100 BSB FACTS AND TIDBITS

1. Back in 1993, while separately auditioning in Orlando, Florida Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and AJ McLean first hooked up and began to harmonize together.
2. Kevin Richardson heard about the upstart trio from a friend. As soon as they heard him sing. Nick, Howie and AJ welcomed Kev into their group.
3. The four guys responded to an ad for a boy band audition in a Florida newspaper. The ad was placed by TransContinetal Entertainment President, Lou Perlman.
4. Perlman and his talent scouts immediately liked what they heard, but the four guys felt they needed a fifth member to round out their sound.
5. It was Kevin's idea to call his cousin, Brian Littrell, back in Kentucky.
6. Kevin was way too excited to wait until his cousin got home, so he called Brian's school with the news. Brian got called to the office from history class.
7. There was a sixth member of the Backstreet Boys named Phoneix Stone. He was the original fifth member before Brian flew down to Orlando to join the group.
8. The quintet named themselves the Backstreet Boys, after the Backstreet Market, a popular teen hangout in Orlando.
9. After signing on with Lou Perlman's production company, the guys began rehearsing and performing locally at schools and theme parks.
10. Though they started off practicing cover tunes, the first song that BSB recorded was a track written by Pearlman called "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming."
11. Pearlman sent the tape to record industry executives and landed the guys the management team of Johnny and Donna Wright, who'd previously worked with New Kids On The Block.
12. Donna Wright played a recording of a crowd's reaction to the Backstreet Boys on record executive David McPherson's answering machine.
13. McPhearson liked what he heard and got he guys a record deal with Jive Records.
14. Kevin, Howie, AJ, Nick and Brian spent most of 1994 working with vocal coaches, choreographers, producers and stylists to perfect their look, sound and moves.
15. In 1995, the guys headed to Stockholm, Sweden to record their debut album at Cheiron Studios with help from a legion of talented songwriters and producers, including the late Deniz PoP, Max Martin, Herbie Crichlow, Gary Baker and Full Force.
16. Backstreet Boys, and 11-track CD, was released in Europe and Canada in September, 1996 and led to a European tour.
17. In 1996 and early 1997, BSB developed a huge international following and took home a number of awards for their debut album and accompanying videos.
18. In August, 1997, BSB simulaneously released their second international album, Backstreet's Back, and their first US album, a self-titled debut that included 12 tracks from their two international albums.
19. Although "Quit Playin' Games With My Heart" was the first U.S. single released off of Backstreet Boys, they'd actually released "We've Got It Goin' On" as a single in 1995 during a failed attempt to launch in America.
20. After establishing themselves overseas, and waiting for pop music to become popular again in the U.S. BSB came on like gangbusters, taking over radio and MTV while their CDs flew off the record store shelves.
21. The video for "As Long As You Love Me" may not have been as elaborate as "Everybody (Backstreet's Back) or as sexy as "Quit Playin' Games With My Heart," but , with silly costumes and morphing faces, it's probably the funniest BSB video.
22. The superhero characters on the walls in the "I'll Never Break Your Heart" video were partly Nick's idea.
23. Each room in the video represents the personal tastes of each Backstreet Boy.
24. BSB's second home video, A Night Out With The Backstreet Boys, gave fans an at home concert to treasure.
25. Backstreet Boys produced five hit singles in the U.S., "Quit Playin' Games With My Heart," "As Long As You Love Me," "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "I'll Never Break Your Heart," and "All I Have To Give."
26. BSB's American debut sold over 11 million copies and earned the group Grammy, Billboard and American Music Award nominations.
27. In the year and a half that followed the album's release, BSB toured the world, stopping in nearly every major city along the way.
28. They also created some killer videos, including the MTV award-winning "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."
29. The haunted mansion dream sequence theme of the video was entirely the guys own idea.
30. As the Backstreet Boys grew in fame, their shows grew in production to include special effects, light shows and elaborate costumes, as well as the usual choreographed dancing, audience participation and crowd sing-a-longs.
31. During concerts, the Boys have been known to single a girl out from the crowd, pull her up on stage and serenade her.
32. The All Access video gave fans behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Backstreet Boys videos.
33. Fatima Robinson is the choreographer most credited for the Backstreet Boys' dance moves. "She's the greatest dancer alive," Nick says.
34. Nick's younger brother Aaron Carter served as the opening act for much of BSB's U.S. summer tour last year.
35. By the end of 1998, the Backstreet Boys were the hottest pop group in the world. Evidence to support this includes millions of fan letters, a fast-selling line of merchandise and hundreds of websites devoted to BSB, not to mention, multi-platinum albums, hit singles and sold out concerts.
36. Nick Carter may be the youngest Backstreet Boy, but at 6'1" he's also the tallest.
37. Nicholas Gene Carter was born January 28, 1980 in Jamestown, New York to parents, Jane and Bob.
38. He has three younger sisters, Bobbie Jean, Lesley, and Angel, and one younger brother, Aaron.
39. The house in Florida where Nick grew up is on the water and includes a pool, a basketball court, Nick's cars and a very tall fence to keep away over-excited fans.(Parents now live in California)
40. Nick has played the drums since he was a little kid. He's been practicing so that he can do some drumming during BSB's current tour.
41. In his spare time, Nick plays basketball, goes Scuba diving and boating. When he's indoors, he opts for Nintendo and Sony Playstation, listening to stuff like Nirvana, Metallica, Wu Tang Clan and Journey, and watching episodes of The X-Files.
