NKOTB - Trip to KC - Part 4 - The SHOW!

(FYI, there are links, photos and embedded videos throughout this blog. Please make sure to interact as much as possible for the FULL NKOTB experience!)

Are you ready? Are you kidding me?!

HELL YES! We've been ready for 14 years - what kind of crazy ass question is THAT?!

Within seconds, the stage lifted and our five boys (yes, we counted..RiceChex and I have ridden THAT sad little rodeo before!) appeared. Tears!! Screams! Tears! Shrieks! Tears! Gasps for breath! Tears! Pounding on Silly's shoulder! Tears! Tears! Tears!

There they were!!!!! Flesh and blood and sounding like angels!

They began the show with a montage of Single, My Favorite Girl and You Got It (The Right Stuff). I don't know what I expected, but whatever I had in my mind was blown away. I remember watching videos of Elvis...the Beatles...hell, even these guys in the Old School days and thinking "My God, look at those idiots screaming and crying. What the hell??"

I get it now. I totally get it.

Didn't I Blow Your Mind and Valentine Girl sent us all into hysterics as we realized that our BOYS had indeed become men with their grabbing and thrusty. Sweet Jesus, Joseph and Mary, they were like orgasms on a stick!

Age has been kind to our boys, that's for sure. Deeper voices, sexier moves and the fact that *THEY are in control of the show now is apparent in every single step. Every single note. Every single breath they take. They OWN the stage. There's no question about it.

Please, Don't Go Girl brought me to tears again - Joe's voice as a pre-pubescent teenager was crystal....as an adult, he's diamond. Every note. Every time. Pure heaven. If there was ever a song I wish Joe would re-record, it's this one. He oozes sexy from every pore when he croons this little numbah. *sigh*

Next came Grown Man and No More Games which led to Danny breakdancing and If You Go Away. At the end of "If You Go Away" there was a tribute to people who've passed away - people who influenced them and their music, celebrities they were close to and finally those who were part of the NKOTB family. This video has the full clip of the tribute. RiceChex and I were literally sobbing by the time this song finished. Thank God I packed Kleenex in my purse.

Kimmi made the comment later about how amazed she was at the audience participation. She'd never been to a concert where EVERY single person was involved in the show to the extent the NK's fans were. This gives a quick glimpse into what she meant:

The guys then surprised us with a second stage at the back of the venue. Dirty Dancing started out the show on Stage B, followed by 2 in the Morning and Tonight, which finished on the main stage after they drove the crowd wild by skimming up the side aisle.

Twisted came next, which happens to be my favorite and what I consider to be my theme song. What can I say...there were X-rated thoughts flying through my head as I watched Joe perform that little sucker!!

Jordan teased us into oblivion with Baby, I Believe in You - good lord! It's astonishing to me that his body is STILL in that good a shape after all these years. And let's just say the man can still do "THRUST" like nobody's business! He followed it up with his solo, Give it to You.

Joe sweetened the pot with Stay the Same and even brought in a choir. Silly said she closed her eyes throughout the whole song and just listened. It really was an amazing performance. I always did love the song, but the choir just added that much more to it. *swoon*

Not to be left out, Donnie wooed the ladies with Cover Girl, sending women over the edge with a striptease-esque booty shake to end all booty shakes. I admit, I was writhing in ecstasy agony.

The one song that absolutely brought me to a sobbing mess, though, was I'll Be Loving You (Forever). Twenty years and it still gets to me. It was the song that got my attention in 1988 and it still brings me to my knees today.

Click, Click, Click definitely brought some excitement. The song itself didn't really impress me the first few times I heard it, but as a photographer and as I got over the whole "sex" thing they were going for on "the Block", I quickly swung the other way and as it turns out, I LOVE THIS SONG! The guys end the song with a "Pose Off" and it brought laughter and confusion from the crowd. It wasn't until we got back to the hotel and went through the pictures that we truly realized where Jordan had gone during the Pose Off. Sneaky little shit.

Silly, RiceChex and myself were TOTALLY enthralled!!

Next came Summertime! This was the song that really caught my attention when it was first released. It was the first video they made when they came back and it really struck a familiar chord in all of us. I don't think there was a single girl there who didn't sing along. LOVED it! Donnie took the mic for a bit and made sure to address the hubbies, too. Can't leave them out!

The first encore was Step by Step - I'd almost forgotten that they hadn't done it yet. I knew Hangin' Tough was still to come, but Step by Step had slipped my mind. How the hell did THAT happen?!!

And, no NKOTB concert would be complete without a little HANGIN' TOUGH!!! They topped off the show with some old Queen. Gotta love Jordan's little "Mud on yo face, a big disgrace, blah da mah dah bah...place."

I know this blog sounds more like a recap than an experience, but it is only because I truly lack words to accurately describe the emotions I was feeling without coming off like a crazed lunatic. What words come to mind?

Euphoric.
Nostalgic.
Reminiscing.
Amazing.
Unbelievable.
Astounding.
Paralyzing.
Heart-wrenching.
Overwhelming.
Orgasmic.

The-single-most-awesome-experience-of-my-whole-fucking-life.

Yeah. That's it. That sums it up right there.


(All the photos and video clips embedded on this blog were ones I shot. The linked video clips were found on YouTube and took place at our show in KC with the exceptions of Single, Favorite Girl & You Got It (the Right Stuff) which came from their VH-1 Boxed set, Twisted, which was from the Montreal show and the second clip of "If You Go Away" which came from their Boston show.)

