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Glee’s Matthew Morrison Joins New Kids On The Block Tour

Christian Allaire — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:13:13 +0000

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Glee’s Matthew Morrison is joining the ‘New Kids On The Block’ summer tour as a special guest, reports Perez Hilton.

Morrison will have to postpone some of his own solo shows, but I think it’s worth it to join such a huge tour.

Matthew said this in a statement:

“This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I am so appreciative of my fans and I’m planning to give them a great show.”

Are you excited about this news? I’m nor, but they seem to be a great fit together.

NKOTBSB Perform on Dancing with the Stars

Elisheva Baer — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:33:57 +0000

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Despite the mediocre dance steps, less-than exemplary vocals, and cheesy end-poses following their performance, it was hard to not get excited as NKOTBSB (the New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys collaboration name) poured their heart and souls into singing their new single, “Don’t Turn out the Lights,” during the results show of Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night.

Backstreet Boys also performed their song, “I Want it That Way,” back-to-back with the New Kids on the Block performance of the ever-loved “Step By Step.”

While the singing was strained and not all that exceptional, the bands stuck true to the typical boy-band performance, with the synchronized dancing and all, which made up for the lack of singing-talent that was expressed. It was definitely exciting to see these two bands perform together once again, albeit the fact that it might be their last attempt at some sort of come back (although the DDub himself, Donny Wahlberg, only has about 180,000 followers compared to the c.400,000 of Ryan Butler, who is famous for none other than being Justin Bieber’s best friend, let alone Bieber’s own over-9,000,000 followers; it seems boy bands are just not as valued as they used to be).

Along with their joint album which is to be released soon, NKOTBSB will also be hitting the road together on tour (which this performance gives a small preview of), kicking the festivities off at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, on May 25, and going through until the last show on July 6 in Anaheim, CA.

Their album, which will be released on May 24, will be comprised of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys songs off their previous CDs, as well as three NKOTBSB singles; “Don’t Turn out the Lights,” “All in my Head”, and the “NKOTBSB Mash Up.”

Did you catch NKOTBSB’s performance on Dancing with the Stars? Watch the video below and let us know what you thought of the performance!

Donnie Wahlberg Saves A Life Via Twitter

andPOP Staff — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:31:13 +0000

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The power of Twitter is proved yet again. New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg saved the life of very sick fan by utilizing the social network site Twitter.

A friend of the sick fan Tweeted Donnie explaining the situation regarding her friend, Bobbette Miller. Donnie retweeted the message to his 183,000 followers, and according to The Boston Globe, six matches were found. The transplant is scheduled for June.

Ya it looks like this Twitter thing is here to stay, and Donnie has proved it has more uses than hearing about things people hate.

Jordan Knight Returns With His Newest Solo Record, ‘Unfinished’

Kimberly Rupnarain — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:57:25 +0000

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Jordan Knight stepped into the spotlight at the age of 14, as the lead singer of original boy-band phenomenon, New Kids on the Block. Almost 26 years later, and Knight is preparing to spend his summer on a sold out tour with NKOTB and the Backstreet Boys, as well as getting ready to release his first solo record in almost five years titled, Unfinished.

And with his album’s first single, ‘Let’s Go Higher,’ already taking the airwaves by storm, it would seem that the five-year wait for Unfinished, was well worth it.

“‘Let’s Go Higher’ is the perfect first single because it’s happy, fun and really upbeat,” says Knight. “You want that first single to be something that covers the broad scope of the record,” he adds. “The rest of the album is basically just as upbeat, fun and happy as it is.’”

Fans who have enjoyed the slower ballads shouldn’t be worried though, as Knight promises, “Of course, there will be a couple ballads too.”

The first single, which Knight worked on with producer Colby O’Donis, has already garnered tens of thousands of YouTube hits –and the official video isn’t even out yet. Completing the final edit just last week, Knight says fans can expect the video to be a mix between cool, sexy and fun – though the process wasn’t easy.

