By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
February 28, 2003
There’s a lot of screaming going on when you tour with the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter. But Justin Roman is used to it. As one of the singers in the pop trio Vi3, Roman has elicited a shriek or two from enthusiastic fans. “We’re really having a lot of fun on this tour,” says the Chicago-based artist. “Nick has been a blast and the fans have been really nice to us.”
Vi3, which also includes Lucas Bowers and Jackie Salvucci, will open for Carter at a sold-out show Friday at the House of Blues. Earlier this month, the band won three awards at the 22nd annual Chicago Music Awards.
In 1999, Roman got his first taste of national fame when he made it to the top 25 semifinals of the TV series “Making the Band.” There, he met Salvucci.
“I’m really happy for the guys in O-Town [the winners who made the band] but I’m also really happy at how things turned out for me,” Roman says. “They weren’t allowed to write any songs for their first album. I was able to write most of the songs on our album [‘… So Tight’].”
“American Idol”: I’m glad I don’t have to go through getting my voice and looks critiqued again. It’s a great opportunity, though, for people who haven’t made it yet.
Favorite movie: “Purple Rain”
Favorite artist: Michael Jackson. Prince is another one. I also like Bon Jovi and Journey. They had great power ballads.
Book I’m reading: All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman [Simon & Schuster, $30]. If you think the music business is just about music, you’re not going to make it. It’s a business.
Best advice you ever got: My parents both told me from Day One to stay grounded and not believe the hype. They still make me take out the garbage when I go home.
Worst advice you ever got: Sign the contract without having a lawyer looking it over. I fell into that trap awhile ago and haven’t repeated it.
Best thing about being you: Getting to hear our songs on the radio across the country.
Artist you would love to have sing one of your songs: Besides someone like Michael Jackson–who isn’t a possibility ’cause he writes his own stuff and wouldn’t want to bother with mine–anyone with a killer voice. It’d be great to write a song for a woman, like Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson or Christina Aguilera.
The girlfriend situation: I’m single. I’m definitely accepting applications. [Laughs]
Your dream: I’m living my dream right now.
Favorite eatery: I have to have a hot dog and fries from Portillo’s when I get back home. And maybe some Lou Malnati’s pizza.
Favorite memory: Wow. Probably auditioning for “Making the Band” in Chicago. To have 500 guys audition for it and be the only one chosen from Chicago was awesome.
Biggest career step: Signing with MCA Records. That was amazing. Then hearing us on the radio for the first time was just awesome.