In regards to the newsflash that destroyed my life yesterday:

Donnie squelched the rumors this afternoon and Robo is consequentially at the very TOP of my shit list now. You better sleep with one eye open, buddy!! ;)

Here's Donnie's blog putting the rumor to rest:
Happy Holidays from DONNIE

We interrupt your program to bring you the following news bulletin:

I'm sitting here tonight evaluating the psychosis that has become my life. In that self-evaluation, I've learned that I'm beyond fucked up. My priorities are so screwed up and the worst part?? I don't care. I don't want to fix them.

For those who know me, you know I'm a huge New Kids on the Block fan. I have been for 20 years and I will be forever. I'm part of numerous websites and follow the guys lives pretty closely. I haven't met any of them, but recently came close at a reunion concert in Kansas City in November.

On one of the fan sites today, a woman posted about how she got some "face time" (got to meet them) with Donnie Wahlberg for the second week in a row on the set of Bunker Hill in Boston. This was what she wrote:

"Ok Divas, you're all gonna think I'm crazy but I just got back from getting more facetime with Donnie (and Robo too)!!!

I met my girl Phyllis in East Boston and we got to meet Donnie and get pics with him. We talked with Robo for a good 20 minutes too. He gave me a cup of tea he had bought for Donnie. Walked over and handed it to me. I said "what's this?" and Robo said e had gotten it for Donnie but someone else got him one first. Donnie asked Robo if there were any fans outside and said to give it to one of us because we were probably freezing. So Robo gave it to me!

I'm pretty sure I'm just completely insane! I was literally in and out, it was real quick this time, not too much waiting around. Robo confirmed a summer tour but then said that would be the end of the New Kids :( He was soooo sweet, gave us lots of info and kept coming back over to us. Donnie looked exhausted but was nice enough to pose for pics again. As he was walking across the street to us he wouldn't take his eyes off me. I think the wheels were spinning and he was thinking, "didn't I just see this girl", lol! I smiled at him though and he just smiled back. As I was getting my pic (which Robo took) I said to Donnie, "Look Robo is so sweet he gave me your tea." To which Donnie replied, "Well what are you gonna do with it?" I just laughed and sarcastically said "I'm drinking it Donnie Wahlberg, what do you think I'm gonna do with it?" He just laughed back and said alright!"

THE END OF THE NEW KIDS?!?!?!?!?!?!

I've dealt with a lot of losses in my life: both my parents, a child, my best friend, numerous relatives and acquaintances....but I haven't felt this heartbroken in a VERY long time.

Speaking rationally*, how much sense does it make to take the time, energy and resources to reunite a group THIS big with this huge of a following only to have them stick around a year?? 500,000 people paid for tickets to their shows on their three month tour. I can't speak for everyone, but my tickets alone cost $80 each. That's not counting the $375 5* seats that covered the first ten rows for each show.

And think about what this will do to ALL the fans, not just me. We have waited over sixteen years for this to happen...we've been swept back out to sea with their music, their talent, their charm, their devotion and love for us. Are they going to walk away again?

If this does turn out to be true, I will have lost some major respect for these guys. Nobody who loves their fans would do this to them. Not now. Not ever.

If you'll excuse me now, I'm going to go back into my little box and not going to pay attention to these HORRIBLE vicious rumors!!

And God bless my friends on the forums who WEREN'T part of that horrific thread that tore my life apart....they posted these for me:

- yes, I know how dangerous of a word "rational" can be for someone in my state of mind, but I promise you, this is NOT the psychosis talking

NKOTB - Trip to KC - Part 3

Those of you without obsessive/addictive personalities may find difficulty understanding this next part of the trip. Humor me anyway.

With having had nearly 20 years go by since our last NKOTB concert, things have changed. Instead of just flooding the stadium, we now have to be individually searched & monitored as we enter the venue. Metal detectors & bag searches add an edge to the concert that we didn't experience as teenagers. Fortunately the security personnel have the job down to an art and it didn't take more than a few seconds to pass through without problems. Rice Chex & Silly headed to the merchandise counter and since I was anxious to see our seats and really didn't have the cash to spend on tshirts, I headed to our seats. I swear to you, I heard trumpets and harps as I passed through the black curtain into the main arena. Even the air seemed lighter.

There it was. The stage.

In an instant, I retreated to 16 again. Husbands and kids were suddenly a thing of the past and I was a carefree bachelorette! I found my heart rate rising and excitement began to pulse through my body...I could not WAIT for showtime! It wasn't long before the girls joined me - section 107, row 23. Just to our left was the jumbotron. They were playing constant ads for texting into the guys at a chance to win backstage passes, front row, etc. We texted in a few good ones: "Joey, honey, you left your keys on my nightstand, xoxo." "I got a bikini wax for tonight, I DESERVE front row!" and of course, shoutouts to mah girl "Happy birthday, RiceChex!". Conversations were struck with those sitting around us. We discovered how much the girls in front of us enjoyed it when other people fell. The girls behind us were amused by the trashy girls in the restroom using the urinals to pee in. (Yes...I'm serious. I witnessed the classlessness myself)

The lights dimmed and the crowd went nuts as Lady Gaga (Lady Blah Blah, if you ask me) took the stage. Personally, I think she went shoplifting at Ikea and wore one of their lamps as a dress.
I was *not* impressed. Natasha Bedingfield wasn't too bad, but let's face it. We weren't there to see the girls.

