November 27, 1999
By Heather Svokos and Rich Copley

Every other night, Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell hear the screams of thousands of adoring fans. Every other night, they look out into massive crowds and see signs that say things like ``Marry Me Kevin.'' And on every other night, they sing chart-topping hits such as I Want it That Way.

The moment that set last night's Backstreet Boys concert at Rupp Arena apart from every other night on the band's national tour came shortly after 9:30.

Jackie Littrell and Ann Richardson joined their sons on stage for the heartfelt ballad Perfect Fan, which Brian wrote for his mom.

Last night was as much a homecoming as it was a concert for the Kentucky Boys turned international pop stars. And they wanted to share it with their families.

``It was so sweet,'' said Nikki Craft, 16, a Whitesburg High School Student.

Lula Collins, 24, said, ``As a mom, it was really cool to see that. It says a lot about them.''

In addition to their moms, Richardson, Littrell and their bandmates Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean and Nick Carter, were joined by a choir of current and former students from Tates Creek and other area high schools for the song.

Although it was the biggest, it wasn't the only moment Richardson and Littrell reveled in while playing their hometown's biggest house.

After the first three numbers, Nick, A.J., and Howie shouted their hellos to the auditorium, but the crowd was waiting with bated breath for two special greetings.

Littrell, who could barely keep the smile off his face during a dramatic, militaristic opening number, said later: ``I really don't know what to say. When I was a little boy, all my life, I wanted to play basketball here. My friends know, I'm OK for basketball, but singing was another love of mine. God made it possible, along with you all, to play here.''

His cousin, Richardson, has been known to tear up in concert in the past; he was noticeably choked with emotion as he greeted Kentucky. ``The fellas had a bet going, on which song I would start crying on, but I already lost it.

``There's so much I want to say, but I can't say it or I'll start crying like a baby. ... Thank you for your love.''

And there was love to spare last night, with a screeching crowd of 22,055.

It was displayed in signs with slogans like ``Welcome Home Kevin and Brian! We Love You!'' Then there was the girl standing alone in the crowd singing along to every single word of Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely, and another with bright green nail polish making hearts with her fingers toward the stage.

There was Stephanie Newton, 14, of Louisville, who was covered head to toe in Backstreet doodads. A denim hat on her head, BSB pins on every inch of her airbrushed BSB T-shirt, patches dotted her jeans, but the real masterpiece was her shoes, on which she had super-glued images from trading cards and magazines not a millimeter was blank.

Her fave? A.J. ``He's sexy and sweet.''

Contrary to popular belief, not all the fans were female.

Ben Cox, 10, of Georgetown digs the Boys. ``They're really good singers,'' he said, adding that he's no crooner himself, ``but I like to listen to their music a lot though.''

And then there were the dads.

Like Kevin Leland, the father of 11-year-old Sarah, a fan from Cincinnati. In her Backstreet Boys garb, she stood in a bit of contrast to her 33-year-old dad, who sported long hair and a Harley-Davidson T-shirt.

Just a wild guess, but there might have been a few other bands at the top of his concert list.

"I've been to 57 AC/DC concerts. But she really likes this, she has a good time."

For some, it was a first concert, including 6-year-old Courtney Knott of Louisville, who kept her room clean and helped with her little sister for a month to get to go to the show. She wore a shiny silver blouse, the same color of the ``I love Nick'' written on her cheek.

Some parents stayed out of the fray. After arranging to meet by a big red ATM machine and kissing their kids goodbye, Sissy Burus and Jeannie Mesalam announced their plans for the evening.

``I'm going Christmas shopping,'' Burus said. ``And she's going to the Bryan Station-Tates Creek football game.''

Post-concert reviews from the Boys' target audience preteens and early teens were, shall we say, succinct. Lots of shrugs, giggles and proclamations like the one from 12-year-old Jessica Crawford's, that: ``It was awesome!''

Her friend Lily Dankwa, 13, a Tates Creek Middle School student, concurred: ``It was the bomb,'' she said, adding, ``My throat's killing me.''

The favorite moment of Holly Adkins, 10, of Inez? ``Nick.''

That's it her favorite moment? She nods. ``Nick.''

Her father, Rick Adkins, chimes in: ``That's what she wants for Christmas: Nick.''