Source: Kentucky Connect and ESPN.
05.07.00

Backstreet Boys add youth to tradition

Taken from Kentucky Connect:

The average age of the fans surrounding the Barnstable Brown Party fell considerably this year thanks to two words on the guest list: Backstreet Boys. The crowd erupted into shrieks of joy as Backstreet Boy and Lexington native Kevin Richardson strode out to meet the legions of teen-age girls who'd been waiting for him since midafternoon. Surrounded by burly security guards and police officers, Richardson signed notebooks, CD covers and posters.

"He was the nicest one,'' said Jennifer Rapp, 17, of Louisville. "That was very cool of him.''

The other two Backstreet Boys at the party, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough, lost points with fans for not coming out to meet them.

"We're very upset at Brian,'' said Amanda Nunnelley, 14, of Louisville. ``We didn't get a smile, a wave, nothing.''

From Kentucky Connect:

Good morning, and welcome to the Backstreet Derby, featuring Brian, Kevin, Howie and tens of thousands of people who wanted to be near them.

The only thing that saved the three Backstreet Boys from being crushed was security guards who seemed to be physically attached.

A few fans did get close enough to collect autographs; a few journalists close enough for interviews.

"I never had the time or the money'' to get to the Derby before, said Estill County's Kevin Richardson, who was there with Kristin Willits, his fiancee, as well as fellow BSBers Brian Littrell of Lexington and Howie Dorough.

Although Richardson couldn't pronounce Fusaichi Pegasus, the favorite and eventual winner was his pick.

"I like the name,'' he said.

From ESPN:

On ESPN there were interview people who were at the Derby today, and they interviewed Kevin and Brian. The reported asked for who they were biding on and Brian said that he was biding on the field (whatever that means) so he could win no matter what. Kevin said that he bid on Fusaichi Pagasus (who won). The report also commented on the comic book. Kevin said that ever since they knew Nick that he loved drawing and that was what he wanted to do. The report said that her daughter (who is a fan) has been keeping up with it and that is how she found out about it. Also, Kevin and Brian looked very hot in their suits and hats. Brian had a tanish brown suit with a same color hat, and Kevin had a white suit with a white hat.