DC Article

ROCKIN' IN DC AT THE ROCK-N-SPORTS EXPERIENCE
February 23, 2003
Story by Liz Sneed
Photos by Heather D'Amico and Donna Norris

It may have been a blustery day in Washington, D.C. with frigid weather on Sunday, February 23rd, but inside the DC Convention Center things were HOT! That’s because appearing at the Rock-N-Sports Experience show that day were our five favorite guys, O-Town. That’s where Donna, Heather and I had the awesome task of covering this event.

Inside the Rock-N-Sports event, there were skateboard demos, basketball hoops, rock climbing and a host of other activities all around. Radio station booths were also scattered about. There were several displays, including a Gibson Guitar booth. I just know if Jacob, Erik, Ashley, Dan and Trevor could have gotten loose, they would have loved it. As for us, while those things were interesting, we had our assignment and headed for the stage!

We got to the Convention Center sometime around 1:00. We checked in with the radio station (Hot 99.5) contact, and found out where we were to meet him at the time of the show. (EVERYONE that we met from Hot 99.5 was very nice and accommodating…and we are so appreciative of that!). Around 2 p.m. people crowded even closer to the stage and things began to happen.

First up was a karaoke contest. There were three contestants who had qualified from an earlier round and were competing for the final vote. They each had to perform a song and the judges chose the winner. The winner received $1000 in cash and the opportunity to meet O-Town backstage! The judges brought each of them back onstage after the performances and announced that Nisha Baker was the winner! She had a great voice and stage presence. Best of luck Nisha!

Heather and Donna were poised with cameras, one on each side of the stage, and I was loaded with film; we were ready to go! Then came the announcement, ”Give it up for J Records recording artists O-Town!,” and Jacob, Ashley, Erik, Dan & Trevor hit the stage with such energy and to a chorus of screams! The show was incredible and this film girl caught all her favorite moments, even in between running rolls of film from one side of the stage to the other! Donna and Heather caught all their favorite moments too, on film for you. Don’t forget to check out all of their pictures here, here and here!

As soon as O-Town took the stage, they launched into “Suddenly.” They sounded sharp and looked even better. And for you Erik-Michael fans, no mustache and no Mohawk, but the camos were representing!