For Jonas Brothers, the last year has been all whirlwind, all the time. Yet somehow, on the road to becoming a pop culture phenomenon, the trio never broke a sweat – other than on the stage, giving their all, and living their dream. If anything, Jonas Brothers have embodied the calm within the storm. And since the release of their 2007 self-titled platinum CD, Kevin, Joe and Nick have used their time wisely. As they prove on their new Hollywood Records CD, "A Little Bit Longer," Jonas Brothers have grown exponentially as songwriters, musicians and recording artists.
"The lyrical content has gotten more in-depth," says Nick Jonas of the new album. "It's about who we are as people and our personal lives, things we've gone through in the past 12 months." That year was about much more than simply handling a media frenzy with grace and humor. The brothers also took stock of themselves. In the new album's 12 songs – all written by Jonas Brothers – they put their feelings on the line, while still rocking the house as only they can.
Produced by John Fields (with Jon Lind and Kevin Jonas, Sr., serving as executive producers), "A Little Bit Longer" covers much musical and emotional ground, kicking off with the joyful jam "BB Good." Says Joe of the track, "It's a big sing-along song, and it's fun." The funky and danceable debut single, "Burnin' Up," keeps the party going, with Big Rob, the brothers' hefty security guard, rapping midtrack. "It's about this girl," adds Joe. "Maybe she's at a party, and you feel that immediate connection. You both know it's there."
Though relentlessly upbeat, most songs on "A Little Bit Longer" explore star-crossed standoffs and missed romantic opportunities. Songs like "Shelf," the hard-rocking "Pushin' Me Away" and "One Man Show" survey love's unequal playing field, bad break-ups and the defiant isolation that follows. "'Shelf' is one my favorite songs on the record," says Nick. "Basically, it's about a girl that has a gallery of hearts."
Other songs take a light-hearted look at the craziness of fame and fortune. "Video Girl" paints a portrait of the shallow wannabees dotting the entertainment landscape (" Move to L.A., got no talent/Not even like you won a Miss Teen pageant"), while "Love Bug" starts out as sweet-tempered acoustic love song before ending up a crashing Queen-like rocker.
Of course, the brothers made sure the album breathes. The power ballad "Sorry" features classic JB harmonies and an eternal message of forgiveness. But the song that will have people talking is "A Little Bit Longer," Nick's stunning account of his struggle with diabetes. With strings underscoring a plaintive piano/vocal, he sings about his battle ("A little bit longer and I'll be fine/Waitin' on a cure/But none of them are sure"). Recalls Nick, "I was having one of those days where I was discouraged. So I went into this empty hotel ballroom and wrote this song." Adds brother Kevin, "Nick sings this song every night and it brings people to tears. It's amazing."
Considering the impact Jonas Brothers have had on music and culture recently, maybe it's not so amazing. In the past 12 months, Jonas Brothers guest-starred on Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" before joining the show's star, Miley Cyrus, on her sold-out $36 million-grossing "Best of Both Worlds" tour. They rung in the New Year performing live in New York's Times Square on Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve, collected their RIAA-platinum plaques on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," sang from a White House balcony as guests of the President at the annual Easter Egg Roll, and even played on the hit shows "Dancing With the Stars" and the season finale of "American Idol."
Sure, they had a blast with all of it. But bottom line: The Wycoff, N.J., natives are musical soul brothers every bit as much as they are blood brothers. For them, it has always been about the music.
Their first performances came years ago, in the family basement, when the three – usually led by Nick – would mount their own impromptu concerts. Encouraged by their always-supportive parents, they started getting commercial gigs, with Nick landing roles in Broadway musicals like "Les Miserables," "Beauty and the Beast," “A Christmas Carol – The Musical,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” Joe auditioned, too, and landed a part in "La Boheme." In 2005, the trio finally signed their first label deal, but it took a second time around, signing with Hollywood Records in 2006, for all the pieces of the puzzle to fit.
