Jonas Brothers entered the music scene with a youthful rock edge and an eclectic mix of high-energy pop/rock music that has resonated with fans and audiences around the world. Now, the Platinum-certified recording artists (Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas) add television movie acting roles to their impressive resumes with the music- and dance-filled Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock."
The close-knit brothers, each a singer, songwriter and musician, filmed the movie in increments, traveling to and from its remote location outside Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in between performing sold-out shows on their headlining North American concert tour and recording their third album, "A Little Bit Longer," on a specially outfitted Gibson guitar tour bus.
They also recorded an original song for the movie, the rockin' "Play My Music," and middle brother Joe performs a ballad "Gotta Find You" and a duet, "This is Me," with fellow "Camp Rock" star Demi Lovato. Jonas Brothers join the "Camp Rock" cast in the anthem "We Rock."
Jonas Brothers scored a trifecta when the aforementioned album "A Little Bit Longer" debuted at #1 in the U.S. and Canada in August while their previous Platinum-selling album, Jonas Brothers (released in 2007), returned to the Top 10 joining the soundtrack to "Camp Rock" on that album chart. It marked the first time any recording artist held three titles in the top ten in Sound Scan history. "A Little But Longer" releases in Europe beginning in September 2008.
Remarkably, since wrapping production on "Camp Rock," Jonas Brothers embarked on a sold-out North American concert tour, the Burnin' Up Tour in summer 2008 (they will star in a Disney Digital 3-D feature film that will include footage from that concert tour) and completed another headline tour, the Look Me in the Eyes Tour, which sold out in 2-minutes at the Los Angeles Gibson Amphitheater, the fastest sellout in the venue's 36-year history. They also performed in cities across Europe and completed a 70-date arena tour as part of the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds concert. They were featured in the Digital 3D movie of that tour, a film that grossed over $65 million at the U.S. box office.
Jonas Brothers are well-known to millions of Top 40 radio and Radio Disney listeners. They first debuted on Radio Disney in October 2005 with the song "Time
to Fly" and soon thereafter, soared with the hit single "Mandy." Jonas Brothers songs are currently on Top 40 radio and Radio Disney's Top 30 chart, and when the brothers were guest DJs on Radio Disney last year, listener call volume spiked over 300 percent. Their most recent single "Look Me in the Eyes" debuted as the #1 most added at Top 40 radio. The album's first single, "S.O.S," went to #1 on the iTunes chart and, when added to the play list at powerhouse radio station Z100 in New York, was the #1 most requested song overnight.
The Jonas Brothers have millions of fans in Disney Channel viewers and Disney moviegoers around the world as well. They recorded the theme song to Disney's animated series "American Dragon: Jake Long," and that music video, along with music videos for their popular songs "Year 3000" and "S.O.S.," among others, have been regularly featured on Disney Channel. Their hit song "Hold On" is featured in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board." They are featured performing "Kids of the Future" in Disney's feature film "Meet the Robinsons" and on "The Little Mermaid: 2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack."
In addition to their music videos, they were featured on Disney Channel in a concert special, "Jonas Brothers in Concert," originating from New York's Gramercy Park. They next star in a short-form reality series "Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream," a look at their lives while on concert tour, debuting in May 2008 on Disney Channel, and will star in the upcoming comedy series, "J.O.N.A.S.," scheduled to begin production in Fall 2008 for premiere on Disney Channel.
They performed in the "Disney Channel Games 2008," back by popular demand from last summer's special presentation of the Games at Walt Disney World in Orlando. They also guest starred in an episode of "Hannah Montana" which was basic cable's #1 series telecast of all time in Total Viewers (10.7 million).
Jonas Brothers started a foundation, Change for the Children (see http://www.changeforthechildren.org) to support programs that motivate and inspire children to face adversity with confidence, determination and a will to succeed. Supporting children with Diabetes will be an important focus of the foundation; Nick Jonas was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Nick recently announced his partnership with Bayer with and its My CONTOUR Meter and the launch of http://www.nickssimplewins.com where Nick gives simple every day tips for managing diabetes.
Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the three Jonas brothers grew up in a family rich with faith. Their parents are both musicians - dad Kevin Sr. is also an ordained minister and mom Denise is a special education teacher. They now live in Los Angeles with their parents and younger brother Frankie.
JOE JONAS
"Shane Gray"
Joe Jonas showcases his multiple talents - acting, singing and dancing - in the role of Shane Gray, lead singer in the hottest pop-rock band.
