nice Brian article
Nov. 19th, 2006 03:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
erilynBecause he was older than band mate Nick Carter, Littrell often found himself playing a big brother role, "keeping him under my wing." While Carter often experienced the growing pains of many young artists, Littrell says his reality show, "House of Carters," has been a great wake-up call. "He's able to get out of his own bubble and see how he's acting...I think it's helping him find a better side of life, rather than a negative side."
Son Baylee enjoys being with Carter and the rest of the gang and, often, asks to see them when dad goes to the recording studio. "When I did the solo album, he couldn't understand why the rest of the Boys wouldn't be there."
From http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/11/17/entertainment/local/25558138cd2157ef86257228007841e8.txt
Back to his roots, by Bruce R. Miller
From Backstreet Boy to Christian artist?
"People have questioned the move," says Brian Littrell, "but if you know me it's something I've always wanted...even before I got in the Backstreet Boys."
Littrell even won a four-year vocal scholarship to Cincinnati Bible College and expected he'd be doing something in youth ministry before the Backstreet Boys came knocking.
Then, cousin Kevin Richardson called and asked him to be in this little group that was working in Orlando, Fla.
"I thought, well, I'll give it a try for a year or two. Here we are, fast forward, 14 years later."
A good move? "We've touched a lot of lives. God has multiplied my audience. And I'm using his gift to reach people."
Even during the Boys' mega-selling heyday, Littrell was able to send a message.
Remember "The Perfect Fan" -- a song most thought was a tribute to the Backstreet moms? It included a second verse that said "God has been so good with blessing me with the family who did all they could."
"It was my way of saying God has always been my compass," Littrell says.
And Christian music? It has always been a part of the singer's life. He was weaned on artists like Sandi Patty and Larnell Harris. He figured their path would one day be his, too.
Now, he's taking that side road while the Backstreet Boys are on a break. His first Christian album, "Welcome Home," got great reviews and prompted the latest tour -- one that will bring him to the Orpheum Theatre Saturday. Littrell says he'll still reference his "other" gig at the concert. But this time, he'll be able to get closer to the fans.
"When we were doing the Black and Blue tour we were so detached from the audience it wasn't even like we were in the same place. I don't like that. I prefer 500, 600 people to 70,000 in the Georgia Dome."
That intimacy enables him to talk about his faith, his family (his soon-to-be 4-year-old son Baylee, by the way, sings on key) and the way he has been able to stay grounded in an industry not known for stability.
"I learned a lot from those situations," he says of pop music's trappings. "If you talk to my mom, she would tell you the same thing. I always gave it my all to keep my head screwed on straight. I realized there were more important things in life and I tried to establish a life outside the Backstreet Boys. There were times at the height of my career when I wanted to hide in my hotel room and not be seen. Now, when I look back, I'm happy with who God has allowed me to be. The successes don't determine who I am as a person. My family does."
Being a father to Baylee and a husband to Leighanne is key. "I don't look forward to the temper tantrums and the things that will come with being a teenager, but I do know it's important to nurture him and support him with what he wants to do."
Because he was older than band mate Nick Carter, Littrell often found himself playing a big brother role, "keeping him under my wing." While Carter often experienced the growing pains of many young artists, Littrell says his reality show, "House of Carters," has been a great wake-up call. "He's able to get out of his own bubble and see how he's acting...I think it's helping him find a better side of life, rather than a negative side."
Son Baylee enjoys being with Carter and the rest of the gang and, often, asks to see them when dad goes to the recording studio. "When I did the solo album, he couldn't understand why the rest of the Boys wouldn't be there."
Now, that's changing, too.
Richardson has left the group and won't be replaced, Littrell says. "We made a statement in our career, 'We won't replace anyone.'"
Instead, the four have recorded seven songs for a new album and expect to be back in the hit hunt next year.
"The pop scene has changed. Music television has changed," Littrell says. But the Backstreet Boys have changed.
"It's an evolution," Littrell says. "What I like about our career is that we've had wonderful songs that stick with people...and I enjoy singing them. I just never knew I'd be singing 'Quit Playing Games' for a dozen years on stage." He laughs.
While some thought the Boys retired several years ago, they just didn't tour as extensively in the United States with "Never Gone." Europe has always been more Boy-friendly than the United States.
"In the beginning, we would travel all over Europe and there would be screaming fans at airports. When we came home, nobody knew who the Backstreet Boys were. We used to call the U.S. 'No fan land.'"
Then, in the mid-'90s, they hit on home turf and realized life was never going to be the same again.
"There may come a day when the Backstreet Boys say, 'Hey, we're finished,' but that's not now. Our goal 14 years ago was to end up like the Eagles or the Beach Boys." Instead, they wound up the Backstreet Boys, a group "that didn't need parental discretion stickers or monitoring by parents. It's quality that parents can enjoy with their children."
When the day comes, Littrell figures he'll kick that Christian career in high gear.
