Best known for his role as the witty Oliver Oken on the Disney Channel hit series, “Hannah Montana,” Mitchel Musso is about to unveil some serious musical talent. The 17-year old actor/singer/songwriter/musician will release his Walt Disney Records self-titled solo album on June 2, while the single, “Hey,” debuts on Radio Disney and Disney Channel this month.
The debut album is a pop/rock collection of emotion-laden songs that will surely connect with Mitchel’s generation. Along with universal topics like girls, the album’s 12 songs also tackle growing up, learning life’s tough lessons, fitting in and dealing with fame.
Mitchel worked with several top producers/songwriters on the new album, including S*A*M & Sluggo (named Rolling Stone Hot List Producers of the Year for their work with Metro Station, Gym Class Heroes and others), Curt Schneider (Five for Fighting), Max Martin (Katy Perry, Carolina Liar) and Matthew Wilder (No Doubt). The CD also features three songs co-written by Mitchel. Collaborating with Mitchel on one track is his brother, Mason Musso of Metro Station. The two sing together on “Shout It,” a nod to Metro Station’s double platinum hit, “Shake It.”
Other tracks include “Speed Dial,” “Us Against The World,” “Do It Up,” “Welcome To Hollywood,” “(You Didn’t Have To) Walk Away,” “Get Out,” “How To Lose A Girl,” the #1 Radio Disney hit “The In Crowd,” “Odd Man Out” and “Movin’ In.” Mitchel performs two tracks from his album – “Welcome To Hollywood” and “Let’s Make This Last 4Ever” – in separate episodes on the current season of “Hannah Montana.”
Named one of MTV’s “One to Watch in 2009,” Mitchel Musso has been riding a wave of success since the premiere of “Hannah Montana” three years ago. The Texas native first broke through in film and TV in 2002 playing opposite Robert Duvall and Michael Caine in “Secondhand Lions.” In 2006, he voiced D.J. in the Oscar-nominated animated film “Monster House.” With “Hannah Montana,” he became a global teen superstar.
As a child, Mitchel started his musical journey by studying piano, drums and guitar. Since joining the cast of “Hannah Montana,” he recorded a remake of the Bill Withers classic “Lean On Me” for the Disney film, ” Snow Buddies” and also sang “If I Didn’t Have You,” for the “DisneyMania 6” CD. Both tracks were Top 5 hits on Radio Disney’s Top 30 chart.
With his self-titled debut, Mitchel Musso proves himself every bit the showman behind the microphone that he is in front of the camera. Says Mitchel of the new CD, “I put all my heart in it.”