"Good luck Nick on your tryout for the Mickey Mouse Club!" Mrs James announced infront of the entire class, as Nick got up to leave for his audition. Mrs Carter drove Nick to the studio, where he had his tryouts for the role in the Mickey Mouse Club. The audition went really well, however, another hundred kids still had to be auditioned before they made their final decision.
Nicks mom picked up a copy of the Florida Blue Sheet, which was a newspaper about the local tryouts for various musicals, commercials, movie extras and TV shows. As Mrs Carter sat down with Nicks vocal coach at one of Nicks singing lessons after school, she came across a different advertisement, this time about a music group.
Teen male vocalists. Producer seeks male teen singers that move well between 16-19 years of age. Wanted for a New Kids-type singing/dancing group. Send photo or bio' of any kind to... was the main contents of the advertisement.
"Thats Lou Pearlman" Marianne said. Marianne was Nicks singing teacher. "He wants to form some kind of music group, you know, I think maybe Nick should try out for it. I mean, he may be a bit younger, but I think Nick has the talent to get in" Marianne said. Mrs Carter agreed with Marianne, so they got together Nicks bio and resume, and sent it in.
A week later, Jane Carter recieved a call back from Trans-Continental. A spokesperson for Lou Pearlman was on the phone, and told Jane that they would like to interview and audition Nick.
The next day at school, Nick was let out of class early, once again, so he could go to his audition. As Nick and his mother reached the warehouse, they were met by Lou Pearlman, and the people who were helping him search for the talent.
Nick stood in the middle of the small platform stage, and sang a New Kids song, while dancing to a choreography that was produced by the groups already chosen member, Alexander McLean.
Lou and his helpers were very impressed by Nick's amazing singing voice, and his angelic blonde looks. The fact that he was only a boy of 12, however, made them think twice. Lou and the others auditioned more for the next while, and then eventually asked Nick to audition again.
This time, Nicks audition went even better than the first, and Lou knew he was the one for the group.
"Mrs Carter, we really like your sons voice, and we think he will be perfect for the group!" Lou said to Jane.
"Thank you! I was just wondering though, is this a for sure thing? Because Nick just recieved a phone call from the Mickey Mouse Club, and they accepted him also! So if this band really is a serious thing, we have a major decision that we have to make" Jane said seriously.
"Ma'am, it is very serious, and I can bet my life on this" Lou said. Jane smiled at Lou and then told him that shed call him later with their decision.
In the car ride home, Jane and Nick talked about what Nick wanted to do. Nicks heart seemed to be into the idea of the band, instead of the Mickey Mouse Club, so later that night, Jane called Lou and told her their decision.
It was a hot March day, and the last day of the week finally arrived, Friday! It was Nicks last day of school, before he was pulled out for full time rehearsing and practising with the band.
"Yeah, Im in this band, with two other guys right now.. their names are Alex and Howie" Nick said to Tara and Melissa.
"We're going to find two other members, and then try to get a record deal!" Nick said excited.
"wow!! thats really cool!!" Tara said "Whats your band called?" Tara asked.
"I dont know yet" Nick said.
Ryan, Rick and Josh walked up to Nick, and started to bugg him again.
"so your joining a gay band!" Rick said.
"you guys are just jealous" Nick said. Ryan, Rick and Josh laughed.
"Tara, Melissa.. come on! How can you hang out with this loser?" Josh asked.
"The only loser here is you guys!" Tara said. Melissa laughed, and so did Nick. Ryan, Rick and Josh left.
"Well, I have to go now" Nick said, as his mom pulled up to the gate of the school.
"Thanks for always sticking up for me" Nick said to Tara.
"Those guys are jerks.. dont listen to them!" Tara said " I cant stand them".
"Neither can I!" Nick said.
"Well, Good luck with your group!!! Maybe we'll see ya around sometime" Tara said.
"Thanks! bye!!" Nick said, and then he climbed into the car and drove off with his mom.
Nicks mom dropped Nick off at the ware house where he first auditioned. There, he met up with a young guy 15 years old, named Alex, and a 19 year old man named Howie.
As Nick entered the room, Alex walked up to him and introduced himself.
"Hey, Im AJ" AJ said.
"Im Nick" Nick said.
"Im Howie" Howie D said.
About an hour later, another young man, 20 years old, came into the room.
"Hello, Im Kevin" The tall young man said.
"Oh, you must be the newest member.." AJ said.
"Is this the band?" Kevin asked, looking at the age differences.
"Yup!" Nick said. Two weeks later, Kevins cousin Brian, from Kentucky, flew to Florida and was accepted into the group.
"we need a name!!!" Nick said enthusiastically.
"Well.. how about Backstreet?" Kevin said, referring to the tourist hang out, and also a market.
"Backstreet Boys" Lou said to himself, and then resaid the name out loud. The boys thought about it for a few moments, and agreed on Backstreet Boys.
Their first little gig was at Seaworld in April, infront of the tourists who were watching the whale show. The boys would be singing on a floating stage in the middle of the pool.
The boys went out there and introduced themselves, and then sang two or three songs by other bands. Their harmony and the sound of their voices was soo amazing and soo good, that the whole audience was in awe and was left clapping and cheering. The boys felt pretty good, and this was only their first gig!!!
Lou put together a management team for the boys, who set up a school tour for the boys, which had them singing for schools. During one visit, Donna Wright, one of the management people, called up a record company, and had them listen to all the screams from the audience, and the boys were signed to a record deal right away.