The Backstreet Boys Are Back-And Helping The Disney Channel Go Pop

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jul 11, 2099 Source: TV Guide Submitted By: BarChristi@aol.com Forget "I want my MTV." For some bands, "I want my Disney Channel" is more like it. The Mickey Mouse network's quarterly In Concert series has become an A-list show for such teen-courting pop acts as current studs du jour the Backstreet Boys (July 10, 7 P.M./E.T.). Harmonizing heart-throbs Howie, Brian, A.J., Nick and Kevin perform live versions of their monster hits, including "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and "I Want It That Way," and they sit down for up-close-but-not-too-personal backstage interviews. Their show was taped May 11 during a New York City jam session that drew about 1,800 screaming, ticket-winning fans. Bagging their own concert special is probably no major feat for the Backstreet Boys. But other artists, such as 'N Sync, credit In Concert for giving them their big TV break. Orlando's second crooning quintet did the show last July, stepping in after the Backstreet Boys had to, er, back out. One week after the 'N Sync special aired, sales of their self-titled CD skyrocketed. " The special helped catapult the record," says 'N Sync manager Johnny Wright. " It jumped 24 spaces (on Billboard charts). Within four weeks this group was looking at a Top 10 album. It took all of us by surprise." The Disney Channel was surprised too. Before 1997, the cable network fared well with such adult contemporary acts as Elton John and Trisha Yearwood, but when focus shifted to blossoming and bona fide teen idols-including Brandy, LeAnn Rimes, Cleopatra and Jonny Lang-things changed. "When we chose younger artists, the series took off," says Tina Treadwell, the Disney Channel's executive director of music specials. Also rising in popularity: the Irish group B*witched. Guitarist Lindsay Armaou says the girl band's self-titled album "flew up the charts" following their March performance coupled with a trademark In Concert interview. " When fans see you perform, they don't think of you as humans; they think of you as just the band," Armaou says. "But with this, the fans (got) to see us talking, laughing, hanging out, having fun in Disney World. And we love it there!" -Stef McDonald Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: markus http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Comment on this item. Next Item: Teen Girl Power Interview with AJ Prev Item: Who is Dave Letterman's Favorite Backstreet Boy?