**Newest items at top of page.**
Wylee Bags: For Cool Moms & Teens Alike
By Sandy Lo, Editor-in-Chief
April 2008
Leighanne Littrell may be known for being a wife to Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, but recently she embarked on a project that’s all her own. Wylee Bags is a new California made high-end line of backpacks, diaper bags and purses handmade by Leighanne and her assistant, Miguel Torres.
Originally an actress (film credits include “Olive Juice“, “Wild America” and “My Fellow Americans”), Littrell never even owned a sewing machine. “I avoided Home Economics in high school and took shop.” She explains. “I literally just bought a sewing machine and taught myself how to sew.”
The inspiration behind Wylee Bags came from having to lug around her son, breastfeeding pillow and diaper bag. As a traveling wife to Brian, the airport was quite difficult to manage while trying to juggle everything as well as go through security checks. Leighanne first created a simple bag with a strap made out of a sheet to keep the breastfeeding pillow in. “It just dawned on me that there was nothing like it.” And before she knew it, she upgraded to real fabric and started designing backpacks. “I’m not a huge diaper bag person.” She says. “I don’t like the big, square, hard bags that seem to never fit right on your shoulder and they move around a lot. There’s so many compartments that you can’t remember where you put what.”
Littrell evolved the style of her bags as her son grew and now she even uses it as a purse. Unlike most lines who think that adding multiple pockets to a bag will improve organization, Wylee Bags are expandable and contain two hidden pockets in the front. Littrell boasts her bags are both functional and stylish. Along with the bags, Wylee also carries jewelry, hats, and soon to come, T-shirts. Portions of the proceeds from any of the jewelry that features a heart will be donated to Brian Littrell’s Healthy Heart Club charity.
Even Leighanne’s husband sports one of the Wylee Bags! Brian Littrell helped to design the Cross Body Bag, which is available to purchase on the website as well as on the 2008 Backstreet Boys Unbreakable tour. Other celebrities Leighanne has given her bags to include Kelly Ripa and Ellen DeGeneres. Littrell even named a backpack after DeGeneres. “The Ellen Bag” is a brown patterned backpack Ellen picked out from the Wylee Bag collection. Though she is not specifically aiming her products at solely celebrity clients, she is hoping that they will be helpful in getting the Wylee name out to the public.
For now, Leighanne Littrell’s main goal is to keep expanding Wylee Bags. She will be looking for specialty shops to place the bag line in and see how they sell. And with the line already getting such a positive response, Littrell hopes to have “a big ol’ shop” of her own in the future.
Members of the StarShine staff are already big fans of the line. From girly to elegant to convenient, there’s something for everyone. Though the line may not be affordable for all, (backpacks and diaper bags are over $200) the quality can’t be beat because it’s all handmade and not mass produced. “I like making people happy and giving people a really good product.” For those looking for a Wylee Bag that won’t hurt their wallet as much, check out the mini-backpacks and the totes. Staffers also love that most of the backpacks are reversible! It’s like you get two bags in one! These bags are absolutely beautiful and though Wylee Bags items are mostly for women, there’s a few products appealing to men as well. Check out the site: www.wyleebags.com and see for yourself! For the upcoming season, Wylee Bags now carry beach bags and totes with fun, summery designs on them.
“Thank you for anybody who has gone on the site and I hope you
enjoy your bag. We enjoy comments. We have t-shirts coming soon that’ll be
really cute. I’m going to test those out. Thank you to everyone who’s given me
support.”
–Leighanne Littrell, Wylee Bags
Source: StarShine Magazine
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Another reason to shop online-- Wylee Bags
This one's for the ladies---
It's only natural that us girls have excessive amounts of make-up. I for one,
tend to overdose on eyeshadow- not on my face, but in my dresser drawers. I
can't stop buying it. And what's even worse is when I have to go somewhere over
night. What colors do I take? How can I fit this all into my purse? It's not too
fun.
Well, there's finally a stylish solution, thanks to Leighanne Littrell and Wylee
Bags.
Check out these uber chic, super affordable gems that scream sophistication with
an edge. Your make-up will never look so good.
For those of you that are mommas (as much as I consider my dog my daughter, this is for human baby mommas...)-- the sexiest diaper bags ever. Ah, a girl after my own heart. Look like a pin-up even after giving birth:
And since you'll already have your credit card out, add some heart-friendly jewerly to your shopping cart. Proceeds will go towards The Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids®, which educates children and their families regarding the benefits of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
While surfing around on www.hearthealthyclub.org, I also found
something perhaps even more exciting than the make-up bags:
Pet Calendar 2009 Challenge! Details at http://www.geocities.com/hhc_walkathon_2008/
I hope to see your entries alongside mine!
* By Joelle
Source: Planet Verge
Mother Necessity
By Flossin' Magazine
Backpacks go couture with Leighanne Litrell’s (sic) new hand bag line called
Wylee Bags. Named after her son and inspiration, Wylee Bags started out from
sheer need when Leighanne and son would travel with husband/father Brian Litrell
( Backstreet Boys ).
“We were traveling a lot and my son was still breast feeding and I would use
this breast feeding pillow but I didn’t feel like it was very sanitary going
through the airport security and all of that. I went out and bought a sewing
machine, grabbed a sheet, taught myself how to make a pattern and made a cover
for the pillow. I fell in love with making the pattern and the fabrics so I
started making backpacks to use for diaper bags and then eventually as hand
bags.”
The Wylee bags are upscale backpacks that are completely reversible, made with
great fabrics like ultra suede and silks.
“Nobody has anything out there like this with the fabrics I use.” States
Leighanne and has even gifted a few to celebrities Kelly Ripa and Ellen
Degeneres. Litrell has a pink bag in the line where portions of the proceeds
benefit breast cancer research.
Taking her line seriously and marketing it to the world was a challenge for
Leighanne but she was determined to bring her line to market. She enlisted the
talents of Miguel Torres, an experienced Los Angeles fashion designer, who began
to consult with her on how to organize a production line, pricing fabrics and
adding creative input.
“To get your product on line you have to do several things. You have to get your
finances together, create a website and organize a production line so that you
can get enough product into stores.” It has been a great learning curb for
Leighanne to take her hobby and talent from family and friends to the sharing it
with the public consumer.
The bags sell from $350 and up depending upon the fabric and are all hand made
one of a kind items.
Leighanne’s advice to those seeking a formula for success in what she does is
clear. “I would say believe completely and totally in your idea otherwise don’t
do it. Trust your instincts and go for it. It is hard to get things done when
you have even a little bit of doubt about the project so it is essential to
believe 100% that you can do it.”
Leighanne Littrell
knows a thing or two about traveling around the world with a pop star husband,
Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys
and baby, Baylee Thomas Wylee, now 5,
in tow. It's no wonder that she created the
Wylee
Bags line. CBB got the chance
to pick 38-year-old Leighanne's brain about her new bag line and her family life
in an exclusive interview.
In the Bag:
My son inspired me to make my bags. We used to travel a lot and I was breastfeeding. And we had the Boppy and it was so great on planes because I would just sit him right there and he would just breastfeed during takeoff and landing. The [Boppy] was so awkward, and the only bag I could find looked like a little suitcase. So I came home and said, "We have to go buy a sewing machine. I don't know how to sew, but we're going to do it."
I got a machine and a sheet and I just cut out a pattern and started working on it. I literally, at one point, had pinned a ribbon from one side of the Boppy to the other and carried it on my shoulder to get through the airport. It's so awkward, but yet your lifesaver when you want your hands free.
