No Strings Attached is #1 Seller in 2000
(6.29) Source - Billboard: Who Knew? This week's No. 1 album, Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP, has been outsold in the year 2000 by two different records. The first one's a no-brainer � *NSYNC's No Strings Attached. Can you guess what the other one is? Carlos Santana's Supernatural, which has sold just under 5 million copies in the U.S. in the year 2000, has moved about 900,000 copies more than the esteemed Mr. Mathers.
*NSYNC Gets Some Love
(6.26) Source - MTV: Guests on MTV's TRL have lately been showin' *NSYNC some love. Today's airing caught Fred Durst's surprize visit to introduce the guys at #2 with "It's Gonna Be Me." Fred gave "A shoutout to Justin & the guys" as well.
Yesterday's airing also hosted an *NSYNC fan. Blink 182's member Travis introduced the guys & when asked what he really thought of *NSYNC, replied, "Actually, *NSYNC are super nice guys. We've met them so many times & they're like, the one like, whatever, "boy band" that's super cool & you know, they're actually really talented."
*NSYNC In Playboy
(6.25) Source - Infobeat: The hotties of *NSYNC are featured in the July 2000 issue of Playboy Magazine. The cover features the woman from Howard Stern's "Son Of The Beach" TV Show, but within the magazine, the author gave in and gives *NSYNC credit for their abilities. He listed off accomplishments, saying the list was the reason girls swoon over them. The article contained no knocks to the guys, simply saying "All things aside, these guys drive women crazy."
Next Possible Single Announced
(6.25) Source - Radio: *NSYNC's Lance Bass spoke on radio station 95.5, saying "This I Promise You" might be the next single from the guys due to the fact that they would like to have a ballad out. Lance announced that the band had just recorded both Spanish and Uptempo versions of the song and it would be up to the radio stations to decide which to air. However, Lance also admitted that the song "Space Cowboy" might very well be the next single because it will be featured as the theme song on the soundtrack to the upcoming Clint Eastwood film of the same name.
*NSYNC Back To Japan
(6.25) Source - Rolling Stone Daily: According to *NSYNC's Japanese Label Management, the guys will supposedly be heading back to Japan this August for a promo or concert, but the trip has not yet been confirmed.
Eminem Dissed By 98 Degrees & *NSYNC
(6.25) Source - Launch: 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey and *NSYNC singer Chris Kirkpatrick have spoken out about the recent antics of rapper Eminem. The chart-topping rapper has expressed opinions about his dislike of "boy bands" and "pop music" both in song and in interviews, and now Lachey and Kirkpatrick have expressed their respective opinions about him.
Lachey told LAUNCH that he believes that it is primarily the pop music fans who are responsible for Eminem's success. "Well, I think it's somewhat ironic in the sense that Eminem is becoming everything that he's bashing; he's becoming a pop act. I mean, if you're Number One on TRL, these aren't all hip-hop rap fans. These are all young kids -- young pop kids voting for you and buying your album," Lachey said. "I do like him though, and I congratulate him."
Eminem's latest release, The Marshall Mathers LP, surpassed all others in its fourth week of release; it sold more than 519,000 copies, down slightly from the prior week's sales of 598,000, but still enough to land at Number One, according to industry sources. Eminem slammed *NSYNC in his hit single, "The Real Slim Shady." In TV Guide's upcoming July 1st issue, the group's Kirkpatrick offers his view on the recent turn of events, in which the rapper was arrested for gun possession and assault. "[His arrest] is karma," he said. "It's really sad when people have to put everybody else down to make themselves look good. The guy's digging himself a grave, and pretty soon he's not going to have any friends."
Storm Forces Concert Reschedule
(6.24) Source - Infobeat: *NSYNC's 140-foot wide, 40-foot high stage was being constructed by workers at the Route 66 Raceway when the storm struck, twisting the stage appart. Officials were scrambling friday night to see if the stage could be salvaged, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The Joliet Concert that was supposed to be held on June 25th has been rescheduled to August 1st. Ticket holders should listen to WBBM-FM (96.3) for updates on ticket refunds.
