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News
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February 2003
Page 2
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Industry
to use pop singers to boost life jacket use
back up
Source: Boating
Industry International Online
Pop singers Nick and Aaron Carter will appear in an upcoming safety
video aimed at popularizing the use of life jackets by boaters and
anglers, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced
on Friday, January 31.
"We're into helping to save lives," said Nick Carter, 22, who made a
name for himself with the Backstreet Boys. He and his kid brother,
Aaron, 14, took some time in Key West during the recent APBA Offshore
World Powerboat Championships (in which Nick's Super Vee Class boat won
the World's) to appear in the video being produced by the Personal
Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) under a grant from
the United States Coast Guard.
"It's only a cameo performance, a short session with the boys talking to
each other," but it gets the safety story across to teenagers," said Jim
Zons who is co-producing the video with Bob Black for the PFDMA. "The
kids are obviously used to working in front of a camera and working
fast. They did it in only two takes," veteran cameraman Zons said.
The grant project calls for production of two educational videos, one
targeted to consumers, and the other to the boating safety community,
including those who retail boating safety equipment.
The project will focus on high risk boating segments such as anglers,
children, canoers & kayakers, and other small boat operators," said
Bernice McArdle, NMMA associate director of affiliates and project
manager for the grant initiative. "This is where most drownings still
occur and industry has the highest opportunity to impact behavior."
The Carter boys are the lead-in to the segment of the video that
features actions sports—water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing—and
underline the importance of wearing life jackets while on the water.
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For some celebrities at the Hope, golf has helped battle drug
addicitions
back up
Source:
Ventura County Star
Challenging game draws broad range.
For some celebrities at the Hope, golf has helped battle drug
addicitions.
By: Bob Buttitta
Some people play golf for relaxation; others play to quench a
competitive spirit; others have more therapeutic motivation.
For A.J. McLean, lead singer of the band The Backstreet Boys, golf has
helped overcome his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
When McLean recently decided to clean up his act and kick his
addictions, he turned to golf as a way to take his mind off the
substances he so badly craved.
"Golf has been a big fill for my addictions," said McLean, who is one of
the many celebrities who took part in the 2003 Bob Hope Chrysler
Classic. "I traded one addiction for another.
"I am actually close to being golfed out. For the last three months I
have been playing almost non-stop with my AA sponsor. We get up, go to
an AA meeting and golf. It's the perfect day."
McLean, whose grandfather introduced him to golf when he was 8, plays a
lot in Ventura County. Three of this favorite spots include Lost Canyons
Golf Club, Rustic Canyon Golf Club and Sherwood Country Club.
"Since I live in Malibu, those are some of the top courses close to me,"
McLean said.
McLean isn't the first musician to use golf as a way to kick an
addiction.
Legendary rock star Alice Cooper is open about when he wanted to get off
drugs, he took up golf. He would play 36 holes a day for many months as
a way to keep his mind off his withdrawals.
Cooper's passion for golf has been well documented. Even though he has
long since kicked his drug habit, his addiction to golf remains as
strong as ever.
Cooper is a longtime participant at the Hope, and unlike many of those
who play in the Pro-Am, he's not uneasy all eyes are often on him.
"Any performer will tell you that if there is an audience, they will
play better," Cooper said.
"We're used to big crowds. If I see 100 people around a hole, I will
always play that hole better than if no one is there. We see a crowd, we
turn it up a notch."
While golf has become more hip for many since the arrival of Tiger
Woods, for folks in the entertainment and athletic fields, it has been a
favorite for decades, dating back to people such as Hope and Bing
Crosby.
Aaron Lewis, lead singer for the heavy metal band Staind, said he's been
obsessed with golf since the band's drummer introduced him to the sport
two years ago.
When Lewis is at home in Springfield, Mass., he plays nearly every day
when weather permits.
"I love that you're only playing against yourself," Lewis said. "You can
finish ahead of the other players but you can't beat the game. I love it
and I hate it."
