BACKSTREET BOYS' HOWIE D. IN TORONTO FOR "CITYTV'S NEW YEAR BASH"

Howie D. & Mr. Will-W.

Backstreet Boys' Howie D. helped ring in the New Year in Toronto at CityTV's New Year Bash at Nathan Phillips Square.   The Singer/Songwriter who was just in-town last month promoting his Solo Disc Back to Me, performed new material for the jam-packed audience and also shared the stage with Canadian Band Neverest on his Track Lie to Me.  The Band opened for his NKTOBSB (New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys' Supergroup) Tour last year.

Other Performers to appear on the Show included Anjulie, Aleesia, JRDN, Karl Wolf and the Cast of Dancap Productions' American Idiot. Gord Matrineau, Dina Pugliese, Tracy Moore and Kevin Frankish hosted the Festivities.

Incredibly nice to his Fans, Howie D. was amazing to stop for a Photo despite his Handler insisting "no" and the Singer stuck to his word after heading out to get a Coffee quickly to keep warm.  At last I can say I've met all four active members of Pop Royalty, Backstreet Boys including: Nick Carter, Brian Littrell and A.J. McLean.  Amaze!

Check out Howie D. featuring Neverest on Lie to Me below:

NICK CARTER IN TORONTO FOR SOLO DISC, "I"M TAKING OFF" | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Nick Carter in Toronto - August 2011

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter somehow has found time to record a second Solo Disc between making a Short Film and being a part of the successful/sold-out Backstreet Boys and NKOTBSB Tours.

Carter who just wrapped-up the NKOTBSB Tour Sunday in Ottawa, opted to stay in Toronto for a day of Press in support of new Disc, I'm Taking Off which has him collaborating with the likes of Toby Gad (Selena Gomez, Fergie) and Mischke (Spice Girls, Trey Songz). The Universal Music Canada release is led by first single Love Can't Wait, produced by Canada's v. own Shawn Desman.

NICK CARTER TO VISIT TORONTO FOR "I'M TAKING OFF"

Nick Carter in Toronto -  June 2011

You always go where you're loved most and Nick Carter knows exactly how much Toronto loves him!  The Backstreet Boy will be releasing his second Solo Disc, I'm Taking Off on August 9, 2011 via Universal Music Canada. and lined-up on the Press Tour is a stop-off in Toronto.  He will be visiting HMV's Queen Street Store (272 Queen St. W) to do an Autograph Signing in support of the new Album at 6:00 PM and the first 300 people with a Wristband who buy his CD will get an Autograph.  No Posed Photos unfortunately.

If you miss him, don't fret as he'll be in the the west-end of the City on Saturday, August 27, 2011 performing at the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation World Championships at Mississauga's Living Arts Centre.

Carter will be playing Hamilton's Copps Colisseum Friday night as part of the NKOTBSB Tour, followed by London's John Labbatt Centre on Sunday before heading back to Toronto again early next week.  Read my Review of the NKTOBSB Tour's Toronto show here.

Pre-order I'm Taking Off here.  

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NKOTBSB TOUR HITS TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE - PICS, REVIEW & VIDEO

NKOTBSB at Air Canada Centre

Although many of you - primarily Men - have your reservations about the concept of an NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys) Tour, I'll have you know that your approval isn't needed as the wildly-entertaining spectacle is everything it's touted to be for Female Fans. Over two hours of gyrating, shirt-tearing, genital rubbing, surprise audience pop-ups and on-stage serenading from two of the most successful Boy Bands in the history of Pop Music, are exactly what the Ladies paid top dollar for.

Walking into the first of two Air Canada Centre Shows tonight, I had pretty much thought that both Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block were on-par with one another in my books.  I did grow-up witnessing the rise of both entities and in their respective eras, they were something v. special indeed; they still are. After seeing both Bands zip through an array of Hits from their respective Catalogs, I am certain now that I am indeed a bigger Backstreet Boys fan.  Totally.

