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Smitty interviews A BACKSTREET BOY – His Way A few years ago, people began telling me that BRIAN LITTRELL of the Backstreet Boys had been quoted as saying that my music was a big influence on him. A few years ago, at the Grammy Awards, I learned he was backstage, and I decided to find him and introduce myself. Since then, we've talked a number of times. Excerpts of our most recent conversation are presented here as I make my debut as an interviewer instead of an interviewee! MWS: First off, how about an update on your life? You're a new father, you've taken some time off, and you're dreaming up some new musical possibilities. What's the scoop? BL: Well the scoop is I'm a proud father of a 9-month old son [Baylee], and I'm enjoying life. I'm at a stage where I've kind of slowed down a little bit. The Backstreet Boys have gone really hot and heavy for the past decade. We started in '93, and we've been going ever since. It was nice to take the year off and be a new dad. And married life is wonderful. I'm looking forward to branching my career out in the gospel world and doing something I grew up doing for many, many years. And fans of the BSB know that Brian Littrell stands up for what he believes in, and I believe in a living God and feel that He deserves the praise. He's given me a huge platform with my pop success to do something in the gospel field. I look forward to that. I think He's working in my life day in and day out. MWS: That's awesome. What started your connection to Christian music? Did you grow up listening to it? BL: I grew up listening to a guy by the name of Michael W. Smith. MWS: Well that was a setup, wasn't it? BL: Yeah, that was a good setup! There was this song called "Place in This World," and I love that song. I used to sing it at church all the time, and I did grow up listening to you. I've always wanted to have the opportunity to bless people with songs and with music. I grew up singing in a huge Baptist church in Lexington, Kentucky. Growing up in the Bible belt, there were always big churches and a lot of music to hear. And I enjoy gospel music—I just enjoy blessing people with songs. That's the gift God gave me. MWS: Well you're obviously gifted; there's no doubt about that. Tell me about the BSB. Anything new coming up? BL: There is a possibility of trying to work out coming back together. We've been on hiatus for a little while. We shut down everything because it is hard to get five people to agree on one thing. As a solo artist you don't have to deal with that as much. I'm sure you know about that! God is directing me. He's opened up some doors of opportunity in Christian music. I'm tired of waiting around. When God opens doors— you know we all pray for doors to be opened—and then when God opens them, you get kind of timid and scared, and you don't step out in faith. And now I'm taking that opportunity to step out in faith and do something He's called me to do. MWS: That's awesome. I get asked this all the time about being a role model: How do you view yourself? Do you see yourself as a role model? BL: I don't view myself as a role model. I think role models are our parents, teachers, police officers and fire fighters—the people who don't necessarily get the credit. The world we live in has changed since Sept. 11. We saw the whole city of New York come together and basically hold hands and help each other through. It's sad that our world has to see things like that in order to get our view straight. We look at professional athletes—18-19-year-old kids who get paid millions of dollars to play basketball or to play football. I enjoy sports but I don't think they really stand up for what a role model stands up for—for me. Not like my dad, someone who worked for 30 to 40 years to provide for his family. And you were a role model for me for quite some time. [Laughs] And I understand that kids, in what they love, will find a role model. Someone who is godly like yourself and worships the God I worship— those are things you find in good role models. But it was always my dad. He was always my role model. MWS: Yeah, same here. It's amazing what a strong a family will do for you. And it's hard to see these kids from broken families—I don't know what that's like because I have a great mom and dad. BL: We are the lucky ones. MWS: What's one thing you'd love for our fans to know? What do you hope to leave with your fans? BL: I would want them to know that I'm just a real person. I'm nobody special. I have a God-given talent that I've had the opportunity to use. And all of these kids who are BSB fans have God- given talents too. I would just urge them to use those gifts to benefit people around them. I've never thought of myself as a role model, but I know that the BSB made an impact on this world musically. And I've always tried to share with the fans that I'm just like them. There's nothing that makes me different. I am a normal human being. I love life, I enjoy my life, and I enjoy my career. MWS: I know what you're feeling. You know the feeling on a much grander scale than I do. Everyone treat you differently—that whole "superstar" thing. Does it get old? BL: Yeah, it does. It's still hard to fathom the success of the group. I never imagined in my life that we'd sell almost 70 million albums. You know, I don't hope to carry 70 million albums through the contemporary Christian world, but I do hope that fans will come with me and see another side of music in an inspirational way. I hope they do that. If I got just a small percent of those 70 million people who we've touched, I would hope they would follow me there because I'm going to take them to a better place! (From the October, 2003 Issue of CCM Magazine)" (OCC I will be gone tonight and Saturday I will be back Sunday) Post a comment in response: |
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