Backstreet Boys want charity this way

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Apr 18, 2000 Source: USA TODAY Submitted By: HiC By Elysa Gardner Special for USA TODAY NEW YORK -- What inspired the Backstreet Boys to take part in VH1's Men Strike Back special, other than the opportunity to share a stage with more seasoned sex symbols such as Tom Jones and Sting? According to band members Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, it was that the concert, which airs tonight at 9 ET/PT, will raise money for VH1 Save the Music, a non-profit organization devoted to restoring music programs and awareness in public schools. ''We did VH1's charity golf tournament last year (Fairway to Heaven, broadcast in November), and that was the beginning of a great relationship,'' McLean says during rehearsals for the show. ''And keeping music in the schools is something the entire group is interested in.'' The singers claim to be less concerned about the fact that rival boy band 'N Sync broke their SoundScan record for first-week sales. While the Boys' 1999 album, Millennium, sold a staggering 1,134,000 copies in its first week, 'N Sync's No Strings Attached -- released last month on Jive Records, also the Boys' label -- sold an even more mind-blowing 2.4 million. ''Everyone has their moment,'' McLean says. ''There was lots of hype behind ('N Sync's) record, and lots of record-company support. The way I feel is, let them have the spotlight for a while, and let us take some time to put together a great album.'' ''God bless 'em,'' Dorough says. ''Everyone deserves success. But we're going to give them a run for their money with our next album.'' The Boys plan to complete that album by September and to release it by the end of the year. The five singers will travel to an undisclosed tropical location, where they will collaborate on writing material. ''This is the first time that all five of us are working together,'' Dorough says. ''We're either going to have a good time and write great songs, or we're going to kill each other. Hopefully the first.'' Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: snymrik Submitted by: temnotak Submitted by: bezdar1 Submitted by: Lemat Submitted by: Carol Clark Submitted by: Ann Elisabeth Submitted by: Jennifer Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: Kevin Shen Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys favorite musical group at the Kids' Choice Awards Prev Item: Another Backstreet Sibling Enters Music Biz