From ABC's "Making the Band"

August 4, 2000

Fresh off the success of their series “Making the Band,” O-town is poised to take the world by storm. See what they all had to say about success, their fans, and “keeping it real.”

Page 1 of 3

Checkout: Welcome to a chat with Ashley, Erik, Dan, Trevor and Jacob from rising pop band O-Town. From the initial cross-country talent search, to the band's training and recording process, every moment of these young men's lives has been recorded for the world to see. Now, they are living together in a house in Orlando, Florida and have embarked on a 40-city major-market radio tour. Send in your questions for the guys about this incredible experience and what it has been like pursuing their dreams. Welcome O-Town!

O-Town: Everyone says What's UP! I hope you are all doing as good as we are!

Slayton: Did each of you think you were going to make it or did you have doubts?

Ashley: We all had doubts, because there was so much talent there in the beginning. There were 2000 guys in the project.

Erik: Each of us went into this knowing we had the potential to make it, but we had to stay humble, and know that if you work hard enough you could make it.

TORONTO O-TOWN FAN-g: Who inspired you to try out for the band?

Erik: No one inspired me to try out, it was my love of music and to be a performer. I've had inspirations in my life, such as Boyz II Men, Take Six but it really was my love to be a performer that took me to Orlando to join this.

Ashley: Well, ever since I was young Michael Jackson was the first pop star that I totally idolized. I had like bought all of his videos and I would try and sing and dance like him. I have been playing piano since I was 4 years old, my mom was a teacher, so she inspired me as well.

GG: Hi O-Town Boyz! I have been watching you guys since day one and loving every minute of it! How did you all feel about the cameras watching your EVERY move practically? Was it distracting?

Dan: At first it was really weird to have the cameras watching you because you weren't sure of what you could or couldn't say. But after a couple of weeks you forget they're there. You just open up to the camera and just be yourself.

Ashleys Lady: Do you think that you will be compared to Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync?

Dan: I'm positive that we will be compared to them! The only thing that will actually compare us is that we have five guys in the band. We will try to be very different and creative in our style. We don't want to do what has already been done.

SHORTY4EVR: Have you guys meet any other boy bands?

Dan: We've met Boys II Men, a couple members of 'N Sync and Backstreet and LFO! We just met a couple members of the Jackson Five too!

ILovUAshley: I wanted to just tell you guys that you so completely rock! I'm looking into getting into this business soon so I was wondering if you all had any tips? And I also wanted to know how you guys felt about having your lives on camera 24\7? I love you always, Ashley.

Jacob: Advice is to not be afraid to do things that are different. And if you believe in what you are doing, that is all that matters.

Page 1 of 3