Orlando, FL – Teen music sensations, JETTS17, brought the house down Thursday Night at the House of Blues during WXXL’s “In The Spotlight with XL106.7 and Kid Cruz.” JETTS17 took the stage as a special treat to Orlando fans and entertained the crowds prior to the announcement of the winning results.

JETTS17 have been described as the “New Millennium Family Band” according to People Magazine, and family is what JETTS17 are all about. From their intricate choreography to their soaring vocals, this group of teens from the Wolfgramm family packs a one-two punch. The group consists of five younger brothers and sisters of the original 80’s group, The Jets, that had such hits as “Crush On You” and “Make It Real.” With the addition of three cousins bringing the group total to eight, JETTS17 are a force to be reckoned with.

JETTS17 bring a new mix to the pop music scene of today. In addition to the size of the group, and the fact that they are all family, their music and stage presence sets them apart from the others. JETTS17 have created a fresh new sound by taking current Pop/R&B sounds and adding island grooves from their native Tonga.Having shared the stage with such entertainment legends like Little Richard, Natalie Cole, and Earth, Wind & Fire has helped them become seasoned performers. Most recently they showed the world their talent during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Currently the group can be found in Orlando where they are recording their first album. The next stop for JETTS17 will be opening for Mandy Moore at Seaworld’s Grad Night 2002 on May 3.

With their older siblings’ guidance, the younger Wolfgramms are poised to take over where their brothers and sisters left off.

Gay and lesbian radio station The Scene is backing Big Brother duo Dean and Bubble for chart success with their World Cup anthem ‘Standing Tall’, which in accordance to some critics out there have recently proclaimed that this is THE British World Cup song and not the one by Ant & Dec.

The Scene’s head of music Stuart Kelly claims the tune could become the people’s favourite in the way Three Lions was adopted by England fans at Euro ’96.

Dean and Bubble will be guest presenters on The Scene between 10pm and 1am on May 1.Stuart said a couple of days back “I have heard most of the other contenders efforts and there is no doubt that Dean and Bubble’s song is very much on the Three Lions Tip, mixed with Oliver’s Consider Yourself makes it the perfect football anthem, which fans up and down the country can sing to, while cheering on England.”

You’ve got to find the time somehow to go check this radio outlet out. It’s brill I tell you. The Scene can be heard on Sky Digital channel 889 and online at: http://www.thesceneradio.co.uk

Dean and Bubble’s ‘Standing Tall’ finally rolls in, come 27~5~2002, so be make a reminder or something to go grab your copy. I’ve heard the track and I must admit it’s very good.

Simon Cowell is writing a book about the pop industry called The X-Factor. It will be published by Arrow in March next year. The book will tie in with the second series of Pop Idol which is due to air next spring.

Cowell said: “In this book I’m going to say what I really think about certain bands and pop stars, who’s got it and who hasn’t, and give the advice every aspiring pop star should know.”

The book is expected to uncover aspects of the pop industry from record companies and management to choosing an image and dealing with press and promotional work.

He will also uncover the truth behind real-life successes and failures.

Anna Cherrett, who commissioned the book for Arrow, said: “Love or loathe Simon and his opinions, you cannot deny he is a hugely influential part of the pop world and we are absolutely thrilled to sign him up for what we know will be a great book.

“The X-Factor will appeal to the thousands of pop star hopefuls out there, the millions who tuned in to Pop Idol, and all those who don’t crave the limelight but are intrigued by the pop and celebrity world and its goings on.”

Is there going to be a World Cup tune for England? Sure. Of course. No two ways about that one. England have just launched their official World Cup song “We’re On The Ball”, described by the record company as a “flag-waving, terrace-chanting, sing-along monster of a footie anthem”.

The song is performed by Ant and Dec who present the hugely successful TV talent show Pop Idol.

The video, shown to reporters at the FA headquarters on Thursday, shows Ant and Dec disguising themselves as Sven-Goran Eriksson and Tord Grip, in order to get to the World Cup in South Korea and Japan next month. Ant, who played the role of Sven in the video, said he thought England had a good chance of success at the World Cup “provided everybody’s fit.”

“Everyone we’ve mentioned on the record has got injured,” the handsome lad added.Asked about competition from other World Cup songs and from Pop Idol winner Will Young, who releases his new single on the same day, May 27, Ant said: “Will’s a great guy, so we’re even more determined to kick his skinny little ass.”

