It was almost nine o’clock one Monday morning at the Elm Street Middle School in Lexington Kentucky. Mr. Harris, the school principal, was walking through the hallway, carrying a large manila folder in his hands and wearing a pleasant smile on his face. As he headed towards the last classroom on the first floor, he heard a great commotion coming from the fifth grade room and his smile quickly faded. Annoyed by the disturbance they were creating, Mr. Harris hurried to see what was going on. When he reached the doorway, Mr. Harris was astonished to find that the children were all running and jumping around the room. What made matters worse was that they were completely unsupervised. Determined to calm them down, he stomped into the room, crossed his arms and stood directly in front of the blackboard. Then he cleared his throat loud enough so that the children would hear him. “AHEM!!” He coughed even louder and everyone stopped dead in their tracks. Each of the children turned to find out who was in the room, and upon seeing that it was the principal, they hurried to their seats without another word. “Where is your teacher?” Mr. Harris demanded. “It’s almost a quarter past nine!” The children sat absolutely still, and in the silence they could hear the faint squeaking of sneakers as they ran down the hall. The squeak grew louder and suddenly a young man came bursting through the classroom door. He stopped short when he saw that Mr. Harris was there, and stood panting in the doorway. “Uh…good…morning…Mister…Harris.” He forced a smile even though he was out of breath. The principal raised an eyebrow at the young man as he looked him up and down. He was dressed in a beige suit and striped tie, wearing white sneakers and a baseball cap. Under his right arm he was carrying a basketball and in his right hand was a briefcase. Beneath his left arm was a guitar case, along with several loose papers. “You’re late again Mr. Littrell. So what is your excuse today?” “I…er…well actually…uh, to be perfectly honest sir, I didn’t have any clean underwear.” He winked playfully at the children who were tried to hide their giggling. “And you see, sir, my mother told me never EVER to leave the house without a clean pair of underwear on.” The children all burst out in laughter. “Mmm. I see.” Mr. Harris was fighting to conceal his smile. “Mr. Littrell, may I see you outside for a moment?” “Uh, sure…sure. Just let me throw this stuff down for a for a sec.” He dumped his belongings onto the desk and smiled at the class. “Ok, guys quiet down. I’ll be right back!” Mr. Harris was waiting for him by the water fountain just outside the classroom door. “Now, Brian this is the fourth time this month that you have been late to class. You can’t leave those kids unsupervised you know. What will their parents say? Or worse, what about the Board of Ed.?” “Yes, Mr. Harris I know, I know. Look, I apologize but things have been a bit crazed for me lately. I’m still trying to get this whole songwriting thing off the ground.” “Brian, I know that you are a talented young man. You happen to be one of the best things going for Elm Street Middle and we’re proud of you. But right now, you have priorities. The children come first.” Brian nodded at Mr. Harris in agreement. He turned to Brian and put a friendly hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Good, good. Now Brian, I don’t mean to make light of this, but I have some good news for you. Remember several months ago you and three other teachers from this school got together and entered the fifth graders into that song writing contest?” “Yes! Of course I do. What about it? Did something happen?” Brian’s eyes grew wide as he looked eagerly at Mr. Harris. The principal smiled. “Oh, only a little something. Brian, your fifth graders have been chosen as one of six finalists in the ‘Voices and Visions’ Contest!” “Yyyyes!!! That’s awesome!!” Brian jumped up and high-fived Mr. Harris. “So they liked the song? Who’s judging it? Where is it gonna be held?” “Whoa, there boy! Calm down! You’ve got approximately one week to get everything in order. What I can tell you is that the finals are taking place in Orlando, Florida in Walt Disney World. You and the entire class get to go and represent our school!!” “This is amazing!” Brian raises his arms and looks upwards “Thank you God!” He grabbed the principal in a bear hug. “Thank you Mr. Harris! I couldn’t have done this without your support!” “Anytime Brian. You know that I’ve always looked out for you! Now get going! You and the kids have a lot of practicing to do!” The two hugged one more time before Brian raced back into the classroom. The children were all out of their seats and talking again, and Brian had to whistle to get them to calm down. “Hey guys, listen up! I’ve got some important news for all of you! Remember a few weeks ago we went down to that audition and sang for those stuck-up looking men and women?” “Yeah…uh huh…I remember…” The class spoke all at once. “And do you remember me telling you that confidence and persistence always pay off?” “YES!” They said together. “Well then, ya’ll better pack your bags! Because this Friday is payday…and we’re all going to DISNEY WORLD!!!”
That evening, Brian decides to call his cousin, Kevin Richardson, who is a music executive for Sunspot Records in Orlando. He is so excited that he can barely speak to him. “…and MY class won!! How awesome is that Kev?!” “Well congratulations, B!! I knew you’d make it!! It’s so great that you finally get a chance to show off your talents to the world! I’m always asking you to come to Florida and audition for Sunspot, but you never wanted to leave the kids.” “Yeah, yeah I know. Having a contract with your recording company would be one of the coolest things that I could do, but it just never seemed like the right time for it. But this…this is BIG! I mean, the kids and I will have a chance to show off to some of the biggest executives in the music industry, not to mention the rest of the U.S.A!!!!” “So I’ve heard! (Kevin laughs at Brian’s excitement) You might be interested to know that Sunspot just so happens to have a contract with Disney, which means we will be providing the host and all other performers for the event” “You’re kidding?! That’s great! Who’s gonna be onstage?” “Well, besides the six finalists, we do have one group who is gonna headline the event, five guys better known as Heart ‘n Soul. They’re Sunspots’ most popular ‘boy band’. Have you heard of them?” “Of course! I know exactly who they are! My fifth graders are always talking about them. Man, they are gonna have such a good time!” “Definitely! We’re putting on some of the best acts in the business and it’s all hosted by Orlando’s hottest radio DJ.” “That just sounds awesome!! I’m really excited about all of this!!” “So B, what song are you planning on singing for the contest?” “Actually, I’m not happy with the song that I had originally picked out for the contest so I put some finishing touches on one that I have been working on for a while.” “You mean…” “Yup! That’s the one!” “Hey, that was turning out be a terrific song! If I know you, then you guys are gonna rock!” “(Brian laughs) Thanks Kev!” “Listen, I gotta go now…big meeting in 5 minutes. But I will definitely see you in Epcot on Saturday!” “Oh wow, you’re actually gonna be there!? That’s wonderful!!!” “You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world! This whole thing is gonna be HUGE…I can feel it! Best of luck to you, B! Bye!”
**FLASH FORWARD: 10:00 AM Friday morning in Orlando, Florida**
“WAAAAAAASAP Orlando?!! Good mornin’ to ya one and all! My name is AJ McLean and you are tuned into the Morning Slam-Jam on 107.5 WSLM radio! It is a bee-u-ti-ful Friday mornin’ and here in the studio with me are five of the baddest dudes on the charts today. Hold onto your panties girls, ‘cuz Heart & Soul is in da house! Yeah, that’s right! They’ll be here in just a few minutes but first, for your listening pleasure, I’m gonna play a lovely ‘lil tune from Ms. Britney Spears, and heaven knows she drives me crazy…hehe…namean?” AJ clicks the play button and leans back in his chair as the song plays. Being the number one DJ in all of Florida, he has earned nationwide fame through the radio. He casually sips his McDonald’s coffee, and turns to face the lounge area where the members of Heart ‘n’ Soul are waiting to go on the air. The five of them are dressed completely alike, with the exception of the color of their shirts. AJ watches them as they stop fighting over a small mirror long enough to walk single-file into the room. “Damn,” he says to himself “for a bunch of air-heads, these guys certainly make a hell-of-a lot of money.” The guys finally seat themselves, and after a few short commercials before AJ is back on the air. “Awww yeah! You are listening to WSLM Slam radio, Flordia’s number one music station. I am AJ SUPER-Funk-Daddy McLean, your master of the morning SlamJam. Today we welcome Brandon, Austin, K.C., Justin and Larry…five talented, hard-working dudes and close personal friends of mine. I want ya’ll to give it up for Heart ‘n’ Soul!” Fake applause plays in the background as AJ begins the interview. He talks to the guys about various things, eventually asking them about the concert on Saturday. “So tell me boys, what’s this thing all about?” “Well AJ,” Brandon begins “it’s a collaboration between the Walt Disney Company and Sunspot records to try and find a theme for the new millennium.” “Yeah.” Larry agreed “The name of the contest is ‘Voices and Visions’. The whole idea focuses around the messages that kids want to bring into the new century. It’s an international thing too.” “And ya’ll know that the lucky group chosen tomorrow is gonna get to tour all over the world with kids from other countries.” AJ informed them. “This is something that can’t be missed. Plus, I hear that you guys have been asked to perform there right?” “That’s right ladies,” K.C. chimed in “I’ll be there live and in person for all of you!” “Well,” Austin said with a sniffle “hopefully my soar throat will have cleared up by then! I wanna be able to say ‘Hi’ to all my fans!” He gave a cheesy wink to the microphone in front of him at the studio. The other guys nodded and they said in unison “From the bottom of our hearts, to the depths of our souls, we’d NEVER disappoint our fans.” AJ shook his head and rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses. “One thing is for sure kiddies,” he said in a deep voice “I, AJ McLean, will most definitely, certainly be there as your emcee, host and master of all ceremonies! So I’d better see ya’ll out there! Now remember, the concert starts at 1 pm tomorrow afternoon, right smack in the middle of Epcot Center in Disney World. It’s free, it’s a par-tay! And we’re celebratin’ the voices of America’s future! Aiiight?!!” “Right!!” said Brandon, K.C., Justin and Larry together. Austin was too busy sneezing to answer.
