brian's bio

At the age of only five he developed serious blood poisoning while playing. Later, when little Brian was out of danger, during routine examinations the doctors discovered that he was suffering from a congenital heart defect. In other words there was a tiny hole in his heart.

After leaving hospital he tried to live his life as normally as possible. He continued to play basketball, charged about through the peace and quiet of Lexington, and sang in a gospel choir. The next ECG examination showed there had been an improvement and Brian began to dream of becoming a professional basketball player.

When his voice broke, it sounded even better than it had before, sweeter and more mature. But one thing that never occurred to him was to take voice lessons. Singing was just something he died; the idea of possibly making a living from it never occurred to him.

Unfortunately, because he is only 5' 7" he had to eventually abandon this dream but it didn't stop him using every free minute to shoot hoops. Through his passion for basketball he earned the nickname B-Rok. Fate, however, had a different career in mind for this young man with the mischievous smile.

On the 19th April 1993 his life would suddenly and dramatically change for ever. His cousin Kevin announced on the telephone that he should come to Orlando as he had an appointment to sing for Louis Pearlman. Brian set off for Orlando and the Backstreet Boys were complete. Not only did his clear and beautiful voice impress Pearlman, it also makes the hair on the back of listeners' necks stand on end when he sings ballads like 'Anywhere For You' or 'That's What She Said'.

In 1998 the old illness caught up with the young man from Kentucky. The doctors had discovered that the hole in his heart had grown bigger and that an operation was now unavoidable. Brian was admitted to a private clinic and operated on.

B-Rok describes himself as humorous and athletic. His sense of humour no doubt also helped him get through this difficult time and being in such good shape made sure he was able to quickly regain his former level of fitness and physical condition.

If you have seen the Boys, you 'll known that Brian really is a ham and a comedian in front of an audience.
"Joke telling isn't one of my big things but I like to make people laugh by pulling funny faces or tripping and falling over. Sometimes I hurt myself."
The funny side, he feels, is one facet of him.
"But I have another side, and when I'm talking about my emotions or how I am on the inside, I like to get into more detail."

In many ways, he's the most traditional guy in the band, and everyone says, the one who'll probably be the first married BSB.
What you see with Brian is exactly what you get.
He feels that " it's important to me that fans know what sort of person I am and what I'm all about. It's not that I want them to follow me or do as I do, but I just hope I set a good example."