Menudo redux search launched in U.S.

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The search is on across the United States for members of the 21st Century version of the pioneering boy band Menudo.

Epic Records and Menudo Entertainment will select the band members and set them on the road to capturing the hearts of a new generation of teenyboppers. A series of auditions is expected to attract thousands of hopefuls.

"The biggest brand in Latin pop music over the last thirty years is Menudo," Epic President Charlie Welk said in a news release Monday. "We will now empower the public to help define the Menudo brand today ... to entertain audiences around the world with great music."

The project will culminate with a 10-episode MTV series on the new group that will air in fall 2007.