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February 2003
Page 5
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Backstreet Feud?
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Source:
AccessHollywood.com
Kevin Richardson set the record straight with our own Billy Bush
Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson, who's currently starring on Broadway in
Chicago, is speaking out on what happened with one of the biggest boy
bands and pop phenomenons in the world.
In the late 90's, there was no bigger band than the Backstreet Boys, who
sold 65 million CD's and incited 'Beatle-like' mania. Then suddenly the
music seemed to stop. It had been almost two years since the group has
recorded a new album. During that time, Nick Carter released his solo
project -- a move that allegedly caused a rift within the group.
When asked about the rumors concerning this, Kevin told Access: "We had
a meeting and set up a schedule. And then we had another meeting and he
kind of sprung it on us and we were surprised."
So was there ever talk of continuing with just him and the other three
members -- A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough? "Initially,
there were some feelings of that but time heals things. It's either the
five of us or it's none of us."
However, there were other problems. The boys were angry with their label
-- Jive Records -- for releasing a greatest hits album nearly a year and
a half ago. "They decided to release the greatest hits before we wanted
them to. We wanted it to come out in our tenth year but they went ahead
and did it anyway," revealed Kevin. "They were going to do it with or
without our help and we were like, 'If we don't help promote this and it
doesn't sell then who looks bad? We do!' So, you know, it's frustrating.
It's business."
In the meantime, there was a growing perception that the Backstreet Boys
had been overtaken in popularity by *NSYNC, who jumped labels three
years ago, and signed with the same record company as the Backstreet
Boys. "Our relationship with our label kind of went downhill just
because we felt like it was a conflict of interest," said Richardson.
When asked if there was truth of the rivalry between the two bands,
Kevin said: "On a personal level, it's not true. They are great guys."
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JWR 2nd Anniversary Interview with Kevin Richardson Part II
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Source: Velcrobaby.com
Just Within Reach-Celebrating 2 years
An interview with its founder and president, Kevin Richardson
Part Two
By: Linda Hughes
January 26th, 2003 marks a very important day in the life of Kevin
Richardson’s environmental foundation, Just Within Reach. It was on this
day two years ago that the foundation incorporated and to recognize this
anniversary Kevin Richardson very graciously agreed to answer some
questions that were sent to him via JWR Director of Public Relations,
Vicki Hanna. The questions were submitted by a number of people from
“Earth Loving Friends” and Kevin recently answered them via a phone
conversation with Vicki Hanna while in New York rehearsing for his
Broadway debut in “Chicago”.
Question: How have your goals and dreams for JWR evolved since the
foundation was first established?
Kevin Richardson: I think we all, meaning Jim and Vick too, have
bigger dreams than we’re able to achieve right now, mostly because of
the economy and the fact that giving to non-profits is way down-it’s
down like 15 percent or more, I think. And we need help reaching out to
other people and donors besides fans and existing supporters. We also
need to reach people who haven’t given much thought to the environment
so we can educate them and bring them onboard. We’ve done a whole lot in
our first two years, but none of us expected to have the challenge of a
bad economy, 9/11, a war and those sorts of things. It’s a challenge to
get people to learn about the environment when they’re preoccupied with
a lot of others things in life. We aim high and we still have a big list
of things we want to do—and we have a better idea of what it will take
to do them—but we’ll have the challenge of fundraising to deal with at
the same time.
Question: How would you recommend for the public to change their
lifestyle for the good of the environment?
Kevin Richardson: My advice to the public is the same advice that Ed
Begley, Jr. gave to me. He said, “Start small and work up to doing more
and more Earth-friendly things.” It’s easy to get overloaded by thinking
of all the things you could do to improve the environment and your
community. But the key is to start small and then include more practices
as you go. You don’t have to do everything at once. But you do have to
do something. Anything. And then build on that. Maybe you could start
carpooling once a week. Then after a while, start hosting clean-up
events or join an environmental group or club in your state. There are
lots of things you can do, but you don’t have to do them all the first
day. If you try to do too much too fast, you might burn out. I’d rather
have you do what you can than take on too much and end up not doing
anything at all.
Question: In your opinion, how is JWR pointing people in the right
direction to learn more and to inspire them to create a healthy Earth?
Kevin Richardson: Just being available to answer questions and help
people learn where to find answers to their questions is a big way we’re
helping. I think our Web site and E-Newsletter are a couple of the best
things we have going, too. I think JWR sets a good example because we’re
not too far in one direction and we think we’re pretty approachable. I
mean, we have strong opinions, but we don’t shove it down your throat.
