The core of the Backstreet Boys is cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian
Littrell, who both hail from Lexington, Kentucky. The two began singing while they were children, performing in local church choirs, as well as festivals, where they sang doo-wop and new jack R&B in the style of Boyz II Men. Two of the other remaining members, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, were natives of Orlando, Florida who met each other -- as well as transplanted New Yorker and fifth Backstreeter Nick Carter -- through auditions for local commericials, theater and television. At one audition, the three discovered that they shared an affection for classic soul and could harmonize together. In no time, they were singing as a trio. Shortly after the trio had formed, Richardson moved to Orlando, where he became a tour guide at Disney World; at night, he concentrated on becoming a professional musician. Eventually, he met Dorough, Carter and McLean through a co-worker, and the four decided to form a group, naming themselves after an Orlando fleamarket; Littrell was invited to join to make the band into a quintet. [More]