So that's the reason why I did the baby bags. I could put my Boppy in there and have the whole entire middle section for diapers, bottles or whatever you need to put in it. Then the front pockets are for cell phones or your keys ... so you can get to them easily.
Regaining your "pretty":
You kind of lose your "pretty" when you're breastfeeding, or even when you're a new mom. Unless you have a chef and a trainer and all that stuff, you lose your "pretty." I had a tough time with getting back into the swing of things because I'm the kind of person who's very hands on. I'm just a really, really hands-on mom, so it was really important for me to just learn everything.
It was a little tough at first, I was asking people, "How are you out? What happened to me?" But then I started the bags to help with regaining my "pretty." The Marilyn bag was my absolute favorite. Because it was just really girly and it just reminded me of my wedding dress -- I had a corset wedding dress. I've gotten into the New York backpack, I like that one a lot.
From baby bag to toddler bag:
[Baylee], literally at one year, looked up at me and was like, "What is this boob for?" And that was it. I was like,"Thank God," because I don't know if I could have handled a rough weaning -- my sister had a really hard time. But he did it for me and then I made a smaller backpack and I started calling it my toddler bag.
I have his DVD player in it, his movies, his paper and crayons, and then I have my stuff that I clip to the outside -- like my cell phone so I can get to it really fast. And I also use it now when I'm shopping or traveling and even when I don't have [Baylee].
Listening to feedback:
Everyone has been asking for a handbag! So, I listened and I created a very functional and beautiful bag. We had a lot of Brian's fans emailing my site, saying that they're really beautiful, but they're so expensive. The reason [they're expensive] is because they're all hand made, everything is! I can't do it cheaply -- I can't do mass-produced.
You've got two bags in one and a lot of care goes into each one. They're not that expensive to people who shop at the higher end boutiques, but offering a bag that's not reversible. It's still pretty and has the lining. I have three more new fabrics in this line coming in by the end of March.
I also came out with the [Mini Bag], kind of a teen line of bags. They aren't reversible and they're fairly cheap and made from really, young contemporary fabrics. I have everything from handbags, clutches, wallets, of course backpacks, diaper bags, and our newest bag, coming in April, will be a tote!
Fashionable AND functional:
It has to be functional. I carry my bags for at least a year or so, and I've made sure they're comfortable. Is it easy to grab? Does it hurt me? I love the fabrics, the look of the bags. Is it pretty? Is it desirable? Will it go with a lot?
A lot of the reason why I made them reversible is because one side is a little more crazy then the other -- so you can tone it down. Functionality, obviously the pockets. Have you ever gotten a bag and thought, "This will be great because it has a lot of pockets?" But then you realize you don't know what to do with all the pockets?
I got a bag recently like that and I thought, "Oh gosh, this will be helpful." And it was too much! So I stuck with really simple, and the big bag has more pockets for when you have your hands free. But I always look for beauty and functionality.
Brian's Bag:
When we found out that Brian was going to get to sell two
pieces of personal merchandise on the Backstreet Boys tour, we were excited and
got right to work on creating a bag that
he loves and loves to wear. He was very
instrumental in the design of the bag! It is a crossbody bag -- some people
alsolike to wear it around their waist.
Jeweled inspirations:
The circles represent never-ending
love. And, every piece of jewelry I created with three circles represents our
family -- my son, my husband, and me.
And Baylee made three:
To tell you the truth, me personally, I wasn't ready for children. God just kind of decided it was a good time for us to have one. I've always been a perfectionist, so you can imagine how hard it is to have a baby and then have everything go right or have everything go your way.
It's taught me to be a little more laid back. It's taught me how much I really know, like if you listen to your body and you listen to your child's body ... how much is out there that we kind of ignore everyday. You learn to listen to your baby.
You hear "You have to do this... You have to do that..." But no, you don't. If you listen to your baby, it will tell you EXACTLY what it needs. You don't realize that as a mom, you think you're supposed to "know" everything. It's a little more laid back then I thought it was, but it's all consuming and all-time consuming.
Regaining sense of self:
It's hard for me to make time for myself. People always say "Leighanne, you have to make time for yourself." And I'm trying to do it now -- make time for myself. And I think before I got pregnant that's what I was worried about, completely losing myself. So I'm trying to find a happy medium.
All about Baylee:
He's so sweet. He's the kind of kid that makes a ball of wrapping paper into something amazing. He's into making things, the other day he decided we had to do a book. We homeschool, and my sister is a substitute teacher, so she comes two days a week and homeschools him, and we do the other three days. It's been great that way, but again, it's very time consuming.
We're learning while he's learning. He's just amazing to me. He writes his own little songs and music; he decided that he was going to start a group with his cousins. He's an amazing creator. He's probably going to be a writer or be someone creative. But there's nothing easy with this one, you can't just say, "Let's go build a fort." It has to be a certain fort with a pulley that flies across ... And he likes everything motorized, he always says it needs to move.
Terms of endearment:
[Baylee] has gone from BooBoo to Pooper to Punkin; he was my little monkey. He gets really mad if I call him Baylee. I call my husband, "husband" when we're out because if I yell "Brian!" everyone turns around. And the other day I called him Brian and [Baylee] said "Mommy, don't call him Brian, call him Husband or Daddy." And I was like, "Okay, honey. I won't call you Baylee or him Brian."
It was really heartbreaking the other day. He said, "Momma, can I stop calling you mommy?" And I was like "NOOOOO, you're 5! You have to call me Mommy until you're at least 16."
Being involved in everything:
It's hard in the celebrity part of it, to trust who's going to keep your kids. We don't have a nanny, we've only had an assistant who -- literally -- was like a glorified baby sitter. But we have done everything.
[Brian]'s a hands-on Dad. He's amazing that way. Our assistant left to be a nurse and I haven't replaced her, because it's very important for us to have someone in our lives who is good quality. Baylee invests a lot into these people, so they need to be right. We're just family first!
A day in the life:
When we're home, we get up and we're late risers, because none of us are morning people. So, we'll get up and eat our breakfast. [Baylee] likes to drink a cup of decaf tea -- Earl Gray -- or decaf coffee. He's my old soul baby. We'll have breakfast and he usually has some cereal and then some eggs, and we eat for like an hour. It's just kind of funny.
He's like I was when I was little, I'd eat myself to sleep. Then we'll go out and do school for a little while. If it's a "me" day we do it in the afternoon, but if it's my sister's day they go up around 10:30/11am. And they'll do school for two hours. They usually do a craft and they'll do their letters (he's starting to put words together). Then he'll play around with the piano or something -- my sister is teaching him that as well.
We've got so many acres out here, so we'll just go out and play. If it's too cold we always do a craft. Then it's usually nap, because I'm usually exhausted and I'm a big nap person. If he's really tired, he's out. A lot of moms are like, "He just won't sleep for me." And, I'm like, "You have to know your kid. You can't miss your window." I know if I missed my nap opportunity to go do something that requires a little less patience.
When daddy's out of town we'll go do date night and he'll help me grocery shop. I could not have asked for a better baby.
We are strict though, I don't let him get away with murder, because I never wanted a bratty kid. I didn't go through the terrible twos or threes, but four has been treacherous, especially with the last few months. It's like the aliens showed up and took my child! Four had been kind of rough. I guess I'm getting two and three in a double whammy.
Backstreet baby:
We usually go on tour with [Brian] -- like 2-3 weeks at a time. But with the smaller promotional tour we didn't. I was helping manage [Brian's] solo stuff, so obviously when I travel [Baylee] comes with me, or he stays with my mom.
