Jesse McCartney

Jesse McCartney
Background information
Birth name Jesse Abraham Arthur McCartney
Also known as JMac and Jester
Born April 9, 1987 (1987-04-09) (age 23)
Ardsley, New York, United States
Genres Pop, R&B, pop rock, dance pop
Occupations Singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor
Years active 1998–present
Labels Hollywood
Associated acts Dream Street
Website jessemac.com

Jesse Abraham Arthur McCartney (born April 9, 1987) is a singer-songwriter, actor, and voice actor. McCartney rose to fame in the early 2000s as member of the boy band Dream Street. He branched into a solo career, having appeared in the television series Summerland and as a recurring character in the ABC Family series Greek. He was nominated for a Grammy for co-writing the song "Bleeding Love".

Contents

Early life

McCartney was born in Ardsley, New York to Ginger and Scott McCartney.[1] He began performing in local community musicals at the age of nine, before joining the national tour of The King and I at age ten along with Phil of the Future star Ricky Ullman.

Acting career

McCartney appeared with The Who's Roger Daltrey in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. From 1998–2001, McCartney played Adam Chandler, Jr. in the ABC soap opera All My Children, a role for which he earned a Daytime Emmy nomination. He also later starred in the short-lived series Summerland, which aired on the now-defunct WB network for two seasons.

In 2005, McCartney appeared as himself in the Disney Channel show, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. In 2006, McCartney was also featured as the voice of Roxas in the Disney/Square Enix video game Kingdom Hearts II. In 2007, he starred as himself in the Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana. In 2008, McCartney resumed his voice acting role of the Kingdom Hearts II character Roxas in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. In 2008, McCartney was also featured as the voice of Horton Hears A Who!'s JoJo McDodd. McCartney also voiced Theodore in the 2007 film Alvin and the Chipmunks and the 2009 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, in addition to voicing Terence in the 2008 film Tinker Bell.

In 2008, McCartney co-starred along with Elisabeth Harnois in an independent teenage drama feature film, Keith, directed by Todd Kessler. It is his movie debut, and features McCartney in the title role. Keith was released on September 19, 2008.

According to Entertainment Weekly in December 2008, McCartney was negotiating to play against type in the role of the Fire Nation's Prince Zuko in M. Night Shyamalan's feature film adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.[2] In February 2009, British actor Dev Patel replaced McCartney, whose tour dates conflicted with a boot camp scheduled for the cast to train in martial arts.[3] McCartney has expressed an interest in directing and producing films and even considered enrolling in a film school.[4]

McCartney appeared as a recurring character in the ABC Family series Greek for several episodes playing a star football talent who joins the fraternity of the starring character Rusty. His character eventually decided to depledge the fraternity after he cited pressures between football and Greek life combined with Rusty stealing away his girlfriend Jordan at the time.

McCartney has provided voice work for a character in the upcoming video game Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. He will also be voicing Robin in the upcoming Young Justice series.

Music career

Beginnings

In 1999, McCartney joined the American pop boy band Dream Street, and was a member until 2002. Jesse McCartney has described the experience as a good "stepping stone" for his solo career.[5] The group earned a gold record with their debut CD, and broke up while touring with Aaron Carter. At fifteen, he began work on a solo career with a local band, featuring musicians Dillon Kondor (guitar), Peter Chema (bass), Katie Spencer (keyboards), Alex Russeku (drums), Karina LaGravinese (background vocals), Sharisse Francisco (background vocals), and under the management of Ginger McCartney and Sherry Goffin Kondor, who co-produced his first album, Beautiful Soul.

McCartney released his first solo EP in July 2004. The album featured two songs: "Beautiful Soul","Why Don't You Kiss Her". In 2004, he performed a duet with Anne Hathaway, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", which is featured on the Ella Enchanted soundtrack.

Beautiful Soul & Right Where You Want Me (2004–2007)

McCartney at a Bryant Park performance, June 24, 2005

McCartney's debut solo album, Beautiful Soul, which was two years in the making, was released on September 28, 2004 in the United States and over a year later in Europe.[6] He categorized it as a "pop record" with twists of urban.[7] The album featured four songs that he co-wrote.[8] Beautiful Soul reached number 15 on the Billboard 200.[9] The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting over one million units of shipment to US retailers; it is his highest-certified album as of early 2009.[10] As of mid-2006, the album had sold more than 1.5 million copies.[8] The album's lead single of the same name reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.[11] McCartney was one of the artist with multiple awards at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, winning Choice Crossover Artist, Choice Male Artist and Choice Breakout, Male.[12] The following year, he won Favorite Male Singer at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.[8]

His first headlining tour, also named Beautiful Soul, began on May 2, 2005 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California.[7] The United States portion of the tour spanned 56 stops, ending on September 10, 2005 at the Madera District County Fair in Madera, California. In the fall of 2005, McCartney toured Australia, and opened for the Backstreet Boys in Europe in the summer of 2005. His July 9 performance at California's Great America in Santa Clara, California was recorded, released as Live: The Beautiful Soul Tour in November 2005.[6]

He has contributed to numerous Disney soundtracks including Disneymania 2, Radio Disney Jingle Jams, A Cinderella Story, That's So Raven, Stuck in the Suburbs, Disneymania 3, Sydney White, Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 7, Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8, DisneyMania 4, Hannah Montana, Radio Disney: Party Jams, That's So Raven Too! and Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 9.

