Local Heroes
Their popularity kept growing, and under the
new name of 'IO YOU', the boys wrote and recorded the song 'Together girl
Forever'. The band were approached by two managers looking for new talent,
after sales in their home town were promising. Shane was concerned with the
terms, and he was very wise on holding back, as his Mum had sent copies of
the bands song 'Together Girl Forever' to well known group, Boyzones,
manager, Louis Walsh, and in 1998, he agreed to see the band!
He was very impressed with the lads, and he
offered the lads a supporting slot on the Boyzone tour at Christmas.
However, first they were going to be supporting the Backstreet Boys in
Dublin, in March. The show was a major milestone in their careers, as they
got their first real taste of fame. Louis then agreed to manage IOU, even
after announcing he was not going to take on another boy band! But to
Derek's disappointment, Louis wanted a five piece band, so he was dropped.
The groups development was very rapid from
then on. They worked extremely hard recording songs for demo tapes tp play
for record companies. This is around the time that Ronan Keating got
involved. He wanted to meet the band after hearing about Louis' latest
signing, and he helped choose their recording material. Ronan asked if he
could help manage the young band he got on so well with. the boys were
delighted about it, and they were furthering their dreams of a singing
career.