*NSYNC & Monica Tapped For HIV Prevention Campaign
(6.23) Source - Infobeat: *NSYNC & Monica are participating in a new youth HIV prevention campaign being launched by LIFEbeat, & both have taped public service announcements that started airingn May 9th, 2000. LIFEbeat will premiere *NSYNC's spot May 9th on its, which will include live footage of the platinum-selling boy band taken from the "Music With A Message" world AIDS day concert held in New York City on December 1, 1999.
*NSYNC Chat
(6.23) Source - Rolling Stone Daily: Saturday, July 1st, *NSYNC will be found chatting live on Artistdirect.com at 1:30PM ET. JC, Lance, Justin, Chris, and Joey will be seen and heard directly from the road upon linking to the fan conference. They'll be hanging out, taking phoned-in questions from fifteen lucky fans, and answering them on the spot as you watch it all happen! And who knows? You could even be one of those to ask the band a question!
*NSYNC To Recite Prayers On A Record With Pope
(6.22) Source - USA Today: The Pope is teaming up with such acts as *NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Celine Dion. The Pop Stars will be reciting the Pontiff's Prayers on a new CD, along with Faith Hill and hubby Tim McGraw, Monica, 98 Degrees, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Brooke Shields and others. "World Voice 2000," the recitations of personally authored prayers by Pope John Paul II, will be released by Columbia Records in September. The CD's producer, Rick Garson, told USA Today that the package will also feature a "Making Of" video and a coffee-table book.
*NSYNC Inks Deal For New Line Of Flavored Lip Balms
(6.21) Source - MTV News: Just exactly what flavor is *NSYNC's Joey Fatone? Well, according to a licensing deal the Orlando boy band has just struck with Famous Fixins for a line of Lip Balms, Fatone's flavor is Green Apple - or, at least that's what his Lip Balm will taste like. The *NSYNC brand of Lip Balms are expected to his store shelves in mid-summer, and will be available as a five-pack as well as separately. In addition to Fatone's Green Apple balm, the other respective members of *NSYNC will also get their own flavors: JC Chasez - Watermelon, Lance Bass - Blue Raspberry, Chris Kirkpatrick - Strawberry, and Justin Timberlake - Vanilla. Famous Fixins is the same novelty manufacturer that began offering a line of Britney Spears bubble gum earlier this year, and which is currently available via the Famous Fixins Web site (www.famousfixins.com), as well as retail outlets. *NSYNC is currently in the middle of an extensive North American tour to support its newest album, "No Strings Attached," and are scheduled to play Minneapolis on June 23rd, and Joliet, Illinois on June 25th.
Britney Says No *NSYNC Movie
(6.21) Source - Infobeat: Rumors Originating From New York Mag And Dotmusic Claiming The Making Of A Movie Similar To "The Bodyguard", And Staring *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake And Britney Spears, Were Recently Denied By Miss Spears. The Songstress Replied That The Rumors Were Not True And That She Does Not Have Time To Do A Movie At This Time In Her Career. When asked about the movie in a recent interview with MuchMusic, Britney gave a little weird look, and immediately said it isn't true.
*NSYNC To Sing National Anthem At Jayson Williams Celebrity Softball Challenge
(6.20) Source - Launch: *NSYNC will make a brief appearance to sing the national anthem at the annual Jayson Williams Celebrity Softball Challenge at Riverfront Stadium in Newark, New Jersey, on July 29th. The all-star forward-center of the New Jersey Nets basketball team will host the charity softball game, which will feature celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and music, and will benefit the Jayson Williams Foundation. In exchange, Williams has agreed to be one of the commentators for *NSYNC's Challenge For The Children II charity basketball game at 7:30 p.m. ET that same evening (July 29th) at St. John's University in New York City.