After the filming of Keith wrapped, McCartney had been working on his second album, Right Where You Want Me, co-writing all but one of the songs featured in it.[13][8] Right Where You Want Me is more mature than his debut, reflecting his musical and personal growth since he recorded his debut album at age 15.[6] Released by Hollywood Records on September 19, 2006, the album reached number 14 on the Billboard 200.[9] The lead single off the album, "Right Where You Want Me", began receiving airplay on July 11, 2006. Although as stated by his management that he will not be launching a new tour because of lack of support from his record company, McCartney has done various shows in Italy and also in the United States.

Departure (2008–2009)

McCartney performing in Metarie, Louisiana on February 15, 2009

McCartney released his third album, Departure, on May 20, 2008 in the United States and Canada. Musically, it is a departure from his early works, showing mature themes.[14] The album has reached number 14 on the Billboard 200.[9]

The album's lead single "Leavin'" was released in March 2008, and reached number (10) on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks, giving McCartney his highest-charting single to date.[11] The single has been certified platinum by the RIAA selling over than 3 million copies ,and over 2 millions downloads on iTunes becoming McCartney's highest-certified single as of early 2009.[10] The second single, "It's Over", was released on August 26, 2008, and failed to match the success of the lead single, only reaching #42 on the Hot 100. McCartney promoted Departure on a co-headlining tour with Jordin Sparks, which began in August 2008 and ended in September. He also did solo shows at theaters and small venues to support the album while on tour with Sparks.

McCartney re-released Departure on April 7, 2009. The re-release, Departure: Recharged, featured 4 new songs, "Body Language", "Oxygen", "Crash & Burn" and "In My Veins". The re-release also features a remix of "How Do You Sleep?" with rapper/actor Ludacris. The third single from the album was released from the re-release and was the remix of "How Do You Sleep?". It was much more successful than the second single, reaching #26 on the Hot 100, The fourth and final single from the album was also released from the re-release and was a new version of "Body Language" featuring T-Pain. The single has peaked at #10 on the Billboard Dance/Club Songs in its 13th week and still rising up.[9]

Fourth studio album (2010–present)

McCartney stated that his fourth album will have a similar sound to Departure but will be more R&B and urban-influenced than his third album. In March 2010, it was announced that Sean Garrett produced three songs for the project and that the album would be released sometime in October of 2010.

It was confirmed through McCartney's twitter account that the album finished recording and production on August 13, 2010. He also confirmed August 16, 2010 that the first single is titled "Shake" and will be playable on Tap Tap Revenge for iPhone & iPod Touch on September 6th 2010. The single will be released through Digital Download September 8th 2010. The album title has not yet been released.

Songwriting

In the fall of 2007, McCartney co-wrote the hit song "Bleeding Love" with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, produced by McCartney and Tedder for Jesse's 3rd album, but gave it away to English singer Leona Lewis's debut album, Spirit. The song was nominated for Record of the Year at the 2009 Grammy Awards.[15] McCartney recorded his own version, which was released on some editions of his Departure album.

The song's worldwide success gave McCartney added credentials as a songwriter. This also gave McCartney more offers from interested managers and singers. X-Factor's Simon Cowell asked him to go back to the studio with Tedder to write songs for the Idols. McCartney's 2008 summer tourmate, American Idol season six winner, Jordin Sparks approached him to write some material for her.[16] He also co-wrote for Vanessa Hudgens "Don't Leave" with Antonina Armato and Tim James; co-wrote "The Wave" with Makeba Riddick for Toni Braxton on her new album Pulse.

Philanthropy

In 2005, McCartney participated in "Come Together Now", a charity single to benefit the victims of the 2004 Asian Tsunami and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina.

Later in 2005, McCartney signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock,[17] a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the U.S.A. He sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.

He has donated proceeds of his 2005 tour for disaster relief, recorded radio spots promoting the "Kids For A Drug-Free America" campaign, is a spokesperson for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and is involved in the charity SPACE, which was co-founded by a childhood friend of his mother's. McCartney performed at the Hope Rocks concert in 2005 to benefit City of Hope Cancer Center.[18] He appeared in the Concert for Hope October 25, 2009 with fellow Disney stars Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato.[19]

Discography

Studio albums
  • 2004: Beautiful Soul
  • 2006: Right Where You Want Me
  • 2008: Departure
  • 2010: Not Yet Confirmed
DVDs
  • 2005: Up Close
  • 2005: Live: The Beautiful Soul Tour
Live Albums
  • 2005: Live: The Beautiful Soul Tour
  • 2009: Jesse McCartney - Live At the House of Blues, Sunset Strip
EP'S
  • 2003: JMac
  • 2005: Off the Record
  • 2009 : Departure : Recharged
Concert tours
  • 2004/2005: Beautiful Soul Tour
  • 2005: Backstreet Boys:Live
  • 2006/2007: Right Where You Want Me Tour
  • 2008: Departure Mini-Tour
  • 2008: Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour
  • 2009: Headlining Tour
  • 2009: New Kids on the Block: Full Service Summer Tour

