Making The Band Otown (ABC-TV Docudrama Series) (Paperback)

~ K.M. Squires (Author) "Ken Mok of MTV asked me if I wanted to participate in a program about the genesis of making a boy band..." (more)
Key Phrases: vocal coach, road manager, boy band, Lou Pearlman, Dan Miller, Backstreet Boys (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

You've seen the TV show.
You've rooted for your favorites.
Now, relive the drama and get the insider's 411 on the making of the ultimate boy band.

MAKING THE BAND: O-TOWN

Move over, 'N Sync. Watch your back, Backstreet Boys.

After an amazing cross-country search, eight super-talented, super-hot guys have a chance to become superstars as members of the all-new singing and dancing sensation O-Town. Too bad three of them have to get the ax before all is said and done.

Based on the TV series that tells this totally true story of fame, fortune, and cutthroat competition, this killer book goes even further behind the scenes with Ashley Parker Angel, Bryan Chan, Erik-Michael Estrada, Paul Martin, Dan Miller, Michael Miller, Trevor Penick, and Jacob Underwood as they pursue their dream of becoming pop stars. Inside, you'll find:

Exclusive, behind-the-scenes information not revealed on the show

Never-before-seen candid photos

Trivia on all eight to-die-for contenders

You'll also learn:

what really goes on in the O-Town boys' Orlando home

what it's like to have your life taped 24-7

what the guys did before they were stars

how they feel about leaving their girlfriends behind.

Following O-Town's journey all the way to their first performance as a real band, this is the only book with the real skinny on TV and pop music's latest heartthrobs!

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: MTV (November 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743417011
• ISBN-13: 978-0743417013
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,249,947 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars O-Town book not just for kids, December 26, 2000

By	Brian D. Ahern (Muskegon, MI United States) - See all my reviews

As a change of pace, I thought I might contribute a word or two about the book "O-TOWN: Making The Band" from an adult perspective. For those of us strange characters over the age of 25 who were hooked by the ABC Television docu-drama series about the nationwide search for five members of a carefully manufactured boyband, this paperback of the same name offers an interesting recap, overview, and commentary.

While clearly focused at a younger audience, the "Making The Band" book is not without merit for more mature readers. Interviews and observations from the band members themselves compose the bulk of the volume, adding insights and reflections not always included in the 22-minute series broadcasts aired last season on ABC.

The book is not without its problems. Contributing writer K.M. Squires doesn't so much write this volume as watch it compiled, leaving the majority of input to the performers and thus restricting her role to that of stenographer. The individual reflections of the band members do provide a certain amount of insight, particularly through their own conduct in contributing their commentaries. Rarely is a group of performers this young shown to present themselves at such a high level of courtesy, gratitude, and professionalism. You'll find no trash-talking or back-stabbing either of each other or their industry peers as the five boys share their observations of both their fellow band members and themselves. A pronounced level of modesty is also present as each performer tends to downplay his own strengths and accomplishments while answering the identical FAQ-style questions put to each of them.

The downside to this is that some of the more glowing attributes of this group are glossed over or ignored entirely. The personal conviction and fortitude of Ashley Angel, who faced not only one, but two of the most important people in his personal life [his father and girlfriend] withdrawing their full support from his musical aspirations comes to mind for a start. Jacob Underwood's own determination to achieve a record contract before age 21, and his willingness to stand up for his fellow performers [as when Erik was insulted by a visiting friend] are likewise omitted. Both of these exclusions might have been remedied by way of a more objective writer.

This is, after all, a group of extraordinary young men who can count among their achievements writing and recording two original songs in under 48 hours. I was disappointed to find there was not more documentation of that Germany recording session in this volume.

Shortcomings aside, this is a beautifully-packaged book, with a strong layout and colorful format, replete with photos of our talented quintet, both from studio shoots as well as candids. Though at times the paperback may read more like a high school yearbook than a TV series compendium, there is still enough information to hold the interest of older O-Town fans, as well as their more enthusiastic teenage supporters.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Great Book, December 6, 2001

A Kid's Review

If you love O-town you will love this book. It tells you everything about their show, "Making the Band." It was great and I enjoyed reading it- lets put it this way, I really don't like to read that much. I hope that if you buy this book, you will enjoy it as much as I do.

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for O-Town fans., December 6, 2000

By	Lisa "cakeordeath820" (Wheeling, IL USA) - See all my reviews

If you are a fan of O-Town, there is no reason not to have this book. Ikaika fans may be disappointed, because he did not "participate" in the writing of the book. So, if you're looking for Ikaika, don't bother. Otherwise, it's cool! It goes through the whole process of the auditions, etc., and has detailed profiles of all the guys. I especially enjoy the sections written by their mothers!