Still Lovin New Kids on The Block

Friday, January 14, 2011

Donnie Opens Up About New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys Tour

He plans on covering Bon Jovi with Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean—in addition to other surprises

By Andy Greene

January 14, 2011 12:40 PM EDT

Donnie Wahlberg is a busy man. He's deep in the midst of the meticulous planning for the massive New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys summer tour, but he's also got a full-time job portraying Detective Daniel Reagan on the CBS police drama Blue Bloods. "We just filmed a dinner scene and I ate about four pounds of that veal thing, osso bucco," he says. "I feel a little sick."

It's a 24/7 schedule few people would welcome, but Wahlberg says he thrives on it. "I don't sleep very much," he says. "I really like to work though. I feel like a kid in a candy store."

Photos: The 9 Most Influential Boy Bands, Then and Now

Things will get even crazier in April when he goes into production rehearsal with his fellow New Kids and the Backstreet Boys for their tour. In a tough economic climate, the tour has been a gigantic success: Sixteen shows were just added to the itinerary, bringing the grand total to 41. "There were naysayers when the New Kids first re-formed in 2008 and there were naysayers for this," Wahlberg says. "It's sort of vindicating after years of people thinking we were sort of a flash in the pan."

Live Report: Backstreet Boys

The idea of the two boy bands teaming up was first floated a year ago when somebody suggested that the Backstreet Boys might open up some New Kids shows. "I just thought that was ridiculous," says Wahlberg. "I didn't want to even insult them with that offer. That's a co-headlining show."

Last summer, the Backstreet Boys were the surprise guest at the New Kids' Radio City Music Hall show when they came onstage to sing "I Want It That Way." "It caused such a stir and we really got along with those guys," says Wahlberg. "We said 'hey, let's look into a co-headlining show.'"

New Kids on the Block Cause Mayhem at Reunion Announcement

At preview performances during the American Music Awards and New Year's Rocking Eve the two groups performed their hits together, but Wahlberg says that won't always be the case during the tour. "Backstreet Boys fans don't want to hear the New Kids singing all of their hits," he says. "Just like our fans don't want to hear the Backstreet Boys singing all of our hits. I think we'll pick our spots when we want to work together onstage. We'll do some big numbers together, and a few surprises."

Wahlberg is tight-lipped about what those surprises might be, but he does have his eye on the possibility of a duet with A.J. McLean. "I could see him and me rocking out or sitting down with a couple of acoustic guitars and doing something like 'Wanted Dead or Alive' by Bon Jovi," he says. "I like the kid and we get along great." (McLean is currently in rehab for the third time; he has said he wanted to go in before the tour started.)

Kevin Richardson left the Backstreet Boys in 2006, though he has returned for the occasional special appearance. "He made his choice and that's the Backstreet Boys' situation to deal with," says Wahlberg. "If they wanted him back it wouldn't be a problem for us. Whatever he decides is up to him. As much as we're two bands teaming up, we're still two separate bands and their business is still ultimately their business."

Early on there were rumors that Boyz II Men were going to join the tour, but Wahlberg shoots those down. "That's not happening at this point," he says. "We're definitely planning a lot of surprises and we're in discussions with different people. We're all fans of Boyz II Men, but the momentum was so strong with these two bands after Radio City that this was just the way it had to be."

Though two of the three biggest boy bands of the past few decades are touring together, there are no indications that 'NSync are planning a reunion. Does Donnie think that Justin Timberlake will ever return to his boy band — and possibly one day tour with the New Kids? "That's up to those guys, and quite frankly it's probably up to Justin Timberlake," he says. "If that's something he decides to do, then he'll do it. It really has no bearing on us. I just have one goal right now: Make this tour as great as it can be and make every person that bought a ticket go home happy."

Monday, January 10, 2011

Joe McIntyre Launches "One Too Many at Midnight" Shows in Las Vegas in February

SOURCE

New Kids on the Block singer Joey McIntyre will perform every single Saturday in February at The Lounge at The Palms in Las Vegas. The bill also features Emanuel Kiriakou. Go here for tickets.

McIntyre posted the following statement about the tour, without any edits: "It's your grandfather's Vegas, which was much cooler back then. But for a while now, Vegas is back. It lives up to all the hype. There's something for everyone- especially those who wanna start their night at midnight. And that's what we are gonna do in February at The Palms. Eman and I couldn't have dreamed it up any better. We have a lot of fun, but it means a lot to be playing in Vegas at such a special venue at legitimately the coolest and hottest hotel in LV.