So why are so many entertainers drawn to golf?
Comedian Tom Dreesen believes it's because of the similarities between
golf and performing.
"When I used to open for Sinatra, there were like 20,000 people in the
audience, but I had to look as relaxed as if I was telling jokes in the
bar," Dreesen said.
Dreesen received his introduction to golf as a kid in Chicago, where he
worked as a caddie.
Years later, he met Hope who asked him to play in his tournament. After
that, he was hooked.
Sammy Davis bought Dreesen his first set of clubs, and now he plays on
the Celebrity Players Tour, a golf tour for athletes and show business
people who are 10-handicappers or better.
What makes Dreesen take golf so seriously?
"You can play basketball, but you can never play like Michael Jordan,"
Dreesen said. "You could play football, but you will never be Walter
Payton.
"You can play golf and shoot 140, but somewhere during that round you
will make a putt or chip in a shot, and that moment you're doing
something as well as the greatest players in the game. It's an amazing
feeling."
But what draws great athletes like New York Yankees pitcher Roger
Clemens to golf?
The challenge.
"It's hard and I like that challenge," said Clemens, who took the game
up in 1986. "I don't practice enough to be consistent, but when I retire
I will get better.
It's a sport which is difficult to master, even for the greatest
players."
Former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers standout Ron Harper agrees
the challenge of the game makes it fun for a lot of athletes.
Harper became hooked on golf 10 years ago, when he was injured an was
unable to play basketball. He and some friends were talking about sports
they couldn't play. The conversation led to golf.
Unlike former teammate Michael Jordan, who toyed with the idea of trying
to play on the Senior Tour, Harper said he plays only for fun.
"I don't take it seriously," Harper said. "Some guys want to try and
master it, but I know I can't.
"We all have dreams of being a 3-handicap. You hit a good shot and it
brings you back. It's nice because, unlike basketball, I can play this
for a long time. The pressure of stepping up and hitting a shot on the
first hole here is much greater than playing in NBA playoff game because
I don't have the same confidence in golf that I did in basketball."
Actor Dennis Haysbert, star of the television show "24," and the movie
"Major League," said with the stress of acting, golf provides a much
needed release.
"(Golf) is a trip to the mind gym," Haysbert said. "You can't think
about anything else when you're out here, so whatever else is on your
mind, you have to forget about it for a few hours."
Being successful in either golf or show business requires hard work,
something Haysbert enjoys.
"If you want to be good player, you must work at it," Haysbert said.
"The same is true of acting.
"And when it all comes together for you on the golf course, it's magic,
just like a great performance."
The lone thing that he doesn't like about the sport?
"I don't like the fact there are still clubs out there where people of
color can't play," Haysbert said.
Darius Rucker, Hootie of Hootie and the Blowfish, takes golf seriously.
Rucker first played as a kid but it was not until his 20s that he became
serious. Now he puts a lot of free time into playing and practicing.
"I like the challenge of the course, and that no two rounds are the
same," Rucker said.
Rucker also is drawn to feeling that occurs when he makes a big putt or
hits a ball on the screws.
"I chipped in at our tournament in front of Tiger and about 4,000
people," Rucker said. "The adrenalin rush is like being out on stage."
While he's played in more than 100 Pro-Am events, Cooper knows he and
his celebrities are just playing around while their professional
partners are out to make a living.
He also said it's important to remember, that while fans love to see
celebrities, many are there to see the golfers.
That was a lesson he learned while playing with Arnold Palmer.
"Samuel L. Jackson, Chris O'Donnell and Michael Bolton were also
playing, and we would walk up to the green and everyone is cheering,"
Cooper said. "After a while, I said to them, 'You know we are playing
with Elvis. He walks up to the green first, we have to back off.'
"I realized he gets an ovation on every hole so we shouldn't be walking
up in front of him. We should come in behind him. This applause isn't
for us. There are certain things you have to realize when you are out
there."
