Launch Exclusive Artist Chat: January 25, 2001 Girls all over the world first discovered the babes of O-Town via ABC's reality show Making The Band, on which these five guys bared their lives (and, occasionally, in the case of certain shower scenes, some skin) in the name of promoting their music. All the "exposure" (incriminating or otherwise) seems to have paid off--they've since landed a primo record deal and an awful lot of attention for their first single, "Liquid Dreams." Hailing from different parts of the U.S. and ranging in age from 19 to 21, the members of O-Town grew up performing in various ways--playing instruments, singing, dancing, and acting. The guys recently stopped by LAUNCH to discuss music, art, and living in the limelight--and what it's like living out that universal dream. launch_o_town_dan: Hello, everybody, thank you for coming. What's up? imm1025: wHERE ARE YOU GUYS AT RIGHT NOW? launch_o_town_dan: We are calling from Los Angeles right now. otown_crew_roxyquiksilver84: hey! i want to thank you sooo much for thanking the OTOWN CREW in the album! it means soo much to us!! and i wanted to know.. where is your favorite place to perform so far?? -erin, ny launch_o_town_dan: Wow. I think Good Morning America was pretty cool. wyclef_jacob: What's the best gift a fan has ever given you? launch_o_town_dan: A fan gave us a hamster when we were in Toronto. It was good 'cause it was different. It came all caged up and everything, so it was all ready to go. We couldn't bring it back across the border, so they're keeping it at the radio station for us. leopartygirl2002: Are you guys gonna be going on tour at any time soon? launch_o_town_dan: Our tour starts February 10, and we'll be going around the country in about 3,000- to 5,000-seat venues, just getting our album out there and see how the fans like it, and building up a vibe for it. CapitolGal: Hey O-Town, when are you coming to the UK? launch_o_town_dan: Yes, we are, actually. The U.K. is beginning of March, I think. Right after our month tour in the U.S. we're going to go over and do promotions over there. launch_o_town_ashley: What's up everybody, this is Ashley! ynrfan2001: Ashley, how long have you been singing? launch_o_town_ashley: For as long as I can remember. I started singing when I started playing piano, which was around the age of 5 or 6. chickbsb: Ashley, Has your dad change his mind on how he felt about you joining the group now that you released an album? launch_o_town_ashley: Things between me and my dad are better now than they were when you last saw Making The Band. Hopefully you'll see more of our relationship unfold when the second Making The Band season starts in April. cutie1432003: what do u guys like most about being in o-town launch_o_town_ashley: I love being able to do every single day what I love to do, and I love the fans' reactions, and meeting and talking with them, 'cause they know us so personally. My favorite thing is being able to perform with the band every day. Candy_Heart99: ashley:are you still with shelly??? launch_o_town_ashley: No, I'm not with her...We talk, and we're friends, and she too is going to be on Making The Band during the second season. You'll see more of our story unfold, and a lot of things that didn't get covered on the first season. But no, we're not together, and that's the status. otown_ashley_girl: I LOVE you guys so much!! Do you know what your next single is gonna be? launch_o_town_ashley: No, we don't--in fact, we can't wait to find out. Our record label will talk to radio stations and fans and do surveys to see what people want, but some strong candidates are "Girl" and "Every Six Seconds"--right now, I think it's between those two. cutie1432003: ashley would you ever date anyone younger then you launch_o_town_ashley: Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't date someone 20 years younger than me or anything, unless that's down the road when I'm 60. For me, it's maturity level. I think when I was younger I was mature, and I've met people younger than me who are just as mature. bsbnsync98lvr: What's everyone's favorite song off the album? launch_o_town_ashley: That's tough, 'cause there are so many, so many that I love, but one of my favorites is "Love Should Be A Crime," and that is because it's not what you expect to hear from us, and it makes our album really different and versatile. launch_o_town_erik: Hello, this is Erik-Michael, how's everyone doing? jacobs_angel05: erik i'm sick with a cold how can i get better ? launch_o_town_erik: Don't go out to the club. allan_giacomelli: what happenned to the song "See You Again"? launch_o_town_erik: "See You Again" actually got recorded by us, we redid it here in the States, and it's gonna be on a soundtrack for a movie called Long Shot. kittenbaby20001_99: How old are you guys launch_o_town_erik: I'm the oldest--I'm 21. Trevor's 21 as well, Jacob's 20, Dan's 20, and Ashley is 19. chantal78uk: My fisrt question is, how can we hear more of the the wonderful song, 'Say Say' that was featured in 'MTB'?