April 20th - the day that changed the world On April 20th, millions of people around the world will celebrate a very important phone call - a phone call that altered this world as we knew it and led to the emergence of an extraordinary phenomenon. On April 20th, 1993, Kevin Richardson placed a call to a Lexington, Kentucky high school and had his cousin, Brian Littrell, pulled out of history class. When Brian agreed to fly to Florida and join a singing group, did he have any idea of what was to come?

Looking back on this phone call, it is evident that it, in effect, changed the world. The Backstreet Boys, as they would name themselves, spent a number of years chasing after their dream - to be a successful singing group. By 1998 the phenomenon known as Backstreet swept the nation; practically everyone has at the very least heard their name, and an even greater know someone that own a cd of theirs or two. They have sold over 60 million albums in the last few years - a number that is truly staggering. None of this would ever have been achieved if not for that one single phone call, however.

When Kevin called Brian, so much changed, both for them personally and for the world. Millions of fans around the world related to these five angelic voices; they provided inspiration for those who were looking for it, love for those seeking love, and friendship and comfort to the lonely and mourning. Their voices alone hold the power to soothe and comfort, to make all of your problems just disappear. Meanwhile, let us not forget what we, the fans, have done for THEM, our beloved Backstreet Boys. AJ, Brian, Howie, Kevin, and Nick wanted so desperately to be successful and WE made that happen. If you really think about it, it is such an amazing and powerful thing that we have done for them. All five came from middle (and possibly even lower) class families, yet, because of us, they are now millionaires. We have forever changed the course of their lives, and that is nothing short of amazing.

Something that continuously amazes me, however, is  that while their lives have changed in so many ways, it seems that, from my perspective at the very least, they, personally, have not. They are the same cute, goofy, adorable guys with incredible voices that came together on April 20th, 1993. And not only do they seem to be so grounded and personable, but as the years go by and their fame and popularity continue to grow, so does their charity work. I believe this is one of the reasons so many people across the country and around the world have fallen in love with them.

Before I go, I have one more thing to share, something that struck me as quite ironic. Back in 1998, the Boys hosted a video countdown of their favorite videos, and of course, being the hams and clowns that they are, they were singing the different songs and goofing around. Well, one of the songs on the countdown was Something Like a Phenomenon by LL Cool J (I think). Anyway, all I remember is a shot of AJ singing "something like a phenomenon." It's so ironic that they now can be looked at, truly, as a phenomenon.

And to think, it all started with a simple phone call. Thank you so much for that Kevin ~ we'll never forget what April 20th means to the world. Incidently, April 20th also marks the anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, so please keep this day in your minds.