| Question: How did you hear about the competition? Ashley Parker Angel: I found out about it through an acting class that had a lot of different information on auditions, and then from there I got on the Internet and read more about it. Jacob Underwood: I heard about it from a friend who looked it up on the Internet for me and made me fill out the paper and turn in the audition tape, because I didn't want to at the time. Question: Have either of you ever been in a band before? Jacob Underwood: Yes. I've played in what was more hard rock bands in the past. Ashley Parker Angel: No. I've never been in a band, but I've played in like coffee shops with another guitarist and performed that way, but I've never been in a "band" band. Question: What kind of experience did you have in preparation for the competition? Jacob Underwood: I had classical training and sang in choirs and had a lot of private coaching with vocal coaches, and played in bands and recorded some CDs. Ashley Parker Angel: I was used to the audition process, so I more or less knew what was going to happen there because I'd auditioned that way before a lot. And I had some songs recorded on a CD, songs that I had written, that I had showed them. Question: How has this whole O-Town thing affected you with school? Ashley Parker Angel: Once I made the eight and found I was going to be moving to Florida, I had to quit the semester at college that I was taking, and just one day I wasn't in class anymore. But my teachers were all really cool with it and understood what a great opportunity it was, and they would have done the same thing. Jacob Underwood: I never went to college after high school. I spent the last two years in studios recording and writing and playing with the band. Question: How do you guys feel about being put together as a group? Ashley Parker Angel: Even though we didn't know each other before we came together as a band, once we did come together as the eight guys, it was our job to take it from there. It's a lot of sweat and tears. Jacob Underwood: There's a lot of talent that never gets discovered, and I think of myself as privileged to be brought together with other talented musicians, instead of facing the fact that maybe you would have never been discovered otherwise. Question: What is the best part of competing in this event? Ashley Parker Angel: The best part was all the guys and how, even though it was such a competition, it didn't feel like it because we all became such good friends. Jacob Underwood: I guess having the opportunity to show to the world what we have to offer. Question: Do you already know who made the final cut? O-Town: Keep watching -- it only gets better! ::wink:: Question: Jacob and Ashley, how old are you both? Ashley Parker Angel: I'm 18. Jacob Underwood: I turn 20 on April 25th. Did any of you know each other before the show? O-Town: No. Question: Hey! What inspired both of you to sing and make music? -- Luv ya, Ashley. |