Originally formed on the ABC/MTV reality show Making The Band, which chronicled their formation and rise to fame, O-Town is touring with Ryan Cabrera this summer. They will make a stop at the Narrows Center in Fall River, MA, on July 25th. Purchase tickets HERE.
O-Town’s story began in 1999, when TV network, ABC, produced the very first musical reality show in major network history. “Making the Band” was produced in conjunction with Lou Pearlman, creator of both the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC . The show chronicled the creation, development, and rise to success of O-Town throughout three seasons of the series; the first two on ABC and the final season on MTV. The group became the first to be signed by Clive Davis to his label, J Records, and released two full-length albums, which included #1 singles, “Liquid Dreams” and “All or Nothing.” The latter of which was nominated for “Song of the Year” at the Radio Music Awards in 2001.
By 2003, O-Town found themselves amidst an industry that was beginning to experience dramatic changes, former mentor, Lou Pearlman’s, legal battles and eventual conviction regarding embezzlement of more than $300 million, as well as a complex contract that left the group in dire financial strain.
“We really had little choice but to close up shop at that point”, Jacob Underwood explains. “We learned so much during those four years, but it was obvious the time had come to walk away, hoping we could do it again one day, differently”.
Reunited in 2014 as a four-piece, following the departure of member, Ashley Parker Angel, band members Underwood, Trevor Penick, Dan Miller and Erik-Michael Estrada, released their third studio album, Lines & Circles, and set out on a national tour for the first time in 10 years in support of the album. Additionally, the group made their acting debut starring in Backstreet Boy member, Nick Carter’s cult film, Dead 7, amongst members of all of the generation’s biggest boy bands, which was premiered on the Sy-Fy channel.
After touring for the last three years and realizing the incredible support of their loyal fans, it seemed clear to the band that they could produce their fourth album free of any label, and could rely solely on their fans for funding. In October 2016, the group launched a Kickstarter campaign to do just that. The campaign was so incredibly successful that they met their initial goal of $47,500 within the first seven hours. At the end of the 30 day campaign, they nearly doubled that goal, proving their loyal fan base will continue to support the group as they pursue new musical endeavors.
O-Town is now preparing to release their fourth studio album, which will be split into two EPs. The first single, “Empty Space” will premiere this month on Yahoo! Music. The group will then head out on a series of tour dates throughout the summer, including the Narrows Center on July 20th.
Joining O Town for the tour is Ryan Cabrera, the platinum-selling singer/songwriter and architect behind ubiquitous smashes such as “On the Way Down,” “True” and “Shine On,” as well as albums including 2004’s Take It All Away, which hit #8 on the Billboard Top 200, You Stand Watching (2005), and The Moon Under Water (2008). Ryan was asked to join O Town for this tour and is delighted to be on the road with them.
The Narrows Center for the Arts is located at 16 Anawan Street. Tickets to his show can be purchased online HERE or by calling the box office at 508-324-1926. For those wanting to purchase tickets in person, box office hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Limelight Magazine 