AAKD IS BACK!

BEA MILLER

Singer/songwriter Bea Miller began tapping into her vocal prowess by belting out “America the Beautiful” after a Venus vs. Serena match at the 2008 US Open, sparking a desire to devote her life to making music. Years later, she emerged as a top-ten finalist on The X-Factor, and signed a deal with Syco Music/Hollywood Records. She released her debut EP Young Blood in the spring of 2014 with singles “Young Blood” and “Fire N Gold” both landing on the Billboard charts. She also honed her performance skills touring with Demi Lovato. Her raspy vocals and sharp-edged pop have earned her recognition as one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists You Need To Know,” as an MTV “Artist to Watch for 2015,” as one of Billboard’s “10 Artists to Watch in 2015,” and as Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing.” With her debut album Not An Apology dropping July 24, Bea’s excited about performing her new songs live and deepening her connection with her fanbase.

KALIN AND MYLES

Continuing the tradition of artists “graduating” from the Hess Festival Stage to the AAKD Stadium Show, Bay area twosome Kalin and Myles stir up pop, hip-hop, and R&B into an irresistible and inimitable hybrid affectionately and appropriately dubbed “Hip Pop.” First meeting at a house party in 2011, they began making music together, creating their own beats, singing, and rapping. In April 2014, they inked a deal with Republic Records for the release of the Chase Dreams EP, where they steered pop music down their own lane. The collection's first single "Love Robbery” quickly racked up over 5 million views on YouTube while snagging the #1 “most played” spot at Power 106FM in Los Angeles. The band has gone on to sell nearly 800,000 digital singles to date and their success amplified once more with the release of their Dedication EP followed by this summer’s Dedication 2015 Tour. The album elevates Kalin and Myles to a new plateau with the title reflecting their commitment to delivering for the countless fans worldwide, who are turning them into a household name.

JACOB WHITESIDES

An undeniably talented songwriter and performer, Jacob Whitesides—chosen as MTV’s “Artist To Watch” this August—has caught the ears of millions of music fans with his debut EP A Piece Of Me which reached #1 on the iTunes U.S. Singer/Songwriter chart, #3 on the Pop Albums chart and #5 on the Overall chart. Jacob’s unprecedented independent success to date has been accomplished entirely on his own, simply relying on his music and a genuine dialogue with his millions of devoted social followers around the globe (aka “Whitesiders”), who have allowed Jacob to land at the top of the charts in seven countries and help him sell out his first European shows in only minutes. Jacob—raised modestly by a single mom in the smoky mountains outside of Knoxville, Tennessee—is breaking virtually every music industry rule by maintaining full control of his career as CEO of his own touring, merchandising and record label, Double U Records. At 17, Jacob is proving how musicians can establish a credible career for themselves by using the available democratic and free media platforms to support their music. Jacob is currently on a U.S. Amphitheater tour with R5.

NATALIE LA ROSE

Dutch native Natalie La Rose’s debut single for I.M.G./Republic Records, “Somebody” featuring Jeremih, is one of this Summer’s biggest singles. Now certified platinum by the RIAA, “Somebody” hit #1 at Rhythm and entered the Top 3 on Top 40 airplay charts nationwide.  “Somebody” entered the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the Top 10 of both iTunes’ Pop and Overall Top Songs chart.  It’s also been one of the Top 5 “Most Shazamed Records in the USA.” To date, the song has over 105+ million streams on Spotify worldwide, with over 65+ million YouTube/Vevo views and counting. La Rose made her national television debuts this Spring on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Late Late Show with James Corden. She also opened the Radio Disney Music Awards with Fifth Harmony, who she is touring with this Summer. With the release of her second buzzworthy single, “Around The World” featuring Fetty Wap, La Rose is quickly proving that she is more than just somebody, she is an artist to watch!

AMERICAN AUTHORS

Brooklyn based band American Authors hail from the four corners of the country, each bringing their own influences and experiences to the writing table to create pop-flavored alt rock sprinkled with four-part harmonies, spirited lyrics, and contagious optimism. “Go Big Or Go Home” is the follow-up to their triple-platinum Top 5 hit “Best Day Of My Life,” which boasts over 47.5 million streams and 58.1 million YouTube views to date.  “Best Day Of My Life” and “Believer” were back-to-back hits from the debut album Oh, What A Life, which rose to #3 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart. “Go Big Or Go Home” premiered earlier this month on U.S. television when they returned (for their third appearance!) on ABC’s Live with Kelly & Michael.  The band’s headline summer tour across the U.S. continues in Tulsa on July 24th and Baton Rouge on August 1st. On August 2nd in Birmingham, AL, they segue into two weeks of co-headline shows with Andy Grammer. American Authors’ second album on Island Records is due out September 25th.