Once Natasha left the stage...we knew it was just a matter of minutes before our 20 yr old dreams would come true.

(Part 4 coming soon!)

NKOTB - Trip to KC - Part 2

When we came back out of Californo's after dinner, there was a dusting of snow on the ground. Usually I'm not much for snow, but it really was pretty and since we didn't have to drive more than a couple blocks, we weren't too affected by it. We decided to partake in some stalking intel about the Plaza just in case the Guys decided to stay in KC Saturday night. We staked out Stahbucks (that's right...there's no "R" in Stahbucks) and the Intercontinental hotel, but it was much to our disappointment as we didn't have a single celebrity sighting. Motivated for Saturday, we drove back to the hotel and turned in for the night. RiceChex, bless her heart, was deafened by Silly's and my symphony of snore, so she ended up getting her own room about halfway through the night. I can't blame her.

Saturday came and so did breakfast. Omelet bar from hell in the basement. YUMMO!! I'm not much for omelets, but these were really good. Throw on some salsa and I was good to go. Breakfast, however, led to the disappearance of Silly's cell phone. She was certain she'd brought it down to breakfast with her, but I found it back in the room. Whew. Caper solved. I should'a been a Hardy Boy.

After breakfast, we got ready and headed to the Plaaaaahhhhhza - pronounced with a long ahhhhhh sound, of course, because that's the way we roll. We made a quick perusal through the shops and I danced with the Pen-wins (because we cool people don't pronounce the "G") in front of J Crew.
Next came Figlio's. Ahhhh, Figlio's. Rice Chex and I have fond memories of Figlio's from trips gone by. The pasta...the tiramisu...the atmosphere. Oh man, the atmosphere! There were these awesome black & white old Italy photographs that covered every wall of the restaurant. Rice Chex even found one that looked like her several years ago. Upon entering the restaurant, though, we noticed they'd updated the decor. We hoped this was the ONLY change, but unfortunately, it wasn't. The calimari that used to be to die-for had been diminished to a sad fraction of what it used to be. The breaded squid now sits in a bath of balsamic vinegar - GAG. The pasta wasn't bad, but it did leave a bit to be desired. All-in-all, I was NOT impressed with the changes and we let the waitress know. They say all things must change, but dammit, why'd it have to be Figlio's??!Fortunately our distress about Figlio's was quickly squashed by an hour of luxury at Massage Envy. We'd talked about having massages at our hotel, but at $80 a pop, we decided to find a cheaper alternative. In checking out the Plaza website, I found the link for this little gem. We weren't sure what to expect, since it is part of a chain, but we went in with high hopes and low expectations. How wonderfully we were surprised!!! Heated tables, low lighting and skilled massage therapists, we came out an hour later refreshed, rejuvenated and newly motivated to meet our Men!

We went back to the hotel and got ready for the show. Granted..it was only about 3, but we were determined to meet the guys. We headed to the Sprint center as soon as we were ready and after not seeing any sign of the guys and realizing we still had 90 minutes to kill before the doors opened, we decided to find some place to catch some dinner. Across from the Sprint Center is Kansas City's trendy new "Power & Light District"...there we found a great little Irish pub called Raglan's. After contemplating the mostly authentic Irish menu, we settled on an array of appetizers and Rice Chex ordered the Not-So-Clam Chowder. (Little tip: avoid the Daukey Sausages - picture vienna sausages with a bland batter and the chicken skewers were pretty nondescript, too. Ribs, however - HEAVENLY!!) A couple of drinks and the food and we were ready to party!!After dinner, we headed back across the street and got in line. Keep in mind the doors were set to open within about 15 mins...yet there were no crowded mobs of people - just cool, calm and collected small groups of women in their 20's and 30's (with a few of their moms and daughters thrown in to mix it up a bit). Where were the loud choruses of "Hangin' Tough" and "The Right Stuff?" Where were the shrieks of hysterics at the mention of our five fab from Boston? We were in the right place, right?? Guess things DO change. Getting old sucks. Anyway....we quickly made friends with the people around us in line and shared anecdotes of concerts past. We found ourselves quickly feeling not-so-old again. It was if time had indeed stood still. And if you listened carefully, you'd hear subdued little snippets of "Ohh oh oh oh oh" from the pockets of people strewn throughout the city block.

Ahh, we were home!

(stay tuned for part 3)

NKOTB - Trip to KC - Part 1

November 10th: The morning started out simply enough. CriSILLYus and I had pretty much packed the night before, so all we had left to do was grab last minute stuff, throw some food in the cooler and load the car.

I owe Silly a tube of meat, though. hehe.

Since Silly was figuring out the architecture of our luggage situation and her compact car, I figured I'd cut up the cheese and sausage she had in the fridge. I got about half-way done with the sausage and Rice Chex pulled up, so I went outside to greet her. I helped unload her car and into hers. Chatted for a bit as Silly finished loading the trunk then I came back in. The cooler had been moved and the sausage was gone, so I asked her if she'd packed things up. She said "No, why?" I replied with "Where'd the sausage go?" At that point in time, I caught the dog slinking
away with his tail between his legs. SONOFABITCH! The fucking dog at her sausage! Great way to start the trip, don't you agree?? LOL!

