They like the Boys in the band
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader
BACKSTREET'S BACK
Bluegrass pop stars get welcome from diehard, mostly female, fans
By Heather Svokos
HERALD-LEADER POP CULTURE WRITER
The screams at a Backstreet Boys concert are a given, a constant, a tidal wave that swallows the whole evening, as it did at last night's show at Rupp Arena.
After a while, the only time you really notice them is when they get LOUDER.
When's that?
Oh, when Nick Carter sings a solo.
When Lexington native Brian Littrell waves at his adoring Kentucky cheering squad.
When Nick sheds his shirt.
When A.J. McLean shakes his behind.
When Nick puts his shirt back on.
When Nick moves his left elbow.
Oh, it was a happy crowd.
At one point in the show, the Boys popped up on a riser across the room from the regular stage and sang, among other songs, Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely.
It was the call to arms for many girls, who flocked down the aisles for a closer look, perhaps a glance of recognition.
Among those giddily clogging the aisles were Amanda DeRossett, and Lara Drake, both 14, of Lexington. Even after ushers gave them the old heave-ho, they were still pumped.
``It's AMAZING,'' DeRossett said of the show. ``Brian is so hot. And he's so devoted to Lexington, and Kevin I think they just love us here.''
Drake added: ``I'd like to thank A.J. for winking at us.''
Earlier in the show, Littrell took a moment to address the hometown crowd.
``For those of you who don't know who I am,'' Littrell said without a trace of irony, ``I was born and raised here in Lexington, Kentucky. It sure is good to be home, I'll tell you that.''
The Tates Creek High grad gave a nod to his mother, father and brother in the audience, as well as his wife, Leighanne Wallace, who got a big hand (So while they might be jealous, the female fans were at least polite).
Littrell's cousin, Kevin Richardson, took a moment to mention the group's various causes, including his Just Within Reach, which focuses on environmental issues in Kentucky.
Down-to-earth
Earlier in the evening, Kellie Meagher and Erika Middendorf milled around outside the Rupp gates with hundreds of other fans. The girls, both 15, from Evansville, Ind., were proudly armed with posterboard signs. Meagher's proclaimed: ``Howie is H-O-T S-T-U-F-F.'' Middendorf favored A.J., partly, she says, because he's down to earth.
Crystal Reagan, who, at 30, is what the devoted call a ``mature fan,'' says she's a witness to A.J.'s grounded nature.
Reagan, from Severville, Tenn., and other fans had staked out the hotel where some of the boys were staying, and she saw A.J. and Nick arrive.
Both were zonked from their late flight. But one little girl held out a piece of paper in front of A.J. ``And he bent straight down to his knees and signed it for her,'' Reagan said.
Later, so did Nick.
``That meant a lot to me as an older fan,'' Reagan said, ``because (rival pop group) 'N Sync will not do that.''
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