42. Nick also admits that he still plays with his brother's toys!
43. Nick was offered a part on The Disney Channel's The Mickey Mouse Club, but he turned it down to join the Backstreet Boys.
44. Together with his mom, Jane, Nick manages his brother Aaron's career.
45. Nick recorded a duet with his brother Aaron for his next album.
46. Nick and Aaron have an older half-sister from their dad's previous marriage.
47. Nick is managing an upcoming rapper named Damon.
48. Nick's middle sister Lesley is forging a music career of her own. Nick and Aaron say she sounds like Jewel.
49. Because they are such close friends, and can often be found clowning around together, Nick and Brian are know as Frick and Frack.
50. Brian Thomas Littrell was born on February 20, 1975 in Lexington, Kentucky to parents, Jackie and Harold.
51. He has one older brother, Harold Jr.
52. Brian also has a Chihuahua named Little Tyke and a cousin named Kevin.
53. Brian currently lives on his own in Orlando, Florida.
54. He got the nickname B-Rok because he loves to play basketball.
55. Brian grew up singing in chori and considers his voice a gift.
56. Brian also considers himself fortunate that he's been able to overcome his heart condition and get tons of support from family, friends and fans in the process.
57. He listens to R&B music, particularly Boyz II Men, Take 6, Brian Mcknight and his idol, Luther Vandross.
58. Some of Brian's favorite things include sports, Jim Carrey movies, macaroni and cheese, shopping and playing pranks.
59. Serious cousin Kevin is often the victim of these pranks.
60. Kevin Scott Richardson was born on October 3, 1971 in Lexington, Kentucky to parents, Ann and Jerald.
61. He has two older brothers, Jerald Jr. and Tim, and a cat named Quincy.
62. Kevin has been singing and playing the piano since he was a tot.
63. Kevin has said that Elton John and Sting have been his inspiration.
64. Because he is the oldest Backstreet Boy, Kevin's bandmates sometimes call him Grandpa.
65. Kevin stays in shape by lifting weights, water skiing, surfing and playing basketball.
66. He also likes to go to the movies, shop, eat Mexican food and sleep in when he has free time.
67. Though Kevin is single, he admits to having a crush on Liv Tyler.(now taken)
68. Before hooking up with BSB, Kevin was a stage performer at Disney World.
69. Meanwhile, AJ was busy filming shows for Nickelodeon.
70. Believe it or not, he's also a trained puppeteer.
71. Alexander James McLean was born January 9, 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida to parents, Denise and Robert.
72. Alexander James began going by AJ when he was six years old. His mom liked the sound of it for his stage work, and the name has stuck ever since.
73. AJ is an only child, but he has three dogs, Delilah, Panda and Bear.
74. Delilah is the dog featured on the "I'll Never Break Your Heart" CD single cover.
75. AJ's mom, Denise, is now the Backstreet Boys tour publicist.
76. AJ says that his biggest inspiration was New Edition.
77. Sunglasses, jewelry and bandannas are among the accessories that AJ likes to collect. He also seems to be collecting tattoos.
78. AJ is not embrassed to admit that "Boy Meets World" is his favorite show, or that he has a hugh crush on No Doubt's Gwen Stefani.
79. Howard Dwaine Dorough was born August 22, 1973 in Orlando, Florida to parents, Paula and Hoke.
80. Howie has an older brother, John, and two older sisters, Pollyanna and Angie. A third older sister, Caroline, who passed away last year in 98'.
81. Before joining the Backstreet Boys, Howie auditioned for Menudo.
82. When he first auditioned for the Backstreet Boys, Howie was performing under the stage name "Tony Dinetti."
83. Howie's younger sister, Pollyanna, is forging a solo career. Howie is acting as her manager.
84. Howie has a dog named Christopher and a cat named Oscar.
85. His friends call him Howie D and Sweet D.
86. Howie plays guitar, can ballet dance and speaks fluent Spanish.
87. He says that Jon Secada has been his inspiration.
88. How does Howie maintain that buff bod? He lifts weights, water skis and swims.
89. Howie graduated high school in the top 10 percent of his class and earned a college scholarship.
90. He's been investing his Backstreet earnings wisely in Florida real estate. His bandmates say he is the most business minded.
91. The May release of Millennium marked the second U.S. album and third international album for the Backstreet Boys.
92. Howie, AJ, Kevin, Brian and Nick co-wrote most of the songs on Millennium.
93. "I Want It That Way" the first single off the new album, is a smash hit!
94. Nick's fave song off the new album is "Spanish Eyes."
95. Several new video ideas are being tossed around by the Boys and their management for upcoming singles.
96. In the time between the end of their last tour and the release of their new album, several of the Backstreet Boys bought new cars.
97. The Backstreet Boys are no longer managed by Johnny and Donna Wright, however they are still part of the Transcontinental family, which also includes LFO, C-Note, Take 5, and Innosense and several brand new groups on the way up.
98. Johnny Wright still manages 'Nsync, as well as Britney Spears and a few other pop acts.
99. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Backstreet Boys and 'Nsync get along very well.
100. You can contact the Backstreet Boys in c/o Jive Records, 137-139 West 25 St., New York, NY 10001 or join their fan club-Backstreet Boys Fan Club, PO Box 695004, Orlando, Fl 32869-5004.