Three of Aaron's songs that Nick guested on are on Aaron's upcoming greatest hits album, Not Too Young, Not Too Old: Most Requested Hits. The release date is November 4.

The cd comes with a bonus dvd, featuring "several" of Aaron's video clips. It's not yet known which ones, but since NTYNTO wasn't on the Oh, Aaron dvd, it seems like a good bet. (Yes, I own it. I know.) It'd also be nice to see She Wants Me, assuming it gets shot sometime soon.

The tracklisting of the cd is as follows, according to Tower Records:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Backstreet Boys won't be delivering a new album anytime soon, four members of the boy band are preparing solo LPs making four of the five Boys their own man.

"It's important to point out that the group has not disbanded," said Brian Littrell's attorney, Jordan Keller. "They certainly intend to record as a group in the future, they just don't know when"

Of the four members venturing out on their own, two have had solo projects in the past Nick Carter released his first solo record, Now or Never, last year, while A.J. McLean had a nine-stop tour in 2000 under his nom de rock, "Johnny No Name," an alter ego who represented the pop star's rock side with covers of Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine and Methods of Mayhem. Though no details are available yet on McLean's original work outside of the band, it's supposed to also be in a rock vein.

Carter seems to be going in a more rock direction as well he's working with none other than Tommy Lee, who will be assisting as a producer. Carter's already co-written several songs with a collaborator, according to his management.

Howie Dorough, who is going in a more Latin direction, is still in the writing/demo stage and has enlisted a slew of collaborators for his project, which will include songs in both English and Spanish. Among his writing and producing crew, Dorough will be working with Emilio Estefan, Steven Morales (Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera), Gen Rubin (Paulina Rubio, Diana Ross) and Rudy Perez (José Feliciano, Jaci Velasquez), according to a rep for the band.

Finally, Littrell, who grew up singing in the church and at weddings and funerals, is taking a gospel cue for his outing. He's hoping to blend his experience in the pop world with a contemporary Christian sensibility. "There's a wide range in Christian music," Keller said. "From Michael W. Smith to choirs, there's a lot of room to work with."

 

 

Mexico City - May 25, 2003 - American singer Nick Carter, member of the pop group Backstreet Boys, filled the Metropolitan Theater on Sunday during his solo concert that he did to promote his new album.

The youngest member once again showed, without the support of his bandmates, that he is able to please his thousands of followers, who met in the historical center for the concert, which sold out in its first week of sales.

At 7 pm, the blond came onstage in a white shirt and army pants, and greeted the fans with "What's up Mexico, Thank you for coming". He started his show with the songs "Girls in the USA" and "My Confession", from his new album Now or Never.

The public, which consisted of mostly girls, gave off the same unconditional love from the first few minutes, until the end of his show. During the hour and a half concert, the concertgoers applauded, sang, and flattered the singer, who promised (in Spanish) to have better communication with his Mexican fans.

Accompanied by 5 musicians, Carter voiced the different melodies that are included on his album, such as "I Got You", "Miss America", and "Who Needs the World", as well as his new world single "Do I Have to Cry for You".

During the whole show, flourescent lights illuminated the stage with shapes, such as hearts, fish, and circles. Groups of girls even held up posters that formed his name, and messages like "love" and "México".

At about 7:45, the poppy sound that started the concert turned into a more rockish sound, and the young 23 year old sipped a little water and spit it onto the fans, wetting the fans with it, and he also poured some on his head. He also played his electric guitar when he performed "Blow Your Mind", "Shout", and "Forever Rebel"

Later, in tribute to the pop group that introduced him to the musical scene, and the group that he has recently taken a break from, he performed the songs "Shape of My Heart" and "I Want It That Way" before his screaming, emotional fans, who listened more closely to this section than the parts where he sang his own music.

The fans showed their affection the same way as they did during his two shows in March, by throwing intimate articles of clothing at him. He thanked the fans who threw things and told them that they were very pretty and that he would keep them as something special. Despite the small stage, more than three thousand fans attended, and enjoyed Carter's version of "Everything I Do" by Bryan Adams, who Nick has admitted to admiring.

Finally, Nicholas Gene Cater, his full name, ended the show shortly after 8:30 after saying,, "I love you", he raised his arms in the air, and then left the stage.

CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) - Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is making the jump to the big screen, signing on to star in the "Sleepy Hollow"-inspired horror thriller "Hollow."

The indie project also will mark the feature debut of "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" star Kaley Cuoco.

Budgeted at less than $5 million, "Hollow" is described as a present-day retelling of "Sleepy Hollow" set in a small New England town where a group of high school seniors learn that they are the direct descendants of those responsible for a tragic event that begins to replay itself. No director is set for the film.

Carter, who said he has spent a lot of time searching for the right film part, plays a high school jock and captain of the football team in a role that he describes as a "hormonal brute with a bit of a 'tude."

"It couldn't have been more perfect for what I was looking to achieve in making the move into acting," Carter said. "I didn't want it to be something that felt fake or just not right. The role itself is perfect. It's not too much; it's just enough to show people that I can do it."

Rounding out the cast alongside Carter and Cuoco are Nick Turturro, Judge Reinhold, Kevin Zegers, Joseph Masiello, Eileen Brennan, Stacy Keach and Melissa Schuman, the latter having had a brush with pop fame as part of the girl group Dream.

WEST PALM BEACH -- A couple of hours before talented, sensitive rock cutie John Mayer climbed the stairs to the Washington Mutual stage Saturday night, a SunFest attendee correctly predicted the hordes of screaming women who would be packed into the crowd like so much bare-midriffed fish.

....

If Friday, which featured several R&B and party acts, was SunFest's "Soul Train" day, Saturday was "Cute Boy" day. Hours before Mayer's show, new vocal group Voyces made an initially enthusiastic but quickly tired showing, while erstwhile Backstreet Boy and Florida native Nick Carter showcased his recent solo album, including Girls In The USA and Help Me.

Carter put his slightly hoarse voice to good use. He even played guitar along with his group of young, garage-band-looking players. It wasn't brilliant. But it was OK.

And he, like Mayer, is a natural performer.

Carter got the best response when he and the fellows in the band perched on stools and did acoustic versions of three Backstreet Boys songs, Shape of My Heart, Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) and I Want It That Way. The latter, a soft rock radio staple, had several middle-aged men in the crowd singing along.

Yes, we saw you.

The Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter released his solo debut on the same day as labelmate and rival boy-band hearthrob Justin Timberlake. While Timberlake's album, "Justified," has become a smash, Carter's "Now or Never" has struggled for notice.

The two CDs are strikingly different: Timberlake focused on R&B and pop, a sound that 'NSync's fans were quick to grasp. Carter's album, meanwhile, explored his rock side with a new band--and a lot less dancing.

Sticking with the behind-the-scenes formula that he used with the Backstreet Boys, Carter hired a team of producers and writers for "Now or Never"--Max Martin (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Celine Dion), as well as The Matrix (Avril Lavigne), Steve Mac, Matthew Gerrard and Teddy Riley.

The first single from "Now or Never," the very un-Backstreet Boys-like "Help Me," was written by Gerrard and Michele Vice-Maslin. Meanwhile, Carter channels Def Leppard and Bon Jovi on songs like "Girls in the U.S.A."

Carter was on the road to support the album earlier this year, and said that his solo debut has been an educational experience.

"I've been able to open up my doors and learn new things and experience new horizons," he said. "Vocally, I've been able to become better. I have to carry a whole entire show now, one-and-a-half hours."

