The Story of the Backstreet Boys

    Welcome to the musical tale of two cities...cities which no longer contain the soulful, harmonizing hip-hop talent of five of their most gifted sons. Everyone listen up because BACKSTREEET BOYS are about to define 1998. City number one, Lexington, Kentucky, home of cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell. From musical families, Kevin and Brian were heavily involved in state and regional church choirs as well as the local entertainment scene. During family visits they harmonized classic doowop hits, traditional Barber Shop Quartet tunes and the contemporary hits of their biggest influences, Boyz II Men, Shai, and Jodeci. By the time they reached their teens, the boys knew they had something going on. City number two, Orlando, Florida. A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter saw each other at auditions all the time. They were solo performers with solid credentials in musical theater, commercials, television and film, and as they sat around waiting to audition for new projects, they'd find themselves harmonizing an old Temptations hit, or somebody they just heard on the radio.

    After awhile, the a cappela singing took on a life of its own. Back in Lexington, disillusioned by his work wiht a local Top 40 cover band, Kevin decided to go down to Orlando on a whim. He left for Florida that very day, had a job as a tour guide in Disney World the following week, and devoted the bulk of his time to becoming a professional singer-songwriter. Kevin heard about "those guys who harmonize all the time" from a co-worker who arranged for an introduction. He was riveted by the a cappella harmonies he heard the night he met Nick, Howie and A.J., and was impressed by their dance floor maneuvers. Why not team up? they all thought at once. The die was cast, and all they needed now was one more member to fill out the sound. First thing in the morning, Kevin phoned his cousin Brian in Lexington, had him called out of class, and told him about the three singers he'd met the night before. Next day, Brian hopped a plane headed to Florida, moved in with Kevin and helped the boys name themsleves after Orlando's landmark, Backstreet Market. People were amazed at the a capella harmonies Backstreet Boys could create at the drop of a hat. No musical instruments or engineering wizardry were required for this group to create vocal magic and moods. Honest, energy and heart-wrenching harmonies characterize Backstreet Boys self-titled debut album. Your heartstrings will hip-hop. rock, swing and ache from total involvment in the Backstreet Boys experience!