As the senio member of Backstreet Boys, responsibility just seems to fass naturally on the shoulders of Kevin Richardson. He's the one who most often tells the others to knock off the silliness and get focused when it comes time for serious work. Since he's a bit a perfectionist it's a weight that he gladly bears, but there's a lot more to Kevin than just his drive to succeed!
For example, did you know that Kevin totally adores children? He loves talking time out to give autographs or take pictures with Backstreet Boys littlest fans. He admits that he's looking forward to being a father himself someday. Did you also know that craves peanut butter? He's totally freaky for a snack of some of the sticky stuff with jam on a cracker. Kevin also enjoys night life and can often be found scoping out new dance floor moves with fellow BSB Howie at the hottest clubs. Whenever Backstreet Boys are visiting a new city or country, Kevin insists on taking some time out to organize a little sightsseing expedition for the Boys. He loves to explore new cultures and sample exotic food.
Born in Lexington, Kentucky on October 3, 1872, Kevin was always know that he wanted to do with his life. he discovered his love of music at an early age. " Me and Brian are cousins and both of out families are really musical," he explains. " I grew up singing in church. Me and my mom- who is Brian's father's sister- I sang duets with her in church."
Kevin spect the first nine years of his life living on a 10-acre famr and the next eight living in a modern log cabin. " I had a great childhood, " he says. " I loved school, played little league football, rode horses and dirtbikes and sang into a hairbrush in front of my bedroom mirro." Receiving his first set of keyboards as a high school freshman was an important landmark in his evolution as an artist. He eventually became skilled enough as a solo act to entertain partrons in restaurants and at weddings.
Musically, Kevin's inspired by artists who also play piano as well as vocal groups that specialize in heartfelt R&B. " My influences are Elton John, Billy Joel, Sting, Prince and all the groups like Boyz II Men and the Temptations." he says. " I really respect Elton John and Billy Joel and those guys-especially Prince, I think he's a musical genius. He's played every instrument known to man."
Kevin earned his first stage experience with local theatrical productions of famous musicals like Bye Bye Birdie and Baregoot in The Park. While still living at home, his natural grace and affinity for dance landed him a job as a ballroom dance instructor.
But eventually, Lexington became too small to hold Kevin's sizable talent and he bravely set out for Orlando, Florida hoping for a break into the fiercely competitive entertainment industry. Once established in the land where Mickey Mouse reigns, Kevin's stiking good looks and outgoing personality convinced Walt Disney World to hire him to play the part of Aladdin on stage and in daily parades. While doing the Disney gig, a friend that Kevin met at a dance club told him about the auditions for a new vocal group called Backstreet Boys. Needless to say, Kevin's gorgeous voice landed him a place in the budding group. Soon after, he brought his cousin Brian into the mix.
Backstreet Boys has been an incredible learning experience for Kevin, who of all the guys, has taken the greatest interest in the technical and business sides of their organization. " It's been a great experience. We've learned so much and we're learning every day, " he says. " Just the whole process of how the radio stations and the record industry works. And I've learned so much as far as production in the studio, I mean, I was just soaking all that in like a sponge."
For all these reasons, the other guys look up to Kevin as big brother and the voice of reason in the group- even if they're not happy with what he has to say sometimes! " Kevin is a perfectionist," confirms cousin Brian. " He's got a lot of positive aspects, but he lets his perfectionist side get in the way sometimes because he wants things to be too perfect. He knows he needs to lighten up- sometimes he looks at people and they think he's going to rip their heads off!"
As time goes on, Kevin's learned to ask for the support of other members to make things go easier. " Sometimes, we'll get together and talk to the other guys because he doesn't want to come across as the one telling everyone what to do," reveals Howie, who espacially appreciates Kevin's strong role in the group. " He's mature, responsible, professional and knows what he wants...He's the authoritative one. You need someone like that, who has leadership qualities, to get the guys together."
For his part, Kevin doesn't mind being placed in the big brother position because the continued success of Backstreet Boys is the most important goal for all its members. " Backstreet Boys is our life now. Right now we're pretty much eating, sleeping and living it, " he says a tad wearily. " And in the time that's our own, we're sleeping in our hotels after the shows and the entire day is riding on the bus."
But all of the sacrifice and hard work pay off each time Backstreet Boys get on stage and the crowd begins to roar. " When you're a singer on stage, of course youu can see the reaction of the people, and that's the greatest feeling of all. That's what we're here for." he says. " It's a natural high. When you see someone singing your song, it's pretty wild. It can almost make you want to cry."