But while most celebrities realize golf isn't going to pay the bills,
most take it seriously.
How seriously? McLean is known for having tatoos. The total is more than
30 and rising. He only gets tatoos of things that mean something to him.
"I might get a tatoo of a golf ball on my neck because it does mean a
lot to me," McLean said. "I have a huge passion for it.
"I am a perfectionist, so when I take up something I want to get it
down. I have job that pays the bills, puts smiles on people's faces and
I like, but I still want to be the best I can be at this."
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Back to work for AJ & BSB
back up
Source:
The Desert Sun
Back to work: A.J. McLean and the Backstreet Boys will jump back into
the studio in the spring to work on a new record, ending a down time
that spanned a year-and-a-half.
During that time, McLean said he’s been relaxing and playing golf. He
was also working in his own studio on some of his own music as well as
new artists.
“I’m trying to branch out and be more creative,” McLean said. “I’m
trying to spread my wings.”
As for the new album, McLean said the group is in very preliminary
stages.
“It’s going to go in a lot of different directions,” McLean said. “We
don’t even know what the concept is going to be. We really haven’t
talked about it. But once we do, I’m sure we’ll come up with something
that will top the last two albums."
His body is a canvas: McLean said he has 30 tattoos, but insists they
all have a special meaning.
“I don't want to go and just get them,” McLean said. “When someone asks
what do they mean, I don’t want to say ‘I don't know. I got it because
it looks cool.’ Everyone has meaning.”
On his arms, he has Japanese symbols that mean crazy bear. He has
another tattoo to cover up the nickname of an ex-girlfriend. He also has
a dragon on his back.
He is also considering a tattoo to symbolize his love of golf.
“I’m thinking about getting a big ball in the back of my neck,” McLean
said. “It’s got meaning, you know? I don’t know what the meaning would
be? I love golf balls?”
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Kevin Richardson Q&A
back up
Source:
Broadway.com
By: Melissa Rose Bernardo
First, there's the matter of being a Backstreet Boy; add to that the
fact that 'N Syncer Joey Fatone already made the leap from boyband to
Broadway; top it all off with a show that's never been hotter thanks to
a smashingly successful movie adaptation. You might say that Kevin
Richardson has something to prove. But millions in record sales and
gaggles of girly fans haven't put any pressure on Chicago's newest Billy
Flynn: "I just want to follow my heart," says Richardson. "When
opportunities come, I cross those bridges when I get to them." It may
have been a while since he's trod the boards-he's been a BSB for 10
years now-but Richardson's loving his theatrical comeback: "I'm a
31-year-old man," says the Kentucky native. "There's a lot more to me
than just singing with the fellas."
So you probably weren't even settled into the Shubert Theatre, and then
the whole show picks up and move to the Ambassador.
Hey, I'm used to moving around. No big deal.
That's true. I'm sure you were just glad to be in one city for more than
two nights in a row.
You don't get too comfortable with the backstage and everything; it's
always a new one every night for us on the road. I was kind of getting
cozy at the Shubert, though. I'm glad I got to perform there. With all
of the great names that have been here…
You got to perform in the Chorus Line theater. It's an honor.
Now, how does a Backstreet Boy end up on Broadway?
Chicago contacted the booking agent that does all of our concert
bookings. They called me and said, "Would you be interested in playing
the role of Billy Flynn?" I said, "Are you kiddin' me? Of course!"
Had you seen the current production?
No. I'd seen bits and pieces, I'd heard the soundtrack. I knew the story
from friends and from doing musical theater.
How long's it been since you did theater?
My last stage acting-playing a character-was about 11 years ago. I've
been with the fellas for 10 years. So I was excited to jump back in the
saddle again.
What was that last show?
I played an Italian gangster-it was a revue in Florida. It had songs
from Guys and Dolls, the "Cellblock Tango" from Chicago. I sang-what was
that song from Guys and Dolls?
"I've Never Been in Love Before"? "Luck Be a Lady"?