In February we [went] to Japan with [Backstreet Boys] and then on to Australia. This [was] Baylee's third time in Japan. We try to break it up if Brian's gone for a long period. Two years ago he was in Europe and we went out for two weeks and then came back, because it's hard to be on the tour.
Baylee actually loves it and the tour bus introduced him to a big boy bed. So that was fantastic -- we put a guard up and everything. He's a great flier, too. He makes sure we wiped everything down with the anti-bacterial wipes, he knows when we have to get up and he carries his suitcase. He's been to seven different countries and he's a gold medallion frequent flier!
Baylee loves [Brian's band mates] and he's great with the production people and the band people! He'll get up and play the drums during sound check and they usually set up a mic for him when we're on the Backstreet tour. And then when they do sound check he has his little teeny mic with him.
Developing relationships on-the-go:
A lot of people were like, "If you don't have him a class at school, he's not going to develop relationships." I remember growing up, until I had to be in first grade, I was with my mom and the "ladies." My mom was a beautician and I didn't want to go to school. I just did everything I could to not be in school. And I had a very "cool" childhood that I wouldn't change anything for.
I think Baylee's such an old soul that he gets it. He's very mature, other little kids don't "get" him. But there's other ways, and he has friends in Tennessee and California and Florida. So, everywhere we go, he usually has a play date.
He's super-friendly, we'll be in a hotel and he'll go, "Let's go meet those people Momma." And I'm like, "Oh, well it's not that easy baby." But he's not shy in that way, he's very outgoing.
Baylee and the bully:
He first met a bully a year ago. This little guy was just kind of mean to him, and Baylee's small for his age (because, well, Brian and I are small!) so he's been talking about this bully for a year, saying "If I ever encounter a bully again..." And I've been saying, "Baylee, STOP, you're going to bring this on yourself."
Well, apparently he was being bullied [at a birthday party] by the biggest girl in my nephew's class and she was picking on him. So he gave it right back to her. So, needless to say, I don't think we're going to have to worry about him!
Fan-demonium:
The [Backstreet Boys] fans give him everything, we literally have stuff in the closet because we don't want him to have everything at once. And we do some donations of things that we get doubles of or things he wouldn't be interested in.
We have like 40 acres, and he has more vehicles then we do. And last year two separate people -- one producer we worked with, and a fan -- sent him tractors. So, he had three, we make sure to give some away.
The spirit of Santa:
Every year we go to the same Santa. And we tape it. It's been really cool, this year he wanted to be an elf. He dressed up in his elf costume to go. He gets to asking these questions, like "Is Santa a character? Is that the real Santa we go see?" I'm like, "Well baby, what do you think?"
He's so smart, so smart! I always thought I don't wanna lie, but it's the spirit. So even when he finds out, I'll still say it's the spirit, that's why we go to see Santa.
We all watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' every year. We always make cookies, we usually have an open house where we have everyone come decorate the tree. This year we didn't do so much because we've been traveling so much. I usually have a Christmas theme in every room, I get a little crazy!
The buck stops here:
My husband would love four or even five kids. They're men, so of course they want more! I said, "So here's the uterus, here's the ovaries -- you can have one." For me, personally, I'm 38, I popped back and I feel like I'm a really good mother of one.
Everyone's like, "It's easier with two." And my sister has two and it doesn't look easier -- she looks stressed out a lot of the time. She's a year older then me, she had them later, too. So I feel like I have enough going on that I don't feel like I want to have another one.
A lot of people say you need two, and I sort of say you need to mind your business. I think some women [have another] because of the pressure and the expectations of the world. I looked at my husband the other day and I said, "I don't know why we have these expectations."
If you look at families in general, I've seen how some moms react to their children and they're short-tempered, and I'm like, "Why are you having kids?" And the people who have all the nannies. I'm not opposed to nannies, but I've heard stories from interviewing, etc. that there are like 10 nannies, one for weekends, one for evenings ... And, I'm like, "Why are you having children?" Look at who these kids are going to, they'll never get to know their mommy and daddy. If you have to work so much to afford more kids, why are you having them?
And there again, in the end, it's you. I've had to learn how to get my life back. I'm a perfectionist, I have to have a lot going on, I get bored very easily. And I grew up with two sisters; I [initially] wanted another child because I was worried he'd be lonely. My mom said I always wanted to be an only child. Women should really and truly not be ashamed of what their heart and head says, if they think they don't want more [children].
Source: CBB
Backstreet Boys Brian Littrell's wife Leighanne launches bag line
By Bronwyn, CBB Fashion/Gear/Reviews Editor
Leighanne Littrell, wife of Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, has just launched her own line of bags. Being a mom, she understands all too well the diaper bag dilemma -- there is just no such thing as a perfect one. So she designed her own, one that met all her needs and then some. She describes her inspiration on her wyleebags.com site.
After I had my son [Baylee Littrell], we started flying with him by the age of 3 months. I was breastfeeding at the time and used a breastfeeding pillow. I loved having the breastfeeding pillow on the plane with me because it was perfect for Baylee to sleep on as well as to feed him on. The only problem with this is that the pillow is a funny shape and I didn’t have a bag that would hold the pillow and all the other things that go into a diaper bag: diapers, baby wipes, medicines, etc.
So one day I bought a sewing machine (I never sewed on one in my life) and took a sheet and started making a bag. I made the pattern and started using the bag. Before long I worked out the kinks and viola, I had the perfect bag for me. People would give me compliments and I ended up making a few for gifts, and then started selling quite a few.
What started as a desire for the perfect diaper bag has expanded into a complete bag line of back packs, hand bags, handy sacks, clutches and of course the diaper bag! The diaper bags come in a backpack style because Leighanne loved having her hands free when toting Baylee around.
I made this diaper bag a backpack for a reason. Often I would use a carrier to hold Baylee so I could have my hands free, not to mention that babies seem to really like them. And when we would travel, it was great to have him on my front and the diaper bag on my back. The diaper bag stays secure so when I lean over it doesn’t fall off my shoulder. I still have my arms free! Alas, I can still hold tickets, purchase food,……whatever and not have to put anything down or worry about holding Baylee.
The name of the line, Wylee Bags, was inspired by her son as well, Baylee's full name is Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell. The prices range from $336 to more then $600 and she is still working on launching the site. When all is said and done it looks like she will have bags, bag charms and a jewelry line.
Source: CBB
Old article from Yam! magazine, September 2000
Kindly translated by DolphinPrincess @ LD.
How Do You Get A Backstreet Boy?
First meeting in a film studio – and Brian was crushing on Leighanne right away.
YAM! Tells the story up close.
“Backstreet Boys? Never heard of them – who is that?”, asked the photo model
Leighanne Wallace as she was hired by British director Nigel Dick for the video
shoot of “As long As You Love Me” in 1997. No surprise: The group from Florida
had success all over Europe this time but was totally unknown in their home
country. Leighanne was supposed to play one out of five super attractive
‘powergirls’ to whom the Backstreet Boys had to show their talents. She
remembers: “One day before the shoot I wanted to buy a cd of this group but in
every record store they shook their head when I asked about the Backstreet
Boys…”
June 15th, 1997 at 9.30am the BSB arrived the Royal Laundry Building in
Passadena, California and were introduced to five American girls who were
supposed to shoot the clip with them. Leighanne Wallace had to brush her long
blond hair straight back and turn them into a knot and wore glasses on her nose
to convincingly play her role as a though business lady. “I think I looked
awful”, Leighanne laughs today, “in every break I loosened my hair and tried to
change the serious office look into jeans and a comfortable shirt.”
