Thank You, Kevin Richardson

First and foremost, let me say that it is important to What Happens On The Backstreet that we are fair and honest with our posts about the Backstreet Boys. We are 1000% appreciative of all five of these men and will show up for them over and over. For that reason, we spread the love for them individually when we can as we have for Nick, Brian, and AJ so far during different times.

This one, though, goes out to Kevin. Promise to keep it short and sweet.

While I usually shy away from posting personal experiences here, what struck me with Kevin this past Tuesday night embodies what I think a lot of us have all spoken about before and the appreciation is so real that I can’t not write about it publicly – before I even write anything about the taping of CMT Crossroads.

On Tuesday, August 1st, the Backstreet Boys joined Florida Georgia Line in Nashville, TN to record an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads (airing August 30th – don’t miss it!). As Backstreet fans do, there were about 20 or so people waiting for the Boys to leave after the show, hoping to catch a glance, sneak in a word or two, or capture a highly coveted selfie.

It’s completely understandable that the guys had been working all day – they were tired and ready to go. Everyone would have understood if they didn’t come over to greet fans. As crew and artists left, fans watched, a few pleading with a boy or two to come over.

Then Kevin came out.

Kevin didn’t act like the fans weren’t there and he didn’t act like he didn’t hear anyone calling his name. He didn’t book it straight toward his wife and two young sons who were waiting for him. He stopped, waved, and when someone requested a photo, he said “Yes, I’ll be back. Let me change out of these sweaty clothes!”

And that simple statement meant the world to the majority standing there. It meant that he saw us. It meant that he respected us enough to answer. It meant that we were all humans on the same level. And everyone believed him – because if it comes from Kevin, it’s a promise. That’s the level of credibility he’s built with fans and we can’t thank him enough for it.

NOTE: This is not to say that the other Boys blew us off. Eventually, all of them made their way over and were as kind and as giving of their time as ever. This specific post is just an example of a moment where Kevin has shown the type of person he is and we feel like it’s time he gets the outward appreciation he deserves for the little things.

We watched as Kevin came out to help his wife with the kids, announcing to fans and keeping everyone updated by holding up a booster seat and saying he had to get his boys in the car first.

Then, he kept his promise, saying “I told y’all I would come over” and proceeded to take his time taking a selfie with every person that was waiting. At one point, he realized a fan who had been holding her phone as a light for everyone’s selfie (because it was dark), hadn’t gotten one herself and kindly asked her friend to hold the light for her so she could get one as well.

It’s the little things that make the biggest difference. A friend who had never seen the Backstreet Boys before that night was blown away by how kind they are. I, for one, am so proud that that is something we can count on as fans – the kindness of these five.

Back to Kevin, I watched a man go from onstage popstar and friend to husband and father and back in a matter of 30 minutes — all while remaining incredibly humble, insanely down-to-earth and very obviously grateful. How lucky are we that this man is a part of our favorite band?

There’s many reasons to admire Mr. Richardson, but for me, it will always be his ability to reach people, his honesty, his passion, his sense of humor and his endless gratitude.

Kevin, if you’re reading this, thank you for continuously restoring faith in humanity. Thank you for coming back. Thank you for keeping it real. Thank you for being you.

 

(For those of you waiting for more teasers and a post about CMT Crossroads – keep your eyes peeled. It will be posted closer to the air date!)