Dream Street

Dream Street was an American pop boy band that was formed in early 1999 and broke up in 2001.

The group was initially put together by producers Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow and titled ‘Boy Wonder’ (a name borrowed from the nickname of comic book character Robin from the Batman graphic novels and films). The band featured several 11-14 year old boys from the New York Broadway/Acting scene. Baldonieri and Lukow hoped to make an impact on the pop music industry by introducing a group of teenagers to the scene, all of whom had prior stage-singing experience. Among these original members were Greg Raposo and Chris Trousdale, who would continue on into the remade group in 1998.

The lineup was changed not long after they debuted the show in front of several talent agents and record label reps. Their debut involved among other things a tap dance number, and a jazzy theme song… both of which were sacked quickly after, as well as a cover of the main song from the musical Rent “Seasons of Love.”

Jesse McCartney, Gregory Raposo, Matt Ballinger, Frankie Galasso, and Chris Trousdale would become the new faces of the group, and were given the name “Dream Street” (which incidentally was the name of Lukow and Baldonieri’s recording studio in New York City). The only original song they kept was titled “Jennifer Goodbye”, which was initially written as a folk-pop ballad, then was changed into its modern incarnation months later.

Their eponymous debut album was released in 2001 and was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. The final Dream Street release was the soundtrack album to the released 2002 film The Biggest Fan starring former Dream Street member Chris Trousdale.

One of the big factors that contributed was the waning appeal and popularity of the teen pop movement around 2001/02.

In early 2002, four of the members and their parents (McCartney, Raposo, Ballinger, and Gallasso) filed suit against Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow to revoke their prior approval of their initial production agreement. The members ultimately lost the lawsuit however it effectively put an end to the group, and the members splintered off to various solo projects. Chris Trousdale chose to stay with Baldonieri and Lukow, and continues to record under their guidance.

source: WikiPedia