Let the good times roll
Local boy wins Jonas concert
Scott Tady, Beaver County Times Entertainment Editor
November, 1, 2009
CENTER TWP. Pa. – Like his favorite Jonas Brothers band member, Bradley Brown of Center Township isn’t letting Type-1 diabetes slow him down.
Brown, 11, is one of three grand prize contest winners in an online talent contest hosted by Nick Jonas, the youngest of the sibling pop-rock sensations.
Brown won for his self-written song, “the Good Times,” and so the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School student earns his family a trip to Orlando to meet the 17-year old Jonas.
“I’m really excited,” Brown said. “Nick is my inspiration.”
Since the Jonas Brothers exploded onto the music scene in 2007, topping the chart and selling out arenas, Nick has used his fame to bring awareness and raise money for the treatment of Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease he was diagnosed with at age 13. Jonas’ talent contest, called Nick’s Simple Wins, was open to those with juvenile diabetes. The three winners, including Brown, were announced Friday.
Brown, who witnessed Jonas Brothers shows this year at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh and Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, plays guitar and drums, like Nick, and also is learning piano.
Nick and his fellow JoBros – Kevin and Joe – joined members of Bayer Corp., co-sponsors of the contest, in selecting the three grand prize winners. Online voters had narrowed the field, with Brown being the top vote-getter in September.
A third-year student at the Henry Mancini Academy for the Performing Arts in Midland where he’s studying acting and musical theater, Brown was selected as a “Mancini All Star” this year and will participate in a tri-state production of “The King and I” Nov. 19-22, where he will play the king’s oldest son.
Brown, who uses an insulin pump, also was among the youth winners in a talent contest two-weeks ago for the inaugural Zanafest at the Venue at Harmony Ridge in Harmony Township. As a prize, he will get to record three songs in a professional studio.
On the web: See Brown’s winning performance at www.youtube.com/bb5701.
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