Yes. [singing] "Luck be a lady tonight…" I sang an Italian opera song
too. That was my last production. In high school I did stuff like Bye
Bye Birdie, Pillow Talk, Barefoot in the Park. I always enjoyed it.
Actually, before I met the fellas, I was on my way up here because my
girlfriend [Kristin Willits]-who's now my wife-was planning on moving
here.
I read that you guys met while you were both performers at Disney World.
She was playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast?
She was in Beauty.
And you were playing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?
I was playing a ninja turtle-plus other things: the main character in
Aladdin, I did the puppeteering for Sebastian in the Little Mermaid
show, I was the Beast sometimes. Then at night I did the revue show. And
then community theater stuff at the Theatre Downtown in Orlando: It's a
really edgy, small theater where new playwrights do their thing. They do
really crazy, off-the-wall productions. I was in a show there called
Monorail Inferno that a friend of mine wrote. It was about Disney
World-they had an electrical fire on one of the monorails and they had
to evacuate everyone on cherry pickers. It was an insane show.
And you were both planning to move here.
I had gotten my director in Orlando and my drama teacher in high school
to write me some letters. I was going to come up here to the Musical and
Dramatic Academy, and that's when I ran into the fellas.
So you put Broadway on the back burner.
That opportunity came up, I put my plans to come up here on hold, my
wife later got a job on Broadway.
What show was she in?
She was in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She was one
of the Gemini. Now when we have our babies, we'll be able to tell them
both Mom and Dad were on Broadway.
And how many couples can say that? You guys are definitely planning on
kids?
I love kids. I'm looking forward to having some of my own.
Where are you all living now?
I've lived in L.A. for the past two and a half years; lived in Florida
for eight years.
You pretty much had to move cross-country for this gig.
Yeah but, I mean, I'm used to it. Whenever I'm in one place for more
than two days it's nice. I have a real nice cozy apartment. I'm having a
great time here. This cast has been nothing but supportive. After the
curtain went down at the end of the first act on opening night, the
crowd was clapping, and everybody turned around and went "Yeah!" and
started clapping for me. They were rooting for me-it felt so good.
How was that first night?
I was really nervous, and excited. My wife got to come in for it; she's
in Miami shooting a movie. She was crying in the audience. It was just
amazing. I'm having a blast.
Have you noticed a lot of BSB fans in the audience?
I've certainly seen a few at the stage door! My first night there were a
lot. Each show there've been sections that are a little louder than
others.
Do they shout out inappropriate things?
When I saw Rent with Joey Fatone some girl yelled out "I love you,
Joey!" in the middle of a scene. They don't do that. But they do cheer
really loudly.
What's the latest with BSB?
We're supposed to record another record right after I get off my run
here.
Now, have you seen Chicago the movie?
I thought it was great. I thought it was done very well. My favorite is
the "Cellblock Tango." I thought Catherine [Zeta-Jones] was great, all
her dancing, the way Renée [Zellweger] played Roxie, I thought Queen
Latifah did an incredible job. I liked the way Richard played Billy.
How's your Billy different from Richard Gere's?
Mine is kind of a young hotshot; his is older and wiser. But I'm playing
him the way I was directed, and I want to be true to [the revival's
original Billy] Jim Naughton and the way it was meant to be. It's
exciting to be involved in it with the movie out at the same time-to sit
there and watch it in a theater while I was in rehearsal.
Are you enjoying New York?
I love it. I used to fly up here all the time to see my wife; she lived
on the Upper West Side. I used to come see her every chance I got. It is
a little chilly [laughs], but it gives me a chance to wear all those
sweaters I never get to wear in L.A.
It's nice that you've been able to take some time to do your own thing
apart from the group.
We all kind of took a break. Brian had a baby; AJ and his fiancée are
planning a wedding. It's been nice chilling.
So in the spring…
We're supposed to hit the studio. We'll see what happens. [Laughs] You
never know with the five of us!
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