Experiences

It was a perfect summer afternoon, two other friends and I meet outside the venue. (There were supposed to be four of us, but one could not go since the time changed) We got in just to see little Aaron up on stage, had no idea who he was till he said his name. What a cutie. My friends and I had great seats center stage about 15 rows back. Since the time changed and there where a lot of parents there with kids we had perfect view, about 5 rows ahead of us and there was nobody in them or standing, plus then the little kids who we towered over.

The concert went off and there they were the guys that won me over with their voices from the moment I heard Quit Playing Games with My Heart. Before I got the CD I had no idea what they looked like just that I LOVED the song. The two blonde ones caught my eye right away when I finally did get the CD, specially the youngest one. (AHHH Nicky)

I don't remember much about the concert other then this one part, which I will get to in a moment. During the concert Nick had my full attention, the way he moved, the way he sang, oh what a beautiful man.

There where five stools on stage with Nick sitting in the middle one with Howie on one side and Kevin on the other. AJ and Brian took turns standing up and singing their parts. Well during this song I linked arms with my friend, who happened to be a guy (yes at a BSB concert) and started swaying back and forth with him.

As Nick sat on his barstool he put his hands over his eyes to see out into the crowd better. He then pointed to me. I looked around like umm no he is pointing to me. I looked back and to reinforce he pointed to me again. So I just stood still and looked at him, he took his free hand and took his finger from his eye down his chin as a tear dropping. Then took the finger to the corner of his mouth and smiled and pointed his finger into the smile. I buried my head in my friend's arm and just died. I looked back smiling from ear to ear and he then waved to me with the biggest smile on his face. I was so touched. He did his job he made me smile. Also in the process he won my heart forever.

I have been to so many shows, but this one still touches my heart and every time I hear I'll Never Break Your Heart, I think of that moment. How ever small to Nick, it meant the world to me. I know I was upset at the show, thinking of my ex, and when that song came on I was ready to cry, for him to do that, I just wow I can't explain, it touched my heart. For him to take that one small moment in time and make a life long memory for me. It just goes to show that all the guys will do anything for their fans.

I was down in Florida visiting my Mother, I knew they were going to be their in concert but never though of asking her to go. She lived through taking me to NKOTB concerts with my sister no way was she going to live through a BSB one. Especially on a work night for her.

Well two nights before the concert, my Step Dad and I were watching the news. Of course they brought up BSB and the Grammys and the upcoming concert. I was glued to the TV. So my Step Dad asked if I liked them. Um yeah, was my response. He asked why I did not tell him or my Mom sooner they could have gotten me tickets to go to the show. I told him I was not going to go alone, since I knew there was no way my Mom would go. He told me he would take care of my Mom. He said he would take care of her for me. Low and behold she comes home from work, my Step Dad tells her, and she says well let's get tickets. (Also that I should have told her I wanted to go sooner)

So for the next two days I searched for tickets. Ticketmaster still had some left but there was NO was I was sitting that high up and away. So I found Ebay. (oh brother now something new for me to find all my BSB stuff on) We ending up getting pretty good tickets about 2 hours before the show. YEAH J

I asked my Mom if I should bring my camera, she told me no we would be to far away to take any good pictures. Okay so I did not bring it. Well on the way to the concert, my Step Dad says I bet Hulk Hogan is there with his kids and wife. Me the cynic is like yeah right, what would he be doing at a BSB concert, maybe his kids.

Gotta to see Willa in concert (this is the one memory I wish would go away) (sorry if I offended anyone saying that) Well then right before the boys come out, who should happen to walk into our section but Hulk Hogan and his kids. (My Step Dad should get paid for being a physic) My Mom looks at me "should have brought your camera" Yeah okay since you're the one that told me NOT to. No biggie, just some of my wrestling friends would have LOVED if I got pictures of him at the BSB concert for their TV show.

Well the show goes off, my Mom really got into the show, and Brian is the one with the Angel voice that got her attention. She really like the band playing too (0ld one now). It was great having her there and sharing it with me. My Mom and I haven't always been too close, but leaving the concert I felt a new bond with her. It was the best thing she could have done with me and all thanks to the boys. J

This is the first concert I was up close. Third row. Yes I paid a pretty penny for them, but so well worth it. Seeing these five guys I love and adore without having to watch them on a screen or through binoculars was just awesome.

These two concerts mean a lot to me, this was the kick off of my black and blue tour streak with an awesome friend I meet online. Heather. She is the best, her and I went to so many concerts together, so many hotels chasing after them. I don't know what I would do with out her. She is as crazy as I am when it comes to the guys, and we share so much more in common I truly love her. She is one of my best friends. I never would have met her if it were not for the boys. Even more reason for me to love them J

The day of the concert we were waiting for them to leave thought we would have a better shot waiting for them outside. Well some other fans we meet and made friends with come rushing out to tell us where Nick was and he was taking pictures with all the fans. So of course we rush in and look around and he is no where to be seen. So then I look and there he is. I turn to my friends and say plan as day, "oh my god there he is" their reaction is "where where" me, "over there walking this way" So here comes the dear in headlights, I can't move just watch him walk towards us. Heather walks up, she has had her moment the day before, while we were trying to get to the hotel. Another friend Holly and I. So she asks for a picture politely and Nick's BG says not right now he will be back down in a bit then we can.