The evening began with a Mash-up of Coldplay's Viva La Vida beneath New Kids' Single and Backstreet's The One, which had all nine Performers on-stage together at once.  In addition, the two joined forces again later on Backstreet's Larger Than Life and new collaboration Don't Turn Out the Lights.  Donnie Wahlberg brought-up the energy on tracks from New Kids with a bit of rapping, unafraid of flaunting his body, while Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre proved to be the true heart and soul of the Group with their solid soaring vocals.  Surprisingly, tracks like Please Don't Go Girl, Tonight and I'll Be Loving You Forever didn't really stand the test of time live, especially when paired alongside the Backstreet repertoire.

Backstreet's Mid-tempo Ballads still deliver an impact especially with some of the younger Ladies in the audience, including I'll Never Break Your Heart, Quit Playing Games with my Heart and I Want It That Way - all which had the audience singing along in unison.  Their Choreography and Vocals show a level of refinement which only comes with constant Touring and the Backstreet Boys haven't lost a step at all.

JORDIN SPARKS AT MUCHMUSIC'S NEW.MUSIC.LIVE WITH DOG MAGGIE

Jordin Sparks at MuchMusic's NML

American Idol Season Six Winner Jordin Sparks visited MuchMusic's New.Music.Live yesterday to say "hi" to Fans and promote forthcoming Disc titled tentatively 3x or 3.  Although the Sony Music Canada release isn't due til this Fall, First Single I Am Woman already has hit the Airwaves and debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart at number 82.

Sparks is currently on-tour with NKOTBSB, the Supergroup of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, who are in Toronto to perform two sold-out Shows at Air Canada Centre, Wednesday and Thursday.

During the Broadcast, Sparks at the request of one MuchMusic Staff Member, sang her Hit No Air minus Chris Brown before the audience.  She was impressed thoroughly with his vocal abilities!  The bubbly Songstress brought along her adorable Bichon Frise Maggie to the Show, and the adorable Lap Dog was on her best behaviour despite the crowding and hot temperatures.  In fact, shortly after Sparks had left the premises, one Girl suffered a Seizure possibly due to Overheating, with an Emergency Response Crew arriving quickly.  Fans in the audience were urged not to take Photographs.

See some Photos I took at the NKOTBSB Show here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

FANS PICK NKOTBSB ALBUM TRACKS

NKOTBSB

The Fans have spoken. During the period of March 14 through March 24, 2011, Fans of both New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, collectively known as NKOTBSB, were given an opportunity to vote online for songs which they wanted to be included on the Supergroup’s upcoming collaborative Album. To be released on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 via Sony Music, the Disc promises five Fan-picked Classics from each Group, plus new Music like first Single, Don’t Turn out the Lights - not to be confused with Enrique Iglesias’ Don’t Turn off the Lights.

I already have my Ticket to their Toronto Show on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 (bringing my Nieces) and surely will be there to deliver the scoop! On their itinerary is a rare show at Fenway Park in Boston, scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011. The Tour begins Thursday, May 26, 2011 in Rosemont, Illinois.

Follow NKOTBSB on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

BACKSTREET BOYS' A.J. MCLEAN BACK IN REHAB

A.J. McLean & Mr. Will-W.

Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean has confirmed via Twitter that he has returned to Rehab after a struggle with Sobriety since the Backstreet Boys returned to the road last summer on Tour. McLean Tweeted earlier in the week, "Thank u all for my bday wishes and Tweets:)! Its gonna be a great year! I love u all and wish me luck! I start my sober journey tomm! Ttfn!".

I did have the chance to meet the Fan-friendly McLean last Summer (click here for more) when he stopped off in Toronto for a date at Molson Amphitheatre. Arriving early to the City, he was also the last of the Boys to leave the City. I recall seeing him out having drinks at Hazelton Hotel's ONE on multiple occasions, stepping out in front to have frequent Cigarette breaks with his Bodyguard.

A couple days after, I recall seeing him out having drinks again at the same spot while out walking my Dog, which seemed odd because McLean had completed Rehab prior, yet seemed to be indulging in Alcohol quite frequent for someone who declared Sobriety.