Blond, nicely tanned and with an impressive chest – Leighanne was surrounded by
AJ, who started flirting with her shamelessly, right away. AJ’s intention was
obvious and Leighanne noticed it right away. Brian tried to be close to her in
every free minute too and used any break to talk to her. But Brian was more
reserved and serious. The tension between Brian and AJ raised. At late afternoon
the both of them had a heated argument in a studio corner – and AJ pulled back.
“I knew the moment I saw Leighanne for the first time that I fell in love with her”, Brian says today. He just broke up with his long term girlfriend from a Lexington high school and was free. Leighanne thought he was irresistible, too. “He used to sing to me all the time – and his voice made me shiver. And he had a lot of jokes to offer which made me laugh. On the second day of shooting I knew I had fallen in love with Brian.” But it took a few month before they kissed each other for the first time. Right the next day the Backstreet Boys started their first promo tour in USA, followed by open air concerts in Europe. “Two months Brian was on the go non-stop but we talked on the phone daily,” Leighanne remembers, “that was the fire-baptizes for our love.”
Right before Christmas Brian was informed that he had to go through heart
surgery within the next six months. Leighanne became his rock. “I don’t know how
I would have managed the time without her,” Brian says. As BSB started their
months long US tour in 1998, Leighanne never left his side. When he needed
oxygen while being on stage, Leighanne was there for him.
Brian already proposed to her then but Leighanne, five years older, stayed realistic. “First of we are moving in together and see if it works.” It worked. Christmas 1999 they got engaged and September 2nd, 2000 they celebrated their marriage with the other Backstreet Boys. “Our love grows stronger the longer we are together”, says Brian, “Leighanne is the love of my life!"
Published: Wednesday, November 01, 2006
...Along the way, Littrell says his Christianity and his wife, Leighanne, fortified his resistance to the temptations that come with stardom... Littrell is wistful about having to leave his wife and his three-year-old son, Baylee, in Atlanta while he travels to promote his album... HIS FAVOURITE DISH IS MACARONI AND CHEESE It was true, "but tastes change when you get into your early 30s. ... I'd have to say my wife's cooking [is my favourite] rather than macaroni and cheese."
source: National Post
Source: accessatlanta.com
By Rich Copley
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell has an inkling of how families of the victims of Comair Flight 5191 might feel, because he nearly lost a loved one on Sept. 11, 2001: his wife, Leighanne.
"The Backstreet Boys were in Boston the week before Sept. 11," Littrell said Saturday from Nashville, where he was doing studio work. "We were headed to the Fleet Center to do our fifth sold-out night, Sept. 10."
Leighanne Littrell was scheduled to fly out on the American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles that hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. But heading to that Boston concert, she told Brian she didn't want to leave the next morning.
"She had this look in her eyes that I will never forget," Littrell said. "She had this feeling in the pit of her stomach . . . We ended up canceling that afternoon, Sept. 10, and then Sept. 11 happened.
"I would not have a loving wife and a wonderful son if that had happened."
Sunday, Littrell will take the stage in Lexington to sing for friends and families who did lose loved ones the morning of Aug. 27, when Flight 5191 crashed on its takeoff from Bluegrass Airport, killing 49 of the 50 people on board.
For Littrell, that morning was much like the morning of Sept. 11: phones ringing as friends and loved ones called to make sure Littrell and his family were safe on the ground. Aug. 27, Littrell was making calls himself to make sure his family and friends were all safe.
Littrell was born and raised in Lexington. Most of his family lives in Central Kentucky, though he, Leighanne and their 3-year-old son Baylee live in Atlanta.
"I've been on that flight many a time when I've come to visit family," Littrell says of the early-morning plane from Lexington to Atlanta. "Almost 14 years ago I took that very flight - the first thing going to Atlanta, connected to Orlando - to become a Backstreet Boy." From there, the group has gone on to superstar fame, and this year Littrell released his first solo album.
The two songs he'll sing tonight are from that CD, a contemporary Christian record called Welcome Home. Littrell said he chose the songs because of their relevance to the event.
"Gone Without Goodbye really touches on tragedy, it touches on the events of 9/11, it touches on everyday news that we can't really get away from," Littrell said of the song, written by Billy Mann. "That song is not easy to sing. It paints a very vivid picture of events in our world today. But it's also inspiring because it's filled with hope. . . I think the families need to hear that. I think our community needs to hear those lyrics in the song, because it really brings people together, and it's very faith-based. Growing up in Lexington and singing in church, that's always been my life, and it always will be."
Littrell said his mother, Jackie Littrell, questioned the use of Welcome Home.
"I said, `You know, mom, there was a homecoming that happened that day that we didn't see,'" Littrell said. "Welcome Home talks about leaving home in an earthly manner and in a heavenly manner. . . There was a welcoming home of God's children, and I want people to relish in that rather than in the loss. There's a rejoice. I know it's tough to rejoice, but I want to hopefully inspire some people.
"It's going to be hard for all of us. But the best thing is being together."
Littrell, who attended Porter Memorial Baptist Church, said he was "honored" to be asked to be part of the citywide memorial service. Littrell is used to performing before crowds of screaming fans, but he encouraged them to be conscious of the purpose of tonight's event. "This memorial service is not about me," he said. "The atmosphere there will be evident of what we're doing and why we're there. It's not going to be anything like a concert atmosphere, and I don't want it to be. It needs to be what it is meant to be, and that is for the families."
September 9, 2006
(From webowner) I found an old interview where Leighanne is mentioned:
SORM: If your book could be made into a movie,
whom would you choose to play the lead characters?
USHER: Leighanne Littrell, star of the movie Olive Juice, as Summer and Simon Baker of CBS's
Guardian to play Alex.
source: http://www.sormag.com/13usher.html
Backstreet Boy to take kids charity nationwide
By VIRGINIA ANDERSON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/28/06
As a Backstreet Boy, Brian Littrell implores an imaginary girl to "quit playing games with my heart"
in one of the band's biggest hits.
As a grown-up man, Littrell — who resides in Alpharetta — helps real children with real broken
hearts — and plans to make his charity program, Healthy Heart Club for Kids, a nationwide effort.
Littrell, and his wife, Leighanne, are expanding their program that Littrell founded in 1998
in his hometown of Lexington, Ky., only months after he underwent open-heart surgery for a
congenital heart defect that was slowly killing him.
It was the second heart surgery he'd had; the first took place when he was 5. Doctors told his
family then that he would not live.
"I'm a walking miracle," Littrell said last week while making breakfast burritos with son Baylee, 3,
and Leighanne in the kitchen of their Alpharetta home. "I just want to give something back. We've
been so blessed."
Because Littrell knows firsthand of the pain, fear and expense that heart surgery in a child
engenders in a family, he wanted to do something to help children with heart disease — a number
higher than many might expect. Congenital heart defects are the No. 1 birth defect in children,
according to the American Heart Association.
Childhood surgery
Littrell was born with a heart murmur, and his surgery at age 5 was a miracle in itself.
He was accidentally run over by his older brother Harold on a bicycle. He didn't look particularly
bad, Littrell said, except for the tire marks on his stomach. Parents Harold Jr. and Jackie took him
to the hospital, just to get him checked out.
No one knew that his murmur was threatening his life.
As it turned out, doctors discovered he had a staph infection in his heart — caused in part by the
murmur.
