Dream Street
| Company type | Boy band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Louis Baldonieri, Brian Lukow |
| Defunct | 2002 (initial breakup) |
| Fate | Ceased activities due to legal conflicts; revived in 2023 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Dream Street is a pop boy band from the United States, established in 1999 by producers Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow. The group ceased activities in 2002 following legal conflicts between the band members’ parents and the management team. In 2023, Dream Street was revived with original members Greg Raposo, Frankie J. Galasso, and Matt Ballinger rejoining.
Origins and first album
Conceived by Baldonieri and Lukow, the ensemble initially named 'Boy Wonder' consisted of boys aged between 12 and 14, recruited from New York’s Broadway and acting circles, including former The Broadway Kids participants Greg Raposo and Chris Trousdale. The lineup soon changed to include Matt Ballinger, Frankie J. Galasso, and Jesse McCartney, forming the rebranded group "Dream Street," a name inspired by Lukow and Baldonieri’s recording studio in New York.[1]
Their debut album, titled Dream Street, was launched on July 10, 2001, earning RIAA Gold status in the United States. It topped Billboard’s Independent Albums chart and reached number 37 on the Billboard 200. Songs such as "It Happens Every Time" and "I Say Yeah" received extensive airplay on Radio Disney. The band also contributed tracks to soundtracks for Pokémon the Movie 2000 and The Little Vampire. Their television appearances included a guest spot on ABC’s All My Children, and in 2002 they released the soundtrack for the movie The Biggest Fan.
Band breakup and 2020 tribute
In mid-2002, a lawsuit was filed by the parents of the band members against Baldonieri and Lukow, accusing them of exposing minors to inappropriate adult situations. Although some members wished to continue as a trio, contractual restrictions involving Trousdale prevented this from happening. The court sided with the parents, resulting in members being freed from their contracts in August 2002. Plans for a new lineup featuring Trousdale did not come to fruition.
Following the breakup, Edel Entertainment terminated its US distribution deals, leaving Dream Street’s master recordings without an official distributor. In 2017, Lukow gained full control of these masters via All For One Media and began producing a documentary titled The Rise and Fall of Dream Street, which includes rare footage and interviews.
On June 11, 2020, Ballinger, Galasso, McCartney, and Raposo reunited virtually to perform "It Happens Every Time" as a tribute to Trousdale after his passing.
Revival in 2023
In April 2023, Raposo, Ballinger, and Galasso appeared together on Lance Bass’s podcast Frosted Tips with Lance Bass. By May, Raposo shared previews of new Dream Street music being developed. On June 11, 2023—the date marking what would have been Trousdale’s 38th birthday—they released the single "Smile," with McCartney not participating due to his earlier exit from the group.[2] The official music video was released shortly thereafter.
Dream Street launched an official Instagram account in December 2023. Early in 2024, Ballinger and Raposo announced their involvement in the Pop2000 In Paradise music festival set for September–October 2024 in Mexico. On April 27, 2024, McCartney briefly reunited with the band during one of his New York City tour shows.
By June 2024, Galasso withdrew from the reunion effort, leaving Ballinger and Raposo as a duo.[3] In mid-2025, Dream Street served as opening act for British rock group BBMak at concerts held in Connecticut and New York City. Reports surfaced in August 2025 revealing that the duo is currently working on a new album.[4]
Post-break-up careers
- Matt Ballinger took on lead vocalist positions with bands such as The Juice (which dissolved in 2008) and is presently fronting Open Till Midnight. His acting portfolio includes appearances on television series like Law & Order and Bored to Death, as well as stage performances including The Sound of Music. In 2013, Ballinger married Danielle Manning and later participated in the Dream Street reunion.
- Frankie J. Galasso embarked on a solo music path, releasing tracks available on Amazon and iTunes. His acting credits encompass the film "A Tale of Two Pizzas" and the First National Tour of the musical Jersey Boys. Galasso returned for Dream Street’s 2023 revival but withdrew again in 2024.
- Jesse McCartney established a thriving solo career featuring four studio albums, several top-40 hits, and songwriting contributions such as Leona Lewis’s chart-topping single "Bleeding Love." His acting work includes roles on Disney Channel productions and voice roles in animation and video games. McCartney briefly reunited with Dream Street in April 2024.
- Greg Raposo maintained his musical pursuits through bands like "Raposo" and "Dead Celebrities," along with solo projects including a Kickstarter-backed album that reached number 40 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart. Additionally, he is active in real estate investments. Raposo also took part in Dream Street’s revival.
- Chris Trousdale continued to work in both music and acting after the group’s breakup but took hiatuses to focus on family. His television appearances include shows like Shake It Up, and he auditioned for The Voice. Trousdale passed away in June 2020 due to an illness that some sources identified as COVID-19.
Albums
| Year | Title | Details | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Dream Street |
|
|
| 2002 | The Biggest Fan |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Singles Sales | |||
| "It Happens Every Time" | 2000 | 48 | Dream Street |
| "I Say Yeah" | 2001 | — | |
| "With All My Heart" | 2002 | — | The Biggest Fan |
| "Smile" | 2023 | — |
Videography
| Title | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dream Street: Live in Concert |
|
Captured their debut live performance at the Criterion Theatre on December 17, 1999. This release was discontinued following the launch of Dream Street: Live. |
| Dream Street: Live |
|
The group’s sole official live concert video. |
| The Biggest Fan |
|
Although filmed in 2002, it was not released until 2005 due to the band’s breakup. |
External links
- Greg’s profile on ReverbNation
- Official website of Jesse
- Open Till Midnight (Matt’s Band) – Official webpage
- Claudia Swan’s page – Choreographer for Dream Street
- MTV interview featuring Jesse McCartney – Dream Street referenced
- Chris interviewed on Zang Radio
- Chris’s radio interview on WZRA TV
- Greg shares his favorite Dream Street moment – Fanvasion Exclusive (2011)
- 1999 establishments in New York (state)
- American boy bands
- American pop music groups
- Atlantic Records artists
- Columbia Records artists
- Jesse McCartney
- Musical groups disbanded in 2002
- Musical groups from New York (state)
- Musical groups formed in 1999
- Musical groups reunited in 2020
- Sony Music artists
- Teen pop groups
- Vocal quintets
- Musical groups disestablished in 2002