AJ Mclean as Johnny Suede

(12/14/99, 10 a.m. ET) - Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean is going to test out his new alter-ego, Johnny Suede, with an upcoming solo performance at a Jan. 9 Hard Rock Live benefit concert in Orlando, Fla. The Backstreet Boy plans to do a selection of original songs and covers at the concert, which takes place on his 22nd birthday.

The event is to kick off a new Orlando chapter of Save The Music, allowing funds that are raised locally by the non-profit organization to be spent within the Orlando area. The Save The Music initiative provides musical instruments to children, promotes school music programs, and supports music programs in cities across the country.

McLean is no stranger to pretending to be someone he's not. The singer admits that he occasionally tries wearing disguises when he is out in public, but often finds that he just can't fool the true Backstreet Boys fans. " I've tried putting on a baseball cap and not wearing sunglasses, wearing long sleeves and no jewelry, shaving my goatee off, and it doesn't seem to even help then," he notes. "But personally, I don't mind the attention. I don't mind going out and getting recognized. It doesn't bother me."

Tickets for McLean's Jan. 9 performance as Johnny Suede are $15 each and on sale now. For ticket information, call (407) 351-LIVE or Ticketmaster at (407) 839-3900.The Backstreet Boys were named artist of the year at the Billboard Music Awards last week (LAUNCH, 12/9/99). In addition, the group received awards for album of the year (Millennium), albums artist of the year, and albums artist (duo/group) of the year. The group is scheduled to kick off its 2000 tour on February 11 at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Penn.

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