They told his parents that children with bacterial endocarditis do not survive. Jackie and Harold
Littrell were devastated.
"I remember crying in my mother-in-law's arms," Jackie Littrell said one day last week. "I cried out
to God, and she said, 'He is not yours. He belongs to God. And you have to be able to give him
back.' And so I prayed for the grace to let go of him, and I knew that one way or the other, it was
going to be OK, because God was in control."
As Brian got better that summer, his mother still prayed for his life, she said.
"That doesn't mean I didn't bargain and beg, because I did. I sat up there in that hospital with
death and dying all around us, and I prayed, 'God, please don't let it come into this room,' "
Jackie Littrell said.
The family went through the agony of possibly losing Brian again when he was 23, just as the
Backstreet Boys blasted into stratospheric levels of teen popularity. The group's "Millennium" CD
had just been released, and the pressures for them to tour were enormous.
Brian and the Boys were doing six, eight, 10 shows a week, dancing for two hours at a time onstage,
catching the next bus or plane immediately afterward, and repeating the process all over again
within hours.
Meanwhile, Brian was falling asleep midsentence during routine conversations.
A checkup with his cardiologist revealed an enlarged heart. His doctor told him he needed surgery —
fast.
"I said, 'Are you out of your mind?' " Littrell recalled. "And he said, 'If you ever want to live to
be a father of your own, you've got to have this surgery.' "
At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., doctors discovered that Littrell had a hole in his heart
"the size of a silver dollar."
Financial aid, education
As soon as he recovered, Littrell felt called to do something to help families of children with
heart disease, he said. That fall, the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids was born in
Lexington.
It has two purposes. It helps pay expenses for low- and middle-income families whose children are
having heart surgery, and it sponsors eight-week educational classes for children referred by a
doctor for nutritional information and exercise programs.
Atlanta will be one of the cities, but likely not until next year.
Now that he is a parent, Littrell feels even more appreciative of what his parents went through.
Lexington, renowned for its thoroughbreds and bluegrass blue bloods, is home to horses that enjoy
more luxury than millions of humans could ever dream of. The Littrells were not part of that set,
however. Harold Littrell worked the line at the local IBM and, later, the Lexmark plant. While the
Littrells had good insurance, they did not have a lot of extra income.
"I was a liability for a long time," Brian Littrell said. "And I admire my father and my mother so
much for everything they went through and what they did for me."
Littrell said he realizes he lives a dream life with Leighanne and Baylee. He wants to help other
families who might be in the situation he and his family were in years ago.
Now that his Healthy Heart Club has helped several Kentucky families, the Littrells decided they
wanted to expand. With the help of the Mayo Clinic, which screens potential families for the
foundation, they want to identify other families who may need surgical assistance funds and to put
the educational model in place in other cities.
Families in Kentucky who already have been touched by the Healthy Heart Club's surgical assistance
fund will be forever grateful for Littrell's help.
Hayden Brown — who turns 9 months old on Tuesday, would not be alive were it not for surgery in
November at the Cleveland Clinic. And while his mother had insurance through her employer, the
family had little money for travel to Cleveland, hotels and meals.
The Healthy Heart Club fixed all that.
"That surgery meant life and death to him," said Hayden's father, Stacey, a farmer. "It's bad enough
to have to go through this, but then to have to think about going out of state and the money, I
don't know how we could have done it without them."
Tracey Daugherty credits the Healthy Heart Club for Kids with saving her sanity when her son, Dylan,
now 3, had to have surgery on Oct. 29, 2002, when he was about 8 months old.
"I could never express my gratitude to those people enough," said Daugherty, a nurse in Strunk, Ky.
"During that time, the last thing you want to worry about is money," she said. "And they took away
the money worries so we could focus just on him."
And that, Littrell said, is sweet music to his ears.
"That's why I'm here," Littrell said. "God put me here not just to be a Backstreet Boy — but to try
to be a good influence."
Backstreet Boy
Brian Littrell cooks breakfast with his wife, Leighanne, and son Baylee, 3, at their home in
Alpharetta. At age 23, Littrell was told he needed a second heart surgery if he wanted to live to
see the day he was a father.
Source:
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Excerpt from Bravo magazine:
BRAVO: That sounds sad. What comforts you, the other
guys?
Brian: My wife Leighanne and my son Baylee. I'm always in a good mood, when they're around. I
use to lose my mind, when I'm alone and use to irritate the other guys then!
Source: One Voice.net
Excerpt from "TU" magazine (Columbia):
What does love mean to you? What is the craziest thing you've ever done
for a girl?
Brian: I've done everything for my wife, whatever she asks for. She always wanted to
buy some Chihuahuas as pets and now they're home; they were definitely not my favorite dogs. You
realize that it's worth making the person you love happy when she makes you laugh so much, like in
my case. My wife got me for her sense of humor, I love her!
Source: Not-Like-You
Excerpt from Miami New Times
August 4, 2005
After The Flood
A few minutes later the crowd reached a fever pitch when lead heartthrob Brian Littrell was joined by his wife and young son, Baylee, onstage. I'm not sure how 10,000 fans in a giant amphitheater noticed a 30-pound baby, but the entire audience turned around and oohed and aahed as the child was taken back to his seat. You would've thought Obi-wan had just unveiled a young Luke Skywalker to the Imperial Congress.
source: Miami NewTimes
Excerpt from Buffalo News
July 29,2005
Backstreet's back and appreciating the ride this time around
Brian Littrell: The No. 2 heartthrob. During the hiatus: He married Leighanne Wallace in September 2000 and had his first child, Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell, in November 2002.
The effect of his wife and son: "I think they add to me as a person and make me better." Thoughts on "American Idol": "I was a big fan of the first series that came out and would watch it religiously. AJ and I liked it a lot." Favorite new song: "There's a toss up. Obviously I have a connection to "Never Gone' because of Kevin - when he lost his father, I lost an uncle. The other one is "I Still.' "
source: Buffalo News
Calgary Sun
June 28, 2005
BACKSTREET DAD
In between running his own record label and regrouping with his fellow-Backstreet Boys, Brian Litrell has also found time to come to the rescue of parents everywhere.
In a recent interview, Brian told me he and his wife Leighanne have begun to design products for parents with small kids.
Brian, a parent himself, to son Baylee, said there are several great products out there, but they could be designed much better. The first invention for Litrell was a baby bag big enough to fit a belly doughnut ... a device apparently used when breastfeeding.
Brian also said he was interested in teaming up with Canadian company Roots (one of his favourite stores) to develop a line of kids clothing.
The Boys will perform live at the Saddledome as part of their Never Gone tour on Monday, Sept. 5.
source: Calgary Sun
Littrell Signs Deal With Christian Label
Wed Dec
8, 2004
By CHRIS JONES, Associated Press Writer
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell signed a deal Wednesday with the Christian label Provident Music Group's Reunion Records.
"This has been a dream of mine every since I was a little boy, singing in church in Kentucky," said Littrell who was accompanied at the signing by his wife, Leighanne.
Littrell, 29, said that singing with the Backstreet Boys was a "12-year stepping stone" to making this decision, and he hopes the Backstreet Boys fans will realize through his music "that standing up for what you believe in is what's important."
Littrell will release the single, "In Christ Alone," on an upcoming WOW Christian Music compilation album next year. That will be followed in fall 2005 with the debut of his solo album on the Franklin-based label and concerts.
Littrell also plans to tour with The Backstreet Boys, who are scheduled to end a three-year hiatus with a new project in March 2005.