The Football Association hope their choice will be as popular as the 1990 World Cup anthem ‘World in Motion’ by New Order, featuring a rap sequence by winger John Barnes, which is one of the few football songs to have won critical acclaim.

Previous efforts, which were sung by the England squads themselves, include “We’ve Got The Whole World At Our Feet” in 1986 and ‘This Time (We’ll Get it Right)’ from 1982.

The England song in 1998, “On Top of the World” by the squad and featuring artists including the Spice Girls, flopped.

“Back Home” was the first official England World Cup song in 1970 and, as has often been the case, did better than the team, reaching the top of the charts.

The defending champions’ World Cup dream came to a bitter end that year, with England knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Germany, losing 3-2 after leading 2-0.

One of the most popular unofficial songs was The Lightning Seeds’ “Three Lions”, featuring David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, which was first released for the European championships in 1996.

It was remixed for the 1998 World Cup in France and is still chanted by fans during England games.

Fat Les, a group featuring actor Keith Allen, Alex James from Blur and artist Damien Hirst, had a hit with “Vindaloo” in 1998. But their follow up for Euro 2000, a version of the hymn Jerusalem, was a little bit less successful.

Anyway, I hope Ant & Dec return to the music scene. Not just with this cut, but with more new offerings from them. Maybe a full-length LP perhaps?

British sensations have failed to break the U.S. Top 100 singles chart, despite an increase number in America.

According to a publication, since Craig David’s ‘Seven Days’ dropped, the chart has been totally devoid of UK artists.

UK acts like Coldplay, Gorillaz, Radiohead and Dido have all made successful breakthroughs into the tough US market.

Surprisingly Robbie Williams who is arguably the biggest star in the UK has time after time struggled to make a major impact in the US of A. Jeremy Marsh from Telstar Records told the publication that breaking the U.S. is a “quantum leap” for UK sensations and cited the example of British boy band BBMak.

He said, “BBMak took 12 consecutive months to promote there. Craig David has spent the whole of the back end of 2001 and all of 2002 so far breaking the US and establishing himself.”

The first UK act to enter the American charts was the Caravelles “You Don’t Have To Be A Baby To Cry” in October 1963. The Beatles held all of the top five positions in 1964 and exactly 20 years later there were 40 U.K. singles in the top 100.

Just why is it so tough for UK dazzlers to fight for a slot in the US charts? Why must they slog their guts out? American acts can find spots on the UK charts easily, ain’t it?

The next series of ‘Popstars’ will be more like ‘Pop Idol’.

The series is expected to search for two bands instead of the usual 1 pop outfit. This time around, the hunt will finally create one all female and one all male group. For that to take place, it will also have to depend on how talented the people who go for the auditions are.

Running over a period of 17 weeks over the summer, ‘Popstars 2′ will see the public helping to decide who gets into the bands.

In addition, the public can help chose the bands’ names.

The primary try-outs are expected to begin in the next few months.

So for those of you promising future stars or if you think you’ve what it takes to be sensationalised, just like Hear’Say, Sugar Jones, Eden’s Crush, Bro’Sis and more, then be sure to get to the auditions. Live your dreams guys!

Jason Donovan, interviewed by a magazine, said that he would be willing to produce a novelty pop record with the hopes that it could get him back in the UK charts.

The singer who has of late completed filming a new movie in Australia based on the world of horse racing admits he’d like to become a pop star again, after spending all these years trying to alter his image.

“I spent four years in my home studio, experimenting because I was sick of being this perfect pop star. I spent days listening to everything and making mad tracks which never really got finished. People just like a bit of nostalgia. I don’t think people are so hung up about what category of music they like any more. So what if you like cheesy pop? I’ll trawl through the back catalogue while people are interested” Jason said.

Jason also mentioned he has no plans to recreate his famous mullet hairstyle of the 80s.

“I think the mullet has to be balanced. It is a very specific style. If you are receding, a mullet is not a good look. You need to be thick of hair at the front with a decent weight down the back. It’s not a hairstyle to be tampered with. Jon Bon Jovi killed the mullet for a while there with his soft rock version. Mine held up well, as I used extensive products to keep its shape and I had someone on the Neighbours set who tended my hair.”

Based on what the ex-manager of the Spice Girls, Simon Fuller, who is back on speaking terms with the ladies said fans of the Spice Girls might actually get to see them perform at an one-off gig come 2004 to celebrate their 10th anniversary and he hopes to release a greatest hits LP that’ll feature all their nine No.1s.

