Sex in the snow

Sizzling soap studs heat up Winterlude

Being sexy soap stars hasn't hurt the popularity of pop group 3 Deep.

They're taking their new found fame in stride and soaking up all the sudsy adoration from their fans.

"I love the attention," confesses Joshua Morrow, also recognized as the hunky Nicholas Newman on The Young and the Restless.

"I actually kind of feast off it. It's adrenaline pumping."

He admits being adored by hundreds of giggling teens is better than, oh say, "being president of slobland."

Those sentiments are seconded by fellow band member, and the only Canuck in the group -- Chris Jacob (CJ) Huyer.

"Ya, they're pretty intense fans," says Huyer, in a phone call from his new home in L.A. "It's a great feeling being able to be on stage and have that much acceptance."

It's a feeling that comes naturally to the singer who first started out in the entertainment industry as a solo artist.

But when he met Morrow, who was on a press tour for Y & R, their common love of music and sports connected them instantly.

They became friends and eventually partners joining up with Morrow's acting buddy, Eddie Cibrian of Sunset Beach fame. "3 Deep is based on a love for music we all share," says Huyer.

They are able to use their music as a creative outlet, boasting 80% of the songs 3 Deep has in its collection are written by the group.

"It's very important for us to be involved in the writing," says Huyer. "It's more personal and allows us to have ... hands-on experience."

With Huyer at the piano, the three combine their life experiences and musical tastes to create songs that convey their emotions.

"It's like our song, Into You, it was based on being away from someone your really care for and can't be together with," he says.

With the momentum of their CD taking off in Canada, they are preparing for its European release in April and cracking into the U.S. market before summer.

And that means that both Morrow and Cibrian may have to make changes to their acting schedules. For now they are content in fitting their musical career around their soap gigs.

"The acting career will always be my first and foremost priority," says Morrow. "I've been on the show (Y & R) for 4 1/2 years and it's the greatest thing that ever happened in my life."

His goal is to keep his two jobs separate and avoid any grey areas where they may overlap -- so don't expect Nicholas to serenade Sharon on Y & R anytime soon. "We've found a way that both can coexist," says Morrow.

He does concede that with his contract up for renewal he may start negotiations for a small leave of absence enabling the group the time to possibly tour.

Tour or no tour, these three chiseled hunks aren't out of the public eye.

Fans of the group will be able to check out the group's act first hand Saturday night on Parliament Hill as MuchMusic's Electric Circus rolls into town for their annual live broadcast from Winterlude.

"I've never experienced it (Winterlude) first hand, but I hear it's just a great big party," says Morrow, speaking from CBS's L.A. lot.

The band will perform two songs from their CD yes yes yes ... no no no: Into You and Never Gonna Give Up.

Be ready for some hearts and snow to melt during the show.