First Howie comes out. We are just standing there and Rachel, Heather's foster daughter goes, "there's Howie" I mean nobody noticed, fans outside or nothing. Oh I feel so bad for him sometimes, cuz we just look at Rachel, who is almost 5 at this time and we are like where, and she has to point him out to us. He was behind a pillar when she said it so we did not see him at first. So she got her picture taken with him. He was so kind we were just standing there and he looked at her and asked her if she would like a picture. She was speechless then of course we said she would. It was the only picture he stopped to take before heading off.

Next was AJ to leave. He really did not stop for any pictures, but Sarah did something awesome for a fan. AJ got right on his bus she came off and some of the fans were talking to her. This one girl really was dying for AJ to sign her TV Guide cover. So Sarah took it for her and onto the bus and came back with it signed for her. That was just so sweet in my books.

Last but not least was Nick. I just stood there watched him walk out of the revolving doors and just was in heaven. We asked for our picture again and Nick was waving us on for it, but his BG said no that he was running late and had to go, he said sorry and signed a few things as he made his way to the bus. He was running late as it was a little after 5 PM and he was not even on the bus yet with a 45 minute drive to the venue. Okay so someone another fan that we have meet now several times was lucky enough to catch him down at the bus and got a picture with him. AHH.

So we were not planning on going to this show till the day before the Indy show. We just packed up and followed them down to Lexington for that concert. Got great seats and had a blast. They were so excited, specially Kevin and Brian being in their home town. It was an awesome show and learned all about silly string. J

AJ's first show back. It was awesome. I made a huge sign that had all of the guys names on it and then said we love and support each of you, love your Milwaukee fans and then the date. Another friend and I held it up during Time so they would see it as the walked across the bridge. They all waved and mouthed thank you as they walked across. Before Kevin started the intro on The Answer to Our Life, he said thank you for all the signs, we do see them and we love and support all of you too. AHH that so made the sign worth it.

Being from Milwaukee I knew how the fans are I had to warn all my friends to be prepared cuz we are loud and scream a lot. Not just that it was AJ's first show back but we are excited fans and like to scream. A lot of us grow up very much into sporting events and screaming. LOL. It was a very loud show. Heather and I were 3rd row and I have a lot of great pictures that I will be posting on the site.

Heather and I decided to again follow them to back to back concerts. Got good advice where to say as you can see from several hotel pictures from Cincy. We ended up getting 2nd Row tickets. I was so tired I don't know how I made it through the show. After driving 7 ½ hours on little sleep to being with and then finally getting to the hotel, yeah sure I laid down for a bit but got NO sleep. I was just a little too wound up. LOL

About a week before this concert I meet Chava online. Her and I clicked right away. I had been playing with the idea of going to the Vegas show, but did not know how I would afford it. Then I meet Chava, she is from Vegas and we just started talking and soon enough she had Heather and I convinced to come to Vegas, She is another one of my best friends. I don't know what I would do with out her. There is not a day that goes by since August that her and I don't talk, either on the computer or on the phone. Usually both. She is the best and means the world to me. I am so glad I meet her and we have so much in common that keeps our friendship going strong. Even if she lives a million miles away, she is always just a phone call away. J

This was a sad concert, security was so tight and only 10 days after everything that happen on 9/11/01. Like Nick said though, the show must go on, we need this happiness. Yes we did. It was great seeing them again. They were all a bit hyper and it was a funny concert. Oh what would we do without these boys? J

I was supposed to see the San Diego show too but it was canceled. That is okay more money for me, but I would have loved to have seen one more show. LOL like I have not seen enough right. Well here is what happened at this show…

In Not For Me, they were in the black rip away shirt and the red felt cloth over it. Well the guys were standing in front of the blower and they are supposed to be able to tear of one sleeve on the shirt. Well AJ's would not tear off, he kept tugging at it, and Brian came to help him and still nothing, so they just laughed.

Then AJ comes out, HE SANG the Happy song. This is the first time he has ever done it in concert, we were all just speechless, crying and so happy for him. When he got done the audience just erupted in screams for him. He looked like he was going to break down and cry, he said thank you all for making me the happiest I have ever been in my life. AHHHHHH then it was time for Nicky boy to come out......

So Nick comes out and he starts yelling for AJ to come back up, he is like why is it my toaster comes up so fast and yours goes nice and slow. I want mine to go slow, I don't want to just pop up. So AJ and Nick were goofing around for a bit. It ended up with Nick getting on AJ's toaster with AJ saying I want to come up on yours. So they go down together and then Nick comes up alone standing on one leg giving his famous Carter grin that just melts you on the spot. He then says that is the stupidest thing I have done all tour and laughs. Some of us beg to differ though. J

Then Howie, okay I don't remember what happen with Howie I still was glowing over Nick's goofy ass. Then Kevin took his sweet time coming on stage we waited a good minute after Howie went down for Kevin to come up, I figured he ran out to hit the casino quick and come back. He came up saying he got lost backstage. Yeah OKAY Kev.

