Exclusive articles of Nick & AJ - BB June 00

Another Dream-Come-True for NICK

Being a member of a hot group like the Backstreet Boys has been a major dream-come-true for Nick Carter -- but he's recently had another fantasy become reality. Find out what that is!

Isn't it cool to have a great idea, and then make it come true? Well, ever since Nick Carter was a tiny tyke, he's had creative visions of music and cartoons filling his head, which were just aching to be brought to life. As he grew up singing songs like "Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely" with his Backstreet buds, Brian Littrell, 25; Kevin Richardson, 28; A.J. McLean,22; and Howie Dorough, 26, from their 1999 CD, Millennium, blond-haired Nick always hoped that one day he would produce a comic book featuring the groupmates as superheroes. Well, now he has!

"I've been working on [the comic book] for about four years," 20-year-old Nick has explained. The first time Nick was able to show off his cartoon creativity was in the 1998 music video for "I'll Never Break Your Heart." If you look carefully in Nick's scene, you'll notice comic book sketches of each of the Backstreet Boys. Needless to say, this was 100 percent Nick's idea.

It wasn't until last year, however, that Nick really got things rolling on his pet project, when he teamed up with Marvel comic book genius Stan Lee to make his dream a reality -- a comic book series called The Backstreet Project where the songsters become earth-saving superheroes! "Stan helped it come to life!" Nick exclaims appreciately.

Now that the final product is off the presses, Nick is in awe of the actual comic book he hold in his hands. "I'm still overwhelmed seeing the finished project," he's beamed. "It's really cool and that's something only people could dream of. You know, you can draw yourself as a comic book character, but to have it come to life, that's something amazing."

But don't worry, Boppers, the Nickster has no plans to leave the Backstreet Boys to come a solo, full-time comic book cartoonist. As a matter of fact, he can't wait to hit the studio this summer when the Backstreet Boys will be recording their next album.

A.J. - A Rebel With a Cause

Johnny No Name, a.k.a. A.J. McLean, creates pandemonium on stage -- all in the name of charity

You've heard the rumors. You've seen the pictures. Could it be true? Has rebellious A.J. McLean broken off from his Backstreet Boys groupmates -- Brian Littrell, 25; Nick Carter, 20; Howie Dorough, 26; and Kevin Richardson, 28? No, there's nothing to worry about, Boppers. While the five fellas were on a break from their unbelievable Millennium tour, this funky 22-year-old balladeer took a detour from belting out tunes like "Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely" to hit the tour circuit as his Bristish rock 'n' roll, trouble-making alter ego, Johnny No Name.

The tour was in support of the VH-1 Save the Music Foundation, which helps raise money to restore music programs in public schools across the America. A.J. (and "Johnny") are helping to spread the word about how important and positive getting involved in music can be, especially in school.

Earlier this year, after a "Johnny" charity performance in Orlando, Florida on January 9 (his bday), A.J. decided that taking his rocking' Johnny No Name act on the road, to raise even more money for the foundation, was definitely in order. "It is just an excellent cause and especially coming from someone who's in the music industry, I hope I can speak on behalf of anyone that's involved in any kind of music," says the brown-eyed crooner. "Whether it's playing an instrument or singing or being in chorus, music is very important and music carries life throughout every day. Without music, this world would be [awful]."

"why not?"

When talented A.J. decided to go solo in the name of charity, he wasn't too worried about how his fans would react. "I guess the fans were kind of waiting to see which one of us was going to be the first one to have the guts to do it," theorizes the goatee-sporting guy. "As always, the first one to do something off-the-wall is me, so I decided, 'Why not?' So I did it and it turned out a lot better than I thought it would."

Fortunately, the other Backstreet Boys are totally behind A.J.'s bold move and are cheering him on the entire way. "The rest of the guys are really supportive of the whole thing because it is for a good charity and it is for Save the Music," notes the tunester from West Palm Beach, Florida. Both Brian and Howie have even joined "Johnny" on stage as a special treat for his audience!

So set your worries aside. Slick A.J. will always be a Backstreet Boy, though he does have a tendency to rock out, solo-style, for an awesome cause every once in a while!