Brian has never had a singing lesson in his life. He's just a natural talent! Born on Febuary 20 in Lexington, Kentucky, Brian is the younger of two reserved music but never turly comsidered singing professionally. "I never dreamed of being a big star or anything," he says. "I grew up in a big Baptist church and ever since I could walk I was singing." A brush with a serious childhood illness helped cerment Brian's teis to both his family and his faith. Through all the Backstreet Boys' success, he's never lost sight of what's truly important in life. One of the things he never leaves on tour without is his book of spiritual life lessons which, he explains, helps him keep his head on straight when events around him threaten to get a little crazy.
"I'm not real religious but my family brought me up with religious background. I try to stay somewhere focused on that and do my own thing," He says. Although they don't broadcast their views on religion, all the Backstreet Boys thank the divine powers for their success. Bafore a concert the five will gather together to focus their energy and say a little prayer. "We always hold hands and say a prayer and do a litle meditaion- type focus thing...just so that the show goes well and there are no injuries," he explains.
While none of the guys in Backstreet Boys behave badly, the other members admit that Brian is definitly the least likely to cheat on a girlfriend. He was also voted the Backstreet Boy most likely to get married first. "Either him or Kevin," says Nick.
What else does Brian like? Lots of things! He and Nick have an outgoing rivalry playing sports-related Nintendo games and shooting hoops. The good-natured competition between "Frick" and "Frack", as they are sometimes call each other, can really heat up sometimes! Brian alos loves lifting weights, water skiing, and watching any movie starring Speed 2's Sandra Bullock. Often recruited to sing lead on Backstreet Boys' tracks, Brian admits he has a total soft sopt for their American single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)"
Musically, he loves the sounds of Take 6, Boyz 2 Men, and Luther Vandross. "I admire him as a singer because I saw him live in Orlando," he says. "I would have given anything to get a copy of that concert. It was just unbelieveable. He just blew me away."
Of course, Brian's own soaring pipes have received plenty of acclaim, but this one guy who never lets success go to his head. He's completed grounded and plans to stay that way no matter how high Backstreet Boys' star rises. "If you dwell on all the people who kown me or Nick or us, it can be kind of a shock. But I think it's what you make of it," he proclaims. "I mean, I'm no different than anyone else. My logic is that my life is no different from anybody else's except for four or five feet, and that four or five feet is how tall the stage is. Because if you put anyone else on the stage, the girls would scream. I'm just the lucky one who's having an opportunity like this. When I step off stage, I'm like anyone else."
Despite his modesty, it's Brian's own opinion that destiny was involved in the phone call that he received from his cousin Kevin that brought him into Backstreet Boys. "I think everyone's here for a reason," he says. "To do something natural, which for me is singing and being a ham on stage. But to be a singer-to do something I love, to go to work every day and do something I enjoy- that's what I was looking for." Brian just never dared to imagine that Backstreet Boys would become the global phenomena they have. "I never dreamed it would be worldwide," he says. "It's still kind of a little hard to believe."