Carter recently took the time to talk to SoundSpike about his solo album and briefly hinted at the potential for a new Backstreet Boys album.

SoundSpike: What was your mindset when you were writing the songs for "Now or Never"? Did you find it difficult to write them by yourself?

I pretty much stayed true to who I am. I wrote a little bit on the road, a little in the studio. [Song writing is] not too hard. It's one of those things where I just gotta be in the mood and really just feel it. But there were some things that I needed to get off my chest and really experience. It's kind of like therapy.

Do you find it difficult to share your personal experiences with the public?

"I Stand for You" is a very personal song. I was just in this mode. I had a feeling where I just really wanted to let everything out. I'm not necessarily mad at certain things. I don't want to get too deep.

"Girls in the U.S.A." has a real '80s feel to it.

The thing about it was I wanted to write a song like Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me." I can go through genres--'70s, '80s, '60s, '50s. I love music. I'm a music connoisseur. People ask me, "How do you know all these songs? Singing different songs with different eras?" I'm like, "I just grew up listening to music." I just felt like I wanted to put different types of music [on the album]. Certain people like to stick to their genres [and say], "Let's just do pop, R&B or rock." It's a very segmented world of music. That's not the era that I'm from. I loved all sorts of music. I feel like gelling those music genres together and trying to create something new. That's what America's all about. That's the melting pot.

Who are some of your influences?

First of all, I've always been very influenced by rock ballads and those big, early-'90s rock songs and the '70s big choruses that are just so memorable. Like Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer"--those things that everyone sings along to and they felt good singing it. Those songs aren't so complex. I think music is too complex these days. One thing I learned with the Backstreet Boys is to keep it very simplistic. Good hooks are very good. Sometimes, I hear those songs and, yeah, they're very creative, but they forget about the reason the whole pop era did so well. The Britneys, the Backstreet Boys, they did it. Simple hooks and very simplistic songs are easy for the audience to sing along to. That's where the comparisons to Bon Jovi and Def Leppard come from.

You made a guest appearance on "American Dreams" as the lead singer of the fictional group Jay and the Americans, and another TV appearance on "8 Simple Rules to Date My Teenage Daughter." What else do you have planned?

I definitely want to get into more acting. I'm really a singer, but I started off acting, too. I love to be able to experience new things and challenge myself. Then there's a new Backstreet Boys' album maybe, very possibly. I?m 90 percent sure.

 

Nick album news

Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter is recording his second solo album. The album is going to be released in December or early 2004. There's a song called 'I'm Not Like You' co-written by Nick, which he performed during his 'Now or Never' tour, which is reportedly part of his new album. 

The Hollow (movie information)

The movie is about Ian Cranston, the great-great-grandson of Ichabod Crane, who returns to Sleepy Hollow unaware of his significant lineage. Ian?s return stirs the vengeful spirit of the Headless Horseman, and a slaughter ensues. Ian, the newcomer, must save his town by confronting the Horseman and settling an old score. LATEST NEWS Added many to the cast including, *sigh*, Backstreet Boy, Nick Carter, who plays a high school jock and captain of the football team. -- This is a modern-day Sleepy Hollow story written by Hans (SAINT SINNER) Rodionoff, who has also worked on the upcoming TORTURED SOULS, WEREWOLF BY NIGHT and MAN THING projects. This film is being produced by Dan Levin, Platform Entertainment and Seed Productions, with creature and severed head FX provided by Gabe Bartalos. Shooting begins in May. Erkiletian talked with Fango saying.. "Hans has written a script that is both contemporary and incredibly faithful to the original ?Legend of Sleepy Hollow? story. He and I both felt that while Tim Burton?s SLEEPY HOLLOW is a masterful film, it was more of a murder mystery than a scary ghost story. Our goal is to put the fright back into the tale and make a straight-up horror movie." CAST Nick Carter Kaley Cuoco Nick Turturro Judge Reinhold Kevin Zegers Joseph Masiello Eileen Brennan Stacy Keach Melissa Schuman Hasbro Signs Pop Music Sensations and Siblings Nick and Aaron Carter to Launch New TWISTER MOVES Game in June 2003

(Nick) Wants recognition as a rocker

Nick Carter doesn't pretend to hide his time with the pop group the Backstreet Boys, but he wants to talk more of his career as a soloist, which he assured has had a wide acceptance in his facet/role as a "rocker".

"They already know me, but now I want them to know me another way. I am a rocker and I have always been because it's a part of me, (part of) my drive, and (part of) my what I like. I love it!" he said after his performance at the 2003 Acapulco Fest.

Carter played down the possibility that his fans would prefer that he perform pop and not rock.

"You think so? I don't thinks that's true, but we can ask. I, to put it simply, have received important tokens of affection everywhere I go, especially here.

"The Mexicans are a great audience, I can't say anything bad about them, and I only hope I don't let them down," he said.

Carter assured us he would always stay close to the Mexican public, with whom, he declared, he fell in love at first sight.

"I have encountered here a very special affection, because of which I will return as much as possible, hoping to see each time, everything wonderful here: the women , the beaches, and everything else," he said.

Of the Backstreet Boys, Carter admitted there was no plan to work together for the time being.

"I believe we will get back together some day, but for now there nothing is going on and I don't believe there will be anything soon."

He commented that he felt much enthusiam with his solo career, which doesn't mean he's estranged from the group that launched him to fame.

"If I go solo, it will be a sideline from being in the group, but for now I am a soloist and it is up to me that everything goes well. It's more complicated, but I these challenges enchant me because it's my moment to follow my own path" he noted.

Carter was satisfied with his performance on Saturday in the South Garden of the Acapulco Convention Center.

"I sensed a special vibe stepping on a stage, but today I am truly exhausted, it seems like I made two trips around the world," he concluded.

 

 

As a member of the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter has performed in front of millions, on stages in every corner of the world. But there he was, alone, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" preceding the debut Monday Night Football game between The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers...and he was nervous?

"It was scary, he states. "Although we've played in front of some big people before and done some big shows, I was tripping out. This was different--because it was the Patriots, the world champions. It was on the same caliber as the Super Bowl itself. The national anthem is a hard song to sing. I was nervous in the beginning, but when I got through the middle of the song, I started to lighten up. I was just really excited and it was such a blast."

In a way, the performance in Foxboro also signifies Carter's attempt to go on his own--at least when not still being involved with "the Boys." Helping launch his forthcoming debut solo album, Now Or Never, is the just-released single, "Help Me." The song's guitar-based hook is certainly a departure from the signature teen-pop sound he and the Boys helped define.

Carter recently discussed his new venture and how he has settled into his celebrity status.

When did you first get the idea of doing something on your own?

Well, initially I didn't even really think that I could record an album by myself. We came back from the Black & Blue tour; it was over in Japan and everybody was taking some time off...a hiatus of sorts...and I wanted to just try stuff and go into the studio and see what could happen when it just came to writing and stuff like that. I went into the studio, wrote eight songs in about a week with some guys and after that it was like...bam!

I wrote one song called "Do I Have To Cry For You," which started floating around the record company. They came back to me and said, "We want to talk to you about an album." I was like, "What?" Then I thought to myself, "Hell, why not? I'll try it."

I've sung songs by myself with the Boys and everything, but I've never really written songs by myself or experienced anything like that. So about 37 songs later, everything was done and everything was great. I suddenly realized, "Oh my God, I've really got an album!" Everything just fell into place; it wasn't really forced at all. It just happened the way it was supposed to.