He might even go back to school.
"It really depends on how and when my life slows down," he says. "Teachers -- and my mom and dad -- were my heroes when I was growing up. Not professional athletes and singers. I would love the chance to pursue something else."
Son Baylee enjoys being with Carter and the rest of the gang and, often, asks to see them when dad goes to the recording studio. "When I did the solo album, he couldn't understand why the rest of the Boys wouldn't be there."
From http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/11/17/entertainment/local/25558138cd2157ef86257228007841e8.txt
Back to his roots, by Bruce R. Miller
From Backstreet Boy to Christian artist?
"People have questioned the move," says Brian Littrell, "but if you know me it's something I've always wanted...even before I got in the Backstreet Boys."
Littrell even won a four-year vocal scholarship to Cincinnati Bible College and expected he'd be doing something in youth ministry before the Backstreet Boys came knocking.
Then, cousin Kevin Richardson called and asked him to be in this little group that was working in Orlando, Fla.
"I thought, well, I'll give it a try for a year or two. Here we are, fast forward, 14 years later."
A good move? "We've touched a lot of lives. God has multiplied my audience. And I'm using his gift to reach people."
Even during the Boys' mega-selling heyday, Littrell was able to send a message.
Remember "The Perfect Fan" -- a song most thought was a tribute to the Backstreet moms? It included a second verse that said "God has been so good with blessing me with the family who did all they could."
"It was my way of saying God has always been my compass," Littrell says.
And Christian music? It has always been a part of the singer's life. He was weaned on artists like Sandi Patty and Larnell Harris. He figured their path would one day be his, too.
Now, he's taking that side road while the Backstreet Boys are on a break. His first Christian album, "Welcome Home," got great reviews and prompted the latest tour -- one that will bring him to the Orpheum Theatre Saturday. Littrell says he'll still reference his "other" gig at the concert. But this time, he'll be able to get closer to the fans.
"When we were doing the Black and Blue tour we were so detached from the audience it wasn't even like we were in the same place. I don't like that. I prefer 500, 600 people to 70,000 in the Georgia Dome."
That intimacy enables him to talk about his faith, his family (his soon-to-be 4-year-old son Baylee, by the way, sings on key) and the way he has been able to stay grounded in an industry not known for stability.
"I learned a lot from those situations," he says of pop music's trappings. "If you talk to my mom, she would tell you the same thing. I always gave it my all to keep my head screwed on straight. I realized there were more important things in life and I tried to establish a life outside the Backstreet Boys. There were times at the height of my career when I wanted to hide in my hotel room and not be seen. Now, when I look back, I'm happy with who God has allowed me to be. The successes don't determine who I am as a person. My family does."
Being a father to Baylee and a husband to Leighanne is key. "I don't look forward to the temper tantrums and the things that will come with being a teenager, but I do know it's important to nurture him and support him with what he wants to do."
Because he was older than band mate Nick Carter, Littrell often found himself playing a big brother role, "keeping him under my wing." While Carter often experienced the growing pains of many young artists, Littrell says his reality show, "House of Carters," has been a great wake-up call. "He's able to get out of his own bubble and see how he's acting...I think it's helping him find a better side of life, rather than a negative side."
Son Baylee enjoys being with Carter and the rest of the gang and, often, asks to see them when dad goes to the recording studio. "When I did the solo album, he couldn't understand why the rest of the Boys wouldn't be there."
Now, that's changing, too.
Richardson has left the group and won't be replaced, Littrell says. "We made a statement in our career, 'We won't replace anyone.'"
Instead, the four have recorded seven songs for a new album and expect to be back in the hit hunt next year.
"The pop scene has changed. Music television has changed," Littrell says. But the Backstreet Boys have changed.
"It's an evolution," Littrell says. "What I like about our career is that we've had wonderful songs that stick with people...and I enjoy singing them. I just never knew I'd be singing 'Quit Playing Games' for a dozen years on stage." He laughs.
While some thought the Boys retired several years ago, they just didn't tour as extensively in the United States with "Never Gone." Europe has always been more Boy-friendly than the United States.
"In the beginning, we would travel all over Europe and there would be screaming fans at airports. When we came home, nobody knew who the Backstreet Boys were. We used to call the U.S. 'No fan land.'"
Then, in the mid-'90s, they hit on home turf and realized life was never going to be the same again.
"There may come a day when the Backstreet Boys say, 'Hey, we're finished,' but that's not now. Our goal 14 years ago was to end up like the Eagles or the Beach Boys." Instead, they wound up the Backstreet Boys, a group "that didn't need parental discretion stickers or monitoring by parents. It's quality that parents can enjoy with their children."
When the day comes, Littrell figures he'll kick that Christian career in high gear.
He might even go back to school.
"It really depends on how and when my life slows down," he says. "Teachers -- and my mom and dad -- were my heroes when I was growing up. Not professional athletes and singers. I would love the chance to pursue something else."