If you want to learn from us, we’re here. We can’t make people learn but
we can be here to help them when they’re ready. I’m still learning, too.
We all are.
Question: Many companies are practicing “Progress and the Planet in
Harmony”. These companies have proven that industrial reform is good for
the environment and good for profits. In your opinion, how influential
is this information on a political level? Is Washington getting this
message at all? How can we get them to listen and look at the facts and
findings of these companies that show they are saving millions of
dollars using sustainable energy and waste reduction?
Kevin Richardson: Before you even go there, you have to be careful
when you talk about companies that say they are using sustainable energy
and practicing waste reduction, because sometimes the facts don’t back
up the claims. There are some companies that have really tried to be
progressive and some have been successful. But there are many more that
are disguising their practices as being environmentally friendly when in
reality they aren’t. And no, I don’t think Washington is getting the
message from these businesses. I think it’s going to take some more time
before more companies see the potential good of environmental business
and it will take even longer for their peers and the government to admit
to seeing them. Businesses survive by making their customers happy. It’s
up to us as customers to tell them what they should do to make things
better in our eyes. If we tell them what we want or demand, and if we
start to support companies that do practice what we request, the change
will become clear in the comany’s profit margin.
Question: What changes have you made in your life to live a more
“environmentally friendly” existence?
Kevin Richardson: Besides being a spokesperson for environmental
awareness in general, I’ve just tried to be more aware of how my
everyday behaviors and choices affect the Earth. And I know I’m not
perfect and that I could do more-most people can always do more. Besides
recycling at home, I try to limit my water use by cutting down time on
my showers and things like that. We’re also installing solar panels on
our new house so we can depend more on the energy of the sun and less on
gas and other fuels. And when my car dies, I’m hoping to get a hybrid or
hydrogen-powered car to replace it.
Question: *Submitted by the 9 year old daughter of one of our
members. * What do you do when you are at home, where you live, to
support your community and to help clean up the environment there?
Kevin Richardson: I’m never in one spot for very long, but when I am
home, I recycle and buy locally grown products and produce. I buy
organic foods. When I can, I go to the events of other environmental
groups and support other organizations’ efforts. The celebrity that
helps me get the word out is sometimes hard to work around. I wish I
could do more “hands-on” activities in my own community, but it tends to
create a disturbance when I go where there are big crowds. But we’re
working on that. I hope to attend a cleanup or trail clearing sometime
this year.
Question: Have you or would you consider going to college to earn a
degree in environmental science, biology or some other life science to
help boost your credibility in the eyes of politicians, the media and
others who question your “qualifications”?
Kevin Richardson: Did Vick tell you to ask that question? She keeps
mentioning that idea to me off and on. She keeps encouraging me to go to
college and get a degree. I may do that one day-I don’t know. It’s been
a long time since I’ve been in a classroom and had to study like that.
The best I can do right now is surround myself with experts and people
who can teach me about the issues so I can convey them to the public and
to kids. I do like to learn and read and I think anyone who can pursue a
higher education should try. That’s one reason we provide scholarships
for environmental science and marine studies. Maybe I could get a JWR
scholarship one day!
Question: Do you have an “environmental” mentor?
Kevin Richardson: I’ve learned a lot from Bobby Kennedy, Jr., of
Waterkeeper Alliance and from Teri Blanton who is on our Board of
Directors and is a member of the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. I got
a good introduction to the environmental fight by Erin Brockovich, but
I’d have to say at this point, Jim Hanna is probably the closest thing
to a “mentor” that I have in the environmental area. He’s a good teacher
and he knows his stuff. He’s an environmental chemist by trade but he’s
also personable and he’s willing to take time to explain and give
examples of how complex processes apply to every day life.
Question: Where do you see JWR in 5 years? In 10 years?
Kevin Richardson: With the economy the way it is and with the lack
of funding for non-profits, it’s hard to say where JWR will be in 5 or
10 years. I wish I could guarantee where it will be, but it’s not just
up to me. It’s up to all of us to have a vision for where JWR will be.
Given that we’re headed into a major battle where our government and
business leaders don’t seem too interested in making a change for the
better, it’ll be a challenge to keep people’s attention. And it’ll be
difficult to attract the kind of funds we need to not only survive but
also thrive and grow. I hope that JWR is strong and healthy and making a
big difference in the lives of people all over the world within 5 years.
