The guys began work on the new album by going down to the Bahamas for two weeks where they could really concentrate on music,uninterrupted by friends and family members.For Black & Blue,the boys again turned to Swedish producer Max Martin,but also worked with hit makers Rodney Jerkins and Babyface.BSB thought long and hard about what to name the new album until Brian finally came up with Black & Blue during a photo shoot when the guys had on Black outfits with a blue backdrop behind them. "Brian explained, 'You know what?A lot of critics out there are constantly throwing daggers at us,and every once in a while we get beaten down,but we're still staying around," remembers Howie. "We thought that was kind of cool."
Putting together the new album certainly kept them busy,but it wasn't all work and no play.The guys each had things they wanted to pursue during their time off.
For Kevin Richardon and Brian Littrell,that meant marrying their long time girlfriends.Nick Carter began managing a Florida rock Band called Born into Chaos.Howie performed some latin - flavored color concerts to raise money for his lupus foundation.A.J. Mclean toured solos as Johnny No Name,performing rock to benefit VH1's Save the Music.
Here's hoping the guys enjoyed their time off,because lately the Backstreet Boys have been busy as ever.They're starting their own record label,in conjuction with their new management company,and have selected their first artist,an 18-year-old singer-songwriter named Krystal.And on January 23 in Fort Lauderdale,Florida,they plan to launch a world tour.After eight weeks in North America,the guys will get a two-week break before heading off to SouthEast Asia,Astrualia,Europe,and South America.Then they'll return to the States for another six-week run before wrapping it up in November or December.
"It's finally going to be a true world tour," says A.J. "We've been saying we were going to do a world tour for the last two years,but we end up hitting the U.S.,Canada and Europe,and that's about as far as we go.This time,we're taking this tour the whole way around the world."
The guys will hit the road with a new sense of peace and a bond that can't be broken. "All of us have grown a lot," says Howie. "We're even tighter than ever."
Perhaps it's fitting that the first single off the Backstreet Boys' album is called "Shape Of My Heart." After all,who wouldn't love to know more about these cuties' hearts-and how to win them.Sure,Kevin and Brian are now off the market.But fess up,girls.It hasn't made the Backstreet Boys any less desirable,has it?Wanna know if you've got what it takes to be the next Mrs.Backstreet Boy?Then check out what they really look for in a girl.
For all of you readers out there who think that guys as super succesful as the Backstreet Boys would only be into supermodel types,Nick says it ain't so.He's most attracted to girls with brown hair,but says, "It really doesn't matter to me as long as they have a good personality and they are really,really nice." Sure,there are plenty of nice girls out there for him to choose from,but there's one more thing that Nick says he needs:"Basically someone who can put up with my crazy schedule."
Making a relationship work while being on the road so much isn't easy.Just ask Brian.He met actress Leighanne Wallace in 1997 when she was an extra in the BSB video "As Long As You Love Me." Brian actually seen a headshot of Leighanne before she arrived on the set,and was anxious to meet her."It's one thing to see a picture and to think someone is pretty," he says, "but for them to also be intelligent and to be as driven as she is,that's important." Despite being apart frequently due to the guys' hectic work schedule,Brian and Leighanne managed to make their relationship last.The two tied the knot September 2 in Atlanta.
Kevin also got married,On June 17,to his longtime girlfriend,actress/dancer Kristen Willits. "We've been through a lot together, "he says, "but she knew me when I was a Ninja Turtle.I met her in the cafeteria at Walt Disney World.We were both working there." For Kevin,being with someone who has common interests-like working in the entertainment industry-was important."Being in this business,she definitely has an appreciation for it.You need someone who can understand a lot," he explains.
For Howie,a girl's attitude is everything. "I like someone who is always looking things in a positive way,someone who knows what she wants in lifeand how to go about getting it," he explains.
So what does a totally unique guy like A.J. look for in a girl?"Someone who's spontaneous and outgoing,with a good personality," he says.It's no surprise that someone as offbeat as A.J. is looking for a girl who's also a bit unpredictable.But ask any of your guy friends and they'll tell you they dig girls who are willing to try new things.In fact,despite their wealth and fame,the Backstreet Boys seem to be looking for the same things that most guys are.And it's not being super skinny or having a large chest.
"I've dated girls who might not have been attractive," says Nick, "but they were just as kind and as sweethearted as anybody." It's nice to know that it's genuine qualities like these that really catch a Backstreet Boy's eye.
