lot of emotion that you pour into it. When your emotions are involved, it makes it more difficult to deal with situations.
Michael: I think the definition of work changed for me. Even though it was very intense and hard to deal with at times, all in all, it is exactly what I have been looking for.
Guest-barbg63: Okay, call me a fan-atic! I have lots of questions! Here is another - Where are y'all living now? Orlando or elsewhere? Still in that cool house? I hear y'all have apartments now. Thanks much!
O-Town: We are still living in Orlando.
Guest-Kay: Will the two sent home pursue solo music careers?
O-Town: I think whoever gets sent home will keep going on with their careers.
Michael: Eric and I met in Orlando and from the beginning we said it would be impossible to turn back after getting this far. So I think for whoever doesn't make it that they could turn back at that point.
Bryan: There is so much talent between the 8 people that there will be a lot of opportunities for other avenues and our presence on the TV show and the fact that it showcases our talent is a good resume for anybody.
Guest-otown_ashley_girl: What's the most annoying thing that each band member does--like pet peeves?
Bryan: For Ashley and Ikaika, it is their punctuality and the fact that they can't be anywhere on time. For Trevor, he is a funny guy but he is a smart butt sometimes. For Eric, sometimes you can talk to him and he will stare right past you. Jacob has to get off the solo thing. It is all about the group. I love that kid to death but he is in a group now.
Michael: I think Bryan is real anal when it comes to keeping stuff clean. It's okay to keep stuff clean, but he bleaches his toothbrush.
Trevor: Anytime we are together, every 20 feet we walk somewhere, you have to take a picture.
Guest-DianafromCanada: Trevor, where did you learn to dance so well?
Trevor: I really don't know. I was just born with a lot of rhythm and I just like to move. Ever since I was little I would dance around the house and at the dances at school. I was like a natural.
Bryan: Trevor has the moves. We will be in a line up but when Trevor steps out, the girls go crazy.
Guest-JacobsGrl4eva: Do girls scream and jump at you everywhere you go now?
O-Town: Yes.
Michael: Do you mean before or after O-Town?
Ashley: As the show goes on each week, more and more people start coming up to us. Now, it is starting to pick up speed.
Trevor: It's not bad though. When people see us they think it's more on a personal level, so they actually approach us. It's more of a personal level. They see N'Sync and Backstreet on a celebrity level but when they see us on TV, they like see us in our home and at our work. It's really weird when we go to different states. In Orlando, it's almost like the norm. People know that we will be in Orlando but when we are in different places and we get noticed, that is the real weird part of it.
Erik: My biggest advice was no tattoo parlor and no more women.
Bryan: That's the weird part of this process. When people come up to you and talk to you, if they don't like you it's because of who you are. It's the same if they like you.
Guest-JustineMarch: Bryan, which do you think that you are better at, singing, or dancing?
Bryan: I definitely think singing. The biggest thing I had to work on, as a group, is that I was doing solo work when I came into it. So doing 5-part harmony was the biggest adjustment for me.
Guest-FunStuff: Is being in band of this type different than you thought it would be? How?
O-Town: It's definitely different than where I came from. I did choral work and was in a Gospel choir. So how we learned music and approached it was different.
Guest-Lauryn: How long did it take you to film "Making the Band?" O-Town: Six months. Eric: I love to be alone and at certain times the cameras got frustrating but at other times you yearned for the cameras to be there.
Ashley: While filming the show, the camera men and sound techs can't talk to you but over 6 months of them following you all the time you develop little secret languages. So you develop a relationship with them a little bit. We became a real big family--the crew and us. We made so many good friends on this journey. Keep watching the show and watch tonight. Thank you for coming to the chat room and chatting with us.
Guest-EB: How do you feel about Ikaika being able to come back?
Erik: At the time, we were really skeptical, but you will find out in today's episode how we felt and how we dealt with it. I just have to say tune in tonight because that question will be answered.
Guest-heather: Who is the youngest member?
Ashley: Bryan is the oldest.
Guest-groovnchica: Has this affected the life of your families and friends, since they are on TV sometimes?
Bryan: My family has kind of gone crazy since the show premiered. Every Friday night after the episode ends, I get phone calls from my mom, aunt, and grandma. It's given them something to be excited about and look forward to.
Erik: For my mom, I'm an only child so it is such a blessing that I am able to call her and hear her have a smile on her face because she is so proud of me. That by itself is such a major part of this whole thing.
Guest-JacobsGrl4eva: Who is like the *big brother* of the group, and who is the *younger bro?
O-Town: Brian who is the oldest is the big brother.
Michael: Ashley is the younger bro for sure.
Erik: There is a code word we say, WA, which stands for "Where's Ashley?" That is a question that we ask at least 3 times a day. Whenever we are looking for him. We will be in the mall and yell WA, and he will come out from wherever he is.
Guest-Ashley-n-Stef757: What is the hardest part of being on TV?
Erik: The hardest thing would have to be, especially in this show, having people make judgment calls on certain aspects of your personality. The show depicts them in their true light but the guys go so much deeper than what you see on TV. I'd just like people to remember that.
Bryan: I think for us personally, as individuals, the hardest thing is that when you see the show, you see how everyone else perceives you. That's always a hard thing to adjust to.
Guest-kristij: How does it feel to finally have a goal accomplished so early in life?
Michael: There is no way for me to describe how it felt when even my name was called for the final 8.
O-Town: Being in the show and seeing myself with these guys every Friday night--it's hard to describe. For each individual, there is a different level for success, like getting your Ph.D. For me, it was this. Hey guys! Keep watching the show. Trust us. It gets so much better. Watch tonight. One recommendation is get out your tissues.
