Why Don't We facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Why Don't We
(From left to right: Daniel, Corbyn, Jonah, Zach, and Jack) Why Don't We at B96 Jingle Bash 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Pop
Years active	2016–present
Labels	Atlantic
Members	Jack Avery Corbyn Besson Zach Herron Jonah Marais Daniel Seavey

Why Don't We, shortened to WDW, is an American boy band consisting of Jack Avery, Corbyn Besson, Zach Herron, Jonah Marais, and Daniel Seavey. Formed in 2016, the group has released two studio albums and six extended plays, and has been nominated for an MTV Video Music Awards.

History

2016–17: Career beginnings

The band originally formed on September 27, 2016, after having all met in Los Angeles, California, a year prior. On October 20, 2016, the group released their debut single "Taking You", a track from their debut EP, Only the Beginning, which was released on November 25 of the same year. They embarked on their first headlining tour, the "Taking You Tour", the next year. Their second EP, Something Different, was released on April 21, 2017. Following the release of their second EP, they embarked on the Something Different Tour, their second headlining tour. The group's third EP, Why Don't We Just, was released on June 2, 2017. In September 2017, the band signed with Atlantic Records. That same month, Invitation, their fourth EP, was released. On November 23, 2017, they released their fifth EP, A Why Don't We Christmas. In 2018, in support of the Invitation EP, they headlined the "Invitation Tour". Additionally the band has appeared in several vlogs of YouTuber Logan Paul. Paul has directed three music videos for the band, one involving their collaboration, "Help Me Help You".

2018–19: 8 Letters

On August 31, 2018, they released their first album, 8 Letters. In March 2019, they embarked on the "8 Letters Tour".

Why Don't We released a new song each month in 2019. On January 16, they released "Big Plans", and a music video was released three days later. The song received a gold certification from the RIAA in April 2020. On Valentine's Day, the group released "Cold In LA", along with a music video two days later. On March 20, 2019 they released the humorous song "I Don't Belong in This Club" featuring American rapper Macklemore. It was certified gold by the RIAA in August 2020. On April 20, the group released "Don't Change", which was featured on the soundtrack album of the animated film UglyDolls. In May, the group unveiled their fifth song of the year, "Unbelievable". In June, they released "Come To Brazil", inspired by fans frequently asking them to visit the country. On July 26, the band released the song "I Still Do". On August 23, they released "What Am I", penned by Ed Sheeran, who previously wrote "Trust Fund Baby". The song was certified gold by the RIAA in June of the following year. On October 25, they released "Mad At You". The following month, the group released the Christmas song "With You This Christmas". On December 30, the group released their twelfth and final song of 2019, "Chills". The group then took a nine-month break shortly after the music video release.

2020–present: The Good Times and the Bad Ones

On September 29, 2020, the band released "Fallin' (Adrenaline)", the lead single from their second album, The Good Times and the Bad Ones. It debuted at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, their first ever entry. Their second single from the album, "Lotus Inn", was released on December 4, 2020. They starred in a YouTube documentary titled 30 Days With, which showed the last stages of development and behind the scenes content of their then-upcoming album for 30 days. Their third single from the album, "Slow Down", was released on December 17, 2020. On January 15, 2021, The Good Times and The Bad Ones was released. The album is largely self-produced, although it also features the productions of Travis Barker, Skrillex, and Timbaland. The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, making this their highest entry on the chart.

Musical influences

The band has cited Justin Bieber as their main musical inspiration, in addition to 5 Seconds of Summer, Boyz II Men, The Beatles, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Childish Gambino, Jon Bellion, Post Malone, and Frank Ocean.

Band members

Jack Avery

Jack Robert Avery (born July 1, 1999) was born in Burbank, California, but raised in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Avery released a solo single called "Liar" in 2016 and was part of the meet-and-greet tour "Impact", which Zach Herron and Corbyn Besson was also a part of. He also starred in a short film called Fearless Five. On April 22, 2019, Avery's former girlfriend, Gabriela Gonzalez, gave birth to their daughter, Lavender May Avery.

Corbyn Besson

Corbyn Matthew Besson (born November 25, 1998) was born in Dallas, Texas, but raised in Virginia. Besson's cousins are Dutch girl group O'G3NE. Before Why Don't We, he had a following on YouNow and released a solo single called "The Only One" to iTunes in 2014. His other acoustic single, Marathon, was also released on the platform. Besson was also a part of the Impact tour along with Zach Herron and Jack Avery.

Zach Herron

Zachary Dean Herron (born May 27, 2001), the youngest member of the group, was raised in Dallas, Texas. Growing up, he sang in the choir. Before Why Don't We, Herron covered songs on YouTube. His cover of "Stitches" by Shawn Mendes went viral. Zach also produced two singles himself, Timelapse and Why, in 2016.

Jonah Marais Roth Frantzich

Jonah Marais Roth Frantzich (born June 16, 1998), the oldest member of the group, grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota. Before Why Don't We, Marais had a following on YouNow. He also released an album, When the Daylight's Gone, in 2016 and went on the 2014 DigiTour.

Daniel James Seavey

Daniel James Seavey (born April 2, 1999) grew up in Portland, Oregon. A main producer of the band, he can play over 20 instruments by ear. As a child, his father would take him to do street performances on the city's art walks. In 2015, Seavey competed on season 14 of American Idol and finished in ninth place, getting voted off on his birthday.

Discography

• 8 Letters (2018)
• The Good Times and the Bad Ones (2021)

Awards and nominations

iHeartRadio MMVAs

BreakTudo Awards

iHeartRadio Music Awards

MTV Europe Music Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

Radio Disney Music Awards

Teen Choice Awards