Since you're still with the Boys, were you worried at all about how they might react to what you were doing?

Of course. There's that initial part of being scared and wondering what everybody was going to say and how the Boys were going to react. I've been with the Boys since I was 12 years old. That's all I ever knew; I didn't know anything else and I wanted to try and experience something new.

They were kind of shocked at first and a little bit leery, because we've been doing the same thing for 10 years. Then they all cooled down and realized that this was something that means a lot to me--and is really personal. I wanted to be able to be by myself to find things out.

When you started putting your own songs together, did you make a conscious decision to do stuff that was a lot different than the Backstreet Boys?

The music is different in general; it's got a rock edge to it. I grew up listening to rock music; it's one of my favorite things. Although I love to sing all different types of music, rock was it for me, because I really get off on the crunch of the guitars and the raw feeling of the sound. When I got in [the studio], it all came out that way. It wasn't like I forced anything.

So the rest of the record has the guitar energy in "Help Me"?

The rest of the album is actually a little bit harder, but the difference is that it's pop music with a rock flavor. I was trying to use what I was doing before and add a new element to it.

Did any of the songs really surprise you in terms of taking big chances or experimenting?

The whole album...the whole recording process was an experiment. I just went in there and whatever came out, came out. When I listened to it afterwards, it was like, "Damn, this is really cool, because it's different." It doesn't sound like anything else out there.

Everybody is trying to do the same old things--all the same patterns, the whole dancing stuff and all that crap. I wanted to try something different...and not follow everyone else. Of course it's a hit-and-miss situation--sometimes you might miss and sometimes you might hit--but you have to take the chance. I'm really proud of what I've done and what I've accomplished when it comes to the experimental side.

Of the 37 songs, was it tough deciding which 12 made the album?

It was really tough. I had a lot of good material and I was really happy with what I did. The decision came down to [figuring out] what is going to be the best way to come out of the box. We chose what was going to be totally me.

If this album really takes off, you could be in a bit of a quandary when people start asking you about doing solo concerts and such. Have you considered that?

Well, when I went into the studio, I pictured myself writing songs that I could see myself performing on stage with a guitar, rockin' out and all. Of course I'd love to do that; that would be really cool. Who knows if it's going to take off or not? I'm just happy to be doing it. As long as I'm happy doing it and I'm making somebody happy out there, that's all that really matters.

Once you became really popular with the group, did you realize how tough it would be to go out on your own? Were you worried about being typecast as a boy band superstar?

Of course that's something that's going to always be there; people are gonna always look at that. The only thing that I can do is work my ass off, show people who I really am and have fun doing it. There are definitely people out there who are going to criticize and say stuff. I've come to the belief that [such criticism] doesn't matter. I've got to be happy with what I'm doing. It's gonna happen and I'm gonna be typecast. As long as I don't look for that stuff; you just [have to] let it go in one ear and right out of the other.

Have you gotten used to the fact that everything you do, be it public or private, is fodder for the tabloids?

A little bit. I've had some stuff come out that really looks bad in other people's eyes. The funny thing is, though, if I wasn't in this group I'd probably be doing the same things anyway. There are people my age--not in the spotlight--who are doing the same things. That's just a part of life...things happen. People have to realize that the only difference between me and any 23-year-old is that I'll do the same things in the spotlight.

Is becoming "multi-Platinum" successful as important as just being able to express yourself individually?

I'm just happy to express myself individually. If it happens and people like really dig it, that's great, but that's not the reason why I did it. My motivation now is that I love to create music and just have fun doing it. If you're not having fun doing something in life, then why the hell are you doing it in the first place?

Your record came out at around the same time as the new Justin Timberlake. There's always been this "media rivalry" between the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. Does that come into play at all?

The rivalry stuff is out the window. I don't care about it any more. That stuff can just ruin what you're doin' in the first place. We're entertainers and we're here to make other people happy with our music. How can you make other people happy when you're worrying about all that stuff?

There are going to be people who like him and there are going to be people who like me. I just want to be happy with what I'm doing and not get caught up in the drama. Dude, he might sell hundreds of thousands more records than me. I don't care; it doesn't matter to me. I'm really just having fun.

So what does your immediate future look like?

I'm making the rounds. I'll be doing some radio shows and stuff later on in the year. I'm going over to Europe for four weeks, then Asia. I'm going everywhere, man.

I'll be gettin' down with the people who got us to this point in the first place. A lot of radio people deserve respect; I want to show them some love for all these years--especially with the Backstreet Boys. It's been a while since we've been there. It's going to be a conscious effort to give back to those people and show them a little love. They mean a lot to what I do.

One last thing: Now that you've got a solo album, do you look at what your brother, Aaron Carter, has been doing in a different light, knowing what he's gone through as a solo artist?

Oh, yeah. My brother has been busting his ass for a long time--and he's a little kid. He still doesn't get respect from the industry for doing what he's doing at his age. Hopefully that will change eventually. He's a great performer and he's a really talented kid. The fact is, I love my brother; he really inspires me...and I inspire him. That's what the whole family does

Ready to begin the big musical event in the heavenly port (guerrense?), where it was announced that the Acapulco Fest 2003 would be, without doubt, the best of all the festivals, the presenters again said that the stars would be national and international celebrities.

The team, of course that grew to names as Nick Carter, Alex Lora, Jon Dried, Alejandro Fernández, Dew Dúrcal, Yuri, Francisco Lawns and Lupita D' Alessio, and names such as Paquita from the 'Hood, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Cañaveral, Boby Pulido, Limit, Tucanes of Tijuana, Hurricanes of the North, Bacilli, Tabuca Coffee, Kabah, and The Great Silence from among others.

All this was announced at the press conference offered by event producers Luis de Llano Macedo and Marco Flavio Cruz, accompanied by the state government's Secretary of Tourism, Guadalupe Gómez Maganda, who was also accompanied by de Carmen Arméndariz y Reynaldo López, producers of the shows "Big Musical and "Today", respectively.

"Big Musical" and "Today" will be taped on Sunday from the heavenly port of Acapulco, and will also, besides opening the festival, will cover the closing (of the festival) on Sunday May 25, such that with "Today's" 3 hours of programming, will be broadcast all week, from Monday thru Friday, on the "(TV) Channel of the Stars"

The big festival of Acapulco Fest 2003 returns (this year) to be presented on 3 stages; besides the Southern Garden of the International Convention Center, it will also use the Teotihuacan Hall, and the new stage at Tamarind Beach. "I can say that many ideas are evolving and new concepts and possibilities are being expanded that can be held in the week of festivities.

Luis de Llano Macedo said he was leaving open the possibility of surprises guest singers. "It is clear that we want celebrities such as Ricky Martin, who will be in Mexico promoting his new CD, and it would be wonderful (sensational) to have Luis Miguel, even though he doesn't have a new CD.

The producer gave assurances and named a list of 59 groups and singers, the majority Mexican, with great international recognition popular appeal. All the musical festival will be transmitted satellite way to more than 30 million homes in the world, including Mexico, Latin America, United States, Africa, Asia and Europe.

"This festival without a doubt will be the best of all we've done", said Marco Flavio Cruz, recognizing that he has already put together mor than 10 years' worth of such events in the lovely port of Acapulco.