Guest-erika15: Are you guys going to be at Planet Hollywood to sign autographs any time soon?
Michael: We are each hitting a different city. We are each having a viewing party at Planet Hollywood and sitting with friends and family watching the show. Nothing huge. Just chillin'.
Guest-supergirl: Has it been a hard transition for any of you that have preformed alone, to now having to rely on others? Do you feel comfortable with that?
O-Town: I think every aspect of this project was an adjustment for the 8 of us. It's not only just singing as a group, you have to move, work and sing as one unit.
Michael: I think I was pretty lucky coming in. The only solo performances I've ever done was in acting. As a singer, I've always been in a group. So the entire notion of acting as one unit had already been instilled in me. It was easy, I think, overall.
Summer_Jam_Host: What was the most challenging thing about your experience?
Michael: For me, the most challenging thing was knowing that we were going into this as 8 and leaving as 5. Knowing that we would have to leave. Either a group of 2 or 3 or a group of 5. That never left my mind. For me, it was coming into the situation and knowing that there would be a split in the family.
Broksgirl18: If you could repaint the sky, what color would you paint it?
O-Town: I hear that yellow is a happy color and that if you are in an office and want to brighten you day, paint it yellow.
Michael: I think that the sky is very beautiful but with the sunset, orange/pink all over the place. You would have 24 hours of romance.
Guest-CanadaGurl: Besides singing and performing, what kinds of stuff do you like doing in your spare time?
Michael: In my spare time I like to spend time with family and friends. And get in a good game of basketball when I can.
Bryan: I totally agree with Mike. Our spare time is few and far between so when I can see my family or friends that's what I like to do.
Guest-ILgrl18: Would you rather have the process of making the band untelevised?
Bryan: Absolutely not. We all decided to share our experience with the world. There are so many people out there aspiring to be musicians or actors that anyone that wants to follow a dream should watch this show. There is a lot of emotion and hard work that goes into it.
Michael: I think for the 8 of us having this show is a blessing. The amount of exposure that we have gotten from this show is phenomenal.
Guest-ano_girl: Hey guys! I have to tell you that you are all very talented. I'd like to know if you have said something on TV in the front of the cameras that you wouldn't say, and that you regretted.
Michael: Thank you very much for the compliment on behalf of all 8 of us. I don't think I said anything that I would have regretted. I think I would have spent more time learning about the industry and experience instead of reacting to the experience. But I have no regrets.
Bryan: It's not so much the things we said that we regretted but every week we would have to go into an interview and you are sitting alone in this dark room and there is a director there asking your questions and there is a camera on you and you can't help but tell your heart. You pour your heart out and talk about events that happened that week. I think there are a lot of things that were said in those interviews that weren't said to each other personally. There are some things I wish I would have said to the guys.
Michael: I would have loved to have spent more 1 on 1 time with each guy. As you watch the show you can tell it was broken down. Everyone got along well but I spent more time with Bryan than I got to spend with Ashley or Erik. I would have spent more 1-1 time with everyone collectively.
Summer_Jam_Host: Did you learn anything about each other that you saw on TV?
Bryan: There were things that we could have done as a group to get to know each other better. You got to know your roommates the best. So we could have switched rooms at a certain point. Or when it was the 8 of us we could have spent more time talking than meeting and greeting people.
Guest-Princess: You guys are so awesome, but do you often wonder how many fake people you will come across and how will you deal with them?
Bryan: I think in all walks of life you will deal with insincere people. It's hard to wean those people off and you just treat people with respect and the respect you want back. The people who are sincere will rise to the top and you will be able to identify them.
Michael: I think that just through being on the show that I found out a lot about people. You can divide friends and acquaintances quite easily. I would get phone calls from people I hadn't heard from in a long time. You always know who your real friends are.
Bryan: Trust me. Mike and I have met some traveling folks!
Michael: Just smile and take what comes at you.
Guest-JacobsGrl4eva: Who in the group is the most outspoken, gullible, *goofy*?
Michael: I am the goofiest person you will ever meet and I am proud of it. Being clumsy and goofy is a sexy thing--for those of you who don't know. And the most outspoken is probably Trevor. Ikaika is the most gullible.
Bryan: We would play games on Ikaika. We would feel bad and want to make him a cake. It was just too easy with Ikaika.
Michael: It's just that Ikaika's jokes are different than ours. He is easy to mess with.
Bryan: He always takes things lightly and that's what made it fun.
Guest-JustineMarch: Do you think that all of the hard work was worth it?
Bryan: Absolutely!
Michael: Absolutely! Absolutely!
Guest-ibou_zaza: How excited are you to be on Regis and Kathie Lee on Monday? And what show is, for you, the one that you are going to tell yourself, "God! I made it?"
Bryan: We are really looking forward to our performance on Monday. We have done it before. They are great hosts.
Michael: I think the cast and crew is phenomenal.
Bryan: I would say Rosie. I love Rosie. She seems to really communicate with her guests.
Michael: I think once O-Town is actually on a show, doing a celebrity fund raiser, then we know we have made it because people are looking up to us as a positive influence.
Summer_Jam_Host: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Bryan: Definitely in 10 years I still hope that I am still associated in the music and entertainment business; if not performing, working and developing talent
Michael: I see myself in 10 years in films.
Disney_Host: Thanks for joining us for today's chat with O-Town. Be sure to check them out on "Making the Band", airing Friday nights on ABC-TV. And watch for the O-Town boys as hosts of Disney's Sizzlin' Summer Weekend, this Friday on ABC and this Saturday on the Disney Channel. For more information, check out the official Disney's Sizzlin' Summer Weekend website at www.disney.go.com/summer.
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