“It was a lot of work,” says Knight, “because the song is happy and upbeat, but sometimes it’s harder to translate that into video. I’m not 14,” he adds, “I can’t jump around and do that kind of thing, but you still want it to be happy and fun.”

The last time Knight released a “fun” video, was in 1999 for his Billboard Hot 100 hit “Give it to You”— arguably his most commercially successful song to date. Though “Let’s Go Higher,” carries the same dance-pop, upbeat style, Knight said he’s not interested in trying to churn out hit singles.

“I don’t think about that hit factor as much when I’m creating music. In fact, ‘Give it to you’ was one of three songs I’d sent to a radio station in Florida and I actually thought another song should have been the first single, but they said ‘No, this is it, this is the hit,’ and we went with it,” said the singer. “But that song, that was an experiment and it just so happened that it ended up being as popular as it was.”

Since then, Knight has released four solo albums, including Jordan Knight, The Fix and in 2006, Love Songs. Though fans have been holding their breath for a fifth solo record, Knight explained the reason for Unfinished’s five year delay.

“Three out of those five years were spent focusing on New Kids, reuniting and performing and working out the tour,” said Knight. “And in between that, it was just never the right timing to go ahead and start working on solo projects.”

Knight also says that his last solo record Love Songs, was in fact, a race against deadlines and not a labour of love.

“It wasn’t really an album I put my heart and soul into. There were only three songs I put my heart into and felt good about. Everything else, I went into the studio, sang and left. I didn’t want Unfinished to be like that.”

With the sold out NKOTBSB tour, Knight will no doubt be incredibly busy performing with the group this coming summer. But fans of the artist shouldn’t lose hope for a solo tour just yet.

“Hopefully, I can do one, once everything with the NKOTBSB tour is over,” says Knight, adding that smaller tours are almost more fun than touring with a group.

“At the larger tours, you kind of have to play the most popular hits because you want all of the fans to be included, whereas at smaller shows, you can focus on performing the stuff you know your personal fans will enjoy too.”

Though some breakout artists may stress to surpass the success of their original musical group, Knight doesn’t pressure himself to compete with the New Kids.

“New Kids is bigger than all of the individual members,” explains the artist, “but I do compete against myself. It’s all about the process and working to create something that I’m happy with.”

And even though the 40-year-old father of two admits balancing his role as lead singer, solo artist and family man are difficult, he’s never deviated from music – though he’s thought about it once or twice.

“I always thought it’d be nice to be a painter, that or maybe a counsellor,” he says. “When everything is not going as planned you sometimes question,‘Why am I still doing this?’ — but ultimately it’s the love of music that keeps bringing me back.”

If you’re looking for the perfect album to blast with the windows down this summer, keep an eye out for the release of Jordan Knight’s Unfinished this coming May, by checking out his official website, Twitter, or Facebook page.

Backstreet is Back with a Rehab Stint

Lauren Treihaft — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:31:33 +0000

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AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys (the one who was usually singing) is in rehab due to substance abuse. As reported by TMZ.com, the singer has been “out of control” in the last few months.

Washup teen bands, The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block were apparently supposed to team up for a tour, but McLean’s drug addiction has put a hold on the plans.

McLean has been dealing with drug problems for many years. In 2001 and 2002 he was in rehab for cocaine and alcohol abuse. The musician is beginning another sober journey. Hopefully this time he will reach enlightenment. Often times these celebrities who receive early success find trouble maintaining their lives without drugs and alcohol. It’s a deadly cycle we have seen regularly.

Perhaps McLean can seek guidance from recently released from rehab Lindsay Lohan.

Joey McIntyre Expecting Third Child

andPOP Staff — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:38:30 +0000

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New Kids On The Block member Joey McIntyre has announced his wife Barrett is pregnant with their third child, reports PEOPLE. The couple already have two boys, Rhys Edward, 1, and Griffin Thomas, 3.

“Barrett and I are so blessed and grateful for the little one on the way,” says McIntyre, 37. “We’ll have our hands full. Three’s the new nine!”

We wish our buddy Joey congrats on the great news!

