Backstreet Boys secret visit in Sweden

Source: Aftonbladet

A.J. and Howie outside Cheiron Studio in Stockholm, Sweden Saturday May 20 2000 The photos on A.J. and Howie are taken by Maria Karlsson and Malin Björk

A.J. and Howie camed to Arlanda Airport around 14.00. They went direct to the Cherion Studio in the central of Stockholm to listen to some new songs. They warenīt there a long time, it was only 2 fans there. So after the meeting with the fans they went direct to Arlanda again. Itīs still unclear when they will come back to Stockholm to record the new album.

Teen People Hottie Results

The results from the Teen People's choice for hottest star was announced on the special. It was a tie between Brian and Justin Timberlake. Brian announced the winners and also congratulated Justin. Justin did the same too. While it was showing Justin, Chris (Nsync) said that Brian was a hottie.

Backstreet Boys And Others To Perform At Charity Event For Lupus

Source: Yahoo

(5/26/00, 4 p.m. ET) - Backstreet Boys Howie Dorough, his older sister Pollyanna, and several celebrity friends are set to perform at a charity concert event dubbed Lupus 2000. The event will take place at a dance club called The Groove, located within Universal Studios City Walk in Orlando, Florida, on June 25 from 6 to 10 p.m.

The event will benefit the Caroline Dorough Cochran Lupus Memorial Foundation. Dorough's sister Caroline died in 1998 from complications from the chronic disease, in which the immune system treats the body's own tissue as a foreign substance and produces antibodies to fight it.

Performers confirmed for the event include country singer John Michael Montgomery and fellow Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean, who will be on hand as his alter ego Johnny No Name, along with several surprise guests. Howie and Pollyanna will be performing their song "Fly to Heaven," which they hope to eventually release as a single. Ticket prices for the event will range from $75 for general admission to $200 for a Gold Star package. General admission includes participation in the silent auction, light appetizers, cash bar, and the show on the main floor at The Groove. The Gold Star package will include participation in the silent auction, appetizers, open bar, priority entrance, a VIP section, and interaction with Dorough and the other guests. The ticket sale date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed. For more information, email lupusinfo@net4u.net .

In other Backstreet news, Dorough and bandmates Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson recently visited the Bahamas to relax and begin writing and reviewing material submitted by various songwriters for their next album. The trio received their PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certifications while visiting Nassau.

-- Jason Gelman, New York

Backstreet Brawl

Source: The Globe June 6, 2000
All that this adoring Backstreet Boys fan wanted was an autograph and a kiss from band member AJ Mclean.

What she got instead was a nasty shove to the face and an over-the-top roughing up by her idol's burly bodyguards!

The Backstreet Brawl erupted when 22 year old AJ turned up for a personal appearance in Cologne, Germany.

Hundreds of the boy band's loyal followers showed up at the city square just to catch a glimpse of the leather-clad crooner, sporting sunglasses, a goatee and long sideburns.

One of them, an attractive brunette in tight jeans and a sexy black tank top, managed to break through Police barriers and get close to the music superstar -- too close for his bodyguards comfort.

"She was clutching a yellow autograph book in one hand and a blue pen in the other," an observer told Globe.

"At first everything seemed fine. AJ even smiled at the girl and took her pen to give her his autograph.

"But at that point, she put her arm around his neck and tried to draw him close to give him a kiss. That's when all hell broke loose.

"AJ put his arm up to prevent her from planting a kiss on him, and as soon as he did that one of his bodyguards- a brawny monster with fists like hams- shoved his hand at the girl's head to push her away.

"The guy's hand was so huge that it completely covered the girl's face. But she was a feisty one and she kept on wrestling with the big guy. It finally took him, two other security guys and a Policeman to drag her off."

The other members of the top-selling group, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Howie D. Dorough were enjoying some time off from what had been almost constant touring and recording and were not in Germany with AJ when the heated fan-handling went down.

After it was all over, the bullied brunette gave the brutes a piece of her mind.

"She was furious, " adds the observer, not with AJ but with his bodyguards. " "As they walked away, protectively surrounding AJ, she shouted at them, I just wanted an autograph and a kiss. What's the big deal about that?"