The five-member group's last album was "Black and Blue," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2001. Their manager, Johnny Wright, said that the group isn't breaking up but just taking an opportunity to do solo projects.
Nick Carter is the only member to release a solo album, "Now or Never" which came out in 2002.
A.J. Maclean also has expressed an interest in singing Christian music, Wright said. The other members, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough, are leaning more toward film and TV.
source: yahoo! news
Littrell Plans a Christian Future
07/12/04
Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell is set to sign for leading American Christian record label Reunion. The I Want It That Way singer will record future solo albums for the Sony/BMG owned label, and is currently rumoured to be working on a solo release with wife Leighanne. Meanwhile, the Backstreet Boys recently reformed and are working on a new album due at the beginning of next year (05).
source: www.contactmusic.com
From 7 jours French magazine
Brian had what was to be thoughtful. His young wife, Leighanne, was supposed to take one of the airplanes which crashed into the World Trade Center one week earlier. Fortunately, a problem had forced her to cancel her ticket.
February 28, 2004
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Backstreet Boys redux
Alpharetta-based Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell's vacation is coming to a close. After a two-year recording break, the singing group is reuniting. At Point de Vue salon's "Oscar Oasis" cocktail reception in West Hollywood this week, Littrell told People the group is recording a new album, which they hope to release this summer. "The break was good for everyone, because you get to be your own person," he said. "We're all grown men now." The singer said he'll be bringing along wife, Leighanne, and 15-month-old son Baylee when the band kicks off a yearlong world tour in August. Said Littrell: "We want him to experience what Daddy does."
http://www.ajc.com/saturday/content/epaper/editions/saturday/living_04048365511121bb0090.html
December 9, 2003
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Overscene
Atlanta media types gathered for some private one-on-one time with Saint Nick on Sunday night at the
third annual Phipps Plaza media VIP party with Santa. Among the notables whispering their seasonal
wishes in the head elf's ear: WXIA-TV's Karyn Greer, Z93's Willard Arbour, Star 94's Cindy Simmons,
99X's Axel and Backstreet Boy Brian Littell, wife Leighanne and 1-year-old son Baylee.
http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/entertainment/peachbuzz
Brian Littrell Healthty Heart Club For Kids
November 18, 2003
Making Wishes Come True
Since being founded in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has touched the lives of more than 110,000 children and young adults worldwide. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants wishes to individuals with life-threatening conditions and touches the lives of their families forever.
On a cool day in Atlanta, Georgia, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® along with Brian and Leighanne Littrell granted the wish of Jennilee Rose. Brian and Leighanne meet Jennilee and her family for lunch and presented her with a large gift basket filled with a variety of goodies. Brian and Leighanne enjoyed their visit with Jennilee and would like to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation® for granting them the opportunity to make someone’s wish come true.
Brian and Leighanne would also like to thank the following businesses/companies for their contributions to Jennilee’s gift basket: Point De Vue Salon in Los Angeles - Dana Tag watch, Kerastase hair products, and Smashbox cosmetics,
Provident Music Company – Various CDs, BMG Music Company – Various CDs, Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids® - Baseball caps, sweatshirts, and t-shirts.
Excerpt from Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
August 29, 2003
Entertainment Highlights in History
By The Associated Press
In 2000, Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell married Leighanne Wallace in Atlanta.
teenhollywood.com
July 14, 2000
Brian Littrell Acts in Movie
Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell and fiance Leighanne Wallace are devastated because no one will distribute their debut movie. Littrell was "really uncomfortable and nervous" when he shot a cameo role in fiance Wallace's new flick because the Backstreet Boy knows he is a "really bad actor."
Littrell, along with fellow boyband member AJ McLean, appear in the independent movie in the popstars debut film role.
And, while Littrell has co-produced and recorded the soundtrack for the flick, the singer was shaking with nerves when he had to act.
Wallace says, "I gave Brian a couple of lines in the movie. It is a romantic comedy and Brian drives a horse and buggie in it. I think he enjoyed it but it was really uncomfortable for him because he doesn't know what he is doing."
And Wallace and Littrell are now devastated as the flick has failed to find an American distributer.
Wallace adds, "We are upset because we can't find anyone to distribute the movie. Some of my friends told me ET didn't get distribution for a really long time which makes me feel better. Every day it gets better but we just can't find anyone to do it."
http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=4203
Meet The Girl Who Caught JTT's and Devon's Eyes!!!
The Juicy part of Wild America is the couple of girls who catch the eyes of JTT, and Devon.
Leighanne Wallace plays a blond college girl who makes heads turn, especially JTT's and Devon's.
LEIGHANNE WALLACE
Leighanne is Tanna Stewart , a local college girl who flirts with the Stouffer boys. Here's what she
had to say about JTT and Devon. "Me and Jonathan got along absolutely wonderfully. He is one of the
most intelligent young men I believe I have ever met in my life. He's got a great personality . He
has a lot to say. It's like your talking to a 30-year old person. He's really intelligent, really
talented. We got in trouble for making faces at each other off the set. He would be on and I would
make faces at him. And the director's going 'you all stop or I'll separate you two!' "He's a lot of
fun". Leighanne adored Devon just as much: "I spoke of course a lot with Devon. Of course Devon's
a flirt. He's a sweetie too. They were real professional and they went in there and got their stuff
done."
Leighanne's Interview With
Fox
Oh the agony of being a teen pop idol. Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys could not even list his
girlfriend, Leighanne Wallace in his thank-yous on the group´s new album "Millenium", because there
was fear of a backlash against her. Littrell wrote: "I love you baby and all your family too, also
as well". Leighanne told me by phone from her Orlando, Florida home Thursday: "First we were afraid
to 'come out' because we thought the girls would be mad. But they´ve really come around. I actually
have girl fans now. I have 700 emails to answer".
One BSB fan even created a
web site for Leighanne. "She wasn´t even a fan of the Boys". Says the late '90s version of Linda
McCartney. Leighanne says she pals around with one other BSB girlfriend, Mandy, the steady of Nick
Carter. Do the other Boys have girlfriends? "It depends what day it is" laughs Leighanne. "When
they choose to admit it. Sometimes A.J. does, sometimes he doesen´t". When I tell her about the
Beatles and their travails with girlfriends and wives long ago, she tells me: "I never liked the
Beatles. Neither does Brian".
By Roger Friedman.
Fox News (Fox 411)
STAR Magazine
IT'S HEARTBREAK for female fans of the Backstreet
Boys - two of the hunky guys in the red-hot group are getting married! Tearful teenage girls
everywhere are calling the sexy blond fiancees of handsome Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson "the
luckiest women on earth." These will be the first marriages among the five members of the
supergroup, whose current album, Millennium, has sold more than 11 million copies in the
U.S.
And it's left some of their young fans devastated. "I like Nick," says 9-year-old Hilary Sparling of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., "so I'm not so upset. But there's lots of girls who thought they had a chance to be Brian or Kevin's girlfriends who are going to be really disappointed." Kevin's soon-to-be Backstreet Bride is beautiful dancer Kristin Willits, who has kicked up her heels with the world-famous Rockettes and performed with Cher. Brian's leading lady, Leighanne Wallace, is a buxom blond actress whose idol is Marilyn Monroe.