The stellar concerts will be directed by Arath de la Torre, Alexis Ayala, Gloria Calzada, Mónica Noguera y Rafael Mercandante. Carlos Eduardo Rico, Memo Ríos, Miguel Galván, Adrián Uribe, "El Costeño" y Teo González will be in charge of hospitality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"NICK CARTER'S EL DIABLO RACING," SIGNS ON TO RACE WITH THE BIGGEST, FASTEST BOATS^TM IN THE WORLD

MARATHON, Fla. - April 7, 2003 - "Nick Carter's El Diablo Racing Team" moves up to the Superboat Unlimited class of racing with Super Boat International Productions, Inc. International singing star of the famous "Backstreet Boys" Nick Carter, signed a letter of intent for his team to race in the 2003 Super Boat International (SBIP) boat racing circuit.

The Miami Super Boat Grand Prix scheduled to take place April 25-27, 2003, will mark the debut of the "Nick Carter's El Diablo Racing" in the Superboat Unlimited class. Todd Wharton one of the top throttlemen in the business will be on the throttles and Marc LaFleur, experienced driver will be on the wheel in the cockpit. "I'm very excited to be moving up, running with the BIGGEST, FASTEST BOATS^TM in the World and have a team that can take the National and World Championships" said Carter.

"Nick Carter's El Diablo Racing" will race a 42' Fountain, Cat-hull, housing twin 1500 hp engines and will race in the Superboat Unlimited Class were the boats are capable of speeds in excess of 170 mph. "We are delighted to have Nick Carter El Diablo Racing team racing with SBIP this season. Nick and Aaron will attend at pre-announced race sites and also staging concerts, it is going to be a great year for our fans and the Carter's," said John Carbonell, President of SBI.

Nick follows in a long tradition of SBI celebrity drivers. Don Johnson, Kurt Russell, Chuck Norris and Jason Priestley have all been racers in the BIGGEST, FASTEST BOATS^TM in the world.

Be on the look out for Nick Carter's new release "Now or Never"!

The 2003 SBI racing schedule will continue at Ft. Myers, 5/16-18; Marathon, 6/13-15; Sarasota, 7/4-6; Washington, NC, 8/1-3; New York, 9/5-7; Miami, 9/19-21; Deerfield Beach 11/1-9.

For more information or SBI sponsorship opportunities visit www.superboat.com or call (305) 296-6166.

*** I will be posting all the latest news from "El Diablo Racing" in the Nick Carter Racing section of this site in the near future.***

New Tour Date Announced

Nick is scheduled to perform at the Orlando House of Blues on May 2 . Tickets go on sale this weekend. For more info go to www.ticketmaster.com

 

Sunday, March 30, 2003:

 

It isnt exactly over, but the future of The Backstreet Boys isnt looking good. The boy band has announced that they wont be going ahead with plans to record a new album. Theyre not breaking up, but theyre not exactly staying together either.

Kevin, Brian, A.J., Howie and Nick had plans to go into the studio this month to begin recording the long-awaited follow-up to 2000s Black And Blue. Howie Dorough had even told Billboard only a few weeks about that he had written almost 30 songs that he wanted to try out for the album. It looks like Howie shouldnt hold his though.

"As a group, we have decided not to record our next album at this time," the Boys collectively said in a statement. "We are not breaking up, but individually we are currently at different places in our lives and our hearts and minds are focused in other areas. All of us are getting along great and are supporting each other in our individual endeavors.

"When the timing is right, we will record another Backstreet Boys album. We would like to thank our fans for their continued support and love throughout our career."

When will Backstreet be back? Well, with the current pop music climate favouring "real" artists like Avril Lavigne and John Mayer over pre-fab pretty-boys like BSB, were guessing that theyll take their time. And, as the statement said, many of the Boys have already effectively moved on. Little Nicky Carter has already started a semi-successful solo career and the senior Backstreet Boy, Kevin Richardson, has just finished a stint on Broadway in the stage version of Chicago.

 

Yesterday, the Backstreet Boys surrendered. Our long national suffering is over. 'N Sync has outlasted their greatest rival boy band. Backstreet is dead.

But wait, not so fast. While it is true that the Orlando group has announced there will be no new albums, at least one B-Boy wants to try to have a career. Nick Carter, otherwise known as 'the blonde one', may try to get himself into the teen movie pool. Over the weekend at least one project was mentioned with his name in it attached to rising cutie Hilary Duff.

This would put Carter into the Freddie Prinze, Jr. category (you remember him) following in the footsteps of Tab Hunter, Jan Michael Vincent and Christopher Atkins. You can almost imagine an agent or manager dreaming of quick profits over the next three years. Then, of course, there will be I'm a Celebrity! Get Me Out of Here Part 3.

Even as Backstreet collapses, one member -- Kevin Richardson -- has been moonlighting in Chicago on Broadway. One of the others, either Howie or A.J., was recently featured in US Weekly for having cheated on his fiancée. The fifth Boy, Brian Littrell, the one who could sing, is thinking of going out on his own.

It's not the way the Beatles ended, is it? You may remember how Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync were once compared to them during their frantic heyday. Meanwhile, Backstreet are suing Jive Records, their label, for the second time in their short career. They won the first suit. As one Jive insider quipped to me at the Grammy's: "They've figured they can make more money in lawsuits than in recording."

 

Recording future in doubt for pop superstars

The Backstreet Boys insist they aren't splitting, but still can't say when they'll follow up 2000's Black and Blue. In a new statement, the Boys announced their decision to defer work on a new album, citing diverging personal priorities. "Individually we are currently at different places in our lives," the statement reads, "and our hearts and minds are focused in other areas. When the timing is right, we'll record another Backstreet Boys album." Delays and frustration have marked the band's effort to record a fourth album. They were initially scheduled to deliver the set to Jive in April 2002. After that didn't happen, the band sued Jive parent company Zomba for $75 million, alleging the label invoked contractual loopholes to stymie their efforts to successfully complete the set.

The Boys' contract requires that all five members contribute to the making of each Backstreet Boys album and that the label approve all songs and producers before material for an "album" can be submitted. They claim that Jive refused to participate in that decision-making process and prevented Nick Carter from working on the BSB record by demanding that his solo set, Now or Never, take precedence.

At the time of the November lawsuit, the band said they were writing material together for a new album and would support it on a summer world tour, neither of which seem likely now.

Though it was certified eight times platinum (8 million copies shipped), Black and Blue was not the sales phenomena that its predecessors were. The Backstreet Boys' 1996 self-titled debut is fourteen times platinum, and 1999's Millennium is thirteen times platinum.

Representatives from Jive, the Backstreet Boys' label, were not available for comment at press time.

 

After meeting to figure out what their next move would be, the Backstreet Boys have put on hold their plans to be Backstreet Boys once again.

"As a group, we have decided not to record our next album at this time," the bandmembers said in a statement released late Wednesday. "We are not breaking up, but individually we are currently at different places in our lives, and our hearts and minds are focused in other areas. All of us are getting along great and are supporting each other in our individual endeavors."

What those endeavors are remains unclear, as Nick Carter has wrapped his solo tour and Kevin Richardson has finished his run on Broadway in the stage version of "Chicago."

The band had previously planned to go back into the studio in late March to record the follow-up to 2000s "Black & Blue," and the Boys had expressed interest in working with producers such as Glen Ballard, Jermaine Dupri and Babyface (see "Backstreet Boys Seek Jermaine Dupri, Glen Ballard For Next LP").

Last week Richardson said the band had decided to go with different producers, but he insisted that he and his bandmates were anxious to get back in the studio (see "Backstreet's Back: Group Plotting Follow-Up To Black & Blue").

