Kevin Richardson (musician)

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Kevin Richardson

Background information
Birth name	Kevin Scott Richardson
Born	October 3, 1971 Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Genre(s)	Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, model, actor
Instrument(s)	Singing
Years active	1993-2006
Label(s)	Jive
Associated acts	The Backstreet Boys

Kevin Scott Richardson (born October 3, 1971 in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American singer and former member of The Backstreet Boys.

1 Biography
2 Backstreet Boys
3 Discography
4 References
5 External link

[edit] Biography

Richardson grew up on a 10 hectare farm in Irvine, Kentucky with his parents and two older brothers (Jerald Wayne Jr. and Tim). He spent his childhood in the outdoors, and could already ride a horse at age 4. As a youth, he enjoyed sports and dirt bikes. Kevin lived in a log cabin until he was eighteen. Richardson also liked acting as a teenager. He belonged to his high school's drama club and was a captain of the Estill County High School's football team. After his high school graduation, Richardson, intent on leaving his mark in the show business world, left for Orlando, Florida with his brother Jerald, where he earned a living as a model, tour guide at Walt Disney World and dance instructor. At age 19 he received sad news: his father died on August 26, 1991 after a 2 year battle with cancer.

Richardson struggled to get any important show business jobs until the middle 1990s, when he auditioned for a new band forming in Orlando. He was chosen for the band, along with Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and AJ McLean. The band was soon named "The Backstreet Boys". Kevin Richardson was convinced that his cousin, Brian Littrell, could also join the band as a singer, and, after travelling back to Lexington, he convinced Brian to fly down to Orlando for an audition. Soon after, Brian was chosen as a member of the band.

The group became famous worldwide during the late 1990s, and Richardson travelled extensively to many different parts of the world while on tour. Once the tours were over, the band kept busy by making cover photo sessions for such magazines as Tiger Beat, 16, Teen Beat and others.

In November 1999, Richardson was named People magazine's "Sexiest Pop Star"; he also dislocated his shoulder while snowboarding.

On June 17, 2000, he married former Rockette and Cher back-up dancer Kristin Willits-Richardson. They have no children.

In 2002, he played the role of Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of Chicago. He also performed this role in London's West End as well as Toronto in November - December 2006.

[edit] Backstreet Boys

As the oldest member of the group, he was one of the most vocal in terms of addressing to the media ^{[citation needed]}, Despite being a tenor like the other group members, he has the lowest vocal range and thus provided the lower harmonies.

In June 2006, Richardson left the Backstreet Boys to pursue other interests and "move on with the next chapter of [his] life." He issued the following statement on the band's website on June 23, 2006:

"After 13 years of what can only be described as a dream come true, I have decided that it is time to leave the Backstreet Boys. It was a very tough decision for me but one that was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life. Howard, Brian, Alex and Nick will always be my little brothers and have my utmost love and support. I would like to thank the Backstreet fans for all the beautiful memories we have shared together and look forward to including you in the next phase of my life. I wish my brothers continued success and look forward to their new album."^[1]

Richardson is currently composing the soundtrack of an Upcoming Animated movie, The Spirit Bear which is due out in 2007.