By: Katrina King; FOX19.com

I've been East and I've been West- the one thing I always say is that Ohio has the best guys . Jeff Timmons, one of the founding members of 98º, is no exception.

The down-to-earth Timmons should be a role-model for pop-stars . If I hadn't been such a big fan of 98º, I would have never guessed this man had experienced the fame and success that he has. Timmons greeted me with a warm smile and a comforting hand-shake that calmed my frazzled nerves.

Timmons who has been out of the spotlight for nearly two years gave me the 411 on how he's been spending his time. The boy band hunk is now a husband and a father of two. He and his family live in house outside of L.A., but I could tell the fast-paced L.A. life hasn't changed this Ohio native. He smiled often and talked humbly of his new life.

He met and started dating his wife just before 98º took off. " I was picking up my sister at a tanning salon and (she) was working there," said Timmons, " I asked her out on a date and I took her to Denny's, I'm not joking, my wife says that's one of our best dates." ( Note: Girls- next time that hunky guy asks you out to McDonald's GO! You never know.. he could be an international super-star in the works)

Like 98º band- mate Nick Lachey who has a solo album on the horizon, Timmons has also made a solo album entitled " Whisper That Way ." However, unlike Lachey, Timmons decided to produce an album on his own in his home studio.

There are a  few reasons why Timmons took the road-less-traveled in releasing an album on his own, but the biggest reason the "wanted to keep creative control, it would be nice to have the finance that a big record label would bring however I'm controling my own image," said Timmons.

Timmons says his sound and genre isn't much different than 98º,  however what sets apart Timmons' album from 98º' records and scores of other "pop" albums, ut is that Timmons has expirenced every lyric on the album. " Every single lyric came from my heart, it is a diary on record."

Timmons classifies his music as R&B/ adult.  After sampling "Whisper that way," I'd have to agree. If you are looking for a club jam you won't find it on this album; however, if you are looking for a relaxing, feel good album this one is choice. I recommend dimming the lights, lighting a few candles and hop into a bubble bath.

As of right now the only way to obtain Timmons very first solo cd is through his website . Timmons is planning on doing a very grass-roots tour to promote the album starting in September. "Just me and my buddies, I'm going to drive a winnebago myself and reach my fans one by one, one to one," says Timmons.

For those of you who may not know who Jeff Timmons is here is a "Katrina's pop-short notes lesson" for you:

• He is a member of the boy-band 98*, which includes, Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, and Justin Jeffre.
• In tradition with all boy-band labels-- he is also known as the "cute-one."
• 98º  is best known for such hit songs as "Invisible Man," (my all-time favorite song), "I do," "Hardest Thing,", and "Una Noche" to name a few... (Call me I can hum the songs for you if you still don't recognize the group.)
• Every member of 98º is from Ohio, Nick, Drew, and Justin are from Cincinnati, Jeff is from Massilon, Ohio.