Well, we load what's left of the food and we're off! To QuikTrip. We top off the gas tank, grab some breakfast and we're off again! Yay!
Several dozen miles down the road (just inside Missouri) we stop again. Rice Chex and I have to pee, so we stop at Uncle Bob's gas station just off I-35. Quick pee and we're ready to go again. When we get back in the car, out of nowhere, Rice Chex pops up with this little diamond: "So here is something that disturbs me greatly...glass dildos?" This leads into a 20 minute discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of pyrex vs. silicone. Definitely interesting repertoir for the trip!


As we edge near Kansas City, our excitement begins to rise. And in our haste (and my bad memory) we end up going east on 70 instead of south on 35. After some very sketchy instincts kicked in, we did eventually find our way through the downtown area and discovered the Sprint Center.

We circled the joint about twelve times, argued about the hollowness of a particular corner as to whether buses could park in there and after unsuccessfully capturing the Boys on the billboard out front, we parked and I walked over to the sign to get my shot.


I hopped back in the car and we were off again. This time, despite our small turn-around south of downtown, we found Crown Center much more easily and spent the rest of the afternoon there. We drew pictures at the Crayola store, had lunch at A Streetcar Named Desire and perused the little shops before grabbing a custard and going to check in at the hotel.

A sampling of my art:


and Rice Chex with hers:
The hotel was amazing! We stayed at the Q in Westport and despite some issues with the key cards, we were HIGHLY impressed with it all. The only green hotel I've ever stayed at, but it was really awesome, except for the wall of ass in elevator one and the waify curtain of ass in elevator two. Gawd...what DIED?!

Our hotel offered us a free drink during social hour, so we each grabbed one, socialized a bit in the lobby and then headed off to dinner at Californo's, a little bistro just down the street from our hotel. I was skeptical about what they'd have that I would eat. I'm SO typically midwestern, it's scary. Everything seemed to have froof (my definition: shit I don't like surrounded with crap I wouldn't ever even try.) but I was starving, so I knew I had to find something. Being on a budget, I didn't want to spring $18 for a sandwich that I probably wouldn't like, so I settled on a salad. The girls ordered a fancy brie appetizer, which was very good. The dinners came and after feasting on the brie & crackers and taking into consideration the size of the portions, Silly decided that splitting her steak sandwich with me was a must-do. The mashed potatoes were to die for, too. By the time all was said and done, I have to give Californo's a two thumbs-up. They had open-mic night and while it was a VERY very small crowd, it was still a great time! The whole place was very quaint and cozy and I will totally go back next time we're in town.

(stay tuned for parts 2 - whatever...)

Faithful - JM

December 16th, 2008

A ‘FAITHFUL’ BLOG FROM JOE

"May your tree be green. May your ass be warm. May your faith be strong."

Is there any wonder why we love this man?

Leave Jon Alone!!!

Joe a'la Chris Crocker...lol
Posted, assumedly, in retaliation for Perez Hilton's attacks on band-mate Jonathan Knight. What a kick in the pants. LOL


Find more videos like this on New Kids on the Block

Jon's "WATSON" blog

From one of my favorite men on the Block, Jon Knight:

"It’s me once again! Driving to Denver Colorado tonight. It’s super cold and windy tonight. I feel like the “rolling submarine” has become a small plane in turbulence tonight. You know the feeling of driving down the road and your car is being blown back and forth………the lights are dimmed and everyone went to bed hours ago….someone from our camp is over on the couch snoring in a deep sleep…..no, it isn’t Jordan!!!!!!

Feels like it will be snowing any day now! The moon is full, it’s 5:30 am, I’m on some stretch of highway between Omaha and Denver, feeling very delirious!

On nights like this back home, I love to light a fire in my bedroom, slip into something comfortable after a warm bath and curl up in bed to watch a movie……of course my favorite girl is always right next to me…..I usually rub up and down her back telling her how much I love
her…….kissing her gently on her neck as we both drift off to sleep…. her body has a way of fitting itself right up close to mine like two pieces of a puzzle……. her silkie soft hair brushing
against my chest…….. her long legs stretched out in comfort…….. she always seems to wake me up at some point in the night…… she looks me in the eyes without speaking a word………..I love her for that…….She has the most beautiful eyes in the world…….she usually rolls over so I can stroke her chest ever so gently……..this gets her all wound up that she sometimes leaves a wet spot on our sheets……. she’s even gone as far as letting a nasty smell out of her tiny little ass! Then at that moment I break out the leather studded collar and chain……I know at that moment it could get freaky…… its nice and warm under the sheets……..Damn, should I give her what she wants?………. Should I just roll over and do it in the morning?………Oh damn, feels like the wet spot is getting bigger!!!!!……..She has my full attention now…..hold on, hold on, I’m gonna give her what she wants………. she is now barking orders at me as she lets out a loud howling
noise…..OMG……OMG……OMG…….. DAMN…………time to walk the dog!!!!!!!!

Maybe its time to get some sleep! Enjoy your day! I will so enjoy mine……….DAY OFF……. don’t hound me till Friday….. seriously!…. just keeping it real! HA! Hound me on here all you want
though…….. ENJOY!

with respect,
JK"

**Posted without permission from JK or NKOTB. Please don't sue me. It's just cute. I didn't want it to disappear into the recycling bin for all of eternity. :)**

Bird's Eye View

Ok...so this was at the Omaha show (a day after ours in KC), but can I just say, this view is the most AWESOME thing I've ever seen. I've often wondered what it must be like for them to go on stage every night to 15,000+ screaming women. Wanted to see what they see...wondered if they could even see us with all the lights in their eyes.

