Students never thought it would be so simple, but Ohio University “Found a Way” to bring actor and musician Drake Bell to campus for a Welcome Weekend concert.
Bell, known for his starring role on Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh, will perform at OU’s Backyard Bash on Saturday, Aug. 24, with his band, Drake 24/7.
The band’s frontman has been a prominent children’s actor since the age of five, with his first appearance on the TV show Home Improvement. Aside from starring in Drake and Josh, Bell had a lead role on The Amanda Show and was the voice of Peter Parker in Disney XD’s animated TV series Ultimate Spider-Man.
He also starred in a three-movie Fairly Odd Parents series as Timmy Turner, with A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!; A Fairly Odd Christmas; and A Fairly Odd Summer.
Musically, Bell has been performing since the early 2000s. He co-wrote and performed the Drake and Josh theme song, “Found a Way,” and is also featured on the iCarly theme song, “Leave It All to Me.” Bell released his first album, Telegraph, in 2005 but gained more popularity with his second album, It’s Only Time, in 2006. It’s Only Time ranked 81st on the Billboard 200 and sold over 23,000 copies upon the first week of release.
Students are excited for the concert, not only to see Drake Bell live, but because it’s a great blast from the past that incites nostalgia in the best way.
Darian Dudzik, a junior studying integrated media, grew up loving Drake Bell and is excited to see him perform.
“He’s kind of on the down-low now, but to have someone who starred in one of my favorite shows as a kid show up in my town is pretty cool,” Dudzik said.
Oliver Runyon, a freshman studying musical theater, is excited to see someone who made it in the field he loves performing for the students.
“I’m pretty excited about Drake Bell coming to OU,” Runyon said. “I grew up watching Drake and Josh and Ultimate Spider-Man, two shows he really shines in, and I respect him for being important to me as a kid. Also, as a musical theater major, it’ll be cool to see a professional who is so into music and acting perform live.”
Here’s how students reacted on Twitter:
