I stopped by one of my regular haunts, Backstreet.net , to check out the latest news on da Boys, when I saw that they would be performing in Orlando on New Years' Eve. Now, living in Ohio, this wouldn't mean so much to me, but earlier that week, my parents confirmed our family vacation to Orlando for winter break.
Since it was four in the morning, this Ohio girl had to wait to call for tickets. Two or three days passed before I could get back online again, (classes, work, meetings, crummy AOL connections,) but when I logged back onto Backstreet.net, I saw the notice for the Tampa concert as well.
Knowing that my 17-year-old cousin, Theresa, lived in St. Petes, just outside of Tampa, I called the Tampa Ticketmaster and got two seats. Section 204, Row D. Now I called the Orlando Ticketmaster and I could have gotten tickets to that show the next day, but I had no idea if my cousin even liked da Boys, so I didn't get them.
The months passed, and when my cousin, Theresa, found out, she was SO excited b/c she was a HUGE BSB fan, but wasn't able to get tickets to the show. This was going to be my first ever BSB concert. I was so happy b/c we could have this be a bonding experience and see da Boys!
Christmas day arrived, and I left for my first ever trip to Florida with my parents and my three teenage brothers. That night, Theresa and I began to talk about the concert and she gave me the best news….
We had access to one backstage pass!
Turns out Katharine, Theresa's friend, got two tickets and two passes for her 18th birthday, but since Theresa was coming with me, Katharine asked another friend to go, but that friend couldn't make it, so she gave Theresa The Pass.
Even though it would mean three people and two passes, Theresa took it b/c we figured that we had three options:
1) Try to get all three people backstage (i.e., begging, pleading, etc.)
2) Trade the pass between Theresa and myself (i.e., one goes in then brings the pass back out for the other one.) or
3) Let Theresa go in with Katharine and take heaps of pictures and get signatures for me.
We were so excited! The next day, the whole group went shopping, and I was looking for a killer swimsuit for the beach so I could get an envious tan to make all my Stuck-in-Ohio friends insanely jealous. Theresa and I talked about the concert 24/7 and who our faves were. I was kinda partial to Kevin, and my cousin Theresa was crushin on his cousin, Brian. Hmmm…
Then I left for Orlando with my family to do all the touristy stuff like Magic Kingdom and Epcot and such. After spending a few days in Orlando, Wednesday, December 30, 1998 came all too soon.
I got into Tampa around three in the afternoon the day of the concert. With only a short trip to the drugstore for film, earplugs (which we never used), posterboard, and Tic-Tacs, Theresa and I hurried back to her place to change.
We met up with Katharine and her friend Jessica at the Ice Palace around 6pm, where Katharine was trying to get the passes from the will-call booth. After calling her mom to come and exert some adultness, the four of us met up with someone from 93.3 (a Tampa radio station) who introduced us to James "Hurricane" from Jive Records who was in charge of the meet-n-greet.
Turns out that what we thought we backstage passes were actually for the meet-n-greet, but we weren't complaining. James said that he could only let two girls in, but when Katharine's mom told him that there were four of us, he explained that he could only let a certain number of people in, but if some people didn't show up in time, then he could let us in. Since Katharine and Theresa were definitely going in, Jessica and I gave them our programs and our cameras. A few minutes later, Katharine's mom checked with James again, and he said that "it was looking good."
I was off in my own little world when Jessica grabbed my arm. "We're in!" Following my friends through the turnstile, the four of us huddled with the other people waiting to meet da Boys.
When some other not-so-lucky fans asked why who we were (b/c we were the oldest ones going back) they were told that we were the "radio winners." With a quick makeup/hair/clothing check, we headed for the elevator.
We rode up a floor or two and were led down this long hallway. We passed dressing rooms and when we peeked down one hall, we could see right onstage to where da Boys were in the middle of their sound check!
Finally, we stopped with the other people in this huge area right behind stage. We knew that we were actually backstage when we saw the basketball hoop that we know da Boys have set up.
Earlier when we were at the will-call line, we saw this slender blonde girl who was wearing a backstage pass around her neck and she was talking to some people. When we were waiting backstage for da Boys to come, we saw the same blonde girl backstage. She was talking to some of the younger fans, and then she brought out one of Nick's pugs, Houston, for them to see. So we figured that she was Nick's girlfriend (and from some of the reports that I have read on other pages, it was his girl.) We also saw Amanda Latona (AJ's girl,) but she was just walking through. She looked incredibly pretty. I heard that all da Boys' girlfriends were there except for Brian's but those were the only two that we saw and recognized.
So Katharine, Jessica, Theresa, and I were all standing around talking to each other when I saw these three fine guys. I knew that I was there to see da Boys, but these three were pretty cute, so I pointed them out to my friends. None of us knew who they were, and we thought that they might be backup dancers or friends or something.
Then we were led over to stand in this group so some guy could talk to us. He said that there was this girl who was very sick, (cancer, I think,) and was going to interview Kevin before the meet-n-greet, so we were instructed not to scream when he came out.
All-in-all, I was proud of the entire group b/c none of us went crazy when any of the BSB came out. At least not on the outside… I know I was screaming on the inside. LOL After the interview was done, we were led to stand in this U-shaped area and wait for da Boys to come around and meet us. Da Boys came out gradually and while we were waiting, we could see them playing basketball behind the curtain.
Howie was the first one to come around to our side to sign our programs. He looked very tired and withdrawn, but was very nice and friendly. He was wearing a blue shirt and black jeans, and his hair was slicked back in a ponytail.
Brian was the second one to come over, and he is just the sweetest! He said that it was one of his dreams to play in the Orlando Arena, and we posed for a group picture with him. When he was signing my program, I mentioned that it was my first trip to Florida, and he asked me where I was from. When I said "Ohio", he said, "that’s cool! I'm from Kentucky." Then I just looked at him, thinking, "duh, I already knew that", but I recovered when he asked me what part of Ohio I was from. I told him that I am from near Columbus, but I go to college in Springfield at Wittenberg University. Then he told me that he had a chance to go to Cincinnati Bible College, but then he got this chance to be in a band and "make some music." So I smiled and joked, "Oh, that's okay. You can always do it later. You're still young." And he laughed at my corny attempt at a joke! Then AJ reminded him that they had a concert, and that he should keep moving along. Brian was wearing a blue Nike t-shirt and a NY Yankees baseball cap on backwards.
AJ came around next and when we asked him how he was, he admitted that he was fighting a cold, and that he got in trouble during the sound check b/c he was screaming too much. Don't worry, he sounded fine in concert. He also said that he was glad to be back in Florida. His hair was under a backward baseball cap and it was dark with red tips and he was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and wide-leg baggy pants. Yes, he was wearing shades.
By this time, Kevin had made his way around the semi-circle to where we were waiting. When he was talking to this man, he admitted that he was very stressed, but he was glad to be back in Florida. For once in my life, I was shy and barely spoke a word to him. Honestly, I drew a blank! So when I quietly asked for a picture, he gave me a big smile and pulled me over to him. Since Katharine had my camera, I smiled at her, but Theresa whipped out her camera, so he didn't know which camera to look at, so he made them take an extra picture each just to make sure that they turned out. The only thing that I can remember was that he felt so soft! He was wearing this V-necked gray fleece shirt over a darker t-shirt and it was incredibly soft. He was also wearing a purple baseball cap.
It took forever for Nick to come out, so as we were waiting, I saw those same three fine-looking guys from earlier, and when they were walking past the group, this really cute one stuck his tongue out at the group. I saw it and burst out laughing. When we made eye contact, he smiled and raised his eyebrows and nodded in that guy way of saying "wazzup?" without talking. Then he was pulled away by the other two guys he was with. I still had no idea who they were.
Nick finally came out to the meet-n-greet area, and he started on the other side, so we had some time to check him out. He was wearing a dark Adidas cap, and a long-sleeved white shirt with a thick gold chain. There was something on it, but I don't remember what. He also had on dark blue jeans that were cuffed. The one thing that the four of us noticed was that he had a tissue that he kept using to blot his upper lip with. To be honest, our first thought was that he had popped a zit or something, but when he came over to our side, we asked him if he was okay. He said that he was okay, but not to tell anyone or anything but that when he was playing bball earlier, he cut his lip and he thought that his tooth went all the way through his upper lip. Not to worry, he didn't sound any different during the concert, so I think that he is fine. When I asked him for a picture, I had him hold a sign that read, "Hi Mary!" (For my *twin*!LOL) And he gave me this weird look, but didn't say anything... So I wonder if he gets bizzare requests all the time... LOL
One of the things that I noticed, especially as I was talking to Brian, was that they all seemed so small. I mean, all the magazines and such say that B-Rok is 5' 8" tall, but without shoes, I am 5' 7" on a good day, and the boots that I was wearing that night only give me two inches, so that would have made me 5 ' 9". That's only one inch taller than Brian, but I noticed that it was a lot more than that. Maybe they have a different standard of measuring da Boys. LOL
Okay, so the meet-n-greet is over and Brian waves as we are led around the other side of the arena and let in to go to our seats. Theresa and I were on the right side of the stage, almost all the way back, and Katharine and Jessica were on the left side of the stage right next to it.
So Theresa and I are talking about stuff, when the opening act came out. Now they said that it was LFO (Lyte Funkie Ones) and at first there were just these three musicians up there playing, so we just kind of sat there, but when LFO came out I started jumping up and down and screaming! There were all these little kids and their parents sitting in our section, and I am the only one acting crazy. I kept hitting Theresa to get her attention. It was those three fine guys from backstage!!!!!
So Theresa and I started dancing to the music and when they introduced themselves, I noticed that the one who I had that "incident" with backstage was named Brad, and later during their set, he was the one removing his shirt. I loved the music! It had a wicked dance beat and a funky melody. The only songs that I remember them playing were "Let Me Clear My Throat", "(Sex U Up) The Way You Like It" (their first single), and their latest single, "If I Can't Have You." When they announced that last song, Rich (the blonde) dedicated it to all the beautiful ladies in Tampa, and Brad said, "yeah, like the one who laughed at me backstage." THAT WAS ME! I was shocked, but I kept dancing along. BTW the other member is named Brizz.
Following a dance mix that included "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems", Big Punisher, and an 80's track, they sang "Hey Mr. DJ" and half-way through, we noticed that Howie disappeared.
Howie came out from the top of the platforms dressed in black pants, with BSB boxers showing over the edge and a black shirt unbuttoned. And he threw the roses. The only other time that I have heard "My Heart Stays With You" was on the Night Out video, and all I can say is that the video doesn't do the song or Howie justice. Howie did an amazing job with it and I still find myself singing it under my breath.
AJ was next up and he was wearing an outfit similar to the one he wore in the "I'll Never Break Your Heart" video. One of my favorite parts of the whole concert was his introduction. "I'd like to dedicate this song to all the… beautiful… lovely… sexy ladies in the house…. If you all don't mind." Not at all, AJ.
Kevin looked so stylish in his suit that he wore for his solo, "Nobody but You." His voice has really matured since he first recorded this song on the first non-US album. All I have to say is that I don’t know why the record producers didn't let Kevin's voice show through more on the recorded songs, because hearing the full range of his voice really added to the songs in such a positive way. I have always been a sucker for a bass voice.
Brian appeared in a long-sleeved shirt and a vest for "That's What She Said." His introduction: "Do you mind if I sing to y'all?" Theresa's response: "Hell, no! Go ahead!" Thank heavens for Australian relatives, b/c I really like that song and Theresa never heard it before, so she was amazed when I knew all the words.
Nick rounded out the solos with his famous "Heaven In Your Eyes." I call it that instead of "I Need You Tonight" b/c the ending wasn't the newer version. That Boy has the most amazing set of vocal cords. He could hold a note out for such a long time, and the seasoned performer in him really played to the crowd. I was disappointed when he didn't sing the entire song, but I knew that he did that for other shows.
The rest of the group came out for "Let's Have A Party". And they went through the predicted instrumental routine of the band messing up then da Boys taking over. AJ was hilarious! No matter what tempo the band started "Quit Playing Games" with, he adjusted his dancing to fit. AJ was on the bass guitar, Nick on the trap set, Kevin manned the keyboards, Howie on guitar, and Brian on alternate percussion. Of course, they played the instruments and sang for awhile, then let the band take over again and finished off the song.
For "All I Have To Give", da Boys didn't disappoint the crowd and brought out the fedoras for a modified version of their routine from the MTV VMA's, and Howie did drop his hat part-way through.
"Darlin'" and "Anywhere For You" followed before da Boys left the stage for a costume change. Obie had a great saxophone solo during the band interlude. I screamed for him and my cousin just looked at me like I was crazy! LOL
Stools were brought out and when da Boys made their way back onstage, Kevin dedicated "I'll Never Break Your Heart" to all the lovebirds. "As Long As You Love Me" included the chair routine.
It seemed like the show was over b/c of the time that elapsed before the guys came out in various racing suits of blue, red, and white for "Get Down" and "We've Got It Goin' On". In the band bridge (where I screamed for Tommy!) after that song, we noticed that a bunch of people were getting up and leaving! We couldn't believe it! We probably would have left too, but I knew that they ended with "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and that was the one song that they still had to perform.
The video screens started playing an extended version of the video with the only music coming from the band. These gates opened from under the platforms and these cloaked figures wheeled out five coffins and fireworks were shot off as the coffins were turned around and da Boys came out. From our seats, Theresa and I could see heaps of people doing The Dance with da Boys during the song.
After it was over, they thanked us for coming and said goodbye. Before they left the stage, they started goofing off and when they finally left the stage, Nick threw Howie (or Brian) over his shoulder and carried him offstage. AJ was the last one onstage at the end and he left through the gate under the platforms.
The lights came up and we headed outside to meet our friends. At the souvenir stand, I bought this book, "Backstreet Boys Limited Edition Welcome to the Making of Backstreet's Back." It was written by Denise McLean, AJ's mom, and is a collection of behind-the-scenes pictures from the making of the video and contains a message from each of da Boys. We spent the entire car ride home checking out the pictures.
While we were waiting for our ride to come, the four of us got our group picture taken. The restaurant across the street was trying to get people to come inside. After a few minutes, they announced that the Backstreet Boys were inside, and there was this crowd of girls that ran over to the restaurant. Then they came back over the loudspeaker and said that "Kevin and Nick were… hiding… in the restaurant." The four of us laughed at their pathetic try to get customers.
Overall, this was a perfect night! Not only was I in Florida for the first time, but I was able to go to my first Backstreet Boys concert in the state where they were founded. Plus, I got to go backstage and meet them! My cousin was even luckier: this was her first concert… EVER! I met two really awesome girls who I will always remember when I think of this concert, and we have plans to one day go to another BSB concert together.
