Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers are an American male pop band. Widespread fame came with their appearance in the Disney movie Camp Rock in 2008. Paul Jonas plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals, Joseph Jonas plays percussion, and sings lead vocals and Nick Jonas plays rhythm guitar, piano and also sings lead vocals. The fourth brother, Nathaniel Jonas is slated to appear in the sequel to Camp Rock.

Jonas Brothers: Starting out

At the age of six, Nick Jonas was discovered singing in a barber shop and eventually began working with a manager. The following year, Nick started to perform on Broadway, in plays such as A Christmas Carol and Annie Get Your Gun.

In 2002, Nick wrote a song with his dad, entitled 'Joy To The World (A Christmas Prayer)'. The song was included on the Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure benefit compilation of that year. The song became popular on Christian radio.

Jo Jonas followed his brother into Broadway, appearing in a version of La Boheme, directed by Baz Luhrmann.

In 2004, Nick signed a deal with Columbia Records and a solo album, Nicholas Jonas, was released. It was later decided that Columbia would sign the three brothers as a group.

Jonas Brothers: Breakthrough

In 2005, the newly signed Jonas Brothers toured with a number of established artists, such as Backstreet Boys and Kelly Clarkson. They also took part in an anti-drugs tour with The Cheetah Girls.

The debut album, It's About Time, was released in 2006 and featured songwriting from Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and the songwriters responsible for hits by Destiny's Child and Aerosmith, amongst others. On the album, Jonas Brothers also covered two songs by the English boy band Busted: 'What I Go To School For' and 'Year 3000'.

In 2007, the band was dropped by Columbia Records.

The same year, they signed a deal with Hollywood Records and also appeared at the White House in Washington, singing the National Anthem at Easter.

The band's second album titled Jonas Brothers, was released in August 2007 and it spawned two hit singles, 'Hold On' and 'S.O.S'. In August of that year, the band appeared in an episode of Hannah Montana, performing 'We Got the Party' with Miley Cyrus.

A Little Bit Longer was the title given to the band's third studio album, which featured tracks such as 'Burnin' Up' and 'Pushin' Me Away'. In March 2008, Jonas Brothers joined Avril Lavigne's 'Best Damn Tour' in Europe. The band also co-wrote some tracks on their friend Demi Lovato's album Don't Forget.

The soundtrack for Camp Rock, the Disney film that featured the Jonas Brothers, debuted at number three in the US album chart.

At the 51st Grammy Awards, the Jonas Brothers were nominated in the Best New Artist category.

Jonas Brothers: TV Appearances

The Jonas Brothers were the subject of a short reality series on Disney, entitled Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream.

In Camp Rock, the brothers play the role of a fictional band named Connect Three.

Jonas Brothers: Personal Lives

The Jonas Brothers were raised in an Evangelical Christian tradition. Their father is a pastor and the boys were taught at home by their mother rather than attending a regular school. At the MTV Video Music Awards, Russell Brand mocked the boys' decision to wear purity rings. The rings are a symbol of their commitment to abstaining from sex before marriage.

The band earned a reported $12 million during 2007 and they donate 10% of their earnings to a charitable foundation that they have set up. The organisation is named the 'Change For the Children Foundation'.

Nick Jonas was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 13 and is the ambassador for the Bayer Diabetes Care organisation.