What a wonderful thing to have done for us: gave us a star's eye view from the stage.

You guys SO rock.

Jon's Answers - Part 2

October 30th, 2008

JON’s ANSWERS PT 2!

*How do you feel about turning 40?

……bring it on! Do you all agree that with age comes wisdom? I would
however take back my 20 year old body and keep my 40 year old mind! We
will be in Mexico working around my birthday. I will have to put off
the big bash I have planned until I have a break in December from
touring. I am flying a few friends down to Mexico to spend a few days
of rest with me…………big party to follow when I get back to the
states. I’m sure there will be plenty pictures to post online.

Ps. If you are planning on sending me a gift, I would rather you donate
your time or money to a local charity of your choice. I am more than
blessed when it comes to material things. Warm wishes mean more to me
than anything else!

* Who’s idea was it to do the butt?

Well for sure it wasn’t mine….. Don’t really know where or how it
came about…….ok lets just thank Danny for that one!

* Where do you practice Real Estate?

I was never a broker or salesperson if that’s what you meant…….I
have two real estate development companies I started one with a friend
of Jordan and I shortly after I left the New Kids. We build residential
buildings. If you look closely at the
Summertime video you will see him in the background in the tiki bar
scene. We thought it would be funny putting him in there. In the past we have had other
friends and family of the group make cameo’s.

*On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate Jordan as a brother, and why?

He would be high off the charts……..most of my entire life has been
spent with him on a daily basis. We have the closest relationship two
siblings could ever have! I also think he is one of the most talented
people ever! Jordan also has the best sense of humor. We laughed at the
picture of his doll in the hospital gown with the taped up leg, after
the Jordangate incident!

*What do you think about YouTube?**************************************

I think some of the stuff that gets posted on there is a waste of good
cyberspace. I personally don’t like it when it becomes an invasion of
your privacy. I will never feel comfortable having a candid
conversation in a crowd in public because you never know who is taping
you and where it will end up. I am afraid to even scratch my a** if it gets
itchy or pick my nose in public. It will be forever on You Tube. We all
are human and get itchy a** and booger nose……….I don’t feel
my personal private moments need to be shared with the rest of the
world?………and yes I check you Tube on a regular basis for such moments.
So far so good…..thanks for not posting!

* What kind of dog do you own?

I have a Jack Russell Terrier.

* How do you staying looking so young?

Well its not emu oil like someone suggested. Good lord, I saw a sign
tonight that read “I love Emu’s”……Ill never live this one down .
And yes, Emu meat does taste good!………I guess I’m just lucky and
was blessed with great
genes

*What color is your tractor?

Are you talking about my tractor or my “tractor”…………my tractor
is a John Deere so it’s yellow and green! That’s the real tractor, get
it
right, don’t want you to think I have some funky stuff going on
downstairs that has my “tractor” all yellow and green…..!

* If the New Kids had a farting contest who would win?

………….are we talking about the noise or the smell. Hands down
Donnie and Danny blow the nastiest smelling gas, always when you least
expect it. WOW I’m a grown man talking about farts. I guess this
reunion really does have us all feeling like teenagers again!

*You have been all over the world, where is your favorite place?

Home is where the heart is………but I love Australia and Japan.
I would love if we are able to get to both these places this time
around.

* Do you like cats?

I do but I am so allergic to them! I think the whole litter box thing
is kinda sick! I am definitely a dog person!

*What is the dancers name that dances on the piano?

Her name is Sunny, she is amazing! Sunny is the
assistant choreographer for the tour. She came up with a lot of the
moves you see on stage. She has danced on many tours. A true talent
and a great friend to us 5 guys!

* How many horses do you have?

We have 15 of them. My Mother and I love horses. She takes care of
them. It is amazing waiting and watching the foals being born.

* What is your favorite time of day, sunrise or sunset?

Being I have the worst sleeping patterns, I often get to enjoy both on
a regular basis. Sunrise is by far the better of the two!

* Do you have any good hangover cures?

Simple…….. don’t drink so much to cause a hangover

* I remember hearing a rumor back in the day about a sex tape, was it
true?

yet another rumor, didn’t know that one was around. I’d be happy to
make one…….any volunteers. I can even include some barn yard
critters if your into that stuff…….siiiiiiiick!!!!!!

*Target or Walmart?

They both serve the purpose, but Target is usually where I end up!
Didn’t think you all would be shopping at the one across from the
Allstate Arena! All I wanted was some new socks……..Thank god for
Walmart the next day!

* What do you do when your bored and cant sleep!

Well, I know what I will be doing for the next few weeks. Other than
that I usually sit through all those boring late night info-mercials
kicking myself for not inventing half that crap the are trying to sell!

*What is the craziest item you have received from a fan? Where can we
send stuff to you?

Like I said earlier I prefer you put your gifts to a better use, but
just in case. I love toys, warm clothes and blankets, food, school
supplies, etc, etc…… My address is Jonathan Knight C/O any local
hospital, shelter, school, or food pantry.

*What size shoe do you wear and how tall are you?

11 and 5′11″

*What are you doing to lessen your impact on the environment?