*NSYNC No Longer To Tour With Britney In UK
(6.19) Source - Smash Hits: It has now been confirmed that *NSYNC will not be appearing on the previoulsy announced Britney Spears UK tour, as there is apparently no time available in their globe trotting schedule. The guys are now hoping to be bring their own spectacular show to the UK as soon as possible.
*NSYNC To Hoop It Up With Joe, Aaliyah For Charity
(6.18) Source - MTV News: *NSYNC has invited Joe, Aaliyah, Method Man, and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant to help the band hoop it up for charity as part of its "Challenge For The Children II," set for July 29 at St. John's University in New York City. Jermaine Dupri, Pink, Rosie O'Donnell, and the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett are also among those expected to turn up for the game, which will raise funds for several children's charities, including The Justin Timberlake Foundation, an organization that supports music and theater programs in public schools. Others beneficiaries from the "Challenge For The Children II" will be Arnold Palmer's Hospital For Children & Women, and the Nordoff-Robbins Foundation, which uses music therapy in its treatment for severely disabled children. *NSYNC will take to the St. John's court after playing four sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden (slated for July 25-28th), and on July 28th, the group will help kick off the "Challenge For The Children II" event with a press conference at Planet Hollywood, New York. *NSYNC held its first "Challenge For The Children" basketball game in Atlanta last August, which featured appearances from Usher, Mase, Jermaine Dupri, Kobe Bryant, and the Indianapolis Pacers' Reggie Miller.
*NSYNC to Play Charity Basketball Game
(6.16) Source - Yahoo: Apparently *NSYNC doesn't know the meaning of a day off. On July 29, immediately after the boys wrap up their four-night run at New York City's Madison Square Garden, they'll be hosting Challenge for the Children II, their second annual celebrity basketball game for charity. Hey, who wouldn't pry open a wallet to watch Justin, Joey, & all, running around in those cute little shorts-and-tank-top combos for a couple of hours? Among the guests invited (but not yet confirmed) are Britney Spears, Da Brat, Joe, Pink, Method Man, Redman, 98 Degrees, legendary NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas, and actresses Penny Marshall and Rosie O'Donnell. In addition, several participants from last year's Challenge for the Children I have been asked back, including Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Josh Keaton (formerly of No Authority), and Kobe Bryant.
*NSYNC founded Challenge for the Children in 1999 to support children's programs and charities � particularly those concerned with youth healthcare and music education � throughout the U.S. Last year's game in Atlanta, which featured players like Brian McKnight, 112, and Blackstreet, as well as all five *NSYNC members, and was coached by NBA players like Bryant and Dennis Scott, raised more than $100,000. Proceeds from this year's match will go to Orlando, Fla.'s Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women, the Justin Timberlake Foundation, and the Nordoff-Robbins Foundation (coincidentally, that's AC/DC's favorite charity). Challenge for the Children II will take place at St. John's University in New York City, with tip-off time scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20 to $42.50 and go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. EST.
*NSYNC Joins Eminem Debate
(6.15) Source - MTV News: *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick has joined the Eminem debate and appears to feel a little sorry for the Detroit rapper... though not too much. Chris says when publicity-starved Eminem attacks pop stars like *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, he's just showing his own anger. He adds, "I think Eminem is disgruntled, period. It's all about controversy. He wants to have controversy so he will go after whoever is in the limelight at the time, not just us, he talks about Christina and Britney. We respect musicians and, as crazy as it may sound, we respect Eminem. We've actually gone on TV and said we love his stuff, we love his new innovations, and then, to have him come out and say things about us - it's well, it's karma. It's going to come back and hurt those who use it the wrong way." Meanwhile, Chris has just launched a clothing line and a management group through his FuMan Skeeto Enterprises. He's wearing FuMan Skeeto clothes onstage and to special events and says it keeps him busy adding, "I haven't had a day off in years. I enjoy that."