"One of the guards explained to me later what the trouble was. He said, "we have to treat anyone who comes close to our star as a big deal because, in this day and age, you never know which one has a pen in his hand and a gun or knife in his pocket."

When all's said and done they were just doing their jobs but it seemed bit much.

By:Neil Blincow

Source: Stuart Cove

Wednesday May 24, 10:11 am Eastern Time

Company Press Release

NASSAU, Bahamas--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 24, 2000--Three members of the Backstreet Boys -- presently recognized as the biggest pop group in the world -- made the most of recent recording session in the Bahamas by becoming certified scuba divers.

Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson received their PADI Open Water Scuba Certifications through Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean resort just south of Nassau. The trio, who proved to be ``underwater naturals'' according to instructors, were able to explore shallow shipwrecks, colorful coral reefs and even historic underwater sets used in the filming of several James Bond films.

``It was tough getting them out of the water once they discovered how comfortable and enjoyable scuba diving can be,'' said Michelle Cove, co-owner of the resort and the group's instructor. ``The looks on their faces after that first dive was so memorable, I don't think they'll ever forget it.''

During their certification dives, the three young divers logged time on the famous ``Bahama Mama'' shipwreck, clowned around on the underwater airplane wreck used in the James Bond film ``Thunderball'' and even had an encounter with a group of Caribbean Reef sharks. ``That was the highlight of the day when the sharks showed up,'' Cove recalls.

Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean resort, one of the premier scuba diving resorts in the world, is well-suited for high profile visitors. The resort's dive shop doubled as part of the set for the 1996 Paul Hogan film ``Flipper,'' staff members helped with the Ron Howard film ``Cocoon,'' and Cove served as a stunt double for the recent James Bond film, ``The World is Not Enough.''

For more information, visit the Stuart Cove Web site at www.stuartcove.com.

Source: Yahoo News / Reuters

Thanks to Backstreet.net reader IVY C for sending this in.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Veteran jazz-rock duo Steely Dan reveled in the years Monday when they picked up a lifetime achievement award at a music industry dinner.

One-time collaborator Michael McDonald dusted off two Steely Dan tunes, ``Peg'' and ``Pretzel Logic,'' for the black-tie audience at performing rights organization ASCAP's 17th annual Pop Awards ceremony.

However group members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, currently on tour in support of their first new album in almost 20 years, ``Two Against Nature,'' did not perform.

In receiving ASCAP's Founders Award, which recognizes a lifetime achievement in songwriting, Becker and Fagen followed in the footsteps of previous winners such as Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim and Smokey Robinson.

Fagen reminded the audience how he and Becker failed to make their mark as songwriters in the late 1960s before forming Steely Dan in 1972. He paid tribute to his influences -- ``a lot of blues, a lot of Dylan.''

Other performers included Christina Aguilera, who wowed the crowd with a soulful rendition of Etta James' ``At Last,'' and Jewel, who performed a brand new tune ``Break Me'' and her recent hit ``Hands.''

The ceremony, hosted by the American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers, honors songwriters whose works received the most performances during the survey period.

Swedish tunesmith Max Martin, one of the talents behind Britney Spears, 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys, was named songwriter of the year for the second time in a row. He sent in a video from Sweden saying that he was busy with the new Backstreet Boys album. Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik won the song of the year prize for his band's hit ``Slide.''

Nick's auctioning off his couch for charity. Click here for details.

Lyrics heard on the CBS Early Show for What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful

You run in the crowd
You know your own way
You play after dark
You light up my life
You have your own kind of style
That sets you apart
Baby maybe that's why you captured my heart
What makes you different. . .(cut off)

Platinum

"Millenium" was just certified 13X Platinum on May 10th! On a side note: Millennium has sold just about 11,000,000 copies.

Yes, I know I wrote about this is in yesterdays news, but now I found some more about this very crazy fan... a VERY hysteric fan... she is just a maniac, I canīt belivie that a fan can do such a thing...