"When the timing is right, we will record another Backstreet Boys album," Wednesday's statement said. "We would like to thank our fans for their continued support and love throughout our career."

The bands management had no comment beyond the written statement, and the group's label, Jive, was unavailable for comment.

 

The Backstreet Boys have finally reached the end of the road -- their upcoming album is set to be their last.

Group member Howie Dorough recently announced that he and his bandmates would be releasing a new album, which they hope will hit shelves this autumn.

Dorough said, "I've done a lot of writing in the past year. I've written about 12 songs individually and about 15 songs group-wise. I think we'll get together again in March, after Kevin (Richardson) gets done with 'Chicago' and Nick (Carter) gets done with his solo tour. I'm hoping to have the new album out at least by September, but I'd like it to be by the summer."

But a source tells American magazine Us Weekly, "The group is going back into the studio to work on the last Backstreet Boys album."

The source adds, "It will be followed by what might be a farewell tour."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura Weber pulls a much-cherished packet of photos from a backpack. "This is me and Nick in Belgium," she said.

She was hoping to get another photo - of her and Nick in Pontiac.

Nick Carter, the youngest member of the multiplatinum Backstreet Boys pop group, performed Thursday night at Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac. It was a much more intimate venue than arenas such as the Silverdome or The Palace of Auburn Hills, where the full BSB contingent has rocked Oakland County before.

And, to judge by the 35 to 40 fans waiting in 18-degree temperatures outside the nightclub at noon Thursday, the night could almost be billed as "Nick Carter and Friends."

Because it seemed that nearly everyone in line had a snapshot of themselves with Nick - in Germany, Spain, Florida or Milwaukee.

Weber, 19, and five of her friends traveled from Europe on Wednesday to Pontiac for the concert. She's from the Netherlands, as are Debby Yoey, 18, and Lobke von Eijk, 19.

Tinne Roelens, 19, and Caroline DePauw, 23, are from Belgium, and Nelly Feliz, 20, is from Spain. They all met at a Backstreet Boys concert in Belgium and keep in touch through e-mail. They found out about the Pontiac date through a TicketMaster Web site.

"We're going to two concerts," said Weber. "We're going to this one and the one in Milwaukee."

Members of the fan group arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Wednesday. They got to Pontiac by 9 a.m. and were probably going to be standing in line until 7 p.m.

"We really like the music," Weber said. "We're kind of addicted to it."

"They're just so great," DePauw said.

Fans of the Backstreet Boys go to great lengths to see both the group and its component parts. Tricia Snell, 26, and Lezlie Baker, 36, of Davenport, Iowa, traveled more than seven hours to huddle on the sidewalk outside Clutch Cargo's, wrapped in blankets and sleeping bags.

"This is a local trip," said Snell. "I was in New York last week"

That trip was to see Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson in the stage musical "Chicago."

"This is my first Nick concert," Baker said. "Then we're going to Chicago and then Milwaukee after that."

While Baker is a self-described "Howie girl," a fan of Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough, Snell said she also has a thing for Carter.

"I'm a Backstreet Boy fan, but Nick is definitely my favorite," she said. "Just seeing him and being near him makes me happier than anything else - and I like his voice, and it's good music."

She pulls out a plastic photo holder filled with pictures of herself and Carter, including one of the two of them in a pool in the Bahamas.

"He recognizes me," she said. "He's probably scared of me."

Troy Cousino, 35, of Lansing was first in line. He and his friends brought lawn chairs that they camped out in, starting at 11 p.m. Wednesday. The overnight low in Pontiac at that time was 6 degrees.

"It was very cold," said Cousino, opening his coat to reveal a T-shirt showing himself and Carter mugging for the camera, "but it was even colder Thanksgiving Day when I had this picture taken at the Detroit parade."

Cousino said the chance to attend the concert was worth the drive from Lansing and the overnight wait in sub-freezing temperatures.

"Obviously, with all the money he's made, he doesn't have to sell $18 tickets at Clutch Cargo's to make his fans happy, but he does," said Cousino.

While there was a festive air outside the club, the mention of another popular boy band did elicit a few groans.

"Euw," said one of the fans waiting in line. "Don't even bring them up.

"Who's 'NSYNC?"

BACKSTREET BOY Kevin Richardson says he's hoping to make another album with his bandmates later this year. But the star of Broadway's "Chicago" thinks that B-Boy Nick Carter bungled his solo debut, "Now or Never," which failed to catch fire when it was released in October. "I thought he did a good job," Richardson tells us. "[But] I wish he would have waited another year or two. He's still my little baby brother, you know? He needed to find himself before he ventured out"...

Fans of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter came to the Avalon in flocks on Monday to see him perform solo in support of his debut CD, "Now or Never."

Dedicated followers of Carter lined up on the street in the early hours of the morning with chairs and blankets in tow to grab a spot in line for the general admission show. The concert had been scheduled for Feb. 19, but was postponed due to the blizzard. It was worth the wait.

Opening act Vi3 got the audience's attention when Massachusetts native and group member Jackie Salvucci belted out the words to the group's current single, "Eyes Closed So Tight."

The short set included only three songs, but the dance break featured the familiar pelvic thrusts of a Backstreet Boys show to get the crowd into a frenzy. The other opening act, Justincase, featured family members Nick, Hannah, and Justin Tosco who set the mood for the night with their refreshing rock sound and baby-faced lead singer. Gaining fame from MTV with their single, "Don't Cry For Us" which was co-written with Michelle Branch, the group performed what seemed to be an endless number of catchy songs while the audience grew impatient.

Finally walking onto the stage in a faded-red T-shirt, jeans and a black hat, 23-year-old Nick Carter introduced himself to Boston by singing a song he co-wrote, titled "Girls In The USA."

During the song Carter earned points from the ladies of Beantown when he sang the line, "Boston's got the ones I love, with the college girls at the Aria."

Even more amusing was his attempt to master the Massachusetts accent by calling the city "Bowwstan" between songs. The screams grew louder, and the pushing became apparent as he continued through the night with upbeat favorites like "I Stand For You" and "Blow Your Mind."

Giving in to the rock lifestyle, Carter romped around onstage like a tornado heaving everything in his path. Proving he's more of a rocker than critics will give him credit for, Carter showed off his guitar skills by playing for the majority of the show.

The only choreography he put effort towards was his worn-out robot impression which was almost as tacky as his appearance on the TV show "8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter."

His connection with the audience grew stronger when he sang a medley of Backstreet Boys hits including, "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," "I Want It That Way," and "Shape of My Heart." Those weren't the only familiar songs of the night; Carter also did covers of "Shout" by Michael Jackson, "Just What I Need" by the Cars, and "Paradise City" by Guns 'N Roses. The front row became drenched as he spit out water and threw the bottles in every direction in between pelvic thrusts and bon-bon shaking.

With all the excitement in the air, several teenagers had to be taken out by security due to fainting, overheating and asthma attacks -- he seems to have that effect on young girls.

At one point during the song "Help Me," security grew concerned for the blond-haired singer as they watched him jump onto the large black speakers, which lined the sides of the stage. After climbing up three sets of speakers that looked like they were about to tumble to the ground, Carter jumped to safety and finished his show with his current single, "I Got You."

Fans reached out one last time for Carter as tears flowed and he waved good-bye to Boston.

