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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
In Touch With ...The Jonas Brothers
This talented trio has sold millions of records, performed before tens of thousands of screaming fans, and now has their own show on Disney Channel. Kevin (21), Joe (19), and Nick (16), along with younger brother Frankie (8), star in a sitcom titled simply, Jonas.
This show is an amalgamation of music and comedy and looks very similar to the old Monkees television series which ran fro 1966-1968. As a matter of fact, they boys confessed they watched the Monkees show before starting this new venture. “We watched every episode,” claims Joe. “Literally, for three days straight,” chimes in Kevin. “It was awesome,” Joe admits.
These newest teen idols seem to have their feet planted firmly on the ground. Kevin is quick to declare, “We have an amazing family and friends, and we're just like normal guys. We like to hang out. We go shopping. We hang out with friends. We go see movies.” Nick adds, “We're just trying to do our best to have fun in everything that we do.”
These talented young men not only sing but they also write their songs, which have captured the true feelings of their generation. As Joe says, “We write about things that are real to us and the things we go through every day. And we're the same age as a lot of the people that listen to our music, and they're going through the same things. So we get a lot of feedback from fans saying just thank you either for encouragement, or they understand what we're going through because they're going through the same kind of things.”
Their road to the top - and let’s face it, they are on the top - has not been without obstacles. They were dropped from their initial recording label, but thankfully picked up by another. They didn’t give up and Joe wants to impart that optimism to their fans. “We tell people to live their dreams because if you stick to it and you really work hard, eventually there will be a great payoff.”
Kevin is truly excited about their TV show. “We get to do crazier things sometimes than you could do with a live audience because we have time to set things up and, I was going to say blow things up, but we haven't got that high budget yet,” he jokes. “Maybe next season,” he says with a mischievous grin.
The boys were very well mannered and polite as they answered questions from an imposing sea of journalists when they appeared to publicize their new show. Joe and Nick had been on Broadway before the brothers started their band, so they are used to dealing with the press and public. And so far their fame has not shaken them. They get a kick out of some of the gossip magazines which always have something about them. Face it, when you’re at the top everyone wants to know about every facet of your life. But these boys take it in stride. “You just roll with it,” Kevin explains. “You know what’s true. You kind of laugh about it. I guess it’s an honor that they’re talking about us.” Joe says it’s “kind of flattering” when comedians make jokes about them.
Besides their new TV show, the Jonas Brothers are planning another concert tour, which Joe confides will have a plenty of music “and a lot of fun.” They also currently have a 3-D movie in theaters, and will be popping into various theaters around the country to meet fans.
© 2009 Francine Brokaw
Photos ©Disney Channel/ Jaimie Trueblood. All Rights Reserved.
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