"The Lounge is beautiful and a real throw back to the intimate rooms that all the legends would play. And they would play late (and early in the morning) at these places. Dean, Frank, Sammy- the audiences back then got to see these greats up close and personal. Now please... understand, I'm not thinking of us as legends and we are not trying to recreate something that will never be duplicated. But there is a spirit in this town, Las Vegas, that is tapped into every night. People feel it when it's authentic. It's that thing- that bang, that boom, that somethin' somethin'. I believe we are gonna feel that spirit and we won't let you leave The Palms until you feel it too. That feeling may be the one thing that happens in Vegas that doesn't stay in Vegas."

This is the perfect prelude to NKOTBSB this summer when New Kids On The Block and The Backstreet Boys will take over the country together! Also, Joey McInTyre's "Here We Go Again" EP remains one of the coolest pop releases of the past few years, and we're still spinning it over here! Be sure to pick it up here!

Are you going to see Joe McIntyre in Sin City?

-Amy Sciarretto
01.10.11

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Times Square Puts Another New Year's Eve Celebration in the Books

SOURCE

Jeanne Rose, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Celebrating New Year's Eve is always fun and entertaining to watch, especially when you are watching one of the biggest celebrations in the world.

CNN reports that the biggest New Year's Eve Party took place in its traditional location this year at
Times Square in New York City. Times Square

has long been one of the best places to watch the New Year's Eve celebration and countdown to each year.

This year, I watched the event in Times Square on television and definitely will not forget the performance by New Kids on the Block. I have always been a fan of New Kids on the Block, although they were not really popular when I was growing up. The guys performed a medley of their hits throughout the years and put them all into one huge song, which got everyone excited. New Kids on the Block really got involved with the crowd and it was just cool seeing them sing all of their hit songs on such a festive night. I really enjoyed how everyone was singing along with them as well, which kind of made it hard to hear the band. The crowd being into the music and singing along is definitely my favorite moment of the night. I will remember that performance because it was like I was back in the 1980s, watching them on television for the first time.

The Backstreet Boys were also one of the musical acts but as far as boy bands are concerned, New Kids on the Block performed better. I have always wanted to see them perform live but never had the opportunity except to see YouTube videos of their old shows. Last night was the first time I have seen them perform in front of such a huge crowd, and it really felt like I was a part of it.

Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block Reveal New Year's Resolutions

SOURCE

By Paul Chi

Monday January 03, 2011 09:55 AM EST

Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block Reveal New Year's Resolutions

The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block ended 2010 on a high note with a rollicking New Year's Eve mashup of their greatest hits in Times Square. But the guys still see room for improvement in 2011.

"I want to act more like an adult," New Kid Joey McIntyre, 38, who will welcome his third child in May, told PEOPLE about his New Year's resolutions.

"Being in a rock 'n' roll and pop world, it's very easy to act like a kid. So, my resolution is to really act like an adult. It's a personal inventory that I'm trying to take."

Backstreet Boys Nick Carter, 30, and Brian Littrell, 35, will be turning over new leaves of their own. Carter's resolutions? "Not to talk so much on the phone, and no texting while driving," he says. "And I just want to stay fit."

And Littrell? "To read more books and try to make better music."

The two bands have been rubbing elbows ever since the Backstreet Boys made a surprise appearance at a NKOTB show at Radio City Music Hall last summer. Now, they have a whole North American tour planned together for summer 2011.

"We haven't really explored everything about each other. We're taking it slow and just being gentle with each other," McIntyre says jokingly. "We get along really well. These are the best group of guys. We have a lot of shared experiences, and when we get together, it's an amazing way to make a living."

Asked which New Kid is most like which Backstreet Boy, New Kid Donnie Wahlberg, 41, replied: "You'd think it's Joe and Nick who are the same and Donnie and A.J. [McLean, 32] are the tough ones. But if you are in the band, you know that every person is more than what they are perceived."

Wahlberg adds: "A.J. is not the bad boy. He's a sweetheart. And Joe's not the young one. He's wise beyond his years. There's multi layers to everyone, which makes us all different, and that makes it great."