Published Sunday, November 28, 1999, in the Herald-Leader LITTRELL BUDDY DESCRIBES THRILL
AS BACKUP VOCALIST
Eschelle King, 25, knew Brian Littrell as the folks at VH1 might say
before he was a pop star. Classmates at Tates Creek High School, they
got to know each other well in choir during the 1991-92 school year,
when King was a junior and Littrell a sophomore. She was among the
voices from the Tates Creek Choir that provided the backing vocals to
Perfect Fan, both on the CD and at the two shows at Rupp Arena. King
shares a few moments from the choir's special weekend.
It is Saturday night; the final concert at Rupp starts in 31/2 hours. Last night
was amazing. I never thought I would see so many people, anxiously
awaiting his arrival. To all of them, Brian is a star, a heartthrob. To his
friends, he is just the same Brian who made everyone laugh in chorus class.
He's always happy to see old friends, regardless of how long it is between
visits. Six years ago none of us ever expected that it would be something
this big.
It wasn't until the moment I was standing on stage Friday night that I
realized the magnitude of it all. Thousands of devoted fans, mostly girls,
screaming. When it was time for us to sing, the entire place erupted.
As we walked on stage to take our places, it was like nothing I had ever felt
before. My knees were shaking, my hands were sweating I was trying not
to cry but it absolutely took my breath away. Seeing Brian, knowing he had
written the song (Perfect Fan) for his mom, and the fact that he wanted us
to share in such a special occasion added to the intense emotions.
The most memorable moment for me was when Brian walked around to my
side of the stage, with his mom at his side, and nodded and smiled at me.
After the song was over and we were walking offstage, I cried; not because
I was sad but because I was so proud of him.
In an instant it was over, but the euphoria of Friday night still remains.
Saturday will be a little different. Last night, I did not really know what to
expect. Now that I am more comfortable on stage, I don't have to sing from
my head but from my heart. Having my mother in the crowd will make it
even more special.
For those of us who know Brian, there is a sense of sadness, as we wonder
when our paths will meet again. I feel honored that he thought enough of his
friends to include us in his Rupp Arena homecoming. It was a dream come
true. I will forever cherish this memory and will always be his perfect fan.