JORDAN KNIGHT SPOTTED IN TORONTO FOR "COVER ME"

Jordan Knight & Mr. Will-W.

He's so back, New Kids on the Block Fans!  Jordan Knight, who recently signed aboard as a Judge on CBC's new Singing Reality Show, Cover Me, was spotted heading into that Studio preparing for its Premiere this Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Basically, this is a childhood dream come true...  Knight always has been my favourite New Kid!

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)

JORDAN KNIGHT IN TORONTO FOR CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK

Jordan Knight leaving Masonic Temple - March 2011

New Kids on the Block member Jordan Knight is currently in Toronto on a Canadian Music Week media blitz promoting new single Let's Go Higher and his forthcoming Album due later this year. Knight has done interviews by the many during his stay in the City for outlets like PROUD-FM, KISS 92.5, CHUM-FM, CTV's eTalk and The Marilyn Denis Show, among many others. One right after the other.

Knight did a showcase tonight at CHUM FM's Fanfest, held at the Masonic Temple where about 20 or so female Fans awaited his exit from the venue just before midnight in the cold. Teasing them slightly, he poked his head out the door by Fans calling out his name. Finally when he left the venue, he made it clear to Fans: "I can't stop Guys", gesturing with his hands "no" multiple times.

Of course, Fans were disappointed they couldn't get a Photo together with their Idol and one of his Handlers was nice enough even to collect Photos for him to sign in his vehicle,  which Knight refused, handing them back unsigned.  

Knight is scheduled to leave Toronto tomorrow and really should be a little more Fan-friendly, don't you think?  It was a Fanfest after all, no?

 You can follow Knight on Twitter here.

See more Photos of him below:

BACHMAN & TURNER INDUCTED INTO CANADIAN MUSIC BROADCAST INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME

Fred Turner & Mr. Will-W.

Rock 'n' Roll Legends Randy Bachman & Fred Turner were inducted this evening into the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame as part of Canadian Music Week festivities.  The outfit, known formerly as the Bachman-Turner Overdrive are most recognized for their string of wildly successful Singles in the '70s and only recently reunited as Bachman & Turner.

The Ceremony this evening saw the likes of Sarah McLachlan receiving a Humanitarian Award and New Kids on the Block member Jordan Knight admiring her live performance, at the Royal York Hotel.

I had the privilege of being photographed with Turner just before he went in to accept his Award. Along with Bachman, he performed a show-stopping rendition of Taking Care of Business before the ultra-exclusive crowd of Radio and Record Label insiders.

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?