Mikaila

Now that we are in a new decade, it seems like the 2000s are chock full of artists to write about. Yay for this blog! Born in 1986 Mikaila Dominique Enriquez is of French, Spanish and Aztec Indian descent from Edmond, OK. After moving to Dallas, TX she became a regular at sporting events and sang at many Texas Rangers games. It was at this time that Leann Rimes's former manager Marty Rendleman began guiding her career. After heading to New York one day, she had meetings w/ several labels. It was that same day that Island Records signed her. Mikaila's debut single So In Love With Two peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 2001. It was standard teen pop, and then 14-year old Mikaila was torn between two teen lovahs. This song was featured on her self-titled debut album. Produced by Andy Goldmark (Jessica Simpson, Lina Santiago), Stargate and Carl Sturken/Evan Rogers (Christina Aguilera) it came and went. Another single It's All Up To You failed to chart. An opening slot for Britney Spears couldn't even help her album chart on the Billboard 200. Lost in a sea of teen queens of the day, it's no wonder. You can check out a defunct fan site if you like. Where is she now? I leave you with her video for So In Love With Two:

Richard Lugo

Today's feature is early 2000s teen pop singer Richard Lugo. Turns out he only had one single in the US (which I find hard to believe) and that was Boom. From what little I can find, the song didn't even chart. He was launched during the Latin Explosion of the late 90s/early 00s via Elektra/WEA Records. Touted as the next Ricky Martin, Richard came and went. Born in New York and raised in Southern Florida (explains the boy band thing), his family is of Dominican ancestry. He got his start via a boy band that never took off but was then offered a deal w/ Dallas Austin. His debut album, also called Boom, was released that same year. Opening slots for 'NSync, BBMak, and O-Town followed and gave him the teen rag audience he was made for. A second single was released in Canada Ven, Ven, Ven and had success in Brazil. I found a fan site that hasn't been updated since 2001, that's worth checking out. So what's become of then 15 year old Richard Lugo? Milk readers, can you help us out? In the meantime I leave you with the video for Boom:

Linear

Miami based group Linear burst onto the pop charts in 1990 w/ their top 5 hit Sending All My Love. From what little info I could find, the song was originally part of lead singer Charlie "Steele" Pennachio's debut release on Futura International Records. After entering the pop charts Atlantic signed him to a deal. What I'm confused about is how the other 2 members of the band became involved? Or was the group already established. Hmmm. The other two members were Joey "Bang" Restivo and Wyatt "Riot" Pauley. Producer and songwriter Tolga (who had many freestyle hits of his own) is also sometimes credited as having been a member of the band. Not sure how accurate this is, but he did co-write and produce Sending All My Love as well as the entire album. A second single Don't You Come Crying stalled at #70. A third single failed to chart (Something Going On). By the time the band's second album w/ Atlantic was released in 1992, it was obvious they had moved away from their freestyle roots and went for all out pop sound. The lead single T.L.C. failed to match the chart succes of ...Love but did crack the US top 40 when it peaked at #30. I can not find any info about any more subsequent releases from this album. In 1994 a cover of Sly Fox's Let's Go All The Way was released as Linear featuring Charlie Steele. Not much has been heard from the group as a whole since, but it seems that the members have been keeping themselves busy. Charlie went on to write for artists such as Anastacia, Mandy Moore, Big & Rich as well as producing and being a talent scout for country singer Jon Rich (which explains why he was on an episode of Celebrity Apprentice). Charlie can be contacted via his myspace page. Joey Restivo has also turned to production. Most notable producing his brother Antonio's Las Vegas act. He can also be found on myspace. Wyatt Pauley seems to be doing the music thing as well. All I could really find was an interview in 2007 talking about the music business. Also check out the remastered best of release The Best of Wyatt Pauley and Friends: Freestyle From The Top which you can purchase on amazon.com. I leave you with Linear and their infamous mullets:




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