STAR has learned that Kevin, 28, proposed to Kansas-born Kristin, 29, on Valentine's Day. Brian, 25, and Leighanne, 30, secretly got engaged too - and insiders reveal they've set a tentative wedding date of Sept. 2. Leggy Kristin met Kevin before he rocketed to pop superstardom. The couple, who have been dating on and off for seven years, first laid eyes on each other at Disney World in Orlando, where he was playing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and she was dancing. "We've been through a lot together," Kevin says. A year after they met, Kristin kick-started her career when she auditioned and won a place in line with the world-famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes in New York City. "I got to New York and heard the Rockettes were holding auditions and I thought, 'Why not give it a try?' And I got it on my first audition," she says proudly. She also has performed as a backup dancer on tour with pop superstar Cher. And most recently she appeared in Jim Carrey's movie Man On The Moon, where she played the part of a dancer for comic Andy Kaufman's alter ego, Tony Clifton.
Brian popped the question to Leighanne in front of
her family on Christmas Eve at the suburban Atlanta home where she and her two sisters were raised -
but kept the news of their engagement secret until now. After dating since 1997, Brian finally
decided Leighanne was the one for him and took the plunge. "There's a right time for everything, I
guess," he says. "It's kind of like the jumpstart on getting on with life, so I'm looking forward to
it." The wedding, which will take place in the Atlanta area, is set for Sept. 2. Fellow
Backstreeters Kevin, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough are expected to be Brian's ushers on
the big day. Brian and Leighanne, like a couple looking forward to parenthood, have gotten a dog
they've named Tyk. Leighanne - who is sporting a four-carat, fancy yellow diamond with sapphires on
the side - is a blue-eyed beauty who has appeared on TV's Silk Stalkings and done a Mercedes Benz
commercial with Jerry Seinfeld. She's been described as "the girl who turns heads" in the movie Wild
America, which stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas. She's also appeared in two Backstreet Boys videos, As
Long As You Love Me and I'll Never Break Your Heart. When Brian underwent surgery two years ago to
repair a hole in his heart - a condition he'd had since birth - Leighanne never left his side. "I
didn't leave him until I knew he was in perfect health," she says. "It was one of the scariest times
of my life."
In addition to Nick, who at 19 is the youngest band member, the other unattached Backstreet Boys are
Howie, 27, and A.J., 21.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, August 4, 2003
School zoning in N. Fulton up for a vote
Janet Frankston - Staff
After a three-year zoning battle, King's Ridge Christian School, a private school backed by Atlanta
Braves pitcher John Smoltz, finally could get zoning approval this week to start building a new
campus. A half-dozen neighbors adjacent to the proposed site in north Fulton County have sued three
times to stop Advancement for Christian Education from constructing a middle and high school on 84
acres off Old Freemanville Road.
A member of the pop band the Backstreet Boys, Brian Littrell, even signed on as a plaintiff in the
second lawsuit. In the suit, he and his wife, Leighanne, said they own about 40 acres and "their
rural residential peace, quiet and enjoyment and land values will be substantially, directly and
adversely impacted" by the campus. Neighbors worry, in particular, about a stadium the school had
wanted to construct. King's Ridge says it no longer plans to build the stadium.
The rezoning comes before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. The King's Ridge application asks for a special permit for a campus of 72,500 square feet and three recreational fields to complement its classroom and administrative space on South Main Street in Alpharetta. If the school doesn't get the zoning, its board would consider purchasing Milton High School, said Barbara Adler, King's Ridge headmistress. Milton, which accommodates 2,600 students, is scheduled to move to a new site, vacating its space near downtown Alpharetta in the fall of 2005.
We've been talking about it within in our ranks,"
Adler said. "Right now we're primarily concentrating on the rezoning."
Commissioners were set to vote on the King's Ridge zoning application in April but did not because
neighbors filed the third lawsuit. Adjacent landowners say they fear extra lights, traffic and noise
from a stadium would lower their property values and disturb their quiet, semirural enclave of horse
farms and estate lots. Attorneys for the school have said it only is asking for what's stated on
the application, a school and fields. The neighbors dropped the school as a defendant in May but
still are suing Fulton County to clarify a new provision in the zoning code, which they say would
allow the school to build more on the site without asking for comment
from neighbors or for the county's permission. "We never had any objection to the school itself,"
said Marilyn Weeber, one
of the neighbors.
The proposed $6.5 million school, scheduled to open in fall 2005, would accommodate 640 students in
grades six through 12. King's Ridge expects to enroll 330 students from kindergarten to 10th grade
this fall at the South Main Street campus, Adler said, an increase from 300 students from last year.
http://www.ajc.com/monday/content/epaper/editions/monday/business_f3d24d40a1a8409700c1.html
excerpt from Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 18, 2003
City's music scene pulses with energy
With surprising velocity over the past decade, the metro Atlanta area has evolved into a pulsating music-industry epicenter. R&B, hip-hop, country, jazz and pop stars reside here. Major labels like So So Def and Velocette do business here. And when artists like Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks and the Big Tymers look for their next hit, they come to Atlanta to record with producers and songwriters.
Among Atlanta's current musical talent:
BRIAN LITTRELL: This Backstreet Boy made Atlanta one of his homes when he married local actress Leighanne Wallace on Labor Day weekend 2000.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/ultimateguide/features/music.html
Two Members Of Backstreet Boys In Car Accident
MTV.com July 2, 2003
Two members of the Backstreet Boys were involved in a
three-vehicle accident Monday night in Lexington, Kentucky.
Upon leaving a charity golf tournament at the University of Kentucky, a car in which A.J. McLean and
Brian Littrell were passengers was sideswiped by a car that had been struck by another car.
According to Lexington police, who described the incident as a "very simple fender bender," the
Toyota Camry driven by Littrell's mother, Jackie, and containing McLean, Littrell, Littrell's wife,
Leighanne, and their son, Baylee, was stopped at a light on Leestown Road. As they proceeded into
the intersection, the car beside them was struck by another vehicle attempting a left turn, causing
their Camry to be hit as well.
Only minor injuries such as soreness were reported, and damage to all three vehicles was minor. The
other vehicles had flat tires, while the Camry's front bumper suffered some damage, Sgt. Rick Curtis
said, but not enough to set off air bags.
"[A.J.] banged up his knee a bit but said all were fine," A.J.'s mother, Denise McLean, said. "He
said he had just put his seatbelt on seconds before the Escalade hit them, and said it could have
been much worse if Brian's mom had not turned the wheel to miss the truck head on. He was pretty
shaken by it all since he has never been in an accident like that before. But he's doing fine."
The charity tournament they had attended, "Golfing With Brian!," was the second annual fundraising
event for Saint Joseph's Hospital and the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids.
—Jennifer Vineyard
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473504/20030702/backstreet_boys.jhtml?headlines=true
Annual Heroes Awards brings music stars to Atlanta
by Meg Monaco
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Among the night's honorees at the Annual Heroes Awards held last week at the Westin Peachtree in Atlanta were James Brown, Leslie Fram and the remaining members of TLC, "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. |
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In a pseudo-stylish event last Thursday, June 5, the Atlanta chapter of the Recording Academy hosted the Second Annual Heroes Awards. The Heroes Award is the highest honor given by an Academy chapter and is given to honor outstanding individuals and institutions in the Atlanta region that have improved the environment for the creative community.
Hosted by Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell and his model/actress wife Leighanne Wallace, this year's Heroes Awards honored seven outstanding contributors to the music scene and their communities.
Held on the eighth floor of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the event was fairly low key. All of the press waited in a ballroom suite while the various respective celebrities and honorees showed up for interviews and photo opportunities with the press and other honorees. The honorees did not show up in Jennifer Lopez-esque ball gowns, the security was very minimal, and to the average Atlantan hanging around in the lobby that afternoon, nothing would have seemed out of the ordinary.