 

 

 

 

Once a Backstreet Boy, always a Backstreet Boy. Nick Carter -- touring in support of his pop-rock solo debut, Now Or Never -- proved his BSB membership remains intact on Wednesday night during a sold-out show at Kool Haus in front of hundreds of screaming, mostly young, female fans.

The youngest Backstreet Boy, who is playing considerably smaller venues than the arenas and stadiums his former boy band enjoyed in their heyday, got the loudest response when he trotted out a trio of -- you guessed it -- BSB hits.

Quit Playing Games With My Heart, I Want It That Way, and Shape Of My Heart, came during the unplugged and seated portion of the concert, about mid-way through Carter's 85-minute set.

The audience responded with a spirited singalong when fans were actually passing out amid the pandemonium.

Otherwise, the sweet-voiced singer, dressed down in an "ARMY" T-shirt and baggy jeans which showed off black Calvin Klein underwear, put away the choreographed dance moves, big sets and special effects that were BSB's trademarks.

Instead, Carter went for the stripped-down and sweaty bar band approach with his five backing musicians happily following his animated lead.

The problem was there's nothing really remarkable about his material which gives major shout outs in the influence department to Tears For Fears, The Cars, A-HA, Guns N' Roses, and Bryan Adams.

In fact, he even inserted bits of Tears For Fears' Shout, A-HA's Take On Me, Adams' Everything I Do (I Do It For You) and GNR's Paradise City into his own songs while outright covering The Cars' Just What I Needed.

Occasionally, Carter even strapped on an electric guitar, but it seemed more like a prop than anything else, and such horrible rock songs as Girls In The USA, or saccharine ballads like Who Needs The World and Heart Without A Home didn't further his credibility.

Meanwhile, with the Backstreet Boys filing a $75 million lawsuit against their label for holding up the release of their fourth album last year -- opting to produce and record Carter's solo album instead -- clearly all is not well in the BSB camp.

And with Now Or Never hardly flying out of record stores, Carter may find himself playing even smaller venues than Kool Haus should he return.

Maybe when you've sold 36 million albums, as the Backstreet Boys have done, it doesn't matter.

NICK CARTER

'Backstreet's already back'

 

 

By G. Brown, Denver Post Popular Music Writer Friday, February 28, 2003 - The youngest member of the Backstreet Boys has recorded his first album away from teen pop's now-old-timers. On "Now or Never," Nick Carter trades the slick harmonies and epic production of BSB songs for a more '80s pop-rock direction. Nick Carter takes the stage at 7 p.m. Monday at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets, available through Ticketmaster, are $27.

"A lot of people are like, 'Oh, he's trying to be something that he's not.' The thing is, I'm trying to be myself, to do what I love and what comes from my heart," the boy-band heartthrob said recently.

It's an agreeable if predictably lightweight style. "Help Me" promotes the singer-songwriter feel. Guitar, bass and drums furnish the bulk of the instrumentation, and Carter's vocals are brought to the front. "Do I Have to Cry for You?" a glossy, ornate ballad, prolongs his musical soul-searching.

"It took that form because I'm a drummer, and I play guitar, also," Carter, 23, explained. "My main goal was to take pop songs and add live instruments to them, get that kind of feel going. I was very influenced by bands from the past like Journey and Tears for Fears. They were considered pop bands back in their day."

Blond, good-looking, Carter has assembled a band, and he's supporting "Now or Never" on tour. He'll visit the Paramount Theatre on Monday night.

"I pick up the guitar three or four times on stage," he said. "Other times, I take the mike and perform for the audience."

According to Carter, playing smaller stages than he did with Backstreet Boys is taking some getting used to.

"I wanted to grind it out again, show people that, even though I've had a lot of success with what I've done in the past, I'm willing to work for anything I get. I don't ever take anything for granted.

"This tour is cool. I don't have any hotel rooms, I'm just staying on my bus. We're all traveling around, playing gigs in little clubs. I feel like I'm giving back to the fans, something a little closer and intimate. It's a whole different vibe."

Carter also has a budding acting career. He appeared on NBC-TV's drama "American Dreams" as the frontman of Jay & the Americans.

"If people dug it, I'll keep going. But I'm not going to do something that doesn't fit my description, something I ain't good at like I used to do when I was younger. I'm a freak for music, for live performing. I might dedicate more of my time to that. Who knows? As long as it's still fun and exciting, I'll do it."

Carter is the first Backstreet Boy to undertake a solo career, but he doesn't know how the experience will carry over into the group. His excursion into rock has thrilled some fans and estranged others.

"If anybody disagrees with what I'm doing, come check out the show and then make your judgment. At the end of the day, I've been doing this long enough to have come to a decision. If I'm not happy doing what I'm doing, and if I'm not doing something that's real, then I'm not going to do it at all," he said. "Of course, it's scary. As a solo artist, I take on a lot of responsibility that I didn't realize until I actually got into it. But it's cool. I'm an adventurous person, and I love challenges."

 

 

 

He took the offshore world by storm in much the same way he has conquered the music scene. Nick Carter announced his plans for an offshore team back at the Miami International Boat Show and nothing has been the same for Super Vee competition this year. As Carter told HotBoat, "I am a maniac when it come this boat-racing stuff!" Although he can't be in the boat, Nick Carter is a vital part of the impeccable team he has assembled. Carter told HotBoat, "We strive to find the right people, and we take care of our people. We're all about winning. I hate to lose."

As the season progressed, Nick made it his business to accommodate the ever-increasing number of fans and media at every stop. In an impressive showing, the Key West team of veteran throttleman Lee Murray and driver Steve Oropeza took the 40-foot Fountain to the winner's circle seven times and captured the 2002 National title. "I am very happy that I have an incredible team," Nick said. "They have worked very hard and put all this together."

Following the team win on Wednesday (Nov 20), an elated Nick told HotBoat, "I'm very happy with the way the engines were running. Mercury has really supported us." Carter continued, "We had some competition early in the race, and we stood strong. The motors stood strong, the boat held up. You have to stand strong. You can't take that away from us."

Standing on the sea wall Saturday (Nov 23), Nick watched his team and cheered, "Stay strong, baby, stay strong." Their stunning performance, paired with Wednesday's victory, landed Nick Carter Racing a World Championship title. Surrounded by family, friends, and fans, Nick Carter said, "I like the energy, I like the vibe, I like the people, and I like the competition. This is why I wanted to get involved in the sport. This is the first of many things to come in the racing world. We can pioneer something here. Now we are bringing the entertainment aspect to boat racing. What a way to celebrate the concert tonight."

Nick Carter wrapped up his record-breaking season performing in a free concert Saturday night that also featured his brother Aaron, No Secrets, O-Town, and Jen.

 

Genre-jumping Carter delights

by Sarah Rodman

Nick Carter, at Avalon, Boston, Monday night.

If the screaming women, age 5 to 25, who packed the house at Avalon Monday were hoping Nick Carter would sing a few Backstreet Boys songs - in addition to tunes from his new solo album ``Now or Never'' - Carter did not disappoint.

During the obligatory ``unplugged'' section of the 75-minute show, the youngest, blondest of the Backstreet Boys sang a medley of his band's biggest hits, including ``I Want It That Way.'' But to judge by the smorgasbord of musical styles that Carter and his five-piece band tried out during the show, it's unclear exactly which way the 22-year-old singer wants it.

Does he want to be the new Richard Marx, as in swoony piano ballads such as ``Do I Have to Cry for You?'' Or perhaps Carter envisions himself as the second coming of Def Leppard, as the big-beat pop-rock of such Mutt Lange clones as ``Girls in the U.S.A.'' imply?

It's hard to tell, since Carter also played several Backstreet-breezy pop tunes, a frantic cover of the Cars' new-wave chestnut ``Just What I Needed'' and a snippet of Guns N' Roses' ``Paradise City.'' He even flirted with a featherweight rap metal tune.

The show lacked a cohesive attitude, with Carter seemingly at war with his own impulses. And his already whiny voice sounded painfully hoarse. But he clearly was right at home alone on a smaller stage, sans fancy dance moves or special effects.

Although he may have demonstrated some rock 'n' roll credibility, the supremely caucasian Carter almost derailed his own train when he proclaimed, ``For all them playa haters who didn't show up, they're going to miss one hell of a show.''

He may try on many styles in the future, but Carter might want to leave Gangsta Nick at home.

 

As a solo act, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter wants to rock

MUSIC REVIEW By Kevin Amorim, STAFF WRITER

Meet the tough new Nick Carter.

He wears a black commando sweater (100 percent wool no doubt, very itchy). He has a biker wallet with a chain dangling from his big leather belt. He flails around on stage, throwing his mike stand and splashing the front rows with his water bottle. And what's this? The cutest of the Backstreet bunch slings a guitar - for a couple of songs at least.

He's a rocker now.

Carter also wears his influences on his commando sweater sleeve, which he took off after "My Confession," an apparent Bryan Adams homage. Then there's the "Pour Some Sugar on Me"/Def Leppard feel to "Girls in the USA," the sold-out show's opening number. And the Bon Jovi-like ballad, "Heart Without a Home (I'll Be Yours)"; to be fair, its Jersey sound shines through more on the album version.

Carter's solo debut from last fall, "Now or Never" (Jive), is what brought 1,500 people - the majority of which looked to be the future of Long Island womankind - to the Vanderbilt Saturday night. The girls got more than just one Carter, though. Little blond bro Aaron, at first hidden in a parka, introduced the night's headliner, "Give it up for my big brother." (Aaron was later spotted in the WBLI/106.1 FM skybox, causing a mad dash for autographs and photos.)

But big brother managed to keep most of the eyes on him. Carter, 23, dipped back into the Backstreet Boys' catalog a few times, most notably on "Shape of My Heart," from 2000's "Black & Blue" (Jive). This "Heart" took shape during the night's special acoustic segment, with all the musicians sitting around on chairs, a la "MTV Unplugged."

Carter also sneaked in some covers, including the Cars' "Just What I Needed" (Ric Ocasek call your lawyer!) and a roaring techno version of the Isley Brothers' "Shout" that mutated into Tears for Fears' song of the same name. For the latter tune at least, he sounded as tough as had been advertised, even for a guy who uttered early on, "Plainview! Yo! Yo!"

Warming the stage for Carter was the Charlotte, N.C., five-piece Justincase, which played rootsy feel-good Hooters-esque rock (hey, at least it wasn't emo). At Justincase's core are the teenage Tosco siblings - Justin (of course), Nick and Hannah. The group played an earnest set from its self-titled Maverick debut, and even covered Tommy Tutone's old power-pop gem "867-5309/Jenny." It was the sound of a beer commercial from an underage band.

The night's openers, a Windy City trio named Vi3, had the stage presence of a Beastie Boys for the pubescent set - without any good rhymes. It was their first national tour, one of the boys said between the three (!) songs they performed. But everyone knew that from looking at the group's new, blindingly white sneaks.

 

 

The first date of Nick Carter's solo tour in support of his debut album, Now Or Never, was postponed due to the blizzard that blanketed much of the East Coast with snow on Monday (February 17).

"I hope the weather hasn't affected anyone too badly," said Carter. "I'm really excited about getting on the road to perform for my fans."

Carter was to perform in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on Monday, but was forced to cancel the scheduled performance. The second date of Carter's tour--scheduled for the Vanderbilt in Plainview, New York--was postponed from Tuesday (February 18) to Saturday (February 22). Opening for Carter on tour are 3LW and Justincase.

Nick Carter's updated tour schedule (subject to change):

• February 20 - Sayerville, NJ - Hunka Bunka Ballroom
• February 22 - Plainview NY - The Vanderbilt
• February 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Of Living Arts
• February 24 - Boston, MA - The Avalon 
• February 25 - Pittsburgh, PA - Metropol
• February 26 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus
• February 27 - Pontiac, MI - Clutch Cargo
• February 28 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
• March 1 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
• March 3 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
• March 5 - Phoenix, AZ - Alice Cooper'stown
• March 6 - West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues
• March 7 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues
• March 8 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
• March 9 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore

Nick Carter says to hold off on comparisons to Justin Timberlake.

WHO: Nick Carter and Vi3.

WHAT: Pop.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday.

WHERE: Hunka Bunka Ballroom, Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville, NJ. (732) 254-6701.

HOW MUCH: $18. Box office or TicketMaster.

The celebrated boy bands of the Nineties are growing up. Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees got married. N' Sync's Lance Bass is a wannabe astronaut. Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell is a father.

And fellow Backstreeter Nick Carter is looking for artistic identity.

Carter, 22, released his solo debut, "Now or Never," in October to less than enthusiastic reviews. The release is on the brink of going gold - respectable, but hardly outstanding.

That pales to Justin Timberlake's solo debut, "Justified," which was released within a week of Carter's effort and has gone double platinum without the benefit of a tour.

"I'm not paying attention to what Justin has done," said Carter. "I wish him well, but I'm doing my own thing. We made two different albums. There's room for everybody. He's doing his thing. I'm doing mine."

"Justified" is much funkier than anything N' Sync has produced, and Timberlake won acclaim for breaking ground. It's a different story for Carter. "Now or Never" isn't a considerable departure from the Backstreet sound. The rhythms are stronger; new beats punch up the mood behind Carter's capable voice, and the lyrics are a bit steamier.

Still, Carter said, "My album definitely has a different feel to it. I want to bring a new flavor. But I had to stay within perspective. You can't just go from totally hot to totally cold. It's going to shock people. I had to slowly build into it. I have to grow into what I'm doing. It takes time."

Carter says he hasn't found his songwriting touch just yet.

"Writing wasn't something I did until recently. It came naturally, but at the same time I worked real hard to find how I wanted to be perceived as an artist."

Writer-producer Max Martin, who has penned many of the Backstreet hits, held Carter's hand. Martin contributed "I Just Wanna Take You Home," by far the catchiest track on "Now or Never."

"I'm sitting back and learning from him," Carter said. "He's like a brother or a father. He's incredibly talented."

Carter is showcasing his solo material in venues such as the Hunka Bunka Ballroom in Sayreville, where he will perform Thursday, and tellingly, seats are still available.

"Most fans don't know that I've played in bar bands as a drummer during Backstreet breaks," Carter said. "But this tour is obviously going to be different from that. I'll be up front. It's been a while since we [the Backstreet Boys] played in clubs. But I'm looking forward to it. It's always good to see the faces in the crowd."

After Carter's tour ends in March, Backstreet will be back on track, reconvening in the studio in April.

In the meantime, the credibility issue looms for Carter.

"That comes over time," Carter said. "I think some of the people who you think aren't credible at the beginning of their career sometimes surprise people. Take Madonna, for instance. I'm just trying to find myself. I realize that in time I will gain credibility. Patience is a virtue."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pop singers Nick and Aaron Carter will appear in an upcoming safety video aimed at popularizing the use of life jackets by boaters and anglers, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced on Friday, January 31.

"We're into helping to save lives," said Nick Carter, 22, who made a name for himself with the Backstreet Boys. He and his kid brother, Aaron, 14, took some time in Key West during the recent APBA Offshore World Powerboat Championships (in which Nick's Super Vee Class boat won the World's) to appear in the video being produced by the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) under a grant from the United States Coast Guard.

"It's only a cameo performance, a short session with the boys talking to each other," but it gets the safety story across to teenagers," said Jim Zons who is co-producing the video with Bob Black for the PFDMA. "The kids are obviously used to working in front of a camera and working fast. They did it in only two takes," veteran cameraman Zons said.

The grant project calls for production of two educational videos, one targeted to consumers, and the other to the boating safety community, including those who retail boating safety equipment.

The project will focus on high risk boating segments such as anglers, children, canoers & kayakers, and other small boat operators," said Bernice McArdle, NMMA associate director of affiliates and project manager for the grant initiative. "This is where most drownings still occur and industry has the highest opportunity to impact behavior."

The Carter boys are the lead-in to the segment of the video that features actions sportswater skiing, wakeboarding and tubingand underline the importance of wearing life jackets while on the water.

 

Following up his stint on "American Dreams" as the frontman of a band, Nick Carter has his next television acting role lined up. The Backstreet Boy is set to play a music teacher on two upcoming episodes of the ABC comedy "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." Carter will tape his part next week, and the episodes will air February 4 and 11. ...

 

 

 

 

 

Backstreet devotees will get a chance to see Carter in the relatively intimate setting of the Kool Haus on February 26. Tickets go on sale this Friday (January 17) at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, Rotate This and Sonic Temple. Tix are going for a mere $25 again, probably much less than youd pay to see Nick play with the boys of Backstreet. We encourage all Carter fans to purchase their tickets at Rotate This.

Carter is touring in support of his debut solo album, the recently released Now Or Never. The album has already caused its fair share of controversy and not just because it forced Carter to go head to head with *NSYNCs Justin Timberlake, who also released his debut solo album, Justified, this fall. The album prompted the rest of the Backstreet Boys to launch a law suit against their label, Zomba, for focusing on Carters solo album rather than supporting the career of the full band. BSB are seeking release from their contract, plus $75 million. Zoinks!

If Nick Carter is a little too mellow for your tastes, a classic metal double-bill, featuring Scorpions and Whitesnake (together at last!) will be swinging through T.O. on March 15. The veteran long-hairs will be joined by the equally experienced Dokken for what is promised to be a four-hour metal marathon. Tickets for the show, whichll take place at the Air Canada Centre, also go on sale this Friday (January 17) at Ticketmaster.

 

Citing "scheduling conflicts" as the main reason, Nick has decided to cancel his appearances at the 2003 MTV Asia Awards and the regional press junket and showcase at Hard Rock Cafe. From the official press statement, the cancellation was due to a change in tour schedule for Nick and his band, making the six-day Singapore trip impossible.

"I wish I could be in two places at once. I've been waiting to see my fans in Asia for so long and I'm working out a plan to get over there as soon as this tour is finished. My biggest regret is that I won't be able to make it to the MTV Asia Awards," said Nick in the press statement.

Zomba Asia Pacific Director, Ryan Wright also commented: "Nick's sold-out concert tour, beginning four days after the awards, had to be moved forward for various immutable reasons. Although there will be many disappointed fans next week, Nick had to fulfill his commitment to this tour."

 

 

Nick Carter will kick off his first solo tour in support of his debut Jive Records album, Now Or Never, on February 17. At 22, Carter is the youngest member of the Backstreet Boys, and he is the first member of the group to launch a solo career. His tour will visit small to midsize clubs and theatres in 17 U.S. cities, and it will continue into early March.

Carter, who has played huge arenas and stadiums with the Backstreet Boys in the past, said that the intimate setting of his solo shows will allow for him to interact with his fans. "I wanna be dirty," Nick said. "I wanna be sweaty. I wanna be closer to fans. I wanna be so close to where I could like just touch them, you know what I'm sayin'? And you know, it's just instruments and a P.A. in a little club with a bunch of people who want to hear you, and if they like the music I'm going to give them one hell of a show."

Carter's Now Or Never came out on October 29 and debuted at Number 17 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in early November. Tickets for Carter's tour are available via ticketmaster.com.

Maverick Records sibling trio Justincase will join Carter on the road in February. Brothers Justin Tosco and Nick Tosco and sister Hannah Tosco will be opening the shows February 17-25. "Nick's got, like, a two-part tour. The first part is a bunch of East Coast dates, and the next is a bunch of Midwest dates, and we're doing all of the East Coast dates during, like, the second week in February," Justin told LAUNCH. "We're really psyched about that--it should be great!"

Nick Carter tour dates (subject to change):

February 17 - Pittston, PA - The Staircase

February 18 - Plainview NY - The Vanderbilt

February 19 - Boston, MA - Avalon

February 20 - Sayerville, NJ - Hunka Bunka Ballroom

February 22 - San Juan, PR - Tito Puente Amphitheatre

February 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Of Living Arts

February 25 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rock Jungle

February 26 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus

February 27 - Pontiac, MI - Clutch Cargo

February 28 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues

March 1 - Milwaukee, WI - Rave/Eagles Ballroom

March 3 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre

March 5 - Phoenix, AZ - Alice Cooper'stown

March 6 - West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues

March 7 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues

March 8 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues

March 9 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore

Backstreet Boy Launches Solo Trek:

Source: Rolling Stone

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter will kick off a solo tour in support of his first full-length release, Now or Never, on February 17th. The seventeen-date U.S. tour will wrap up in San Francisco in early March. Carter's solo release has been the source of much turmoil for the Backstreet Boys, prompting a $75 million suit against Zomba Recording Corporation with all five of the Boys listed as plaintiffs. The group alleges that the parent company of Jive Records prevented Carter from fulfilling his contractual obligation to the Backstreet Boys by demanding that he release a solo effort, which further held up the release of the group's fourth album, the follow-up to 2001's Black and Blue.

Baby Backstreet Goes Solo: 

Source: Pollstar.com

Hold on to your heartstrings - Nick Carter is hitting the road by himself. The Backstreet Boy has remained true to his expressed desire of playing smaller venues and will be serenading theatre-sized stages on his tour. Carter's debut solo venture launches February 17 and continues into March.

With the release of Carter's solo debut album, Now Or Never, last fall and his subsequent tour, Backstreet fans are left pondering their beloved band's fate. Never fear - this is only a temporary break in the Boys' career. Backstreet are said to be working on a new album, with Carter included in the mix.

In addition to branching out as a solo artist, Carter has taken to acting. He can be found on the NBC show "American Dreams" as the frontman of the 60s band Jay & The Americans.

Update On "8 Simple Rules":

Source: MTV. com

Following up his stint on "American Dreams" as the frontman of a band, Nick Carter has his next television acting role lined up. The Backstreet Boy is set to play a music teacher on two upcoming episodes of the ABC comedy "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." Carter will tape his part next week, and the episodes will air February 4 and 11. ...

NEW VERSION OF "SHOUT ":

Source: nickolas-carter.com

There is a new version of Shout featuring Nick and Michael Jackson available. You can download it from:

Dirty Little Secrets

and full credit goes to that site as it is apparently an exclusive version made available to them.