ALEX ANGELO

Alex Angelo is a 14-year-old singer, DJ, dancer, and radio host from Ohio who started mixing at age 10 using his dad’s iPad. Within a a few short years, Alex was opening for artists such as Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Carly Rae Jepsen, Austin Mahone, Fifth Harmony and Shawn Mendes. He now hosts his own weekly radio show on Radio Disney, making him the youngest nationally syndicated radio host in the country. He released his debut EP "This is the Beginning” last year and toured with Austin Mahone. This summer, he toured the U.S. with Jake Miller and Jasmine Villegas on the Dazed and Confused Tour and he’s currently on the Sweet Dreams Tour with Megan Nicole and Sammi Sanchez. Alex studies dance in L.A. with famed choreographer/creative director Flii Stylz (Chris Brown, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson). The video for his new hit song “Turn Me Up” recently premiered on Disney Channel.

SHAUN T

Shaun T is a world-renowned health and fitness expert and creator of the best-selling fitness programs INSANITY, HIP HOP ABS, FOCUS T25, INSANITY Max:30 and CIZE™. He is a native of New Jersey receiving a BS in Sports Science with a minor in Theater and Dance from Rowan University. He’s shared the stage alongside Val Kilmer in the musical version of The Ten Commandments, appeared in Pippin and Applause as well as Six Feet Under and the feature film Beauty Shop. He’s danced with Mariah Carey, Aaron and Nick Carter, choreographed for the NCAA Final Four Halftime Show and the movie Bring it on: All or Nothing. Shaun T’s passion is focused on affecting positive lifestyle changes in people across the world and proving that becoming the best version of yourself is attainable.

BROOKE TAYLOR

Brooke Taylor is an on-air personality for Radio Disney. She hosts the evening show and also conducts exclusive interviews from red carpets and special events. She joined the Radio Disney on-air team in 2014 from WJFX-FM in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she was the mid-day host and content director. She began her career in radio doing nights at WYKS-FM in her hometown of Gainesville, Florida, after studying Mass Communications at Lander University. Taylor currently resides in Los Angeles where she enjoys playing volleyball, rooting for her hometown Florida Gators, shopping and updating her fashion blog.

SERENA WILLIAMS

World No. 1 and three-time defending US Open champion Serena Williams is chasing history at this year’s US Open. Having prevailed in the first three Grand Slam events of 2015, a win at this year’s US Open would make her the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to achieve a calendar-year Grand Slam. She would also tie Graf for most Grand Slam titles won in the Open Era (22). Her win at Wimbledon earlier this summer also gave Williams her second “Serena Slam,” or winning of four straight majors, having first achieved this in 2002-2003.
 
The 33-year-old is a six-time US Open singles champion (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012-2014). Along with Margaret Court and Martina Navratilova, she's just the third player in history to win the career grand slam in singles and doubles. With four Olympic gold medals, she's also the only player, male or female, to achieve the golden career grand slam in singles and doubles. She's won over $72 million in prize money, first all-time among women athletes, and was recently named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Serena is a long-time favorite at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day and leading philanthropist and humanitarian, appearing on behalf of the Serena Williams Foundation.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

World No. 1 and former US Open champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia is considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He has won nine Grand Slam singles titles throughout his career, including the 2011 US Open, and captured the Wimbledon title last month. Djokovic has captured 54 singles titles throughout his career, spent more than 150 weeks at the top of the rankings and earned over $82 million in prize money. Djokovic has received numerous awards including the 2011 and 2014 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year, 2012 Best Male Tennis Player ESPY Award, and the 2011, 2012 and 2014 ATP World Tour Player of the Year.

ROGER FEDERER

World No. 2 Roger Federer is the men's all-time Grand Slam leader with a record 17 major titles and has been ranked No. 1 for the most total weeks of any men's player in history at 302. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time, his major titles include five US Opens (2004-2008) as part of his incredible total of 86 career titles. He is also one of only seven men to have completed the career Grand Slam, winning titles at all four Grand Slam events. A long-time supporter of Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, Roger is participating for the ninth year and will be appearing on behalf of the Roger Federer Foundation.

RAFAEL NADAL

Two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal is returning to Arthur Ashe Kids' Day for the seventh time, having first participated in 2005. Currently ranked No. 9 in the world, Nadal has won a staggering 14 Grand Slam titles throughout his career, including the 2010 and 2013 US Open. Since turning pro in 2001, he has collected 67 titles overall and more than $72 million in prize money. The Spaniard has also thrived on representing his country, winning a gold medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and leading Spain to four Davis Cup titles, most recently in 2011. Nadal is known as perhaps the greatest clay court player of all time. His win at the 2014 French Open made him the only male player to win a single Grand Slam nine times and the first to win at least one Grand Slam for 10 consecutive years. Nadal is also a three-time recipient of the ATP Player of the Year award and was selected as the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year in 2011 for this work with the Rafa Nadal Foundation.  