- It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard! launch_o_town_erik: That's actually a song that hasn't been finished yet, but we're planning on finishing it and putting it on the next album, or as an early release on the next soundtrack. Ghetto1DVS: Sup dudes, hey i always see you peeps in like hurley shirts and junk.Any of you guys skateboard?or snowboard? launch_o_town_erik: Yeah, I actually snowboard. Jacob snowboards and skateboards, Ashley snowboards. launch_o_town_jacob: What's up, everybody? This is Jacob. Is there anything you want to ask me? wyclef_jacob: Jacob, I know you wrote "Take Me Under". It's hot!! I'm glad it made it on the album. Were you disappointed the other songs you guys wrote didn't make it on the album? launch_o_town_jacob: No, "Say Say" wasn't finished. And "Take Me Under" was the only song that I wrote for the album. So I'm one for one. bubbles1670: Jacob how come you change your hair to brown with the beads?? launch_o_town_jacob: I was changing it a lot as it was growing out, but I was growing it out to get my locks again. otown_jacobsgirl: Jacob, is it true that you have a girlfriend?? -Love-otown_jacobsgirl launch_o_town_jacob: Yes, it is true. I'm back together with my girlfriend that I've dating off and on since 5th grade. jacob_underwood_is_a_hottie: Jacob-In the O-Town cd, you mention a girl named Jamie, is she your g/f? launch_o_town_jacob: Yes. otown_ashley_girl: Hey!! OMG!! I love you guys so much!! Your cd is awesome!! I know Ashley's and Erik's fav song on the cd....but what about you Dan, Trevor, and Jacob?? launch_o_town_jacob: It's between "Girl" and "Love Should Be A Crime." hottiepants692001: Do you guys want some dancers launch_o_town_jacob: We'd probably take dancers on a bigger tour, but this tour coming up, we're going out by ourselves. mb_chickca: Boxers or Briefs?? launch_o_town_jacob: I wear boxer-briefs. The best of both worlds. cutie1432003: do u guys fight like brothers launch_o_town_jacob: Yeah, you could say that. But the point is, we work it out. That's the important part. babydevil1031: Jacob how did you did you think of the lyrics for "Take Me Under"? launch_o_town_jacob: It was originally a poem about my girlfriend, but we weren't together at the time. launch_o_town_trevor: This is Trevor. Hello, thank you for joining, and let's get through as much as we can! addicted2mtv: britney spears or christina aguilera? --sheila, tx launch_o_town_trevor: Britney Spears. wyclef_jacob: You guys picked my friend Kerri as your #1 Fan... were there any auditions that also stood out in your mind from Making the Fan? launch_o_town_trevor: There were a lot--the girl from Orlando that won, so many...the hardest thing to do was go around the country and just pick one person. It was really hard. Dianalil7: Hey O-town I hope that you answer my question! What do you think about Ikaika leaving you guys and now him bieng in the group LMNT?? launch_o_town_trevor: I think it's awesome! I'm glad that he's out there doing what he wants to do still, and he's with guys that we love, Brian and Mike. It's cool, no hard feelings at all. I wish him all the best. LyndseyLaunch: what was it like getting to be on Total Request Live? launch_o_town_trevor: That was incredible. I mean, we grew up watching TRL almost every day...I mean, just seeing our video on there was cool, but getting to host the show? Very, very wow. lilbabystephie: Hey! How does it feel when your walking down the block and a fan comes up to you asking for a picture/ or autograph? -Stephie, NYC launch_o_town_trevor: That's a great feeling, a very great feeling. I mean, people know who we are, and we're becoming successful. If you ever see me on the street, feel free to ask for an autograph. addicted2mtv: what is your favorite cereal? --sheila, tx launch_o_town_trevor: Cinnamon Toast Crunch. bsbnsync98lvr: Hey guys! I was at the Making The Fan contest in NY. What made you choose the girl you chose for the trip? launch_o_town_trevor: She was a very devoted fan--she has her own website that she updates every day, she bought a lot of CDs and singles, and the big kicker is that she has a tattoo of O-Town on her lower back. poker_queen_14: hi my name is sarah and i was wondering what advice you have for a girl wanting to get started in the music bissiness launch_o_town_trevor: I would say to never, ever, ever give up on your dreams. And any time you see an audition for anything, always go to it if you have time. edward_young23: have you saw the show making the band if so are there things you might wished you could took back that you've might said or done? launch_o_town_trevor: Definitely not. You can't live your life regretting things you did. You just learn from your mistakes, and if that situation comes up again, then you change it. But you can't live your life in regret, because you don't learn anything.