NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ MTV) - MTV Tr3's gives viewers front-row access to the nationwide search to find the talented and hungry young
Latino artists that will get their shot at making it big in the fast- paced world of the music industry as the New Menudo in "Road to Menudo" starting May 12 at 2 PM Eastern. Casting sessions that took place in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and New York before celebrity judges that included Johnny Wright, Don Omar, Luis Fonsi, Howie Dorough and
Frankie J are all chronicled in 30-minute specials over four weeks. Each special reveals the semi-finalists from each audition city that will participate in the next round of auditions and ultimately be considered members of the new Menudo.
Immediately following each "Road to Menudo" episode, MTV Tr3's VJ Carlos Santos hosts "Road to Menudo: From La Calle to the Stage," a half-hour special that showcases musical success stories from the Menudo audition cities such as Miami's PitBull and Enrique Iglesias and New York's Jennifer Lopez and Obie Bermudez.
Saturday, May 12
"Road to Menudo" Casting Special Miami, Saturday, May 12th at 2 PM Eastern.
"Road to Menudo: From la Calle to the Stage" featuring Miami's Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Carlos Ponce and Luis Fonsi, Saturday, May 12th at 2:30 PM Eastern.
Saturday, May 19
"Road to Menudo" Casting Special Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19th at 2 PM Eastern.
"Road to Menudo: From la Calle to the Stage" featuring Los Angeles' Akwid, Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, Cypress Hill, Robi Rosa "Draco" and Ozomatli, Saturday, May 19th at 2:30 PM Eastern
Saturday, May 26
"Road to Menudo" Casting Special Dallas, Saturday, May 26th at 2 PM Eastern.
"Road to Menudo: From la Calle to the Stage" featuring Texans Jennifer Pena, Frankie J, Kumbia All Stars and Selena, Saturday, May 26th at 2:30 PM Eastern.
Saturday, June 2
"Road to Menudo" Casting Special New York, Saturday, June 2nd at 2 PM Eastern.
"Road to Menudo: From la Calle to the Stage" featuring New York's Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Aventura, Obie Bermudez and Fat Joe, Saturday, June 2nd at 2:30 PM Eastern.
"MTV Tr3's has captured hundreds of young and talented hopefuls aspiring to join Menudo and win their spot on the world stage," said Lily Neumeyer, Vice President of Programming and Production for MTV Tr3's. "It's an opportunity that young Latinos have longed to have and 'Road to Menudo' brings our viewers all the excitement, anticipation and persistence of all who auditioned. " Legendary music manager and casting session judge Johnny Wright added "I'm really thrilled at all the talent that showed up for the auditions for 'Road to Menudo.' Having had success in the urban and pop worlds, it's exciting for me to get the opportunity to be a part of bringing back a brand that has such a great history." Following the "Road to Menudo" series, the finalists will be picked and each one will be featured in short form capsules that will introduce the potential band members to multiple MTV audiences across all MTV screens. MTV Tr3's will air a one-hour special in late July, "Road to Menudo: The Finals," where the final members of the new Menudo will be revealed.
Online at mtvtr3s.com, fans will be able to deepen their "Road to Menudo" experience with audition highlights, early audience favorites, photos, background info on the contestants, polls, a viewer's blog for comments on the finalists, even a "Fantasy Menudo game." MTV Tr3's Mobile will also feature exclusive footage from the nationwide auditions.
The road continues on MTV this fall when the band will dwindle down to the five final members of the new Menudo as the channel airs the 10-episode reality series (title TBD.)
Once selected, Menudo will be part of the Epic Records family. The partnership between Epic and Menudo kicks off with the group's "debut" album in December 2007.
The MTV series will follow the new Menudo's rise to super pop stardom and feature the band recording their first album together, learning about the music industry and interacting with legendary icons who will offer personal and professional advice along the way. As fans see the band struggle to become a cohesive unit, the guys will have to learn how to overcome their differences, challenges and rigorous work schedules during this crucial time in their career. Rod Aissa is executive in charge of production for MTV.
The original Menudo, which took the US and Latin America by storm during its run in the late 70s and 80s, recorded 35 albums, sold more than 40 million records, set concert attendance records worldwide and produced superstars Ricky Martin and Robby Rosa. The new Menudo will record a contemporary hip urban/Latin rhythmic sound and will be managed by Menudo Entertainment and legendary manager Johnny Wright who has worked with *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake as a solo artist.
