- Jonas Brothers
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▪ 2009Paul Kevin Jonas II Joseph Adam Jonas Nicholas Jerry Jonasborn Nov. 5, 1987, Teaneck, N.J.born Aug. 15, 1989, Casa Grande, Ariz.born Sept. 16, 1992, Dallas, TexasPropelled by the marketing muscle of the Disney organization, the Jonas Brothers, a trio of soft-rocking siblings, went from the darlings of “tweenage” consumers to pop culture phenomenon in 2008. Their combination of optimism, catchy tunes, and coverboy good looks—coupled with their ubiquitous presence on Radio Disney and the cable television Disney Channel—made Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas among the year's most familiar faces and helped their album A Little Bit Longer debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.The three brothers were raised in a musical family and imbued with a strong sense of Christian values, notably by their father, an Assembly of God minister. Family sing-alongs in their New Jersey home set the stage for Nick's precocious performances on Broadway, beginning at age six. In 2004 he released a Christian-themed solo album. The pleasure of making music together prompted the brothers to form a band, with Kevin and Nick on guitar (with keyboard work mixed in) while Nick and Joe shared the lead vocal chores. Their first album, It's About Time (2006), featured songs co-written by Desmond Child and pop star Adam Schlesinger of the band Fountains of Wayne. Although it was given only a limited marketing push, the album sold 62,000 copies, but the label dropped the brothers.Early in 2007, the Jonas Brothers signed with Disney's Hollywood Records, releasing an eponymous album that entered the chart at number five and, riding hits such as “S.O.S.,” went platinum. The brothers also began appearing regularly on the Disney Channel, most notably in a highly watched 2007 episode of the show Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus (Cyrus, Miley ). The Jonases then opened for Cyrus on her “Best of Both Worlds” tour, and it was rumoured that she and Nick Jonas were dating for a time. Jonas Brothers music videos became Disney Channel staples, and they starred in a reality program, Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, but their real breakthrough followed their appearance in the Disney movie musical Camp Rock, in which Joe played the romantic lead. Ever more popular, the brothers released A Little Bit Longer, with many songs written by Nick; undertook their own tour; and prepared to star in another TV show. In July 2008 they appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine as rock critics began acknowledging that the brothers' brand of romantic pop rock was more treat than treacle.Jeff Wallenfeldt
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Universalium. 2010.