Making the Band
| Making the Band | Group | Members |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | O-Town | Ashley Parker Angel Erik-Michael Estrada Dan Miller Trevor Penick Jacob Underwood |
| 2 | Da Band | Sara Stokes Dylan John Rodney Hill Lynese Wiley Lloyd Mathis Fredrick Watson |
| 3 | Danity Kane | Aubrey O'Day Aundrea Fimbres Dawn Angelique Richard Shannon Bex Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgette |
| 4 | ??? | ??? |
Making the Band is an ABC/MTV reality television series that exists in separate iterations, each iteration focusing on a specific music act. It spawned musical acts O-Town, Da Band and Danity Kane. It is currently in its third iteration, airing on MTV.
Making the Band 1 - O-Town
Season one
In 1999, Lou Pearlman, the man responsible for the formation of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, embarked on a nationwide talent search, cutting 7 auditions in eight cities down to 4 young men, and eventually two finalists. These eight young men would, as the premise for a new ABC reality show, compete for five spots in Pearlman's newest boy band creation, to be signed to his record label, Transcontinental Records.
The first season, airing on ABC, began with two young men, and chronicled the competition between them in typical reality-show fashion. Midway through the first season, three of the eight men were eliminated, leaving Ashley Angel, Jacob Underwood, Erik Estrada, Trevor Penick, and Ikaika Kahoano. These five were set to become O-Town and the process of producing their first CD began. Several episodes later, however, Kahoano was forced to choose between the band and his family, and he chose his family. Selecting from the group of 4 semi-finalists, the remaining four members of the band chose Dan Miller to be Kahoano's replacement. With the final member of O-Town in place, the remainder of the first season tracked the development and struggles of the new band.
Season two
The ratings of Making the Band were strong enough to warrant second and third seasons, though not on network television. Making the Band was thus relocated to cable television network MTV. O-Town's return for additional seasons marked the first time the main cast of a reality show returned for a second season.
These additional seasons continued to track the development of O-Town as a pop group, following tours, performances, and other seminal events in the band's history. Such events included the development of their second CD, O2, their transition to a new record label, Clive Davis' J Records, and an ongoing struggle to "prove themselves" as legitimate artists.
The transition to MTV would be permanent: future iterations of the show also aired on MTV.
Making the Band 2 - Da Band
Season one
In 2002, a new talent search was begun, this time by P. Diddy. Diddy sought to find the best rappers and singers from which to assemble a new hip-hop group. After weeks of selection and training P. Diddy chose the members of the band on the first season of Making The Band 2. For several weeks, the contestants were subject to difficult tasks, including walking from Midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn to purchase cheesecake for Diddy and aspiring rapper Ness' battle with Harlem MC Jae Millz. The finalists named themselves Da Band.
- Their debut album, Too Hot for TV, was released in September of 2003.
- First Single: "Bad Boy This, Bad Boy That"
- Second and final single: "Tonight"
Season two
Da Band effectively ended its career at the end of the 2nd season of the show, when P. Diddy dissolved the group during the season finale. However, he still wanted to work with Babs and Ness, calling them hip hop's next "Bonnie and Clyde," though nothing yet has been released from either of them. Diddy also kept Chopper with the label, and he is currently signed with Bad Boy South. A solo album for him (Bad Boy South's first solo-artist release) is planned for August. Sara Stokes, Frederick and Dylan John were the remaining three members of Da Band to be dropped completely from Bad Boy.
Making the Band 3 - Danity Kane
Season one
After the failure of Bad Boy's Da Band, P. Diddy returned with Making the Band 3 in 2005. This time, he was on the look for the next female supergroup. With the help of Laurie Ann, Doc and Johnny, he set out on a multi city search to find girls who had everything: the look, dancing ability, and a great voice. The Theme song "Oh La La" was recorded by Badboy Recording Artist Cheri Dennis.
