August 1st, 2007 - Happy Birthday Ashley Parker Angel!

Born Ashley Ward Parker in Redding, California, he got his current last name from his stepfather, Ron Angel.

During the production of the reality show that gave birth to O-Town, Making the Band, many of Ashley’s co-workers considered him perfect for the role of a boy band member, as a result of his passion, enthusiasm, talent, and boyish good looks. He is often considered the group’s heartthrob.

O-Town went on to sell over 5.6 million albums worldwide. However, the popularity of the group never approached the success of other bands in their genre. Once Making the Band had finished its television run, O-Town floundered. The members signed numerous contracts, many that didn’t benefit them. Ashley, like other members of the band, was left without financial security, despite wide-spread media exposure. O-Town disbanded in 2003.

In 2006, Angel starred in an MTV reality series There and Back, which chronicled his life in the aftermath of the break-up of O-Town and his transition to a career as a solo artist. The show chronicled his financial struggles, the production of his new album, his relationship troubles and the birth of his first son. The theme song to the show was “Soundtrack to Your Life”, a song from his first solo album. The song was produced by The Matrix following the firing of Soul Power as producers.

The first single, “Let U Go”, made the Billboard Top 20. He also opened for Ashlee Simpson during her June–July 2006 tour. He was joined on tour by Devin Bronson, who is best known for his guitar work with Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne. Devin played lead guitar for Angel.

His first single “Let U Go” debuted on MTV’s Total Request Live March 14, 2006, and on March 24, 2006 he reached #1. The single is his first as a solo artist and his first from the breakup of O-Town. His solo debut album Soundtrack to Your Life was released on May 16, 2006. It debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top-200 Albums Chart, selling over 72,000 copies. It was also featured in the 2006 FIFA World Cup video game. On April 1, 2006, the song was #1 on iTunes. For the week of April 29, 2006 “Let U Go” debuted at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Angel has made his Broadway debut starring in Hairspray on Broadway and playing the role of Link Larkin. His first show was in Mid January and he will be doing the part for a few months. Angel is currently starring alongside Alexa Vega as Penny Pingleton and Shannon Durig as Tracy Turnblad. He will be in the role until October of 2007, unless he renews his contract.

In May 2005, he became engaged to Tiffany Lynn with whom he now has a son, Lyric Lynn-Angel.

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