Finally, the big day had arrived. By noon on Saturday, thousands of people were crowded into the front lawn at Epcot. A large rectangular stage stood in the foreground of the silver “Spaceship Earth” sphere near the park’s entrance. There were fans surrounding every side of the stage, anxiously waiting for the concert to begin. “Uncle Howie look! Look at all the people!” a young voice cried out. Jessica Dorough peeked out from behind the red curtains that covered the bottom of the stage. A man in a white button-down shirt and khakis smiled as he hugged the little girl. “That’s right! And of course you know that they’re all here to see YOU!” He tapped lightly on her freckled nose with his finger and she giggled. “Oh, Uncle Howie! I get all my talent from your side of the family ya know!” Jessica threw her arms around the neck of her favorite uncle, also known as the CEO of Florida’s largest real estate company. He just chuckled and said “I guess so Jess! You’re just a very lucky lady!” Howie picked up his niece and placed her on his shoulders. He carried over to the other end of the room and sat her down in the make-up chair. All around them were other children and parents rushing to get ready for the concert. “I still can’t believe my Girl Scout Troupe was picked!” Jessica beamed. “This is so fun!” “Yeah!” Howie agreed. “Not every kid gets to perform in Walt Disney World and be on TV! You’ll be the first Dorough superstar!” He opened his arms wide and took a step back, nearly tripping over a guitar case on the floor. Catching his balance, he turned around and came face to face with Brian. “Wow, I’m really sorry!” Howie apologized. “I didn’t see your guitar there!” Brian smiled politely at him. “Don’t worry about it! It’s just the case. No harm done at all!” “Oh good! I mean, it’s good that it was just the case and not the guitar. Not that I wanted to break it, but…” “Uncle HOWIE!!” Jessica exclaimed. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself!” Brian and Howie both laughed at her reaction. “She’s adorable!” Brian said “Is she yours?” “Well, not really. She’s my niece, Jessica. She just asked me to be here with her for encouragement.” “That’s cool! Best of luck to you both!” Brian shook Howie’s hand. “Nice to meet you Mr…?” “Dorough. Howard Dorough, actaully.” “Well, my name’s Brian Littrell and I must say that this has been a pleasure! Good luck to you, sweetie!” He shook Jessica’s hand as he picked up his guitar case and walked away. “Ooo! He was way cute, Uncle Howie!” Howie laughed as she pretended to faint in his arms. “Ok, ok! Enough silliness!” he said as he placed her back on the makeup chair. “The concert is going to start soon. Listen! You can hear the band warming up.”
On the stage above them, the band was already set up and were tuning their instruments. The sound of strumming guitars and keyboards filled the air. At the center of the band stood a large, silver drumset which Nick Carter was busily polishing. He kept at it for fifteen minutes straight, until the set sparkled in the afternoon sun. “Hey Carter!” The bass guitarist yelled to him. “Are you gonna tune up or what?” Nick stood up to admire his work. “Yeah, yeah. Gimme a minute!” He yelled back. Nick smiled at his shiny drumset and whispered to himself “Perfect!” He then turned to face the large crowd that had gathered and felt overcome with excitement. “Now THIS,” he told himself “is what it’s all about!!” Turning back to the band he yelled “I feel good! Yeah!” He ran over to the drums, picked up the sticks and called out “One! Two! Three! Four!” Nick then exploded into a wild, upbeat song. The rest of the band rushed to keep up with his pace, and he kept going for about three minutes after they stopped. The crowd applauded like crazy when he was done, and Nick stood on his chair and threw both drumsticks into the air as he took a bow. He managed to catch one of them, but the other one accidentally hit Kevin Richardson in the head. “Ahem! MR. Carter! I did not hire you to be the main attraction here! Your job is to play back up for Heart ‘n’ Soul!” Nick blushed as he apologized. “Uh…um…sorry Mr. Richardson!” Kevin tossed the drumstick back to him. “And next time,” He raised an eyebrow “try and aim a little better, ok?” Nick grinned back at him and then took his place on the drums.
Handsomely dressed in a dark gray suit and tie, Kevin turned and walked to the center of the stage. He picked up a microphone from its stand stood directly facing the crowd. A television camera crew hovered in on his left as he raised his right arm and began speaking to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen…boys and girls…mice and ducks from all over the world. My name is Kevin Richardson, and on behalf of the Sunspot Record Company, I am proud to welcome you to the ‘Voices and Visions of a New Millennium’ Concert, LIVE from Walt Disney World in Florida!!!” the crowd cheered as the band began to play the opening song. Fireworks shot up behind Kevin, and the whole park seemed to shake with excitement. With the music still going on, Kevin continued his speech by saying “Today, we are very, very lucky to have with us six groups of young people from all over the United States who have one thing in common: a vision for the future. Not only that, but they want to use their wonderful talents and voices to share that vision with the entire world! Here, we will choose one of these groups to go on and participate in the international ‘Voices and Visions’ Tour with children from all over the world!!” The crowd begins to cheer again, but Kevin quiets them so that he may finish. “Each group will be judged on their talent, creativity, and the originality of their message. It’s been a long road to get here, and we wish all of you the very best of luck with all our hearts! So what do you say we get on with the show?! Yeah?! Alright!! I’d like everyone to give a warm welcome to the host of our show, the funkiest DJ in Orlando…AJ McLean!!”
Travel Through the TwyLyte Zone