This is an appearance the Backstreet Boys won't forget. Hundreds of screaming girls at the media park Cologne/Germany - Howie and AJ introduced their new single "the one" at "VIVA Interaktiv". Everybody is feeling great, they can meet their star. But during the autograph session something terrible happens: Sarah (16), a passionate fan, tries to slip through the bodyguards, but gets caught. She pretends to faint and is brought to a stretcher in the building - But during an unobserved moment she goes maniac and runs towards AJ, jumps on his back and clasps his neck. A bodyguard jumps between them, all three fall to the ground. AJ is brought back into the building injured, Sarah gets arrested by the police. Her statement: "But I love him so very much!"

Billboard reviews "The One"

Source: Source: Billboard.com

Done. Score another massive hit for Backstreet Boys with this unquestionably sunshine-splashed instant smash, the fourth single from 1999's No. 1 album, ``Millennium.'' Truly, there's a battle of the Jive labelmates this time, as 'N Sync's new release hits the airwaves simultaneously. Odds are that this song may reach the summit first, thanks to a feel-good melody line that embraces the senses the first time through. With a message of steadfast support and empowerment from the boys, teens will be swooning, while adults, as usual, simply won't be able to resist singing along. On-target production from consistent team Max Martin and Kristian Lundin only ups the ante (note, too, that Backstreeter Brian Littrell gets a co-writing credit on this one). Get ready for ``The One.'' Simply, you're not going to find a better pure pop song this season.

Can Britney Do It 'One More Time'?

Source: The Associated Press

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Flip on MTV these days, and you're likely to see a young, pretty blonde singing a fluffy pop tune with a mixture of innocence and burgeoning sex appeal. It could be Britney Spears. Or Christina Aguilera. Mandy Moore or Jessica Simpson.

The rise of the teen pop queens can be traced back to 1998, when a then-16-year-old Britney debuted with ''... Baby One More Time.'' Not quite bubble gum but not sophisticated pop, the danceable beats and her sexy yet childlike image propelled the Louisiana native to the top of the charts.

Now 18, Spears is set to release her follow-up album, ``Oops ... I Did It Again,'' on Tuesday. Can she repeat her success against increased competition for a fickle teen audience?

Some say it won't be a problem.

``The other acts out there, while they are good, she really has her own persona. She just sticks out,'' said Paul Karlson, who oversees top 40 radio promotions at HITS magazine, a radio industry trade weekly.

''... Baby One More Time'' sold 9.3 million copies in the United States alone, according to Soundscan, which tabulates record sales.

Several similar acts followed, the most successful of which has been the 19-year-old Aguilera. Like Spears, Aguilera has performed since she was a child - in fact, both appeared on the ``Mickey Mouse Club.'' But unlike Spears, Aguilera's vocal power, compared favorably to Mariah Carey's, has won critical acclaim. She beat Spears for best new artist honors at this year's Grammys.

Still, Aguilera's self-entitled debut, while still a smash, sold fewer copies than Spears' - 5.6 million in the United States. Other wannabe teen divas have not done nearly as well - Moore's debut album has sold just over 700,000 copies.

Karlson says response to the title track of Spears' ``Oops .

Teen-oriented pop has been driving the music industry; the boy band 'N Sync sold a record 2.4 million copies in one week in March. That album's now up to 5.2 million and climbing.

Nobody expects Spears' numbers to match that. But Karlson and others say she still has an edge over her competition because she was the first female teen pop star to make such an impact after a wave of boy bands - like The Backstreet Boys and Hanson - and teen-age R&B and country songstresses.

``Kids instantly related to her, especially young girls, and she had that classic young pop singer thing. Girls want to be her, and boys want to date her,'' said Lori Majewski, entertainment director at Teen People, which named Britney one of its ''25 Hottest Stars under 25.''

Tom Calderone, senior vice president of music and talent programming at MTV, which has devoted several days of programming to Spears, doesn't think the extra competition will dent Britney's popularity or sales.

``I think that like in rock and hip-hop, there's room for many people to be in the pool,'' he said. ``I think that for Britney to have a really successful sales story - sort of what The Backstreet Boys did for 'N Sync - only helps Jessica and Mandy.''

