The Fever Is On For 98º

We Want More Than Just Una Noche With These Guys!

The invasion of the boy bands is old news at this point, but fans are still clamoring for any information they can get about their favorite guy groups.  What do they eat, what do they like, where do they go when they are not touring?  There are all these lingering questions just waiting to be answered and we here for all of your queries!

    One of the enigmas of boy band mania are the men of 98 Degrees.  These fellas who procliam that they are most definitely not boys, but are men, have been heating up charts and have definitely surpassed mere body temperature on the hotness scale.  In a time when most acts fill their stage show with more show-stopping dance moves then singing, 98º prides themselves on being true vocalists, wowing audiences with their a capella harmonies.   Being known as balladeers seems to fit the image of these Romeos.  With killer good looks and magnificent voics, romantic ballads just seem to flow from these guys.   Crooning love songs to swooning throngs is such a trademark of 98º that, as just one glance of those soulful eyes, you are sure they are singing directly to you!

    Their latest album, Revelation went double-platinum and offered fans of the group some surprises.  The album was a much more personal venture for the group because they had a hand in writing 10 of the 12 tracks.  Such involvement gave the guys a vested interest in seeing the album succeed.  When asked about the competition in the market from other boy groups, Drew answered, "I think you have to always compete with yourself first.  Obviously 'N Sync is having a great run right now and we couldn't be happier for those guys.  They work hard and they really deserve it!   But you have to be competitive and you have to challenge yourself alone and as a group.  We're just trying to expand off of what we've already done and know that we're growing."

    Some changes and adjustments are evident in not only the new CD, but in their concerts as well.   Several songs on Revelation are much more up-tempo than fans of these guys are used to.  This is just one of the things that the group consciously wanted to change.  While they all love the romantic ballads that they have become known for, they wanted to try some new things and experiment with their talent.  This new style of songwriting signified that there had to be some changes in their stage shows.   First, they guys had to learn how to dance!  While groups like 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys are known for their complicated choreography and stylized dance moves, this was all new to the generally stationary group.  Justin joked about the new moves saying, "We're definitely not dancers and we've never considered ourselves dancers.   We started out a capella and never did any dancing, but this time we're stepping it up a bit.  These days you gotta do it all, so we're prepared for the ultimate challenge."

    And we are prepared to watch them!  Their summer touring schedule took the handsome quartet all over the world, including the exotic Orient.  By the end of the summer they were back in the States and still growing strong, mesmerizing audiences with their dreamy tunes, not to mention looks!  Other engagements kept the fellas busy as well.  Nick was just about everywhere recently, from the cover of Teen People in August to schmoozing with Regis on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.  Nick as most of you know, also pulled double duty by helping his former girlfriend on her CD.  He co-wrote two of the songs on Jessica Simpson's Irresistible CD, including the romantic, "Forever In Your Eyes."  Even though the two are no longer an item, they remain very close friends.

    We don't care how many other boy bands flood the airwaves, the men of 98º are sheer heaven!   Now that their touring is over for awhile, the guys are ready for some much-needed downtime.  Knowing them however, they won't be resting for very long!