Teen heartthrob Ashley Parker Angel was born and raised in Redding, CA, by his piano-teacher mother and stepfather, both of whom encouraged him to be involved in music. After being spotted by a talent agency in his hometown, he was given the opportunity to audition for the 2000 ABC television show Making the Band. Angel's boyish good looks and voice won him a spot in the group, the five-member boy band O-Town, who, as part of the deal, were awarded a major-label contract, which produced multi-platinum record sales as well as thousands of young female fans.