"Their music is all right," Dam says. "I don't think the songs will be among the hundred greatest songs of the 21st century. But it's not total fluff. It's more than just disposable pop."
Chiseled cheekbones and an artfully tousled mane might win fans initially, but only genuine ability will induce music lovers to buy a performer's albums after the initial rush of enthusiasm has faded.
"Being cute helps, but it's not enough," Dam says. "You definitely need talent, too. The Jonas Brothers are sincere about their musical tastes. They clearly have their own opinions and history, their own aesthetic."
For the briefcase set, though, fandom comes at a price.
"It's slightly weird that the youngest one is 15," Capps said. "I have a son who is older than both Nick and Joe. Grown women can get away with being fans of boy bands. If a man my age went to a Hannah Montana concert, people would think he was a pervert."
The group's adult fans strive to express their support in a dignified manner befitting their advanced years.
Burkert, for instance, owns a Jonas Brothers T-shirt in a children's size that she layers over another top.
"It looks like a baby tee on me," she says.
When she attends the concert tonight with her daughter and son, she is sure to sway along to the music. She might even click a portable lighter, but she draws the line at full-throttle screaming.
"I don't want to embarrass my children," she says. "I'm not ridiculous. I know my age."
mary.mccauley@baltsun.com
More than just a teen music act
It's easy to forget that some of the biggest stars in the history of American popular music initially were dismissed as teen acts.
* The Beatles. With their blunt-cup mop tops and such catchy, innocent tunes as "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," the Fab Four initially were considered a palatable, parent-approved alternative to the Rolling Stones.
* George Michael. Andrew Ridgeley was the heartthrob of the 1980s boy duo Wham!, but George Michael was the talent. After the group split up in 1986, Michael became a star on his own.
* Justin Timberlake. In the 1990s, Timberlake was one of the lead singers of the boy band 'N Sync. Timberlake's solo albums have sold more than 18 million copies and have won critical acclaim.
If you go
The Jonas Brothers will perform at 7 tonight at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Tickets are $47.50-$77.50. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.com.
