2006 Article: The Little Drummer Boy

December 9, 2006

When most children hear their father singing around the house, they’ll probably roll their eyes at the off-key harmonies or mangled lyrics. Baylee Littrell’s father is different: He’s a Backstreet Boy.Littrell was with his son in the studio putting the finishing touches on his solo Christian album. Baylee (who loves to hear his voice in the headphones) said, “Daddy, I want to hear ‘Jesus Loves You,’ ” an a cappella number he’d heard around the house.The producer liked the way Baylee sounded and added the sound bite to the beginning of the track. “Jesus Loves You” closes out “Welcome Home,” released in May. Littrell co-wrote half of his solo album as well as several Backstreet Boys songs, including hits like “Larger Than Life” and “The One.”

Littrell brings his Christian music to Manassas on Wednesday.Don’t expect to see pyrotechnics or choreographed dances - Littrell said the show would be an acoustic set with some drums.
“It’s a Christmas show,” said Littrell. “It’s more or less sharing stories about our lives or our faith.”
He also said that the set would include numbers from his solo album, “Welcome Home,” as well as some of his favorite Christmas songs.Littrell, originally from Lexington, Ky., always wanted to do Christian music.“I grew up singing in church,” said Littrell, 31.
To audition for The Backstreet Boys, Littrell had to pass up a four-year vocal scholarship to Cincinnati Bible College.
“That’s what I thought God had planned for my life,” said Littrell, adding that while he grew up Southern Baptist, he now considers himself non-denominational.“I didn’t really ask to be a pop star,” said Littrell, who was 18 at the time he became a Backstreet Boy. “God blessed us with a wonderful audience all over the world. As a Backstreet Boy, I can break down the door and share the Gospel with countries that don’t believe in Christ.”
The Backstreet Boys have sold over 74 million records worldwide. They’ve inspired an Internet lip-syncing sensation “The Back Dorm Boys,” as well as the ultimate certificate of pop notoriety: Weird Al’s “eBay” was a parody of the Backstreet Boy’s ubiquitous “I Want It That Way.”
“I hear those songs in the elevator today,” said Littrell.
He also said that though the band’s fame shot through the stratosphere, his relationship with Christ kept his feet on the ground.
When negotiating his solo recording contract, it was important to Littrell to be on a Christian label.
“If I’m making that jump, I want it to be wholeheartedly,” said Littrell, adding that the process was surprisingly easy.
His is on the Reunion Records label, alongside artists such as Michael W. Smith and the Casting Crowns.
Some of the fans jumped with him. Littrell said that he’s found his solo album appeals to both Backstreet Boys fans and Christian music fans.“It’s amazing how Backstreet Boys fans are intrigued by my project, whether or not they’re believers in Christ,” said Littrell.
He added that as the initial Backstreet Boys fans have become older, girls in their early 20s, they’re searching for something on a different level in their music. “It’s just as rewarding to go to work and do something I’m so passionate about,” said Littrell.
The Backstreet Boys aren’t done, though. Littrell said the band plans on releasing a new album in the spring. He said the record would incorporate the Euro-dance synthesizers of the early Backstreet Boys albums with the pop-rock guitar driven songs with their later efforts.
There are eight songs in the can, and Littrell said the band plans on finishing in January.

Source: Potomac News & Gina for submitting this article!