Originally published 6.26.01

These pop stars continue to try to break in country singers. Britney Spears is working hard to make newcomer Kristy Lee a star. Lance Bass of 'N Sync is having success with childhood friend Meredith Edwards (A Rose is a Rose).

Now, Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys is trying to help his older brother, Baker Littrell, 29, get a country deal.

Currently, Baker is a department store clerk in Kentucky with a longtime interest in country.

Earlier this year, Brian came to town with Baker to do some recording. And several labels met with Baker et. al., but no label deal yet at this point.

''I wanted to give him a jump start,'' Brian told me Saturday.

The Backstreet Boy said he kept a pretty low profile while he was in town helping his brother record.

The only two public places he hit were Legends golf club in Franklin and Ruth Chris steakhouse.

And on Saturday, the Boys mostly kept a low profile as well. All the Boys but Howie Dorough got on a bus right after the show to go to Pittsburgh.

Howie ended up going to dinner with former BSB drummer David Johnson, now a Nashville resident, at 6 Degrees. Howie then broke it down at Johny Jackson's Soul Satisfaction at the Cantina.