Okay then the next stunt, during Yes I Will, the guys dance with canes, it is cute, well the crew had set it up that during that song they dropped a bunch of multi colored Ping-Pong balls on them. They were so funny about it, no one tripped, and someone changed the words to like we said this is no ordinary show, and then hey it's snowing. Then AJ and Brian were playing golf with the Ping-Pong balls, screaming out fore, too cute, oh yeah and I think it was AJ that screams out we got balls you want some. Oh I was laughing so hard. Oh yeah Nick picks up two balls and hits Kevin with them. I so thought Kevin was going to haul ass on Nick, the look on his face was your dead Carter when we get backstage.

Then on to I Want It That Way. Howie and Kevin were up on the riser above the band. Well one of the crewmembers gets up and goes and stands next to Howie. He starts doing the moves with Howie perfect, to funny well when the rest down on the stage realize this they are just stand on the stairs to go up to the platform they are on and start laughing. Well then Howie tries to get the crewmember to sing for him, but he did not. So Howie looks at him and starts singing to him, the crewmember plays all bashful then Kev went over to the other side got down on one knee and sang to him too. As you can see we are not even half way through the show and how off the wall it was....

The next thing to happen was when Howie usually goes to talk to AJ about I'll Never Break Your Heart, will Nick shows up with a chair pretending that he was going to hit AJ with it and they do some talking. It was different.

Then the wardrobe change they bring the box out and they open it and all this stuff starts flying out at them, they laugh umm there is something wrong with the box, think it is broken. Well then the open it up and all their crew starts coming up through it. It was funny, Nick kept saying to people, I don't know you, who are you, you don't work for us, security, and hay you've already been through. Then Brian kept running down and coming up through it. Funny.

One bad thing did happen here. Carlos Kevin's bodyguard decided he was going to come up which he did. Well instead of going to the stairs to walk down and go back around to the front of the stage, he goes to the front of the stage and jumps down. Well he fell, from what I have heard he blew out his knee. They rushed over, other security, tried to help him up but he fell back down. It was obvious he was in a lot of pain. They finally got him into a seat but he was hurting badly. They had to take him out on a stretcher. Don't know if the guys knew what was going on or not.

Well then the guys finally get to go down for the wardrobe change. Nick starts to strip on stage leaving his shoes and shirt on stage. Oh Nick in a wife beater shirt, AH. Well he finally goes down, Howie picks up his clothes that he left cuz he threw his pants up on stage, saying kids, always have to clean up after him. Well then Nick comes back up in the box in just his boxer brief, they were gray and the white wife beater shirt. Howie was standing in front of him so no one could really see unless you were on the side of the stage like I was. I was just dying. Well then Nick goes back down and well then him and Bri start running across the stage several times in just their undies and shirts. OH MY GOD, hello, Brian's boxers were navy with pox a dots on them, and Bri running across the stage like that, wow, that is a first. It was too funny and I was so going crazy. Well then Howie goes down, then AJ goes I guess I should get naked too and strips on stage and runs down in his blue boxers. Too cute.

Well then for the smaller stage, it was the crews turn to get them and specially Nick with Silly String. Well it was time for the crew to get them and they got them good, Nick was covered from head to toe in the stuff. He had to take off his shoes and jacket to get it all off.

During the band and dancer intros. The keyboard player stops and this weird voice comes on and starts saying Oh Nick, Nick, are you ready to break it down for us. Well they start playing Bye, Bye, Bye, and Howie AJ and Brian come out and the four of them start doing the Bye Bye Bye dance, to funny. Howie AJ and Bri and these off the wall wigs on, that I found out that one of my friends got to them at one of the prior concerts. Then when they came out for Backstreets Back they all had the goofy wigs on still cept for Kev of course.

Then right before the Call, AJ is doing his ranting on the ex calling, and screaming, the voice's in my head make them stop, screaming this at the top of his lungs. Then he says something about giving security a work out and running out into the crowd. So he jumps and goes right to the front barricade. Well Nick comes out with this huge foam like stick and starts hitting AJ with it telling him to get on with it, and AJ is screaming abuse, abuse, get this on film.

The only other thing I can remember is during Shape of My Heart. Nick was over on our side, well some of the dancers come out and pour water over his head. He was just looking at us and mouthing, it's cold, oh my god that was cold, and is shaking to get the water off his head and walking down the ramp like he just got off a water ride or horseback riding with his legs spread apart. It was cute and him looking right at us mouthing it's cold.

To hid a camera very well. Most venues will let you in with them. Others if they don't see it and you make it in with it your find, then there are the few that won't even let you have the cheap ones that don't zoom, but never be without a camera. J