Howie D and AJ were in Cologne on Friday. They were at a local radio station and after that, they went to VIVA television. The "Interaktiv" show is broadcast from 3 pm to 5 pm and they showed up at 4:20.They talked about their work on the new album and answered some questions from fans. After the show was over, they came outside to meet the fans. Some of the people out there had spent the night outside the studios so they could be sure to be in the front row.

Everything was fine and the guys seemed to be having have fun. They signed some stuff and let the people take photos. Somehow, a girl managed to get over the barriers and throw herself at AJ. The security guards took her away and AJ went on signing stuff. All of a sudden, she got loose and ran towards AJ again. The security guards had a hard time controlling her. AJ was apparently scratched and seemed to be quite surprised that this was happening.

Source: Infobeat

MONACO (Billboard) - The Backstreet Boys were honored four times at the 12th annual World Music Awards, presented Wednesday night at the Sporting Club in Monaco. The act was honored as best-selling pop group, R&B group, dance group and American group. This year's awards, based on sales figures supplied by the IFPI, honor the world's best-selling artists in 1999. In addition to winning for R&B artist, Mariah Carey was awarded a special prize for best-selling pop female artist of the millennium. Michael Jackson took the comparable male prize. Ricky Martin won in the categories for male pop artist and Latin artist. Lou Bega picked up awards for new male artist and German recording artist. Britney Spears won for female pop artist, and Christina Aguilera won for new female artist. The World Music Awards show will air during primetime May 29 on ABC in the U.S. and in 150 territories through June.

Backstreet Boys Sweep World Music Awards

Source: CDNOW

Are the Backstreet Boys gearing up for world domination? It's possible, since the popsters swept the World Music Awards on Wednesday (May 10) in Monaco. Actually, the winners were announced weeks ago, but they didn't divulge the names of the categories that the artists actually won in until the awards ceremony was held on Wednesday.

The Boys walked away with four awards, including Best Selling Pop Group, Best Selling R&B Group, Best Selling Dance Group, and Best American Group. Meanwhile, Lou Bega took honors as Best German Artist and Best New Male Artist; Mariah Carey was named Best Selling R&B Artist and Best Selling Female Pop Artist of the Millennium; and Michael Jackson won as the male counterpart.

Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath and supermodel Elle MacPherson hosted the event, which took place at the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo, and featured performances by Bega, Goo Goo Dolls, Eiffel 65, Jamiroquai, Mya, and Femi Kuti. ABC will air the World Music Awards May 29.

Here's a select list of winners of the World Music Awards:

Best Selling Pop Group: Backstreet Boys
Best Selling R&B Group: Backstreet Boys
Best Selling Dance Group: Backstreet Boys
Best Selling Male Pop Artist: Ricky Martin
Best Selling Female Pop Artist: Britney Spears
Best Selling R&B Artist: Mariah Carey
Best American Group: Backstreet Boys
Best Italian Group: Eiffel 65
Best African Artist: Femi Kuti
Best German Artist: Lou Bega
Best British Group: Jamiroquai
Best Irish Artist: Ronan Keating
Best Australian Group: Savage Garden
Best Welsh Artist: Charlotte Church
Best New Male Artist: Lou Bega
Best New Female Artist: Christina Aguilera
Best Selling Male Pop Artist of the Millennium: Michael Jackson
Best Selling Female Pop Artist of the Millennium: Mariah Carey

Howie, and AJ accept the award for the World's best selling pop group, during the 2000 World Music Awards in Monaco, French Riviera, Wednesday. They also received the awards for the World's best selling dance, R&B and US group. Photo by Lionel Cironneau (AP)

Backstreet Boys Take Top World Music Award Nods

Source: Billboard Online

The Backstreet Boys were honored four times at the 12th annual World Music Awards, presented last night at the Sporting Club in Monaco. The act was honored as best-selling pop group, R&B group, dance group, and American group. This year's awards, based on sales figures supplied by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, honor the world's best-selling artists in 1999.

In addition to winning for R&B artist, Mariah Carey was awarded a special prize for best-selling pop female artist of the millennium. Michael Jackson took the comparable male prize.

Ricky Martin won in the categories for male pop artist and Latin artist. Lou Bega picked up awards for new male artist and German recording artist. Britney Spears won for female pop artist, and Christina Aguilera won for new female artist.

