"Until I was eight years old, I lived in Harrisburg in Mercer County, Kentucky on a farm," he says. "When I was nine, we moved to a summer camp that my father managed-it was a church camp. I was fortunate to grow up there. I had tons of friends because every summer the camp was full of kids."

Childhood was a great time for Kevin. He learned to ride horses, played lots of sports and helped his dad, Jerald, whenever he could. He also listened to music and learned to play the piano. "I've played since I was nine years old," he explains. "I taught myself and I play by ear. My grandfather, my grandmother and all their brothers and sister learned to play piano by ear. My whole family sings and stuff."

Growing up in a musical family, Kevin was exposed to lots of different genres-from gospel-tinged hymns he sang in church to the traditional campfire songs he learned at his dad's camp. He was also influenced by the songs he heard on the radio. "I've always loved Prince's music," he says. "I like the Eagles, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Elton John, Boyz II Men, New Edition - I have a really wide variety of musical tastes. I just love music, so it depends on what mood I'm in. I like rap. I like alternative. I like rock and country. I really like it all!"

Kevin's love of music and his desire to write and perform his own songs brought him to Orlando, Florida soon after high school graduation. It was there that he heard about Backstreet Boys and auditioned for the group. he was also responsible for bringing his cousin Brian into the group's stellar lineup.

These days, with Backstreet Boys succeeding beyond his most ambitious dreams, Kevin doesn't get home to Kentucky too much. But he makes a special effort to keep the home fires burning. "I got to surprise my mom for Mother's Day" with a visit, he explains. "I also got to go home for Christmas this year. Every chance I get I try to see my family. I try to see them two or three times a year."

Although Kevin's dad passed away in 1991, he still carries around memories of his father and his wonderful childhood everywhere he goes. "I always bring pictures of my family," he says about his world travels. "My father, my mother, my brothers and my god baby." And although participating in Backstreet Boys' rise to international fame has been the crowding achievement of his life, there is one thing he'd exchange it for. "The one (thing) I'd trade it in for is to have my dad back," he says.

Of course, Kevin's future includes lots of music with Backstreet Boys. Making people happy with his sweet singing is a dream come dream come true. "I just want people to like our music. When hey flip on the radio and hear one of our songs, hopefully it makes them bop around a little bit and smile and sing along," he says. "That's great, That's what we want."

On a more personal note, Kevin would eventually like to travel a little less so that having a relationship with a special someone could be a reality. "I don't want to be out on the road all my life," he says. "I want to have a family someday. Family is very important to me and, eventually, I'd like to have one of my own. I don't think I could manage a family and be the kind of father I need to be when traveling out on the road."

But for now, Kevin's keeping his most treasured dreams hidden in his heart and is busy getting down to the business of making Backstreet Boys and even bigger success than they are today!