He said “To me, the Spice Girls will always feel unfinished. There was no specific reason why it all went wrong and no malice on my part.”

Meanwhile, Melanie B is in for a brutal shock. Her ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, 34, plans to divulge just about everything about his turbulent life with his ex-wife in a controversial hour long documentary that’ll be shown on BBC come 10th of May.

According to a magazine, a source said “After years of enduring questions about his sexuality, jibes about his lifestyle and endless speculation about his every aspect of his private life, Jimmy has decided to set the record straight.”

Jimmy, nicknamed as Jimmy Goldcard by all in Mel’s family, reportedly spent his GBP620,000 on divorce settlements and is close to being homeless. Now with the documentary, Jimmy’ll get a fee of GBP15,000.

Also failing to launch a pop career of his own, Jimmy said “This documentary allows me to tell things from my point of view and finally right a few wrongs.”

Mel is now in a relationship with actor Max Beesley and is working on her autobiography.

It has been reported that Hare Krishna devotees will fashion a memorial garden to late George Harrison, former bandmember of the phenomenal Beatles.

George, who died from lung cancer last year, was a staunch Hindu devotee. Starting in the late 1960’s, influenced by Indian culture, he began incorporating the sounds of the sitar into the Beatles’ music and even encouraged the rest of the band to visit the Yogi Maharishi in India. And in keeping with his faith, he was later cremated in a cardboard coffin.

His chief solo hit ‘My Sweet Lord’, sort of a chant to Lord Krishna, Hinduism’s most revered god, re-entered the UK charts last year and emerged No. 1 for weeks.Head of the Calcutta chapter of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskon), Dayaram Das said the garden would be laid in Mayapur, north of Calcutta, India.

“We are going to set up the George Harrison Garden at Mayapur to commemorate his contribution in spreading the messages of Lord Krishna through his music” said Mr Das.

Also, this is just in. Peter Jackson, the director of the whole J.R.R Tolkien ‘Lord Of The Rings’ trilogy, has just told the press that the Beatles actually wanted to do their version of the fantasy trilogy back in the 60s. “J.R.R. Tolkien still had the film rights at that stage and he didn’t like the idea of the Beatles doing it. So he killed it,” said Peter. Should that have taken place, you would’ve seen George Harrison playing Gandalf, Paul McCartney as Frodo, Ringo Starr as Sam and John Lennon playing Gollum.

Want to see your favourite music and entertainment stars having a laugh and playing some football? Then you’re in luck!

The Music Industry Soccer Six will take place on Sunday, May 19th at Anfield, Liverpool F.C and on Sunday, May 26th at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea F.C. and will feature a whole heap of stars! Tickets for both events are now available from Ticket Master on 0870 6021 145.

2001 champions ‘Ant & Dec’ are already in training and raring to regain their title at both venues this year. Pop sensations ‘Atomic Kitten’, ‘Blue’, ‘Hear Say’, ‘5ive’, ‘Steps’ have also signed up to play alongside TV stars from ‘Holyoaks’, ‘Brookside’, ‘Coranation Street’ and ‘Eastenders’.Last year over 15,000 fans watched as Ant & Dec’s team (including Peter Beardsley, Jonathan Wilkes, Michael Greco and Lee from Steps) triumphed over Rod Stewart’s team (featuring John Leslie, ‘Footballers Wives’ and ‘Hollyoaks’ Star ‘T Gary Lucy and Mark Owen) in a gripping final at Stamford Bridge. Other teams participating included Toploader, Blur, Simply Red, Steps, Damage and 5ive. But the question for 2002 is will Robbie Williams be assembling his team to reclaim his crown?

The girls are expected in force and last year team members including Cat Deeley, Jordan, Melinda Messenger, Amanda Holden and Gail Porter amongst others.

Soccer Six has become the Number one date in the music industry and celebrity sporting calendar alike. It continues to attract an unrivalled array of stars with some of the biggest names in music, TV and sport all eager to take part in this prestigious and renowned tournament.

And, now with 2002 introducing Soccer Six to Anfield, Liverpool it is sure to make both of this year’s Soccer Six’s the most successful and enjoyable for all involved yet.

For all ticket enquiries for either event please call Ticket Master on 0870 6021 145 or check out www.cup.uk.com.

Here at Pop-Music.com we’ll bring you further news and pictures from the event, so stay tuned!