BIG TIME RUSH FACTS:
Members: Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena, Jr., Logan Henderson
Genre: Pop
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Awards: Favorite Music Group (Kids’ Choice Awards)
Albums: BTR, Elevate
Hits: "Boyfriend,” “Music Sounds Better With U”
Other: Big Time Rush is a boy band formed from the Nickelodeon show of the same name that is currently in production of its third season.
The tween pop music phenomenon that started with acts like the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana has created a series of new acts, but few have been as successful as Big Time Rush. The television series follows four young hockey players from Minnesota who decide to drop their sticks and gloves and try their hand and becoming international pop stars. After only a few seasons, the show is the top-rated program for children ages 6-11 and the No. 1 live-action series for children ages 2-11 on television.
What started off as a fictional band has now become a national phenomenon that has led to blockbuster albums and tours. Big Time Rush consists of Kendall Knight (Kendall Schmidt), Logan Mitchell (Logan Henderson), James Diamond (James Maslow) and Carlos Garcia (Carlos Pena Jr.). Out of nearly 1500 teens who auditioned for the roles, the four were selected for their chemistry with one another and how similar they were to the show's characters.
In 2010, Big Time Rush translated their success in television to the music industry with their self-titled debut album. The album's singles, "Boyfriend," "Big Night" and "Halfway There" broke into Billboard's Hot 100 list and sales were very strong thanks to the significant fan base the band had built from the show. The first album was certified gold by the RIAA in 2011 and the group followed that up with a full tour of Europe and the United States.
One year later, Big Time Rush released "Elevate," on November 21, 2011. The album shot up to the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Albums chart on its first day and continued to post strong sales numbers in the weeks that followed. The album yielded hit singles like "Music Sounds Better With U," "Love Me Love Me" and "You're Not Alone." With another album on the horizon, Big Time Rush looks to capitalize on the tween music market and the success of their television show.
As one of the Top 5 shows on Nickelodeon networks all around the world, sell-out tours and successful albums, it seems like nothing can slow Big Time Rush. In the future, Big Time Rush will be doing a series of Beatles covers for their upcoming TV movie, Big Time Movie. It is another milestone in a long line of successful projects that have made the band the pop sensation they are today.