| NAME | ELIMIATION REASON | EPISODE ELIMINATED |
|---|---|---|
| Tyra | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 3 |
| Paschun | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 3 |
| Celeste | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 3 |
| Michelle | (Left to go back to school) | Episode 8 |
| Lavantae | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing and performing) | Episode 9 |
| Patti | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing and performing) | Episode 9 |
| Roxanne | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing, cut by Laurie Ann) | Episode 10 |
| Erika (Bunny) | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 10 |
| Kristen | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 10 |
| Leche | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 10 |
| Bethany | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 10 |
| Yahaira | (Failed to satisfy in terms of singing to a crowd) | Episode 11 |
| Shantee | (Failed to satisfy in terms of singing to a crowd) | Episode 11 |
| Mylah | (Wasn't considered good enough for the group or Season 2) | Episode 11 |
| Aileen | (Wasn't considered good enough for the group or Season 2) | Episode 11 |
| Martii | (Wasn't considered good enough for the group or Season 2) | Episode 11 |
| Franchesca | (Wasn't considered good enough for the group or Season 2) | Episode 11 |
Also during this season, the girls performed off of a pop/club based beat that was a fan favorite. The best group of girls combined to create "Move Ya Body". The track or the instrumental has never be released.
Season two
The girls performed in front of 20,000 at the Backstreet Boys concert at the Nissan Pavilion on August 6th, 2005. There were two groups. Group one, named "SHE (She Has Everything)", included Aubrey, Melissa, Denosh, Jasmine, and Kelli. Group two, named "Chain 6", included Aundrea, Dawn, Shannon, Wanita, Dominique, and Taquita. During dress rehearsal, group one was the favorite according to Dave, Laurie Anne and Doc. However, the first group was booed as they gave their performance because Denosh started off key on the a cappella which led Aubrey to go off key in the beginning of the song. The second group won, as many screaming girls yelled for them.
The finale took place on Thursday, December 8th, 2005, where the 11 contestants left competed for five spots in the band. The 11 finalists; Aundrea, Aubrey, Dawn, Jasmine, Taquita, Denosh, Wanita, Shannon, Melissa, Kelli, and Dominique, were sent home for three months, told to polish up, and return for the final stretch. When the girls returned after their three month hiatus, they had to perform numerous acts such as radio interviews, a photo shoot, and dance all of their old dance routines. As Diddy's crew chooses the group, all of the girls went on a last dinner.
The song that each contestant sang in the studio "Tell Me" was actually used by Diddy on his album "Press Play". Instead of one of the members of the group who originally sang the song on the show appearing on the track, the vocals are done by Christina Aguilera.
Eliminations (In order of eliminations with the top being the first and the bottom being the last)
| NAME | ELIMIATION REASON | EPISODE ELIMINATED |
|---|---|---|
| Nicole Palmeri | (Failed to satisfy in terms of singing) | Episode 3 |
| Sammy | (Failed to satisfy in terms of singing) | Episode 3 |
| Tokiko | (Failed to satisfy in terms of singing) | Episode 3 |
| Amber | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 4 |
| Malika Ubaka | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 4 |
| Jennifer | (Failed to satisfy in terms of dancing) | Episode 4 |
| Tiffany | (Hip injury, was unable to continue) | Episode 5 |
| Chelsea | (Failed to satisfy in terms of performance) | Episode 5 |
| Cindy | (Failed in terms of being able to upkeep a good level of dancing at an unprepared time) | Episode 7 |
| Kaui | (Failed in terms of being able to upkeep a good level of dancing at an unprepared time) | Episode 7 |
| Jasmine Melissa Smith Kelli Maria Dominique Young Denosh Bennet Taquita Thorn |
The following girls made it to the Final 11 but didn't make into the band in Episode 10 | Episode 11 |
The Final Group is Aubrey, Shannon, Wanita, Aundrea, & Dawn
The name of the band is Danity Kane. The band's self-titled debut album is officially in stores August 22 2006.
