Backstreet Boys Seek Jermaine Dupri, Glen Ballard For Next LP
After testing the waters on 2000's Black & Blue, the Backstreet Boys plan to rely more on their own songwriting for their next album.
Before the handsome fivesome go into the studio in late March, they want to take a trip somewhere together to focus on penning some pop tunes, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough said Tuesday at Clive Davis' annual Grammy Eve party. "We've [already] been doing some writing individually and together," Richardson said.
That doesn't mean the Backstreet Boys won't be collaborating, however. Richardson said they're planning on bringing in R&B hit-maker Jermaine Dupri (Lil' Bow Wow, Jagged Edge) and pop-rock pro Glen Ballard (Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morissette) to write and produce some tracks, which they want to record with a live band (see "Backstreet Boys Going 'Organic' On Next LP, But Won't Rule Out Sugar").
The Backstreet Boys left Wednesday's Grammy Awards empty-handed but said the night before that they were expecting as much. "We never win," Dorough said. "U2 will take us."
(Source: MTV)
Backstreet Boys Sued By Former Keyboardist
Former Backstreet Boys keyboardist-songwriter Tommy Smith filed a lawsuit against the group, the members' individually owned and operated personal music-publishing companies, and Zomba Enterprises, Inc. in the United States District Court Central District Of California on Friday (March 15).
The lawsuit stems from an ongoing dispute between Smith and the Backstreet Boys about credit for songs Smith claims that he co-wrote for the group's last Jive Records album, Black & Blue (released November 21, 2000). The songs in question are "The Answer To Our Life" and "Time," according to the court papers.
In the suit, Smith claims that he wrote and composed "The Answer To Our Life" with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, and that he should be the owner of 50 percent of all rights, title, and interest for the track, including its copyright. Smith also claims a 33.33 percent stake in "Time," which he says he penned with Guy Walker and Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell.
Smith also asserts that the members of the Backstreet Boys have not credited him as a co-writer or joint copyright owner, and he has received no monies for the worldwide "use, performance, broadcast, and other exploitation of the compositions." In addition, Smith is asking the court for unspecified damages as well as attorney's fees.
(Source: LAUNCH.com)
A.J. McLean Confirms Engagement
Backstreet Boy AJ McLean is engaged to singer Sarah Martin. McLean first revealed the fact dring a December 2001 phone interview with radio personality JoJo Wright at Los Angeles top-40 radio station KIIS FM
RELEVANT LINKS
Official Backstreet Boys Website