Boys' Carter tries on a solo career

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 27, 2003 Source: The Denver Post Submitted By: Gina By G. Brown, Denver Post Popular Music Writer Friday, February 28, 2003 - The youngest member of the Backstreet Boys has recorded his first album away from teen pop's now-old-timers. On "Now or Never," Nick Carter trades the slick harmonies and epic production of BSB songs for a more '80s pop-rock direction. Nick Carter takes the stage at 7 p.m. Monday at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets, available through Ticketmaster, are $27. "A lot of people are like, 'Oh, he's trying to be something that he's not.' The thing is, I'm trying to be myself, to do what I love and what comes from my heart," the boy-band heartthrob said recently. It's an agreeable if predictably lightweight style. "Help Me" promotes the singer-songwriter feel. Guitar, bass and drums furnish the bulk of the instrumentation, and Carter's vocals are brought to the front. "Do I Have to Cry for You?" a glossy, ornate ballad, prolongs his musical soul-searching. "It took that form because I'm a drummer, and I play guitar, also," Carter, 23, explained. "My main goal was to take pop songs and add live instruments to them, get that kind of feel going. I was very influenced by bands from the past like Journey and Tears for Fears. They were considered pop bands back in their day." Blond, good-looking, Carter has assembled a band, and he's supporting "Now or Never" on tour. He'll visit the Paramount Theatre on Monday night. "I pick up the guitar three or four times on stage," he said. "Other times, I take the mike and perform for the audience." According to Carter, playing smaller stages than he did with Backstreet Boys is taking some getting used to. "I wanted to grind it out again, show people that, even though I've had a lot of success with what I've done in the past, I'm willing to work for anything I get. I don't ever take anything for granted. "This tour is cool. I don't have any hotel rooms, I'm just staying on my bus. We're all traveling around, playing gigs in little clubs. I feel like I'm giving back to the fans, something a little closer and intimate. It's a whole different vibe." Carter also has a budding acting career. He appeared on NBC-TV's drama "American Dreams" as the frontman of Jay & the Americans. "If people dug it, I'll keep going. But I'm not going to do something that doesn't fit my description, something I ain't good at like I used to do when I was younger. I'm a freak for music, for live performing. I might dedicate more of my time to that. Who knows? As long as it's still fun and exciting, I'll do it." Carter is the first Backstreet Boy to undertake a solo career, but he doesn't know how the experience will carry over into the group. His excursion into rock has thrilled some fans and estranged others. "If anybody disagrees with what I'm doing, come check out the show and then make your judgment. At the end of the day, I've been doing this long enough to have come to a decision. If I'm not happy doing what I'm doing, and if I'm not doing something that's real, then I'm not going to do it at all," he said. "Of course, it's scary. As a solo artist, I take on a lot of responsibility that I didn't realize until I actually got into it. But it's cool. I'm an adventurous person, and I love challenges." Nick Carter with Sev: 7 p.m. Monday, Paramount Theatre, $27, Ticketmaster Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: johnanz http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Submitted by: Tuna Salad Author, keep doing in the same way..! Submitted by: Cabbage Salad The topic is pretty complicated for a beginner!... Submitted by: Cell Phone Marketing I read online (computer problems) positive feedback about your resource. Didnt even believe it, and now saw myself. It turned out that I was not fooled!... Submitted by: SEhkXEvxiwZhuoocM Read, of course, far from my topic. But still, we can work together. How do you feel about trust management?!... Submitted by: Wedding Invitation Totally agree with you, about a week ago wrote about the same in my blog..! Submitted by: Southern Tide Thanks a lot! An extremely interesting comment!!... Submitted by: Hawaiian Shirts Yeah, now it's clear !... And firstly I did not understand very much where there was the link with the title itself !!... Submitted by: Above Ground Pool Yeah, it is clear now !... Just can not figure out how often do you update your blog?!... Submitted by: oem software Mut6Vi Interesting. We are waiting for new messages on the same topic!!... Comment on this item. Next Item: Celebs put a stamp on fur war Prev Item: Singer's fine benefits Keys sea-grass project