That’s an awesome question, we all need to ask ourselves! Wow, the
list could go on and on, It’s all really just a matter of common sense
and keeping yourself aware as to what you are doing that has a negative
impact on our planet.

*I noticed that sometimes you put your glasses on and put your hoodie
up when there are a lot of people around. Do you do that because all
the attention is too much and you want to distance yourself from all
those people?

Sometimes….. I try to think I can blend into the crowd and not be
bothered. It gets tiring at times always being bombarded. Especially
when I am at our hotel. The hotel is the only place that can be like
home while on the road. Other times I may have just rolled out of bed
and don’t care to show my face

* When this thing was started by Donnie did you immediately say yes or
did you have to think about it? And how long?

Well this thing wasn’t started by Donnie, he did find our first song
though! We all started this……….I didn’t say yes right away, we
all discussed everything in depth before we made the choice to do a
reunion album and tour.

* What is the most important item you brought from home with you?

My pillow, my computer, and my cell phone!

* Do you believe in ghosts or the paranormal? Have you ever been to a
psychic?

To some extent I do. It is a fact that energy never ends it just
changes form. It can’t be possible that we are the only life forms in
the universe…….been to a psychic?…….. yes, but only for my own
amusement!

and on that note….Hope you all have a great Halloween!

Stay tuned for more……………….

Jon's Answers - Part 1

October 20th, 2008

JON’s ANSWERS PT 1!

Wow! I must admit I never expected over 2000 posts in less
than a twenty four hour span. Looks like I’m gonna be a busy man the
next few weeks………..

I might need to write a book. Some of these questions could fill an
entire chapter. Never thought so many people would have such an interest in my
life. I will start off with the easy questions and save the juicy ones
for a later date. Guess you’ll have to keep checking in from time to
time to see if you got your answer. Well, here goes my answers to your
questions. I would be unfair if I didn’t answer the first question to
come in first, so here it is……..

*Are you an Episcopalian?

Yes, Jordan and I were raised Episcopalian. Our Dad is an Episcopalian
minister. Our first experiences with singing were in our church choir.

*What has been your most favorite part of this reunion?

There are so many favorites to this whole thing, I guess my favorite is
the reaction from all of you followed by having my relationship with
Danny, Joe, and Donnie back on track. I love these guys like they are
my brothers. Jordan, well we have always been close!

*How has it been going from the business world to back on stage?

It was a very hard transition for me to make. I miss work so much but
my company is in great hands until I can jump back in. I have two very
great partners and I can’t thank them enough for understanding my
desire
to do this reunion. Thank god for the Internet. I began two projects
last week by having pictures sent to me on the road.

*What possessed you to buy 30 Emus?

I’ve always been a country boy at heart. I am so happy to have had the
opportunity to purchase a farm during the early days of NKOTB. I love
animals. I went through what I call my Michael Jackson phase. I had to
have anything and everything exotic as far as animals were concerned.
At one time these were the animals I owned, sheep, goats , llamas, long
horned cattle, miniature donkeys, ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons,
swans, horses,emus, and a cross between a donkey and a zebra. I was
told by the farmer I bought it from it was a Zedonk. Go figure! I came
very close to buying an elephant but found out they need a huge heated
barn and a massive cement enclosure to keep them put. Needless to say,
I’m glad my elephant phase passed quickly!

*Nikko?

Wow, he led the pack!! And yes that was his real name. The day he
passed away was one of the saddest moments of my life. He is buried in
a special place and has a place in my heart forever!

*Coke or Pepsi?

Can’t say I like either now that I am an adult, if I do get the urge
its definitely Coke! Don’t you remember our commercial back in the day?

*”Shaved”, “trimmed”, or “au naturel”?

HA! Most men do what we call manscaping these days…….The “Tractor”
is well……but definitely no bald tires……who would do that?

*Am I Happy?

Absolutely, what a great life I have! Do I seem un-happy?……….. I
wouldn’t change a thing

*Are we going to do another album and tour?

Lets get through this one first! We are all open to the idea, I guess
that’s up to you to make it happen.

*What is you and Jordan’s Nationality?

Jordan and I were born to Canadian parents. We are of English, Irish,
Scottish, and German decent.

* What’s you favorite drink at Starbucks?

Well I’m not proud of my addictions, neither is Danny for that matter.
He always tells me to “get off the crack”
It is plain old iced coffee, large, with three Splenda, and cream!

*What ever happened to Biscuit?

While spinning around on the B stage during our show in Vegas, I
spotted him at the sound board. It was great to see him after the
concert and catch up!

………………. Stay tuned for more!!!!!

Joe Checks in from Toronto

I’m sitting in section 120 row 14 seat 10 at the arena in Toronto. I’m the only one in the stands as I watch the stage being put together for a New Kids on the Block concert. Wow. I see it slowly coming together. Light rigs being strung up. They just rolled out the floor for the stage. Just now, the first flash as they test the massive light rig. One of the toughest things of being a part of amazing productions and shows and performances is that sometimes you feel like it went too fast, like you didn’t quite enjoy it as much as you could have. So help me God, I will drink this up. A wonderful life, a beautiful wife, a son. And a world tour with 4 guys that go beyond any description that could explain the connection I have with them. And the people that have made this new journey possible… You. So help me God, I’m gon’ drink this up.
-jm

A return to 1988

Twenty years ago, I would drag myself out of bed to catch their latest appearance on the Today show. Groggy and dreary-eyed, I'd impatiently wait out the drab discussions of politics, financial futures and Jane Pauley's kitchy comments on fashion. Finally....there they were! New Kids on the Block! They looked SO good! Gorgeous as ever!

