Group Bio
The group that would eventually become 98* all started when Jeff Timmons moved from his native Ohio to Los Angeles to form a singing group with some friends. Justin, Nick, and Drew were actually not in this original group. In 1995, after all Jeff's friends had quit the group and after weeks of unsuccessfully auditioning other guys, his brother's roommate's manager introduced him to a guy named Jon. Jon had gone to school with Nick, Justin, and Drew. After Jon gad sung with Jeff for awhile as a duo he recommended his friend Nick Lachey. After hearing Nick sing over the phone Jeff invited him to join the group. Nick then drove out to L.A. and after a few weeks, suggested that his friend Justin Jeffre join the group to sing bass. During the day, Jeff, Jon, Nick, and Justin worked hard at odd jobs and spent every spare moment they had singing in their group, Just Us. One of their gigs was singing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium while they were still mostly unknown. They finally got their big break when the group snuck backstage at a Boyz II Men concert. Manager Paris D'Jon, known for his work with Montell Jordan, heard the guys harmonizing. He liked the sound and signed the group two months later. One of their first gigs as a signed group was opening for Montell Jordan at the House of Blues. Just before their performance Jon decided that he would rather pursue a career in acting and quit the group. At the last minute, Nick called his younger brother Drew to fill the empty spot. At the time Drew was working as an EMT in New York City. Nick went to get him and they drove across the country to L.A. with Nick teaching Drew all of his vocal parts and harmonies on the way. With Drew in the group now the guys decided they wanted a new name and decided on 98*. They put together a demo and were soon the first ever white group to be signed to Motown. The groups debut album, 98*, was released in July 1997, just two years after the group had formed.
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