98 Degrees, the legendary boy band, releases “The First Noel 2023” today. This re-imagined holiday classic is currently Top 20 on the Holiday Charts and TOP 25 on the Mainstream AC Radio Chart with Lakeside Entertainment heading up the campaign. The group also recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a successful sold-out tour this past fall.
98 Degrees is an internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum, multi-award winning, and nominated vocal group comprised of brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre. The group has sold over 15 million albums worldwide with 4 Top 5 Billboard charting radio singles, including mega-hits such as “The Hardest Thing,” “I Do (Cherish You),” “Because of You,” and the number one hit single featuring Mariah Carey called, “Thank God I Found You.”
98 Degrees share the unique experience of recording their holiday single "The First Noel" while on tour, and reflect on the nostalgic significance of their Christmas music, marking 24 years since their first holiday album. They also share insights into their music and reflect on the past 25 years of success.
LEG: It’s not Christmas without a 98 Degrees Holiday song! Your cover of “The First Noel” is dropping just in time for the holiday season. What was the process of recording this single?
Nick Lachey: First off, we love the Christmas season and being able to record new music for it is very special for us. We actually recorded this track while we were on the road this fall, so it involved a series of sessions in hotel rooms across the final week of shows. That’s the beauty of technology……you can record pretty much anywhere at this point!!
Jeff Timmons: We were actually scrambling to get it done in time. I arranged it all the way back in June, and as we all know, we need to get holiday music done and in the radio system by August. The challenge was that we were on the road, so we literally were recording this in our hotel rooms in our limited spare time!
LEG: Out of all the holiday songs in existence, what drew you all to record and release “The First Noel” this holiday season?
Jeff Timmons: It sounds so cliche, but it's one of those classics that everyone loves. We've done other versions but this one is special to us.
LEG: 24 years ago you released your first Christmas album, This Christmas. Is there something nostalgic about releasing new holiday music this year?
Justin Jeffre: Yes, Christmas is a very nostalgic time of year that brings up old memories of celebrating with family and friends. Christmas music especially takes us back in time. We were a little worried that making Christmas music might have seemed too corny 24 years ago, but it turned out that our first Christmas album is one of the albums we became most proud of. Since then, we've had a lot of fun doing a couple of Christmas tours and making even more Christmas music.
Jeff Timmons: We love holiday music because we're a true quartet. Pop music lends itself to harmonies, but not as much as choral arrangements do, so we always have an affinity for Christmas and holiday arrangements.
LEG: You all originate from Ohio, although the band was formed in Los Angeles, California. When deciding on a band name, how did 98 Degrees come to be?
Jeff Timmons: It's a funny story, but after a series of bad names our manager's girlfriend at the time thought it embodied the sultry love songs our music conveyed.
LEG: You recently got back from a US tour. Which was your favorite city to perform in and why? Do you have any fun stories from recently being on the road?
Nick Lachey: The recent tour was a lot of fun for us. It was our first time rolling out a brand new show, which is always exciting! It’s not only new for the fans, but it’s new for us as well! For me, I think my favorite show was the very last one in San Diego. The last show of a tour is always exciting, but the venue there was incredible as well. It was the Rady Shell, right on the waterfront in downtown……a really cool place to wrap up a great tour.
Jeff Timmons: Honestly, each city is unique in and of itself. It's really hard to pick a favorite.
LEG: When on the road, what are some packing necessities that you all can’t live without?
Jeff Timmons: I have to have my portable studio and always be making music at some point in the day.
LEG: Over the span of your career, you’ve sold over 15 million records worldwide and achieved 8 Top 40 singles in the US. Out of all the music you’ve written and released, do you have a favorite? Which hits closest to home?
Justin Jeffre: I don't have children, but I guess that's a little bit like asking someone to pick their favorite child. I think we love them all and they're all special to us, but in different ways. For me, the most rewarding part of this journey is getting a sense of how our music has touched and continues touching people's lives. "I Do (Cherish You)," probably stands out to me because so many people have either used the song to propose or some other part of their weddings and love stories. It's a nice feeling knowing our song was part of such a special time in their lives.
Jeff Timmons: I'd say "Invisible Man." It was our first studio recording when signed to Motown, and still my favorite.
LEG: This year, you’re celebrating 25 years as a band! With years under your belt in the industry, do you have any advice for young artists/bands trying to breakthrough in the music industry?
Jeff Timmons: Despite the way music is delivered and consumed, hard work, faith, perseverance, and humility will always remain the keys to success.
LEG: If you could time travel back to the late 90’s when the band formed, what would you tell your younger selves? How would they feel about all of your accomplishments today?
Nick Lachey: 9. If we had the opportunity to travel back in time and give our younger selves some valuable advice, I think it would be to enjoy the ride a little more and live in the moment. We were always so consumed with trying to keep on top of our game and remain at the forefront of the pop movement that we didn’t always take the time to reflect on where we were and truly enjoy it. You gotta smell the roses from time to time……
Jeff Timmons: I would tell our younger selves to have fun and enjoy the moment; maybe not be so serious. I think we’d be excited about all of our accomplishments, but we’re such Type “A” personalities, we’d be wanting to strive for what’s next.
LEG: What’s in store for 98 Degrees in 2024? Any upcoming news, music, or performances we should look forward to?
Jeff Timmons: We've got a major New Year's Eve performance in Las Vegas, that is JUST around the corner!