*NSYNC Want VIP Status
(6.14) Source - Infobeat: Pamela Anderson Lee loves casting musicians in her sexy TV show, V.I.P. Rumor has it from the network of industry insiders that the hotties of *NSYNC are trying to land themselves a spot on the campy program.
Good luck guys, We all look forward to that guest appearance!
*NSYNC Adds Summer Tour Dates
(6.14) Source - LiveDaily: *NSYNC has added new dates to its sold-out U.S. tour. The latest dates round out the group's appearances in the South, while adding consecutive nights to some Northeast venues. New shows in Lexington, Ky., Greensboro, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C., have been added to the itinerary, along with additional nights in Philadelphia, Albany and New York City. The added NYC. dates bring *NSYNC's run at Madison Square Garden to four consecutive nights. The popular boy band is touring in support of "No Strings Attached," the group's second album. "No Strings" holds the record for the largest seven-day sales totals after selling 2.4 million units during its first week of release. In April, the album was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. sales of 7 million copies.
Sisq� Back On Tour With *NSYNC
(6.14) Source - Rolling Stone: Sisq�'s touring with *NSYNC was interrupted recently when he went to work on filming scenes for a new Miramax movie, "Getting Over Allison". The film, which stars Kirsten Dunst and Ben Foster, tells the story of a young man who rebounds from a relationship by falling for his best friend's sister. Sisq� has a small but dialogue-heavy role in the film, which will hit theaters next year. The "Thong Song" singer rejoined *NSYNC's "No Strings Attached" tour June 9th for their concert in Pasadena.
*NSYNC & Britney Film Commercial
(6.12) Source - : *NSYNC and Britney Spears recently filmed a McDonalds commercial which was shot between 9AM-6PM on Saturday, June 10th at the McDonald's restaurant at the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue in Surrey, Vancouver. Around 300 local children ranging from ages 6-14 were hired to act as ardent fans while the musicians simulated a live performance on a makeshift stage in the shadow of the golden arches. Songs by *NSYNC and Britney will be featured on a McDonald's compilation album as a promotional item for their sponsorship of the 2000 Olympics.
*NSYNC's Chris To Tackle Issues On Politically Incorrect
(6.9) Source - MTV Online: Where does *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick stand on this whole John Rocker thing? Fans and the merely curious can find out on Friday night when Kirkpatrick joins host Bill Maher on ABC's "Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher." Kirkpatrick will join musician Dweezil Zappa, boxer Laila Ali, and radio host Floyd Brown on Friday's celebrity panel, which will discuss whether or not the Atlanta Braves should have sent pitcher John Rocker down to the minor leagues following his heated exchange with a "Sports Illustrated" writer. Spokespeople for the show told MTV News that Kirkpatrick and his fellow panelists will also tackle the changing nature of beer commercials and the $8,000 unisex bathroom that the city of Boston recently built for a transsexual city employee. "Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher" airs following ABC's "Nightline" in most markets, but fans are urged to check their local listings for airtimes.
Backstreet Boys Bicker about *NSYNC
(6.9) Source - Fox News: Indeed, this is a time of identity crisis for Backstreet Boys, since their label, Jive Records, took in rival band *NSYNC last winter. This would have been akin to Capitol Records, home of the Beatles, welcoming in the Rolling Stones around 1966. Translation: yikes!
Last year, Jive ponied up $60 million as a bonus to shut up the Boys when they threatened to sue over the *NSYNC addition. But apparently that isn't enough. Since then, *NSYNC's album, No Strings Attached, which Jive released a couple of months ago, went through the roof and broke all records. (Go figure.) Then the two groups were about to have similar-sounding singles on the radio, a crisis which was averted when Backstreet backed off and chose another release.