The World Music Awards show will air during prime time May 29 on ABC in the U.S. and in 150 territories through June.

Source: Blockbuster

The Boys took home two awards last night at the 2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. They won in the Favorite Pop Group and Favorite CD categories. Although they didn't make an appearance (they're in Europe right now). Fox will air the awards ceremonies on June 20th at 8pm EST.

Kevin at the 2000 Kentucky Derby

Brian and Leighanne at the 2000 Kentucky Derby

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

Kentucky Derby 2000

Published Saturday, May 6, 2000, in the Herald-Leader

Backstreet Boys add youth to tradition

The average age of the fans surrounding the Barnstable Brown Party fell considerably this year thanks to two words on the guest list: Backstreet Boys. The crowd erupted into shrieks of joy as Backstreet Boy and Lexington native Kevin Richardson strode out to meet the legions of teen-age girls who'd been waiting for him since midafternoon. Surrounded by burly security guards and police officers, Richardson signed notebooks, CD covers and posters. ``He was the nicest one,'' said Jennifer Rapp, 17, of Louisville. ``That was very cool of him.''

The other two Backstreet Boys at the party, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough, lost points with fans for not coming out to meet them.

``We're very upset at Brian,'' said Amanda Nunnelley, 14, of Louisville. ``We didn't get a smile, a wave, nothing.''

A favorite with the children performing on international themed stages surrounding the walkway to the Barnstable home was Touched by an Angel star Della Reese, who shook hands and signed autographs.

Other musicians at the party included Emmylou Harris, Chris Isaak, John Michael Montgomery, and a favorite with a slightly older demographic than the Backstreet Boys, George Strait.

``He's a real family man,'' said Jennifer Long, 26, of Frankfort. ``And he looks pretty cute in his Wranglers.''

-- Rich Copley

All of you in the US must think that Iīm like soooo after, but I havenīt seen the The One Video, well, not on TV anyway, but on the net. Thanks to the great fanpage; Backstreet Millennium. I saw it today and itīs the best! You see clips from the Millennium Tour and everything is going really fast and that looks so good to the song (The One is a VERY good song!) I LOVE THE NEW VIDEO! And I canīt wait to actually see it on TV! I hope that Select MTV on MTV Europe have it as a new video in Monday **Iīm hoping!!** :-)

Source: Hitmakers

HOT TIPS

BACKSTREET BOYS "The One" (JIVE)
Co-written by the group's BRIAN LITTRELL,
this ought to be the group's next #1!

Here's what DJs are saying about "The One":

SONNY RIO, MD, KBFM, McAllen-Brownsville - "This is a strong song and will be a big follow-up for them!"

KEVIN CRUZ, APD, KQAR, Little Rock - "What can I say? They're the Backstreet Boys!"

JOHN VINCENT, PD, WLKT, Lexington - "This is gonna be huge. It's a no-brainer!"

ALEX DIAZ, MD, WZYP, Huntsville - "I like it."

AJ and Howie to guest on Gloria Estefan Special

Source: The Associated Press

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) - Pop singer Gloria Estefan wrapped up the filming of an American television special in the Bahamas to coincide with the release of her new Spanish language album ``Alma Caribena.''

``We're proud to bring this passion and music to you tonight,'' Estefan told the mostly English-speaking crowd at the Atlantis Resort on Saturday night. The Cuban-American singer explained that she was delving into the salsas and boleros of her roots for the new album, which in English means Caribbean Soul.

``Gloria Estefan, Caribbean Soul: The Atlantis Concert'' will air on CBS on May 12th.

Estefan began taping her television special Friday in duets with Cuban-American salsa singer Celia Cruz and Puerto Rican singer Jose Feliciano, both of whom are featured on the new album, and also sang with Puerto Rican pop star Marc Anthony.

About 5,000 people watched the two evenings of outdoor performances, with Rosie O'Donnell acting as host. Celebrity guests included Sharon Stone, Cindy Crawford, Robert DeNiro and Backstreet Boys A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough, whose group has been recording their next album in Nassau.