Backstreet Boys and NKOTB Team Up at American Music Awards

andPOP Staff — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:44:29 +0000

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Last night the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block teamed up to create a supergroup at the American Music Awards. The two groups performed a medley of both bands’ hits.

The first mega-famous boy band and one of the last combined to sing NKOTB’s ‘Step By Step’ and ‘You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff)’ and BSB’s ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),’ ‘I Want It That Way’ and ‘Larger Than Life.’

Obviously women from all age groups and generations were made very happy by this hybrid boy band. We think it was a pretty good performance. What do you think?

Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block

@jordans_life — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:32:34 +0000

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It’s Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block. Must we say more? This guy is a pop star god. Even though he has been out of the limelight for a few years, he still has people chasing him (which we witnessed personally). Joey spoke to us about his new solo effort along with giving us a glimpse into the good old days.

New Kids On The Block Play Comeback Gig

Eva Lam — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:32:00 +0000

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They’re back and, according to fans, still bringing “the right stuff.”

New Kids On The Block played their first gig in 15 years on Friday, drawing an estimated 4,000 fans to New York’s Rockefeller Plaza for their performance on “The Today Show.”

The turnout is one of the largest in the history of the morning show broadcast.

The group’s performance featured a medley of past hits including “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “Hangin’ Tough” and “Step by Step,” as well as new single “Summertime.”

Fans braved wind and rain to watch the performance; some waited in the streets for two days to catch the best view of the stage.

The boy band, who has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide since forming in 1984, broke up in 1994.

The five members – brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg – announced last month that they were reuniting for a new album, due this summer, and a fall tour which will include stops in Canada.

New Kids Announce Reuion Date

andPOP Staff — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:25:41 +0000

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’80s teen heartthrob New Kids on the Block are continuing toward their previously announced reunion.

The band has announced the date of its official return – May 17 – for the band’s first performance in almost 20 years.

The performance will be at radio station Z100′s Zootopia concert in New York, featuring a number of other musical stars.

The band also has promised a full reunion tour across the country, and new New Kids merchandise to be released with the tour.

It’s Official: New Kids Back Together

Eva Lam — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:05:33 +0000

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After months of rumours, boy-band phenom New Kids On The Block have officially announced they are reuniting after 14 years.

The five original members — brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg — appeared on “The Today Show” show Friday amidst hundreds of screaming fans and confirmed they will embark on a tour this fall in support of a new album.

“We weren’t going to announce it yet but People (Magazine) leaked it so we thought we should make the announcement official,” said Wahlberg.

The group revealed they began working on the record in August, and the tour will include both new material and old favourites.

Tour dates have yet to be announced, but their first performance will be on “The Today Show” on May 16.

NKOTB sold more than 70 million albums worldwide between 1984 and 1994, marketing million of dollars in merchandise and even inspiring a Saturday-morning cartoon.

Since disbanding in 1994, Jordan Knight, McIntyre and Wood have released solo albums, while Jonathan Knight became a real estate developer and Wahlberg took on an acting and producing career.

New Kids On The Block Making A Comeback?

andPOP Staff — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:07:51 +0000

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While the Backstreet Boys are reportedly on the verge of getting dropped from their record label and while NSYNC seems like nothing but a distant memory, the group that started it all may be back to fill the boy band void.

New Kids On The Block, the boys that gave teen girls plenty to scream about in the late 80s and early 90s sent a message to fans – via their recently revamped website – that an exciting and ground-breaking development is in the works.

Accoring to E! Online, People magazine has reported that the development is that all five New Kids (Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood) will soon be returning to the pages of teen magazines as they put back together the once-fractured group.

There has been no official word by the group but the site seems to state the obvious. As a fuzzy television set flickers on and off, different photos of the group flash by.

“They rose from the streets of Boston,” the site says. “To become the biggest band in the world. They influenced a generation. They sold over 70 million albums and grossed more than one billion dollars. Five multiplatinum albums, 10 top 10 singles, five number one singles. Then they walked away from it all. Millions of fans around the world await their return. Are you ready?”