MARIN CILIC

World No. 9 and defending US Open champion Marin Cilic thrust himself into the spotlight by winning his first Grand Slam title at last year’s tournament. The 26-year-old has won 13 singles titles and collected over $11 million in prize money throughout his career. As a junior player, he also won the French Open boys’ singles title in 2005 and finished that year ranked No. 2 in the ITF junior rankings. This is his first appearance at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.

MADISON KEYS

World No. 19 Madison Keys made her first major splash at this year's Australian Open by reaching the semifinals. Tipped as  a future Grand Slam champion by Serena Williams, the 20-year-old followed up that result by reaching the quarterfinals this summer at Wimbledon. She is currently coached by former world No. 1 and US Open champion Lindsay Davenport. This is her first appearance at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.

ALESSIA CARA

There’s a new breed of pop star seizing hold of the world's airwaves and online. 18-year-old Canadian Italian Alessia Cara is riding the refrains of her ironic anthem, “Here,” which garnered over 500,000 total streams in its first week. Cowritten by Sebastian Kole, the song is unapologetically autobiographical: “‘Here’ is a true story,” Alessia confesses. “It’s a party song, but really it’s the complete opposite of a party song. It’s absolutely me; it shouts out the person in the corner of the party, looking around uncomfortably. I feel like this song narrates what the wallflower is thinking.” With a larger-than-life voice; Alessia is dazzlingly chameleonlike, boasting the kind of versatility that makes Rihanna such a force. “Def Jam got what I am trying to do: I want my music to be cool and reflective of my influences–Drake, Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran–but still new. I didn’t expect everything to feel so natural and organic. And I can’t believe how quickly it’s going.”

FOREVER IN YOUR MIND

Forever In Your Mind is a trio pop band comprised of Emery Kelly, 17, Ricky Garcia, 16, and Liam Attridge, 16. The boys are currently signed with Disney and have a show developing around the band. Ricky also stars in the new series “Best Friends Whenever.” Their current single “Sweet Little Something” was recently the #1 song on Radio Disney.

FIYM has toured alongside Fifth Harmony, Jesse McCartney, bringing their young uplifting melodic sound to audiences. They are currently recording their debut album, due for release late 2015.  Emery and Ricky met on X Factor USA, and were put together by Simon Cowell. After the show finished, Emery’s cousin Liam was added to the group.

Emery has guest starred on Disney’s Emmy-nominated “Dog With A Blog”, and Ricky has appeared on “Girl Meets World”. The band perform the theme song to Disney’s new show “Best Friends Whenever” written by Lindy Robbins and Mitch Ryan.

CARSON LUEDERS

The music of fourteen-year-old Carson Lueders is being heard by thousands of people around the world every day and his fanbase is rapidly growing. Carson has already won over many key players in the music industry, spending time in Los Angeles meeting and recording with award winning songwriters and producers who have worked with Justin Bieber, Cody Simpson and Miley Cyrus. Carson is currently working on original music, releasing music videos and planning his debut EP or album for release soon. He’s has caught the attention of great artists such as country singer Keith Urban, pop stars Cody Simpson and Matthew West, and worship singers Matt Maher and Jamie Grace. He feels honored by their compliments and special shout-outs for his cover videos The combination of Carson's God-given talents and an incredibly skilled team of industry leaders is sure to take him straight to the top.

SWEET SUSPENSE

Sweet Suspense is an all-girl trio, originally formed by Simon Cowell on The X-Factor, consisting of Millie Thrasher, Summer Reign and Bryana Salaz. Managed by Sweety High, the band's first single, 'Here We Go Again', received heavy rotation on Radio Disney and broke the Top 5. The group wrapped a successful national tour for Macy's in the spring of 2015 and performed at the Radio Disney Music Awards 2015 pre-show. Currently, the band is touring the U.S. on the PopNation Summer Tour 2015.

JENA ROSE RAPHAEL

Described as a child prodigy by some of the top names in the music industry, 14-year-old Jena Rose Raphael is a singer/songwriter from Plano, Texas. With a natural gift for music and a unique indie-pop style, she’s been featured on red carpets at the Grammys, Teen Choice Awards, New York Fashion Week, Fashion Rocks and American Music Awards. As a United Nations youth music ambassador Jena’s devoted her life to writing music with an inspiring message and working to effect change for the better. Her new single “Take a Breath” is dedicated to those facing adversity and the music video has received over 100,000 views. Labeled as one of the most gifted artists by Sony Music Publishing Vice President Walter Jones, Jena’s performances continue to attract listeners at premier venues such as the House of Blues, American Airlines Center, Hard Rock Café, Six Flags, World Peace Day, The New York City Marathon and MTV's Fashion for Charity event.