Your Words are a Symphony, Music that Sings to Me....

After 20 years, nine albums (yes, I count the two blue-covered CDs as separate albums), and a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs, we are still here. WE being the 5 men who put emotions to beautiful melodies and the fans who work second jobs and drain their bank accounts to share the same air as those men.

This past Saturday night, I experienced all 5 Backstreet Boys in (full) concert for the first time since the Black & Blue era. (Sadly, I missed the Never Gone and Unbreakable tours. Bad fan, I know.) I have to say... it was like being a middle school teenie bopper all over again.

Steph and Mrs. Boyer pre-VIP (and pre rain).

Virginia Beach was the first stop for us on the tour. (We will also be hitting Raleigh, Charlotte and Las Vegas.) My mom, sister (Stephanie) and I brought along Steph's 2nd grade teacher (Mrs. Boyer). Mrs. Boyer took Steph to one of her first Backstreet Boys concerts, so it only seemed fitting that we took her to her first Backstreet Boys VIP. I don't think she could have been more excited. :)

The thing about outdoor venues is that sometimes, you are forced to "weather the storm," and Saturday afternoon was no exception. Right as we checked in for our VIP, the sky opened up and we were caught in what can only be described as a monsoon. After getting dolled up (dresses, heels, hair and make up), I was a little less than excited to enter the venue looking like a drowned rat. The good news is, Steph and I were able to take a photo before the matted hair, for proof that we had every intention of looking cute for the boys.

Excited to get some Backstreet love!

Nick and Howie, sharing a mic during Trust Me.

Sound check was wonderful, as always. The Boys sang Trust Me and then ran through their acoustic set. Oh what I wouldn't give to see an entire acoustic concert. Like that "A Night Out with the Backstreet Boys" VHS that I played over and over as a teen. It is no secret that I love Try and the way AJ sounds all R&B-ish and beautiful. I would give just about anything to hear him sing even a portion of that live. Maybe in Vegas...

It is very rare that people are able to come up with interesting, original questions during the Q&A portion of sound check. By the time you have read every article, watched every interview, and attended a few VIPs, it seems like we (diehards) already know the answers to the questions we would ask. I was pleasantly surprised when someone asked the Boys what their stripper name would be (asked on Cruise 1.0) AND to demonstrate their signature move (GREAT add on). I got quick snippets of all the moves except for Howie's. He said that he would be Speedy Gonzales, and that he was. Sorry, Howie girls.

AJ aka Bone Daddy; Kevin aka Long John Silver; Brian aka The Rock; Nick aka Blonde Don

 

Post-sound check, there was a big mess with the VIP Nation ticket holders. Despite all of the disorganization, the four of us RAN (in dresses, heels and rain) to the Pit and were fortunate enough to end up along the front row of the barricade, just a little to the left. As it turns out, there is no where in that venue I would have rather been for the show.

Our AMAZING view of the stage. Does it GET any better?

That's us, loving little Baylee! Photo Credit: David Polston Freelance

I'm not going to lie- I was a little weary of the opening acts. In all honesty, I wouldn't know who Jesse McCartney was if he walked into my living room right now. But I was pleasantly surprised. Brian's son, Baylee, is a mini-version of him. He does the trademark leg lift, closes his eyes and clutches his chest to hit those high notes. And that little guy has got some range. He was absolutely precious! And, truth be told, I didn't stop singing and dancing the whole time Pauly D was spinning. I thought he was great! (Even had mom and Mrs. Boyer fist pumping!)

I have seen a LOT of Backstreet shows. I have much basis for comparison, and this was by far one of my favorite shows. I think I loved it so much because of the throw backs with the original choreography. My favorites had to be As Long As You Love Me and the hat dance from All I Have to Give. Those will NEVER get old. Ever.

I was impressed with all of the Boys. I wanted to tell Brian that one of my favorite things about the new album is all of the runs and ad libs he does at the end of the the tracks. I wanted to tell Howie that I almost died the first time I heard him hit that high note in Love Somebody. I wanted to tell Nick that the boundless passion and energy he brought to the stage made my concert experience 10 times better than it would have been otherwise. I wanted to tell AJ that I have NO IDEA what he has been doing, but his vocals sound the best I have heard them since... well, maybe ever. And I wanted to tell Kevin that it is great to have him back and I didn't realize how much I missed him until he was on that stage in front of me.

My favorite song off of the new album is Breathe, so my evening was made when THIS happened:

I can't believe I get to do this three more times (and twice this week!). Every stressful pre-sale, every wait (even in the rain), and every penny I have spent on these 5 men has been beyond worth it. I am so thankful for each and every one of these opportunities. So, thank you, Boys, for creating these memories with me. Here's to many more years of hat dances, matching wardrobes and stripper moves. :)