The second season of the ABC series Making the Band will focus more on the music, says Ashley Parker Angel of the now chart-topping band, O-Town. When the show starts in April, audiences will witness the band work with writers and producers on their self-titled debut, interact with J Records founder Clive Davis, and even hear their song being played on the radio for the first time.

"If you ever wondered about what it would be like for a group in the music industry or what being a rock star was like, now you get a chance," says Angel.

The new season will also follow the band on their first headlining tour across the nation. Fans who attend the shows (which started Feb 10th and go through March 22nd) may even get a few minutes of fame. "Fans actually get to see the camera crews up on stage filming us," says Angel. "Everyone that comes has to sign a release form because all these people coming to see us are going to be part of our story."

Angel also says the band members have matured musically since the first season and they look forward to proving themselves as artists. "We've had to get just as good as other groups in basically one-fifth of the time," he says. "We've been together just about a year now, and we've really stepped up to the plate a lot of ways." To separate the band from other pop sensations, Angel says they have a more "rock-y" sound and he can even play the guitar.

But if all else fails, O-Town's unique stardom still makes for great television. "You get to follow the whole story of fame and what it does to somebody," says Angel. "And it's not scripted!"

LUCY SHAW
(February 23, 2001)