As the story unfolds, Shane is increasingly dissatisfied with fame and the manufactured sound his record label is forcing upon his band. After his frustration reaches a boiling point, he's sent packing by his band mates, Jason and Nate, back to Camp Rock, the place where they first connected. There, he regains his passion for music and warms up to fellow camper Mitchie Torres who appreciates him for his musical artistry, not his celebrity.
Regarding the acting venture, Joe commented, "Before I auditioned for the role, I had a phone call with the director and he told me about the character and right away I was very into the movie. I really wanted to do it."
He continued, "My character is a pop star who kind of loses his way and has to go back to his roots. And he's kind of a jerk so he's gotta grow out of that. It was fun to play him because I'm definitely not a jerk, so playing a jerk in the movie definitely, you know, it stretches me a little bit but I really enjoyed it."
Comparing his role to his real-life experience with fame, Joe said, "We're always keeping each other in check and we have great parents so even when we're playing shows in front of thousands of people, they keep us grounded."
Born August 15, 1989, in Casa Grande, Arizona, and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey,
Joe was exposed to music at an early age but had no intention of becoming a singer and instead, wanted to be a comedic actor. But when he accompanied his brother Nick to an audition for the Broadway musical "Oliver," the director wondered aloud if Nick had a brother who could sing too. That comment ultimately gave Joe the motivation to pursue his passion, music, as a career. With Joe performing lead vocals, tambourine and occasionally, guitar, he and his brothers formed Jonas Brothers in 2004.
Kevin, Nick and Joe founded Jonas Brothers Change for The Children, a charity to benefit children suffering from illness, abuse and poverty.
KEVIN JONAS
"Jason"
Eldest son Kevin discovered his passion for music when he was a young teen. Home from school one day, he picked up a guitar and a "Teach Yourself Guitar" book and spent the next three days learning how to play the basic chords. Kevin recalls, "The moment I picked up a guitar, that was the minute I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life."
Since forming the band with his brothers in 2004, Kevin has enthralled fans with his powerful guitar solos. He also sings vocals.
Like his brothers, Kevin had his own experience in the acting spotlight, joining them in commercials for Disney, LEGOs and Burger King, among others.
In "Camp Rock," he puts a comedic spin on rock star Jason, one of two band members who send Shane back to the camp where they first connected as a group. Regarding "Camp Rock," Kevin said, "This movie's definitely very unique because of the different musical stylings. Of course there is the rock stuff that we're definitely a part of together, but the solo stuff is also very empowering musically."
He was born November 5, 1987 in Teaneck, and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey.
Kevin, Nick and Joe founded Jonas Brothers Change for The Children, a charity to benefit children suffering from illness, abuse and poverty.
NICK JONAS
"Nate"
Born September 16, 1992 in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, Nick began singing as soon as he could talk. "From the time I was two years old, I would wake up in the morning and start singing all the time, every second of the day," he says. His singing voice, heard while Nick was getting his hair cut in a local barbershop, caught the attention of a woman who referred him to a professional entertainment industry manager.
A passionate and talented singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, Nick has already starred in four Broadway shows, spending hundreds of hours rehearsing, performing and traveling to and from New York City for the roles of Gavroche in "Les Miserables," Chip in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," Little Jake in "Annie Get Your Gun" with Reba McEntire, and Tiny Tim and the Young Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol - the Musical" at Madison Square Garden. He has also appeared in numerous commercials.
Nick's vocal and performing abilities have also been highlighted in Broadway showcases, a special Broadway Christmas recording which included a song he wrote with his father.
Along the way, Nick learned to play piano, guitar, bass and drums and shares lead vocals with Joe in the group.
Regarding "Camp Rock," Nick said, "If you're a music fan this is definitely the movie to watch 'cause it's got some really great songs and the really cool part about this is every time that there is music in the movie it's always 'cause someone's performing a song. This movie has tons of different music from Reggae to Hip Hop to straight up pop, you know. And then you know, Camp Rock, there's Rock in it and it's really cool how it all combines and for me, singing something I usually might not sing on stage. I'm able to you know, change it up and sing in front of an, in front of the camera. It’s really cool."
Kevin, Nick and Joe founded Jonas Brothers Change for The Children, a charity to benefit children suffering from illness, abuse and poverty.
"Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" airs on Disney Channel (Dstv 303) on 18 September at 09:00 AM.