That was twenty years ago. Since then, I've gotten married, had kids, gone through a divorce, dealt with the death of my parents...and a college education...and a career...or six. Yet in the back of my closet, like that hideous bridesmaid dress than won't die, there sits The Box.

Black Sharpie marker has been scrawled across the top of The Box in a script I barely recognize. "NKOTB." Inside The Box are tour photo books, a complete set of every picture I ever took at their concerts (despite that pesky little sign at every venue that read "Recording devices of any kind are prohibited"), pins...pins, pins, pins and more pins, posters - thousands of them according to my last "tally sheet," tshirts, trading cards and even shoestrings. I was a complete fanatic. I was. I'm still a fan. I admit it. It's tough, though. Damn, it's tough.

Why?

Simply put? Because I care too damn much what people think.

Because my relationship with the New Kids on the Block was a love/hate relationship back then. I gave them devotion, loyalty and unconditional love. In return, they got me teased and ridiculed every day of my teenage life. I don't know of a single fan that didn't get teased immercifully. We heard all the fag jokes. We rolled our eyes at all the rumors. We defended our boys at every turn. We defended ourselves, too.

Boys hated NKOTB and girls competed for them. And we were a seriously competitive group. Wow. The race riots of LA had nothing on crazed fans. But I stuck in there. I listened to their music, bought their video tapes, wore their t-shirts, collected their trading cards. I spent $40 a month on magazines to ensure I hadn't missed a single poster. I was loyal, damnit! We all were!

Then things started to change. Music stopped getting played on the radio. Videos weren't making the MTV countdowns. Their faces were being replaced with different ones on the covers of Bop and Teen Beat. And slowly....the blaze turned to a small flicker...and then it blew out altogether.

They broke up.

Some of them stayed in the "Biz" - doing Broadway or movies, producing music for other artists; there were even a couple of solo album attempts. One of left show business altogether and ended up in real estate development.

I can't answer for anyone else, but I felt betrayed. We gave them everything we had....and they left us. That was hard for me to swallow, even if I was old enough to know better.

A few months ago, I got an email from a friend of mine. "OH my God, you're not going to BELIEVE this! Go check this out!! www.nkotb.com" Was she kidding? I went to the website. It was a single page site with nothing but a countdown-type clock and a groovy little tune playing in the background. Was this some asshole's idea of a joke? They broke up. They've got their own lives now. What is this all about?

My curiosity partnered up with that old-time devotion and I signed up for the newsletter. A few weeks later, I, along with the rest of the nation, heard the rumors....a comeback...a new album...a reunion tour.

I went from 33 to 14 all over again.

I went to the website again yesterday and read some of the new information that got posted. I ran across this quote:

"Now that the five Kids are standing together and planning to hit the road with a new show, simply reviving the old hits isn’t enough. “No, I want this to be redemption — but not for us,” Wahlberg explains. “I want it to be redemption for the fans. I want them to feel entertained, to feel treated to something special. And I want them to be so satisfied by what they get that they’ll realize they weren’t crazy all those years ago — that they put their heart into the right place back then and that it was worth the wait to come back again.”

Redemption.

They were paying attention.

They did notice us.

They did care.

Huh.

This morning, my alarm went off shortly before 7am and I rolled over and clicked on the remote. Groggy and dreary-eyed, I impatiently waited out the drab discussions of politics, commentary about the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr's death and Meredith Viera's kitchy comments on finances. Finally....there they were! New Kids on the Block! They STILL looked good! Gorgeous as ever! The years have been kind to them.

Guess what they say is true: Everything old is new again...

One thing they forgot to mention: I'm too old for this shit. *yawn*

The rumors are true

For once, all the rumors are actually true.

“The Right Stuff” really is — at long last — returning to your block. Thankfully, this time, it’s all happening in the right way too.

New Kids On The Block — five now fully-grown men who forever defined what the modern boy band would look and sound like — are back together for the very first time in nearly a decade and a half, and currently hard at work on their first new album since 1994. That still untitled album should be released sometime this summer, preceded by the New Kid’s first new single since the Nineties, and followed in the fall by an already hotly anticipated international concert tour.

On a March afternoon, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood are gathered together, hanging tough all over again in a small Los Angeles studio looking a little older, but still youthful, fit and anxious to not simply celebrate their musical legacy, but also add something new and personally meaningful to it. In the late Eighties and early Nineties, while still teenagers themselves, New Kids on the Block became a phenomenon, selling over 70 million albums – including the back-to-back international number one efforts, 1988’s Hangin’ Tough and 1990’s Step By Step — and a series of crossover smash R&B, pop hits like “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “Cover Girl,” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “Hangin’ Tough,” “I’ll Be Loving You,” “Step By Step” and “Tonight” — as well as countless number of concert tickets, t-shirts and even lunchboxes to primarily female kids around the world. Then under the guidance of producer Maurice Starr who had previously brought the world New Edition, the New Kids made a tremendous impact on the culture very quickly.

