Pack your bags and prepare to hitch a ride, because season 3 of Making the Band 4 is going where no season has gone before — on the road! And you’ll get to see just what it takes to put on an eye-popping concert night after night. It’s like having an all-access backstage pass!

Premiers August 19th at 9PM ET/PT on MTV.

News flash! Diddy has finally named the Making the Band 4 group as Day 26. Not sure the meaning behind it yet, but I’ll get to the bottom of it.

*Update*
The name comes from the date the group was announced: August 26, 2007. Day 26′s first single is entitled “Got Me Going,” and can be heard on the bands new MySpace page.

Season 2 of Making the Band 4 premiers tonight, and bandmates Michael, Robert, Brian, Willie and Qwanell and surprise solo winner Donnie are back together, ready to begin their journeys in the music industry and record their debut albums.

Yup, the Making the Band 4 guys are reuniting with Diddy and moving back into the penthouse. But there’s a twist … platinum-selling all-female pop group Danity Kane, winners of Making the Band 3, are joining the guys in the house while working on their new album! And Diddy wants to see who will finish first.

Season 2 of Making the Band 4 pits guys against girls, fresh faces vs. established artists to see who will be the first to complete their album. And, as if that isn’t enough reason to glue your eyeballs to the screen, Diddy is sure to throw them a few curveballs and there will definitely be some high voltage hookups, fiery feuds and intense infighting.

Will the guys be able to stay focused on the task at hand with the five lovely ladies of Danity Kane occupying the same space? The competition is going to be fierce, but Diddy’s protégés are ready to go full throttle into superstar mode. So, buckle up and prepare for impact, ’cause it’s time for another exciting season of Making the Band!

Show Time: MTV 10PM ET/PT, January 28th

Diddy’s decision to leave the season finale of Making the Band 4 as a cliffhanger was pure genius. I’ve literally been waiting weeks for this night. The live finale at Times Square in New York City was filled with anticipation and excitement from live fans and home viewers alike. I really hoped no one missed the show, because the selection of the final group was definitely intense.

To start off the evening, the ten finalists sang Boyz II Men’s classic hit song, “End of the Road” while looking really clean cut in their new fits. Immediately after, Diddy made his first cut from the group. I was hoping he’d cut Dyshon, my least favorite of the finalists and he did. Perfect choice in my opinion because he gave off a really cocky vibe, and wasn’t a team player.

The nine remaining finalists then sang a powerful ballad rendition of “Exclusive” (the Making the Band 4 theme song). The musical arrangement was beautiful. The first to sing was DeAngelo, followed by Qwanell, Robert and Willie. All of the guys sang at some point, individually and together, while Donnie added a sweet touch with his piano skills. They really turned Brian Cox’s hip-hop song into something amazingly powerful.

The next cut by Diddy would be Brian H. Although he has a beautiful voice, he didn’t quite fit into the group either since he was a little more reserved than the others. Hopefully, he’ll make it as a solo artist.

The original plan was a four member group, but in a live decision between Diddy and Michael Bivens, they decided since it’s going to be the “biggest group in the world, it may as well be a five man group.” One by one Diddy names the guys that would be making up the new Bad Boy band and they are:

Robert, Willie, Qwanell, Brian A. and “sexy” Mike who lost over 50 lbs. in this competition.

I was a bit disappointed at this point, because Donnie (one of my favorites) wasn’t selected. But in a surprise twist of things, Diddy announces that there’s an artist who didn’t make it because of a solo deal he’s getting with Bad Boy. And guess what – it’s Donnie! Smart move, because if Diddy didn’t sign him to Bad Boy, some other record label would’ve picked him up quick style. He’s got amazing swagger that the girls can’t seem to get enough of – just ask Tami and the other bazillion girls that voted for him online and made him the number one fan favorite.

Can’t wait for the next season as Diddy shows the final five and Donnie making their albums. Don’t miss the Making the Band 4 Finale After Show on MTV Overdrive.

After the mega success of all-girl group Danity Kane, Diddy came back and scoured the country for the best male performers for Making the Band 4. This new all-guy group would be a set of superstars who are ready, willing and — most importantly — able to skyrocket to the top of the charts.

After auditioning thousands of potential superstars in various cities across the country, the field has narrowed to 10 Making the Band hopefuls. No one is sure how big the group will be. Some are guessing four members since most R&B male groups tend to made from this combo — think Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge, and Shai. I’m thinking Diddy’s going to pick five members for this group though, so almost every one of them are so damn talented.

Helping every step of the way is Diddy’s Making the Band “dream team.” The dream team is comprised of New Edition’s Michael Bivins, Grammy-winning producer Bryan Cox, R&B singer Joe, A&R manager Slam, vocal coach Ankh Ra.

So who would my Making the Band 4 “dream team” be?

Mike

Mike teaches dancing, and he hopes to one day be able to help others realize their dreams. Raised on rich Southern food, he has always struggled with his weight but managed to lose 40 pounds during the competition.

Willie

Willie makes a living as a full-time singer, songwriter and arranger. While in NYC, he missed his girlfriend and son, but he’s hungry for success and stayed in the competition so that his son will look up to him.

Robert

Armed with confidence and swagger, Robert has shown that he can tone things down and blend well with others. His voice is unique, but his turbulent personal life sometimes interferes with his work with the group.

Donnie

Music is the most important thing in Donnie’s life. Throughout the competition, he has proven just how adaptable he is. A performer at heart, he is his own worst critic and constantly pushes himself to improve.

These guys are my top four. They got the talent and the looks. If it’s going to be five, I’ll throw in either Brian A. (for his passion), Jeremy (for his vocal talent) or Qwanell (for his goofiness).

Brian A.

Before MTB4, Brian worked at a doggie daycare, walking and bathing pups. Married with two kids, he deeply cares for his family. His biggest weakness is his temper, which has led to confrontations with other cast members.

Jeremy

Before MTB4, Jeremy was planning on becoming an anesthesiologist. But his grandmother has toured the world, and he’d rather follow in her footsteps. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.

Qwanell

Qwanell gave up a college scholarship for a chance at making the band. His father passed away when he was four, but his mom and grandmother have always supported him. He hopes to make them proud by becoming a star.

Don’t agree with my choices? Then head over to MTV and vote. Just don’t pick Dyshon please! He’s gotta be the most arrogant and annoying guy in the group.

Live Season Finale Airs Sunday, August 26 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT!