Published Saturday, November 27, 1999, in the Herald-Leader
THESE BOYS ARE BIG
THE BACKSTREET CRAZE SWEEPS
LEXINGTON AS FANS WELCOME TWO
BACK TO HOMETOWN
By Heather Svokos
and Rich Copley
HERALD-LEADER ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS
Every other night, Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell hear the screams of
thousands of adoring fans. Every other night, they look out into massive
crowds and see signs that say things like ``Marry Me Kevin.'' And on every
other night, they sing chart-topping hits such as I Want it That Way.
The moment that set last night's Backstreet Boys concert at Rupp Arena
apart from every other night on the band's national tour came shortly after
9:30.
Jackie Littrell and Ann Richardson joined their sons on stage for the
heartfelt ballad Perfect Fan, which Brian wrote for his mom.
Last night was as much a homecoming as it was a concert for the Kentucky
Boys turned international pop stars. And they wanted to share it with their
families.
``It was so sweet,'' said Nikki Craft, 16, a Whitesburg High School
Student.
Lula Collins, 24, said, ``As a mom, it was really cool to see that. It says a
lot about them.''
In addition to their moms, Richardson, Littrell and their bandmates Howie
Dorough, A.J. McLean and Nick Carter, were joined by a choir of current
and former students from Tates Creek and other area high schools for the
song.
Although it was the biggest, it wasn't the only moment Richardson and
Littrell reveled in while playing their hometown's biggest house.
After the first three numbers, Nick, A.J., and Howie shouted their hellos to
the auditorium, but the crowd was waiting with bated breath for two special
greetings.
Littrell, who could barely keep the smile off his face during a dramatic,
militaristic opening number, said later: ``I really don't know what to say.
When I was a little boy, all my life, I wanted to play basketball here. My
friends know, I'm OK for basketball, but singing was another love of mine.
God made it possible, along with you all, to play here.''
His cousin, Richardson, has been known to tear up in concert in the past; he
was noticeably choked with emotion as he greeted Kentucky. ``The fellas
had a bet going, on which song I would start crying on, but I already lost it.
``There's so much I want to say, but I can't say it or I'll start crying like a
baby. ... Thank you for your love.''
And there was love to spare last night, with a screeching crowd of 22,055.
It was displayed in signs with slogans like ``Welcome Home Kevin and
Brian! We Love You!'' Then there was the girl standing alone in the crowd
singing along to every single word of Show Me the Meaning of Being
Lonely, and another with bright green nail polish making hearts with her
fingers toward the stage.
There was Stephanie Newton, 14, of Louisville, who was covered head to
toe in Backstreet doodads. A denim hat on her head, BSB pins on every
inch of her airbrushed BSB T-shirt, patches dotted her jeans, but the real
masterpiece was her shoes, on which she had superglued images from
trading cards and magazines not a millimeter was blank.
Her fave? A.J. ``He's sexy and sweet.''
Contrary to popular belief, not all the fans were female.
Ben Cox, 10, of Georgetown digs the Boys. ``They're really good singers,''
he said, adding that he's no crooner himself, ``but I like to listen to their
music a lot though.''
And then there were the dads.
Like Kevin Leland, the father of 11-year-old Sarah, a fan from Cincinnati.
In her Backstreet Boys garb, she stood in a bit of contrast to her
33-year-old dad, who sported long hair and a Harley-Davidson T-shirt.
Just a wild guess, but there might have been a few other bands at the top of
his concert list.
``I've been to 57 AC/DC concerts. But she really likes this, she has a good
time.''
For some, it was a first concert, including 6-year-old Courtney Knott of
Louisville, who kept her room clean and helped with her little sister for a
month to get to go to the show. She wore a shiny silver blouse, the same
color of the ``I love Nick'' written on her cheek.
Some parents stayed out of the fray. After arranging to meet by a big red
ATM machine and kissing their kids goodbye, Sissy Burus and Jeannie
Mesalam announced their plans for the evening.
``I'm going Christmas shopping,'' Burus said. ``And she's going to the Bryan
Station-Tates Creek football game.''
Post-concert reviews from the Boys' target audience preteens and early
teens were, shall we say, succinct. Lots of shrugs, giggles and proclamations
like the one from 12-year-old Jessica Crawford's, that: ``It was awesome!''
Her friend Lily Dankwa, 13, a Tates Creek Middle School student,
concurred: ``It was the bomb,'' she said, adding, ``My throat's killing me.''
The favorite moment of Holly Adkins, 10, of Inez? ``Nick.''
That's it her favorite moment? She nods. ``Nick.''
Her father, Rick Adkins, chimes in: ``That's what she wants for Christmas:
Nick.''