MASH-UPS vs. MEDLEYS: THE GREATEST DEBATE OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Upon scrolling through Tweets about last night's American Music Awards, I noticed that some Tweeters were a bit confused as to the meaning of a Mash-up. Some enjoyed New Kids on the Block vs. Backstreet Boys' performance thinking it was a Mash-up, where they sang each other's songs, a grand finale to the broadcast.

As a connaisseur of both Glee and Pop Music, I feel it's necessary perhaps to highlight the differences between what constitutes a Mash-up and a Medley.  Both terms seem to be popping-up a lot of late no doubt in part due to the widespread popularity of Glee, which often features both Mash-ups and Medleys.

Mash-up: the combining of elements from two or more existing songs into one track.

Medley: a merging of multiple songs together consecutively into one track.

Last summer I recorded a Mash-up for fun of Kylie Minogue's All the Lovers vs. Dream Academy's Life in a Northern Town. Note, I take elements of each song's melody and combine them together:

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AND BACKSTREET BOYS TO UNITE IN POSSIBLE TOUR

Live Nation Entertainment are in talks with both Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block to do a joint blockbuster tour in 2011. Despite the perception that the two Boy Bands don't get along, this wouldn't be the first time they have united on stage. On June 19th, the two united on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to perform Backstreet Boys' smash I Want it That Way.

Watch the epic moment here:

Rumours are that they are trying to recruit another super Boy Band from the '90s, Boyz II Men, to join the tour.  I'd actually go see that.  But wouldn't the addition of Spice Girls just take this over-the-top in terms of '90s greatness? 

BACKSTREET BOY BRIAN LITTRELL AND FAMILY OUT IN TORONTO'S YORKVILLE

Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell (aka one of my top two favourites) was seen with his wife Leighanne and adorable son Bailey out and about in Yorkville tonight, heading out for a late dinner at Café MoRoCo. Littrell, in town for a concert at Molson Amphitheatre tonight with his band mates has been in-town since Thursday night and made some time today to do a bit of Golfing.

He Tweeted to his fans that he was enjoying S'mores, challenging fans to find him.  This alarmed a slew of fans to arrive at the restaurant's doorstep. Upon leaving Café MoRoCo with bags filled with their specialty Macarons and Truffles, his Security Guard ushered fans back to his Hotel where they were lined up and took photos with Littrell one-by-one.   Generosity incarnate.  And he looked thrilled actually to be greeting his fans.

Leighanne appeared fatigued, heading back to their Room first, although their son Bailey was all smiles at the Hotel's entrance, playing with a Sobieski Vodka Keychain Light (the same ones handed out at last night's Bruce Willis party), shining it on fans waiting on his famous Daddy.

BACKSTREET BOYS' A.J. MCLEAN IN TORONTO

If this were ten years ago, the situation would have played out much differently and I just might not have made it out alive from the hoard of violent screaming girls. Backstreet Boys, or four out of its five original members since 2007, are back in town and they are slated to play a show at Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto this Saturday. It seems though that being one if the biggest selling Boy Bands (130 million worldwide) in history in itself has become a side project as its members have begun focusing on projects of their own.

A.J. McLean, or as he prefers to be called now Alex, was seen around Yorkville last night with an Entourage which included his girlfriend Rochelle Karidis manager Jenn Sousa, heading out for late night Drinks. Toronto's Dallas Green (City and Colour) also met up with the group for a bit.

One of his bandmates Nick Carter is promoting his directorial debut The Pendant with a screening at The Royal tonight, and it might be assumed we can expect at least some of the Backstreet Boys in attendance? The film is 15 minutes long, followed by a Meet-and-Greet for paying fans.

When asked about what he has down-the-pipe, McLean told us, between puffs of his Cigarette, that he is working on new material with a group named Death of Adam, which he could describe as "like Black Eyed Peas... but much raunchier". He indicated we can expect to hear its debut single January. But why a dark name like Death of Adam, you ask? "I can't really explain out of courtesy to the Ladies here". Intriguing enough. But not quite as intriguing as his intricately painted fingernails.