Now the Boys are bitching again, according to my sources, and want more money, more attention, and more of everything. "There's always talk of suing Jive and leaving the label," says a source. I am also told that preparations for the crucial follow-up to Millennium � which has to break even more sales records eclipse the recent *NSYNC success � are spotty at best. In London last month, two of the Boys � Littrell and his cousin Kevin Richardson (the one with the pointy dark goatee) � freaked when songwriter Max Martin didn't make it to a meeting and postponed a writing session. Littrell and Richardson didn't bother to reschedule but left and flew home to Orlando, Fla. Martin, the Swedish songwriter who composes all the very catchy meaningless hits for BSB, *NSYNC and Britney Spears, will somehow have to be brought back into the fold. Otherwise, the Boys will really know the "meaning of being lonely," as their current Martinized ditty goes.
Finally, there's the problem of Littrell and Richardson � the McCartney and Lennon of the group, if you can make that leap � getting older, taking wives and wanting to expand their careers. Each is engaged and Richardson may already have tied the knot. This could put a crimp in the future of the BSB, as if being 30 wasn't reason enough to stop being called a "boy.
*NSYNC Performs At A Bat Mitzvah
(6.8) Source - Infobeat: *NSYNC performed at a 12 yr old's Bat Mitzvah on Sunday, June 4th. The friends and family of 12 year old Rachel Colburn gathered at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Potomac, MD and were entertained by *NSYNC for 40 minutes. Rachel Colburn's father is America Online's President of Business affairs, David Colburn. For their day's work, industry experts say that the group likely pocketed at least $1 million.
Man Shot Outside Sisq� Show
(6.8) Source - Infobeat: After opening for pop sensation *NSYNC at Phoenix's America West Arena in Maryville, hottie Sisq� attended a post-concert party at the Power Plant Nightclub in a nearby neighborhood in West Phoenix, where he performed some of his hit songs. around 11:30PM, two of his armed security guards became involved in a confrontation with a group of eight or nine men who were upset that the club was demanding a cover charge after they had paid $30 to park at the venue, according to Phoenix Police Lt. Brent Vermeer. The guards claimed that one of the men shot at them and that they returned fire, Vermeer said. One of the bullets fired by security went through one of the victim's legs and became lodged in the other. Thankfully, Sisq� was not injured.
CMN Champions TV Special Raises $208 Million for Hospitalized Kids
(6.6) Source - PR Newswire: ORLANDO, Fla., - The single most successful fund raising event in televised history, CMN Champions, took place this past weekend, raising an unprecedented $208,511,224 to help 14 million kids. Comedian Bill Cosby and top recording artists *NSYNC, Boyz II Men, SHeDAISY, Amy Grant, 98 Degrees, Britney Spears, Styx, LeAnn Rimes and many others entertained viewers for 21 hours in more than 100 million television households throughout North America.
Monica Dishes On Her Movie With Justin
(6.5) Source - MTV Online: A platinum-plated R&B songstress branches out into acting...sound familiar? Not when it's Monica, who'd rather take a choice supporting role than grab for the spotlight her first time out. That's what the low-key diva did for her upcoming screen debut in the Freddie Prinze Jr. flick "Boys & Girls." The part has even led to a meatier role in an upcoming MTV movie alongside a co-star who also happens to be in *NSYNC.
MTV: Aside from this project, what are you working on now?
Monica: Right now I'm preparing for the movie I am about to do. It's an MTV movie, and it's kind of a takeoff of "Love Story," but we're calling it "Love Song." It's myself and Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC. We basically took a lot of issues that were within "Love Story," and we put them in "Love Song," but we modernized it by bringing music to the table. It's being filmed in New Orleans. [There's also] "Boys & Girls," which I did a really small part in. It's a Freddie Prinze Jr. movie. It comes out on the 16th of June. Those were the things that I worked on, and I'll go into the studio in probably three of four weeks.
MTV: Do you want to do more movies in the future?
Monica: I would love to. I think one thing about me is, I didn't mind taking a small role if it's good quality, or a big role if it's good quality, because I think what I needed is a really good supporting cast. I don't feel the need to be a spotlight hog, for lack of better words, just for the sake of it. I wanted it to be really good. I hope that people really like it, because I am trying to establish two totally separate people. I don't want them to accept it because, "Well, Monica's album was good, so we like the movie." I would rather it would be they like me the way they like Jennifer Lopez when she acts, with her singing being totally separate.
