Even if he wasn't the oldest Backstreet Boy, Kevin would probalby still be the group member with the most take charge personality. From his days as a teenager singing in cover bands in his native Lexington, Kentucky, he's always been a very ambitious guy. Buy Kevin's more than just smart and resourceful, he's also a sentimental sould who knows what's really important. In fact, there are a lot of cherished secrets he hides deep in his heart."Until I was eight years old, I lived in Harrisburg in Mercer County, Kentucky on a farm," he says. "When "i was nine, we moved to a summer camp that my father managed--it was a church camp. I was fortunate to grow up there. I had tons of friends because every summer the camp was full of kids."
Childhood was a great time for Kevin. He learned to ride horses, played lots of sports and help his dad, Jerald, whenever he could. He also listened to music and learned to play piano. "I've played since I was nine years old," he explains. "I taught myself and I play by ear. My grandfather, my grandmother and all their brothers and sisters learned to play piano by ear. My whole family sings and stuff."
Growing up in a musical family, Kevin was exposed to lots of different genres--from the gospel-tinged hymns he sang in church to the traditional campfire songs he learned at his dad's camp. He was also influenced by the songs he heard on the radio. "I've always loved Prince's music," he says. "I like the Eagles, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Elton John, Billy Joel, Boyz II Men, New Edition--I have a really wide variety of musical tastes. I just love music, so it depends on what mood I'm in. I like rap. I like alternative. I like rock and coutry. I really like it all!"
Kevin's love of music and his desire to write and perform his own songs brought him to perform his own songs brought him to Orlando, Flordia soon after his high school graduation. It was there that he heard about Backstreet Boys and auditioned for the group. He was also responsible for bringing his cousin Brian into the group's stellar lineup.
These days, with Backstreet Boys succeeding beyond his most ambitious dreams, Kevin doesn't get home to Kentucky too much. But he makes a special effort to keep the home fires burning. "I got to surprise my mom for Mother's Day" with a visit, he explains. "I also got to go home for Christmas this year. Last year we worked through Chrismas. Every chance I get I try to see my family. I try to see them two or three times a year."
Although Kevin's dad passed away in 1991, he still carries around the memories of his father and his wonderful childhood everywhere he goes. "I always bring pictures of my family," he says about his world travels. "My father, my mother , my brothers and my Godbaby." And although participating in Backstreet Boys' rise to international fame has been the crowing achievement of his life, there is one thing he'd exchange it for. "The only (thing) i'd trade it in for is to have my dad back," he says.
Of course, Kevin's furure includes lots of new music with Backstreet Boys. Making people happy with his sweet singing is a dream come true. "I just want people to like our music. when they flip on the radio and hear one of our songs, hopefully it makes them bop around a little bit and smile and sing along," he says. "That's great. That's what we want."
On a more personal not, Kevin would eventally like to travel a little less so that having a relationship with a special someone could be a reality. "I don't want to be out on the road all my life," he says. "I want to have a family someday. Family is very important to me and, eventually, I'd like to haveone of my own. I don't think I could manage a family and be the kind of father I need to be when traveling out on the road."
But for now, Kevin's keeping his most treasured dreams hidden deep in his heart and is busy getting down to the business of making Backstreet Boys and even bigger success than they are today!