Things just ain't the same...

**Kevin's "Return" To The Backstreet Boys**

I am writing this post for a number of reasons.  First of all, I was dared by a friend of mine to do a post on a Backstreet Boy other than Brian.  So here it is.  Second of all, there was a special announcement made on Tuesday about Kevin being at the Beach Party in Nassau for BSB Cruise 2011 and I wanted to share my opinion on it because there are a lot of posts popping up on the internet about him rejoining the group.  Third of all, I'm taking a quick time out from my past BSB adventures to write about some current BSB news...gotta do that every now and then.

So, it was announced on the Ryan Seacrest show on Tuesday, October 25th that former Backstreet Boy, Kevin Richardson, would be making a "special one time performance" during a "special Beach Party Concert" in Nassau during Backstreet Boys Cruise 2011.  This is at least what the audio clip says.  This put a lot of speculation in the heads of cruise goers.  Many wondered if this was going to be our concert for this cruise instead of having it on the ship.  If this was the case, how were they going to do the seating?  The seating for the Cruise events are by the type of cabin certain people bought, followed by your booking number.  This wouldn't be possible on the beach and those who booked the expensive rooms to get guaranteed close seating may not get this seating.  It was later announced on Twitter by the Backstreet Boys that there was not going to be a Beach Party Concert and that the concert will once again be on the ship this year.  Kevin would just be at the Beach Party hanging out and playing the games.  So that problem is solved.

Kevin's name is the 6th from the top in the
right column.

Shortly after this announcement, talk exploded about Kevin returning to the Backstreet Boys, due to some things that were said in the Ryan Seacrest announcement.  Kevin made the announcement on June 23, 2006 that he was going to be leaving the group to "move onto the next chapter" of his life.  After leaving the group, Kevin starred as Billy Flynn in the musical "Chicago" and became a father.  Kevin has made special guest appearances with the Backstreet Boys during several concerts and on Oprah since leaving.  The Backstreet Boys have recorded two albums (Unbreakable and This Is Us) without Kevin and have toured three times (Unbreakable, This Is Us, and NKOTBSB).

So do I think that he is returning to the group?  Not really.  I believe that Kevin was probably asked by the group, management, or Rose Tours to join them at the Beach Party to try to sell more cabins on the cruise.  They are obviously having problems selling out the full charter cruise because of all of the contests that have been happening recently.  For those of you who do not know, cruises do not really make their money with their cabin bookings.  They make their money through the extras like alcohol, merchandise, excursions, etc.  All of these contests ensure that more rooms are filled so that they can make that extra money, even if these people are not having to pay for their cabins.  I believe that this probably did sway the decisions of some people who were not going to be on the cruise to actually go....as long as they had the money.

There are several other reasons why I believe Kevin will not be returning permanently to the Backstreet Boys.  I believe that if he was returning, he would actually be on the cruise, rather than just the beach party...even if it wasn't to do all of the activities with the group.  You have to remember that he has not been with the group for 5 years so rejoining for all of the fun events would just be awkward.  However, I think he would at least be a guest if there were any plans of him rejoining.

If the Boys were telling the truth, they should have been in the studio recording for their next album in between the end of the NKOTBSB tour and the Cruise.  I believe that if Kevin were rejoining the group, we would have heard news about Kevin joining them in the studio.

You also have to remember that the Backstreet Boys and the New Kids on the Block will be touring in Europe for the European leg of the NKOTBSB tour this spring.  I doubt that Kevin would join them at this point during a tour in which the two groups are experts.

Kevin has moved on with his life and the Backstreet Boys as a quartet seemed to have developed a new dynamic without him.  However, Kevin was a member of the band for 13 long years so it will always be a part of him.  I believe that is why the special guest appearances with the Boys every now and then is enough for him.

Would I be happy if Kevin rejoined the group?  Yes.  I believe the group has a fuller sound with him.  Kevin has always been last on my list when putting them in order of favorites.  However, as an adult, I can respect him so much more now than I did as a teenager.  I think many believe that he held the Boys back because they seem to be having "more fun" now.  I believe they are having more fun but I don't believe it is totally for that reason.  I believe they have finally discovered themselves and are no longer under the limitations of Jive Records.  The Backstreet Boys have had a rollercoaster type career.  They had to build up their popularity in the United States after having established themselves ovcrseas.  They then became HUGE with Millennium but didn't have quite the same success with Black and Blue.  They then took a three year hiatus while AJ battled his drug and alcohol addictions, Kevin married, Brian had his son, and Nick made his first attempt at a solo album.  All 5 came back together to record Never Gone and go on tour.  Kevin then announced that he was going to leave the group and the 4 remaining group members had to decide how to go on without him.  They released Unbreakable, which has been their least successful album and one of the Boys least favorite albums.  This Is Us proved to be an improvement.  Now, they are enjoying tremendous success after having toured with the New Kids on the Block this past summer and starting a European leg in the spring.  During their career, they also had problems with their group founder, Lou Pearlman, their management company, The Firm, and their record label, Jive Records.  After cutting all ties with all of these, some earlier than others, of course they are happier now.  All of the remaining Backstreet Boys have been able to pursue solo careers now, while still being members of the Backstreet Boys.  Many have families or are about to get married and have been able to learn that balance.  Just because Brian has been able to balance being a husband and father, does not necessarily mean that Kevin wanted to try to do it.  Yes, the Backstreet Boys seem to be having more fun now, but I think it is because they are finally able to just have fun at this point in their careers.

I believe it would be awkward at first if Kevin were to come back because he has been gone for so long.  Many don't think of him as a Backstreet Boy any longer.  The group has recorded two albums without him, songs that he would not know and on which his voice did not appear.  However, when Kevin left the group, the rest of the group said that the door would always be open for him to return....so it could happen one day....I just don't think this is it.

So, there are my thoughts and opinions about a Backstreet Boy other than Brian (cough, Laura, cough)!  Coming soon:  University of Kentucky basketball starts this week,  possible trip to the University of Kentucky football game next week, and more cruise updates!