Season three
| EPISODE | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| 1 | The band goes to Dawn's hometown New Orleans. They see the destruction Hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans and Debbie Richard's (Dawn Richard's mother) Dance Studio. They visit Dawn's old high school and donate $5,000. They also make the Mardi Gras parade, where they ride one of the floats, throwing out Mardi Gras beads. |
| 2 | The band prepares for their first performance, at the Mercury Room during NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston, Texas. They perform a 20 minute set consisting of three songs, but only two are shown: "She Has Everything" and "Ooh La, La." Their first performance was not well received by the crowd or Diddy. |
| 3 | The girls work with vocal coach Betty Wright doing different voice training sessions. Diddy decides that Shannon needs the most work vocally. Towards the end of the show, Diddy tells Shannon that she needs to show that she can sing and not hold back. Shannon starts crying as she sings and ends up showing that she really can sing. On the other hand, Aundrea and Shannon discover a mouse in a pile of clothes. Dawn calls a exterminator to fix the "mouse problem." |
| 4 | The girls do more dance training, meet with Atlantic records staff, do more vocal training, and meet with Ms. Jones. The girls take a minute to give her a live performance, but the interview turns sour when Ms. Jones says that only Dawn, Wanita, and Aundrea can sing. Aubrey takes this to heart, and is hurt by the comment. Diddy wants to send Aubrey home because she has a cold he doesn't want the other girls to catch. Aubrey wants to stay, saying the group needs her. Later, she doesn't get to help the girls write a song Diddy wants them to make. |
| 5 | The girls finally initiated the recording sessions for their album. Diddy said that he was "Proud of the progress" that the girls had made and that they were ready to begin recording. Once in the studio they worked with Producer Scott Storch and vocal producer, Pooh Bear. The girls started on the song entitled, "Sleep On it". Dawn doesn't shine during the recording session. Her voice range is low and the song requires higher notes to be sung. She works through it and with a little encouragement form the rest of the group and Pooh Bear, she manages to sound great by the end of the episode. The girls are well on their way. |
| 6 | The band goes into the studio to record two brand new songs with Brian Cox. "One Shot" and "Ride For You". Aubrey's part of one of the verses for "Ride For You" was cut. She was very upset and thought she didn't sound bad. Diddy told her she didn't have enough emotion for the song. He said he wanted to cry when he heard the song and Aubrey's emotion on the record didn't cut it. They went to record a second song and everyone noticed that Aubrey wasn't on that song either. Dawn was very concerned with Aubrey so she goes to Johnny and tells him about the problem. Johnny says he can't do anything about it, that it's the producers song. The girls record some more parts for "Sleep On It". They meet back up with Pooh Bear and Scott Storch and recorded great music. Aundrea is having boyfriend issues. |
| 7 | While working in the studio, the girls work on a new song. A new leader rises from the group, Aundrea. Also, the girls perform at Village Underground where they perform "Ride For You". But, Aundrea's boyfriend, Rudy, then breaks up with her because she did not call him the night before. All the girls are shocked to hear about this, while Aundrea gets very upset with this but the girls give their support. |
| 8 | First, the girls move into a beautiful house in Los Angeles. Then, they go and do a lot of radio interviews. They reveal their name, which is Danity Kane. Some look to be shocked by this name, and all ask what it means. Then, the girls are working on their choreography for their video. But, Laurie Ann, their choreographer, get very mad at the girls because they do not know the real version of the song for "Show Stopper". The girls then go to film their first music video which is "Show Stopper". They have to try to get the video done in one day, but they fall behind schedule. They do manage to get the video done in one day, and the video turns out great. |
| 9 (Season Finale) |
The girls must reschedule their first concert as Danity Kane after disastrous weather strikes their location. The girls have their concert the following day and perform songs from their album, including "One Shot," "Want It," "Right Now," and "Show Stopper." |
Making the Band 4
Season one
Diddy begins his search for an all-male super group. The Casting Tour begins on January 17 and includes visits to: -Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory Hollywood (January 17) -Huston, TX - Meridian Huston (January 20) -Orlando, FL - Club Paris (January 23) -Atlanta, GA - Verve Lounge (January 27) -Chicago, Il - Club 720 (January 30) -Detroit, MI - Plan B Nightclub (February 3) -New York, NY - The Roxy (February 6)