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
2001 The Pirates of Central Park Simon Baskin
Dream Street: Live Himself
2002 The Biggest Fan
2003 Pizza Justin
2005 Jesse McCartney: Up Close Himself Documentary Film
Live: The Beautiful Soul Tour Concert Film
2007 Alvin and the Chipmunks Theodore Voice role
2008 Horton Hears a Who! JoJo
Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs and a Baby Lucky
Keith Keith Zetterstrom Main role
Tinker Bell Terrence Voice role
2009 Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Theodore
Jesse McCartney - Live At the House of Blues, Sunset Strip Himself Concert Film
2010 Beware The Gonzo[20] Gavin Reilly Main role, post-production
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Terrence Voice role
2011 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked Theodore
Tinker Bell: A Winter Story Terrence
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1998-2001 All My Children JR Chandler Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Daytime Series by a Young Actor
Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Daytime Series by a Supporting Young Actor
Nominated — Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Child Actor
Nominated — Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series (2001, 2002)
Nominated — Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Soap Opera by a Young Actor
2000 Law & Order Danny Driscoll "Thin Ice"
2002 The Strange Legacy of Cameron Cruz Cameron Cruz
2004 What I Like About You Himself "The Not-So Simple Life"
2004-2005 Summerland Bradin Westerly Twenty-six episodes, main character
Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Drama
2005 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Himself "Rock Star in the House"
Punk'd Punk'd Season 5 Episode 3
2006 All My Children
Schooled
Celebrity Duets
2007 Hannah Montana "When You Wish You Were the Star"
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition "Gilyeat Family"
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Max Matarazzo "Babes"
Dancing with the Stars Himself
Dick Clark's Rocking New Years Eve Performer
Dance on Sunset "Prom"
2009 Greek Andy Five episodes, recurring character
2010 An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Lionel Ritchie Himself Performer
Young Justice Robin/Dick Grayson Main Voice Role
Video Games
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Kingdom Hearts II Roxas
2008 The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft Frank Hardy Main role
2009 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Roxas
2010 Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep TBA

Awards and nominations

References

  1. . TeenIdols4You. August 2003. http://www.teenidols4you.com/bio/Actors/84/jesse_mccartney.html. Retrieved 2009-11-10. 
  2. Sperling, Nicole (December 17, 2008). "Movies". Entertainment Weekly (1026): 15. 
  3. Fleming, Michael (2009-02-01). "Shyamalan cast floats on Air". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117999413.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
  4. Carroll, Larry. "Keith ... Set Visit". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/shared/movies/features/k/keith_set_visit_120805/. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  5. Popstar (June 2006). "Jesse McCartney: The Pop Prince!". Popstar Special!: 13. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Tecson, Brandee (2005-12-06). "Jesse McCartney Wants His Next LP To Take After His New Hair Color". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517541/20051206/mccartney__jesse.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Davis, Carolyn (2005-03-22). "Jesse McCartney Plans Tour, Hints At Juicy Summerland Drama". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1498855/20050322/mccartney__jesse.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Leonard, Shana (2006-07-13). "In September, Get Jesse McCartney Right Where You Want Him". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1536227/20060712/mccartney__jesse.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Artist Chart History - Jesse McCartney". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=438594&model.vnuAlbumId=1134730. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Jesse_Mc_Cartney&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Artist Chart History - Jesse McCartney". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=438594&model.vnuAlbumId=1134730. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Corey, Moss (2005-08-15). "Napoleon Dynamite, Kelly Clarkson Win Big At Teen Choice Awards". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507574/20050815/clarkson_kelly.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  13. Moss, Corey (2006-04-10). "Jesse McCartney Hopes To Blow Your Minds With Next Single". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1528180/20060407/mccartney__jesse.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  14. Vena, Jocelyn (2008-12-12). "Jesse McCartney Follows Justin Timberlake's Example As His Music Matures". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601238/20081212/mccartney__jesse.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  15. Harris, Chris (2008-12-04). "Lil Wayne, Coldplay Lead Grammy Nominations". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600678/20081204/coldplay.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-21. 
  16. Zfat, Natalie (2008-08-20). "Jesse McCartney Plans "Idol" Tunes, Tour, TV Projects". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/08/20/jesse-mccartney-plans-idol-tunes-tour-tv-projects/. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  17. "Little Kids Rock". Hang 10 with Jesse McCartney. http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/. Retrieved December 8, 2007. 
  18. Tecson, Brandee (2005-08-18). "Jesse McCartney Seeks Help From Insanely Brilliant Neptunes". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507779/20050817/mccartney__jesse.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
  19. . City of Hope. 2009-08-18. http://www.cityofhope.org/giving/fundraising-support-groups/music/concert-for-hope/Pages/default.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-10. 
  20. [1]

External links