I hope we’re funding more projects, educating more kids and families and
making more resources available to everyone. I hope we’re funding more
scholarships and raising more hell with people who don’t take the time
to understand the importance of protecting the Earth.
I’d like to personally thank Kevin Richardson for taking the time out of
his busy schedule to answer all of these questions. Happy 2nd
Anniversary to “Just Within Reach”!
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A
Lasting World Reaches Out to Make a Positive Difference
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Source: A Lasting World
By: Lisa Lombardo
A Lasting World made its mark within "volunteer history" on November
26th, 2001- Thanksgiving. The founders of ALW Andi, Linda, and Wen have
taken a pro-active initiative to graciously support Kevin Richardson's
Just Within Reach. Just Within Reach: An Earth Foundation was
established on December 27th, 2000 and since has gained respect from
environmental supporters and Backstreet Boys fans alike on a global
scale.
The goals of ALW include the unconditional support to stand behind Just
Within Reach while assisting to raise greater awareness about JWR and
similar organizations that hold the vision of a clean environment for
present and future generations. The A Lasting World ladies have
organized various fundraisers with assistance from their devoted "ALW
Angels." The "angel squad" supports the mission statements of both ALW
and JWR while embracing love for our Earth in hopes of creating a better
tomorrow. (As of February 15th, 2003 the "angel squad" has grown to 130
members spanning ocean to ocean.)
The most recent undertaking of the ALW team includes the launch of their
original cookbook Great Tastes Just Within Reach - Volume II. For those
of you that ordered Volume I,you know the recipes included were
fabulous! This time around even more "angels" rose to the occasion and
submitted various recipes. Volume II contains various Richardson Family
Recipes featured within categories including: Appetizers, Salads, Soups
and Sauces, Breads, Rolls and Pastries, and "Down Home Kentucky Grub."
Is your mouth watering yet? IT SHOULD BE! Volume II can be purchased for
$20.00 (not including shipping) and the most heartwarming attribute -
all proceeds benefit JWR. Ordering your cookbook is as easy as 1, 2, and
3.
1. Visit A Lasting World.
2. Choose to order online using Pay Pal or print the order form for
snail mail submission.
3. Encourage your friends and family to support JWR and ALW by ordering
a copy of this exclusive cookbook.
In your travels to the Official A Lasting World Website, learn more
about becoming an ALW Angel and supporting Just Within Reach.
"Together WE Can Make a Positive Difference."
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Now
or Never
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Source: Hot Boat magazine,
February 2003 issue
He took the offshore world by storm in much the same way he has
conquered the music scene. Nick Carter announced his plans for an
offshore team back at the Miami International Boat Show and nothing has
been the same for Super Vee competition this year. As Carter told
HotBoat, "I am a maniac when it come this boat-racing stuff!" Although
he can't be in the boat, Nick Carter is a vital part of the impeccable
team he has assembled. Carter told HotBoat, "We strive to find the right
people, and we take care of our people. We're all about winning. I hate
to lose."
As the season progressed, Nick made it his business to accommodate the
ever-increasing number of fans and media at every stop. In an impressive
showing, the Key West team of veteran throttleman Lee Murray and driver
Steve Oropeza took the 40-foot Fountain to the winner's circle seven
times and captured the 2002 National title. "I am very happy that I have
an incredible team," Nick said. "They have worked very hard and put all
this together."
Following the team win on Wednesday (Nov 20), an elated Nick told
HotBoat, "I'm very happy with the way the engines were running. Mercury
has really supported us." Carter continued, "We had some competition
early in the race, and we stood strong. The motors stood strong, the
boat held up. You have to stand strong. You can't take that away from
us."
Standing on the sea wall Saturday (Nov 23), Nick watched his team and
cheered, "Stay strong, baby, stay strong." Their stunning performance,
paired with Wednesday's victory, landed Nick Carter Racing a World
Championship title. Surrounded by family, friends, and fans, Nick Carter
said, "I like the energy, I like the vibe, I like the people, and I like
the competition. This is why I wanted to get involved in the sport. This
is the first of many things to come in the racing world. We can pioneer
something here. Now we are bringing the entertainment aspect to boat
racing. What a way to celebrate the concert tonight."
Nick Carter wrapped up his record-breaking season performing in a free
concert Saturday night that also featured his brother Aaron, No Secrets,
O-Town, and Jen.
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