*NSYNC Likes Video Games?
(6.5) Source - Rolling Stone: Want to know what your favorite boy band's video game picks are? Well, June's edition of Rolling Stone Magazine articles just that. The NetBook section of the magazine, features two members of *NSYNC who confess their love of both Sony's and Sega's next-generation consoles; looks like the boys may be a little import-savvy after all.
**Lance Bass**
Favorite system: PlayStation 2
Favorite game: Guitar Freaks
Favorite video game character: Yoshi
Favorite game of all time: Rampage
**JC Chasez**
Favorite system: Dreamcast
Favorite game: Ready 2 Rumble
Favorite character: Afro Thunder
Favorite game of all time: Pac-Man
BSB vs. *NSYNC
(6.4) Source - MTV Asia: The Backstreet Boys have withdrawn a single - because it sounded too similar to a hit by their rivals *NYSNC. The Backstreet lads wanted to release "Don't Want You Back" third single from Millennium, but scrambled to pick a new tune once *NSYNC's sound-alike smash "Bye Bye Bye" hit the airwaves. Instead, the Boys worked out a scheme with cable channel MTV to let their fans pick their latest single, "The One," which is now burning up the charts. The single wrangle is the latest chapter in a long-running feud between the platinum-selling pin-up groups, who were both created by the same teen-pop Svengali, Lou Pearlman, and share the same label, Jive. The glaring similarities have caused members of the Backstreet Boys, who hit it big before *NSYNC, to grumble that their label-mates have copied their style and siphoned off their fans. One record company executive says, "They hate each other, The Backstreet Boys are working on a new album they'll release in October, and they are doing everything they can to break *NSYNC's record sales. That's what their focus is now."
Justin Timberlake: I Tried To Cut My Hair Off
(6.4) Source - MTV Asia: *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake used to cry about his wild hair as a child - and even hacked it off with a pair of scissors at school. He says, "I just hated my hair. People used to call me Brillo Pad. It got to the point where I would either try to straighten the c**p out of it or cut it all off. When I was in second grade I was like 'I can't stand this!' I took paper scissors and just cut my hair all uneven. That's the only time I ever really got a spanking. I just wanted to be like everybody else. Now I get loads of compliments about my hair because it's so different."
*NSYNC Songs Most Played At Weddings
(6.1) Source - : Here come the bride songs. In a month-long poll of 143,000 people, America Online users have selected their top 10 love songs of all time. Counting down the romance record:
10.(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You, *NSYNC
9. My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion
8. Truly Madly Deeply, Savage Garden
7. This I Promise You, *NSYNC
6. I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston or Dolly Parton
5. All My Life, K-Ci & JoJo
4. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, Bryan Adams
3. I Knew I Loved You, Savage Garden
2. Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers
1. Amazed, Lonestar
*NSYNC Sets Another Record
(6.1) Source - Rolling Stone Daily: *NSYNC must be the hottest thing since sliced bread because the guys just set another record...most webpages made by fans - the total being over 250,000 webpages!!! Congrats Guys!
*NSYNC & Dylan To Make HBO Specials
(6.1) Source - Infobeat:Musical representatives of two different generations, *NSYNC & Bob Dylan, will be featured in upcoming specials on HBO. Teen favorites *NSYNC, whose "No Strings Attached" album has sold more than 7 million copies & topped the charts for most of this spring, will deliver a live concert from Madison Square Garden on July 27th. It's near the end of the group's 41 city, North American Tour, which began Tuesday, May 9th, in Biloxi, MS. HBO confirmed a hollywood reporter story that Dylan will star in a one-hour special, but offered few details. The reporter said it will be produced by Larry Charles, who has worked on "Mad About You" & "Seinfeld." The special is said to include Dylan Music, both new & classic material, & comedy.