Howie: Southbound For Charity

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Sep 09, 2000 Source: VH1 Submitted By: By C. Bottomley There are more conspicuous places to launch a solo career than San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Buenos Aires. But Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough doesn't have Sisqo-size success on his mind - just raising money for the Caroline Dorough-Cochran Lupus Foundation. Howie's sister Caroline died from lupus, which attacks the victim's immune system, in September 1998. Since then, Howie has campaigned to raise funds to research a cure. He hopes his September 13 gig in San Juan and September 15 concert in Buenos Aires will do just that. "This disease took my sister from my family," he said in a statement. "It means the world to me to have friends, family, and the public to help find a cure for lupus. Hopefully, in the near future, a cure will be found and no other family will have to endure such a tragic loss as our family has endured." Howie had originally planned more concerts, but for some reason decided to perform at only these two dates. He previously appeared at a June 25 Lupus 2000 benefit concert in Orlando, where his performance helped raise $100,000 for the foundation. On the Backstreet Boys Band Web site, their keyboardist Tommy Smith said, "I'm not sure why these decisions have been made, probably the Boys felt they needed to spend more time on the album release." Which doesn't quite explain the appeal of the Latin American cities, but they're probably warmer than Sweden [Remember, it's currently winter in the Southern Hemisphere ­Ed.], where the Backstreet Boys have been recording the follow-up to Millennium. Backstreet fans who can't afford plane tickets to these sunny climes, however, may wish Howie strutted his solo stuff closer to home. If you're lucky enough to see the show, email a report to newsmaker@vh1mail.com Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: David Submitted by: Halz Submitted by: Michael Pollitt Submitted by: Monika Submitted by: Joe Submitted by: John Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boy Marries Sweetheart Prev Item: Britney, Backstreet, 'NSYNC Label Sues MP3.com