Brian Littrell spent the Backstreet
Boys' six-week hiatus planning his
future as a record mogul and
television and film producer.
The singer has gone into business
with his wife, Leighanne Littrell,
forming a music label and
entertainment production company
called BriLeigh Productions.
Littrell insists that the
family-oriented company does not
signal his retirement from one of the
world's most beloved boy bands �
but he does plan to make it his day
job when the group eventually cuts
back on touring.
"I love being a Backstreet Boy, and I love performing, but the odds of
actually traveling the rest of my life are slim," he said Tuesday while en
route to a Backstreet Boys video shoot.
"I plan on making my schedule centered around being home more and
doing less traveling � not necessary sitting behind a desk all day dealing
with business, but being a family man and being a husband. ... If I could
have it my way, it would obviously be to still make Backstreet Boys
records and move forward in business ventures like BriLeigh Records."
The Littrells have been mulling the venture for two years but finally got it
kick-started over the last month while Backstreet Boys took a break from
their tour so A.J. McLean could go to rehab.
The couple will focus on building a small roster of acts for the record
label first, but they plan to delve into film and television projects by the
end of next year. Their first release will be the soundtrack to the indie
film "Olive Juice," starring Leighanne in the lead role and featuring
cameos by Brian driving a horse-drawn carriage and McLean playing a
club DJ.
The soundtrack, which Brian and Leighanne produced and assembled, will
feature Backstreet Boys' "The Perfect Fan" as well as cuts by Los
Angeles singer/songwriters Judith Owen and Brett Laurence, Joseph
Graye and the Average Joe Band, and actor/musician Joe Pesci. Brian
co-wrote the title track with J. Michael Davis, a local Atlanta artist who
also performs the song.
"I was playing golf with the producers of the film, and we were talking
about somebody producing the soundtrack," Littrell said. "I jumped in the
car to leave the golf course, and I pretty much had the [title track]
written by the time I got home."
Littrell said he would have performed on the track, but the Boys' record
company said no. "I don't want to go solo right now, and that would have
been everybody's perception," he said. "J. Michael is a longtime friend of
Leighanne's. He actually sang at our wedding � a very talented guy."
"Olive Juice" is due on video in early October, while the soundtrack with
come out October 23.
Though BriLeigh Records has not yet signed its first act, Littrell said the
label has offers out to a few artists, whom he declined to name until the
deals are inked. He said the scope of the label will be broad.
Backstreet Boys will resume their tour Friday in Milwaukee . Littrell said the break has been good for everyone.
"We're looking forward to getting back on the road, and A.J.'s doing well,"
he said. "We're heading to Milwaukee tomorrow to start pre-production
and rehearsal and get back in the saddle. A lot of times just having down
time is a good way to prepare for a tour. You have to have your life in
order to continue on and take care of business.
"We're all very concerned about A.J.'s wellbeing," he continued. "With
him being out on the road with us, we're all like brothers � we can take
care of one another."
�Teri vanHorn
Brian Thomas Littrell ~ The Golden Voiced Backstreet Boy
- Established Jan 1999 -