Teen Machine : July-Sept’99

 [New Band Alert!]

"They Came From Orlando"

C Note are another hot Orlando group who are out to win your heart!

Imagine a typical evening in Orlando: The weather's warm, the breeze is soft and sightings of the members of R&B/pop groups are as common as peanuts in a Snickers bar. First, there's Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter driving down the highway talking into his car phone. Hey Nick! Stop by the 7-Eleven for something to drink and wow-- it's Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez quenching their thirst with Gatorade after a game of basketball. Turn a corner, and check it out-- isn't that 'N Sync's Chris Kirkpatrick in-line skating down the block? Don't laugh, it could happen. Once merely the home of everyone's favorite mouse, Orlando has become ground zero for the current explosion in new music!

Just when you've grown accustomed to those other two Orlando acts dominating the airwaves, here comes C Note, a quartet of talented guys who are bringing their own unique bilingual flair for music to the radio. Their first single, the ultra-soulful "Wait Till I Get Home," was released just last month and it's already earning the group lots of new fans.

So who are C Note? The group is comprised of Dru Rogers, Raul Molina, David Perez and Brody Martinez, four friends with a hot look and an awesome way with a tune. Dru spent his high school years playing sports until he noticed that singers got all the girls. That was enough incentive for a career switch! Raul, on the other hand, has been crooning tunes all his life. He started singing as a child in church, performed in his high school's choir and even won a college scholarship for his exceptional voice. Then there's David who, like Dru, is a former high school athlete. He turned down a college basketball scholarship to follow the bright lights of show business. Finally, Brody, whose real name is Jose, discovered his sizable talent when he joined his high school choir. He's been possessed by the preforming demons ever since!

Brody, Raul and David were familiar faces on the Orlando talent show scene. They worked in different harmony groups and suffered some major disappointments along the way. Finally, they met up and recognized in each other a common love of music and commitment to making it big. All three guys dance as well as they sing and they even share a love of the same performers. C Note's influences include such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Babyface, Boyz II Men and Jodeci.

Originally, Brody, Raul and David created C Note as a trio. Their pal Dru was added to the group's lineup just prior to entering another local talent show. C Note's glorious harmonies and energetic dancing won first place! That victory caught the eagle eyes of a talent scout for Trans Continental Records, the independent label that's also the home base of Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. C Note's ability to sing in both English and Spanish was just one of the attributes that made the group stand out from the pack of other hopefuls. With the backing of their new management, C Note signed with Epic Records, who will be releasing their debut CD later this year.

Now that you know a little bit about C Note, don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for Dru, Brody, David and Raul next time your shopping for Mickey Mouse souvenirs. In Orlando, you never know who you’re going to meet!