Surely few, if any of them, knew that the Godfather of Soul was strutting around upstairs, and that if they had gone up a few flights, they would have seen Chilli and T-Boz of TLC chatting with reporters by the elevators.
The Heroes Awards was not about glamour, however, and these musicians were not there as celebrities, but as people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged and underappreciated people of the Atlanta region.
Probably the most recognizable face there was that of James Brown. He is one of the most sampled artists to date, has received more honors and awards than any artist in music history, and has had 17 singles reach the number one spot on Billboard's R&B charts. He is a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and he received a Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award in 1992.
He was honored as a hero for his contributions to the world of academics by mentoring neighborhood kids on the importance of staying in school and by giving away college scholarships.
The remaining members of TLC were there to accept awards for themselves and their late group member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who was killed in a car accident last year. Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas just released their fourth album, and the group has sold over 27 million albums and 9 million singles worldwide in the past decade.
TLC is also known for supporting a number of social causes, including raising funds to help fight sickle cell anemia (with which T-Boz is afflicted), promoting safe sex (particularly among teens), and starting a scholarship fund in honor of Lopes.
Leslie Fram from 99X's show "The Morning X" received an award from the Academy on behalf of her charity work for Breast Cancer Awareness for the Young Survival Coalition, Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Samaritan House of Atlanta, Angel Flight of Georgia, Grady Pediatric AIDS program, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (GCAPP), Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund, Noah's Ark and Camp Sunshine, among others. Fram is also the Director of Programming Susquehanna Atlanta overseeing the Programming Departments for both WNNX (99X) and WWWQ (Q100).
The final recipients were Fred and Dinah Gretsch, president and first lady of Gretsch Company, makers of fine guitars and drums since 1883.
The Savannah based company is respected around the world for its beautifully crafted and innovative instruments that have been played by the likes of Chet Atkins, George Harrison, Brian Setzer, Phil Collins, Bo Diddley, Neil Young and many others.
The Gretsches were major sponsors of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame two years before the museum opened, were early contributors to the Save the Music Foundation and regularly contribute musical instruments to nationwide charity auctions that benefit education. Fred is on the Board of Trustees for Loyola High School in New York City and a member of the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army in Savannah.
Dinah devotes her time as a member of Savannah West Rotary Club and supports children's programs at Royce Center, St. Jude Children's Hospital, International Child Outreach and the Rotary Foundation.
The Recording Academy is a non-profit organization of 18,000 musicians, producers and other recording professionals. It is best known for the GRAMMY Awards but is also responsible for numerous outreach programs involving education, human services and cultural enrichment. All proceeds benefited the Academy's professional arts education programs for the music community of the Atlanta region, and a portion went to the MusiCares Foundation - the Recording Academy's health and human services charity.
The highlights of the evening were performances by Brian Littrell, Kelly Price, Cee-lo and Joi and appearances by the celebrities' spouses and families as well as Shawn Mullins, Jermaine Dupree and the oh-so-lively Bo Diddley, who shared with a CNN reporter his views on the war with Iraq and the Bush administration, and later sang to me a few lines from a new song he has been working on, "You ain't got nothing I want, you ain't got nothing I need... so why don't you just leave!" Not the greeting I expected, but at least I got a picture and the opportunity to meet music's finest.
From Atlanta Journal-Constitution June 6, 2003
Local Recording Academy recognizes
its heroes
AJC staff reports
Hip-hop's TLC and the Godfather of Soul James Brown were honored by the Atlanta chapter of the
Recording Academy Thursday night at the Westin-Peachtree Plaza hotel. The 2nd Annual Heroes Awards
recognized contributions to improve the environment for the local music community.
Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, who co-hosted the ceremony with wife Leighanne, sang a gospel number
as a tribute to the late TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
Other performers included guitar legend Bo Diddley, R&B singer Kelly Price, Funk/Rock Queen Joi and
rapper Cee-Lo. Leslie Fram of 99X also was given an award.
http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/0603/06heroes.html
From Atlanta Journal-Constitution June 4, 2003
Atlanta's Heroes Awards Gala. Honorees selected
for the awards of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences include James Brown; Leslie
Fram, programming director for radio stations 99X and Q100; Fred and Dinah Gretsch of Gretsch Drums
and Guitars; and TLC members Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and the late Lisa
"Left-Eye" Lopes. Hosted by the Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell and his model-actress wife,
Leighanne. Proceeds will benefit the Atlanta chapter's Professional Arts Education Programs and the MusiCares Foundation. 6:30 p.m. silent auction/cocktail reception; 8 p.m. dinner; 9 p.m. awards;
Thursday. Academy members $150; nonmembers $200. The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, 210 Peachtree
St., Atlanta. 404-249-8881.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/calendar.html
June 5 - 2nd
Annual Heroes Award Celebration
Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel,
cocktail reception/silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy will present
the 2nd annual Heroes Awards to honor outstanding individuals in the Atlanta region for outstanding
achievement and/or contributions to the Atlanta music community. The evening will be a spectacular
affair that will include a silent auction offering music memorabilia, as well as other unique items.
Following the
dinner, an award ceremony - hosted by Brian L ittrell of the Backstreet Boys and his model-actress
wife, Leighanne - will recognize esteemed honorees with presenters and performers. 2003 Heroes
honorees include: James Brown, Leslie Fram, Fred & Dinah Gretsch, and TLC. Other honorees and
presenters will be announced shortly. Invitations will be mailed to Recording Academy members in
late April, or for for more information, please contact the Atlanta Chapter at 404.249.8881.
http://www.grammy.com/atlanta.html
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PEACH BUZZ
Richard L. Eldredge -
Staff
Friday, April 18, 2003
Backstreet Boy, wife to salute heroes
Like most other parents of a 6-month-old, Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys and his model-actress wife, Leighanne, are probably ready for a night out on the town. But their responsibilities will extend beyond picking a gooey romantic comedy at the local megaplex. The couple will host this year's Heroes Awards to benefit the Atlanta chapter of the Recording Academy's Professional Arts Education Programs and MusiCares Foundation. The benefit is slated for June 5 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza downtown.
This year's honorees will include entertainer James Brown ("the Godfather of Soul"), Savannah guitar and drum manufacturers Fred and Dinah Gretsch, 99X and Q100 radio programming director Leslie Fram and the members of TLC.
Tickets are available at 404-249-8881.
http://www.ajc.com/print/content/epaper/editions/friday/features_e3f9c8e7b61e708f009b.html
The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution: 4/10/03
King's Ridge School, well-known neighbors
at odds over site plans
By JANET FRANKSTON
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
The fight over a private Christian school in northwest Fulton County has spurred three lawsuits and
at least two site plans and incensed an Atlanta Braves pitcher and a Backstreet Boy.
The Advancement for Christian Education Inc. wants to build a middle and high school on Old
Freemanville Road to complement its facility on South Main Street in Alpharetta.
In what's becoming a common way to prevent the area's rural landscape from turning into
subdivisions, neighbors have asked the courts for help. They're suing to stop ACE from building the
King's Ridge Christian School on 84 acres.
"We were forced to do it," said Marilyn Weeber, one of the residents behind the lawsuit. She lives
on Wood Road, about 800 feet south of the site.
Adjacent landowners fear that extra traffic and lights and noise from a stadium would lower property
values and disrupt their quiet lifestyle. They worry high school students will speed down the gravel
roads, where children and adults ride horses.
School officials say they have dropped plans for the stadium and scaled back the original desig