With the August 2007 release of their Hollywood debut, nothing more stood in their way. Their premiere single, "S.O.S.," quickly hit 1 on iTunes. In most cities on their "Look Me In The Eyes" headline tour, concerts sold out in minutes. They shot their own reality TV series, "Jonas Brothers – Living the Dream." Coming up, the brothers star in the Disney Channel original movie, "Camp Rock," as well as their own Disney Channel comedy series this fall, titled "J.O.N.A.S."
Up first, though, the release of "A Little Bit Longer" (complete with interactive CDVU+ interactive technology) and the brothers' 46-date "Burnin' Up" North American tour, as part of their multi-million dollar Live Nation deal. It may seem like a tall order to take on so much, but so far, Jonas Brothers have hit it out of the park every single at bat. Not hard to do when you're young, talented and enjoying every minute of life. "We wake up every morning excited," Kevin says, "because we get to do what we love."
Nick
Full Name: Nicholas Jerry Jonas
Birthday: September 16, 1992
Nickname: Nick J and Mr.President
If You Could Have Lunch With Anyone Who Would It Be?: Elvis Costello
Fav Ice-Cream Flavor: Cotton Candy from DQ
Fav Number: 7
Fav Movie: Juno
Fav Holiday: Christmas
Definition of Joy: Music
Fav Sport: Golf & Baseball
Best Day Ever: Denver, Colorado, the day we played trampoline dodgeball and rode go-karts
Most influential person: My Father
Fav Gadget: My BlackBerry
Cant Live Without: Insulin
If not a popstar, you would be what?: A Pro Golfer
Worst Part Of Being On The Road: Waking Up Really Early
Fav Place In The World: Chicago
Fav Musician: Stevie Wonder
Fav Thing To Do As A Family: Eat a Nice Dinner Together
Joe
Full Name: Joseph Adam Jonas
Birthday: August 15, 1989
Nickname: Joe, J, JJ & Danger
Fav Ice-Cream Flavor: Chocolate Marshmallow
Fav Number: 1
Fav Movie: Four Feathers & Juno
Fav Holiday: Christmas
If You Could Have Lunch With Anyone Who Would It Be?: Abraham Lincoln
Fav Sport: Soccer
Best Day Ever: Playing the Texas State Fair
Definition Of Joy: When You're Happiest & Nothing Can Change What You're Thinking
If not a popstar, you would be what?: Captain Of A Sailing Ship
Something No One Knows About You: I'm A Certified New Jersey Babysitter
Fav Musician: Paul McCartney
Most influential person[s]: My Brothers and My Dad
Best Advice: "Even If You're At The Top, Live Like YOu're At The Bottom."-Kevin Jonas (our dad)
Fav Gadget: My Comb
Cant Live Without: Air
Fav Place In The World: Paris
Fav Thing To Do As A Family: Sit Around The Dinner Table And Talk With One Another
Kevin
Full Name: Paul Kevin Jonas 2
Birthday: November 5, 1987
Definition Of Joy: Something You Can't Express Or Put Into Words, But It Feels Really Good And Makes You Happy
Fav Ice-Cream Flavor: Rocky Road
Fav Number: 12
Fav Movie: About A Boy
Fav Holiday: Christmas
If Not A Popstar You Would Be What?: An Astronaut
Fav Sport: Golf
Most Influential Person: My Father
You Collect: Gibson Les Paul Guitars
Best Advice: "Watch The Mistakes Of The People You Admire The Most and Don't Make Those Same Mistakes."
Fav Gadget: My BlackBerry
Cant Live Without: Cell Phone Service
Best Part Of Being On The Road: Being Able To See All The Fans In All The Amazing Cities Every Day
Worst Part Of Being On The Road: Late Nights, Early Mornings
Fav Place In The World: America
Fav Video Game: Mario Kart Wii
Fav Thing To Do As A Family: BBQ
Make Sure To Watch The Jonas Brothers New Disney Channel Show J.O.N.A.S coming soon
Jonas Brothers also have their own 5 minute reality show coming on Disney Channel called Jonas Brothers:Living the Dream.
Offical Jonas Brother Youtube*click here*
Jonas Apperances
Nov 8 Kristi Yamaguchi and Friends on NBC
Jonas Brothers Burning Up Tour as a 3D Movie-some time in 2009