“I think history has looked upon us fondly,” say McIntyre. “I wouldn’t say we were important, but people do now see our place in pop history. We’ve read that we ..begat the boy bands” like Backstreet Boys and N’Sync. And in a way, those groups have all made us more contemporary. They made us younger in a way by putting us in their generation. But hey, what about New Edition? There would be no New Kids without them. And of course, the Jackson Five begat New Edition. So I guess we were really just the first white boy band.”

These days, four of the five Kids have kids themselves, as well as assorted careers and lives of their own, and so their decision to reunite had been an adult if joyful one that they’ve taken very seriously. That’s why this time around – even with the assistance of a great new team including Interscope Records and the Azoff Management team, it’s the original Kids themselves who have taken charge of their own destiny with new music that they found and funded themselves.

“We’re not kids, we’re just the guys now,” Donnie Wahlberg says with a smile as he takes a break from the recording sessions that started this past winter and have taken on a momentum of its own this spring. Long the hold out from any sort of New Kids On The Block reunion, Wahlberg – who has enjoyed considerable success as a constantly working actor in the intervening years – has long made it clear that he had absolutely no interest in simply cashing in on the Kid’s good name. “We’ve had so many offers from so many people over the years, but I’ve always protected the asset,” he says. “We never sold the New Kids house to anyone. And until we got together in a recording studio in Orlando two months ago, I haven’t even been in the same room with these five guys for fifteen years.”

And this time, it’s the boys – make that, the men – in the group who are in charge.

“We took the initiative instead of going out and asking for help from a label or anyone,” McIntyre explains. “We just started recording because we wanted to and because we were ready. We started doing this from the ground up –just us.”

The brand new New Kids album was really sparked when Wahlberg was in New York for a costume fitting for the upcoming film Righteous Kill that finds him living out another life-long dream by acting in a film alongside two of his greatest heroes, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino as well as 50 Cent. Finding himself around the block, Wahlberg visited the office of his longtime music lawyer who handed him a demo tape of a young singer-songwriter name Nazeree. Since the days of New Kids — and his time producing hits in the early Nineties for his brother Mark as Markey Mark and The Funky Bunch – Wahlberg has been handed a mountain of demos in his time and he took the offering with absolutely no expectations.

Putting the CD on while driving a few days later, Wahlberg heard two songs that spoke to him powerfully. “I got in the car in Boston on my birthday and I popped it in,” he recalls. “ The first song was called ..Click, Click, Click’ and from the minute it started, it just grabbed me. I kept waiting for this kid to falter, but he never did. Not only that – I immediately recognized that Joey McIntryre is going to love this record, Jordan Knight is going to love this record and I love this record. The music speaks to all of our sensibilities, but they’re all totally different. It was hip-hop and honest enough for me. It was soulful enough for Jordan and pop and unselfish enough for Joe. It just had it all. I spent the next few hours driving up to girls at red lights and playing them the song. They said, ..Is that your song? I said ..Not yet.’”

After years of blocking any reunion, Wahlberg was suddenly energized and drove to Jordan Knight’s house that night and played him the songs, “I told him. ..Jordan, this could be the moment right here.’ Jordan heard ..Click, Click, Click’ and he loved it. Then I emailed them to Joe and the same reaction — and more importantly his wife cried. So I pulled out my checkbook and we started going.”

What had started was more like a mission than a comeback.

“See what I discovered is that the self-respect I have as an actor was hard to have in music,” Wahlberg explains. “Parts of what we went through were kind of prefabricated – though the whole New Kids machine only started once we got the ball rolling. It was grass roots before that. Maurice Starr was the guy behind our success, but we were in it from day one. So over the years, I’ve often thought I’d like to experience the group with that feeling of self-respect — instead of just the fame and hysteria, so it’s not about just getting something back, but about really doing something.”

In the months that followed, Wahlberg and the other Kids would collaborate closely with Nazaree, who turned out to be a New Kids fan since childhood, as well as other gifted producers and writers including Bryan-Michael Cox, Emanuel Kiriakou, RedOne and Fernando on an new album that blends the melodic soul of vintage New Kids with a decidedly contemporary, hip hop feel.

“Donnie was right,” McIntyre explains. “The new music we’re making reignited this whole thing so it’s not just cashing in on pure nostalgia for the old days.”

Of the group’s demise back in the mid-Nineties, McIntyre explains, “We were just fried. What happened to us in the span of a couple years was mind-blowing, and no one really knew what it was. We were learning as it went. A lot of groups today know the mold and plan accordingly. We didn’t start out with the idea that in two years we’d be playing stadiums. So by the end of our touring obligations in like 1992, we just want to go home. We had moved on and then music had totally moved on. Grunge happened. Rock and roll came back. We never slammed the door shut – we just sort of walked away. And at that point, we weren’t exactly going to hold a press conference because no one really cared.”

“It’s the thing about being in a boy band,” Wahlberg says. “In some ways we were much more in control than people could ever imagine back then. But in some ways, you can’t control anything.”

In the studio today, all five seem to be getting along and contributing something to the whole.

“I think the thing with us is that we always hung onto the fact that we were buddies first,” Joey McIntyre explains. “This wasn’t a cattle call or a reality show. The point is this wasn’t a business first. It’s wasn’t even a business second. This was a business last. And in the end, we stayed friends and didn’t judge each other two much, which could get frustrating. But the pay off for that is that almost 20 years later, we can get together, hang out and have fun. It’s different now, it’s a little more planned out and professional, but we’re still a bunch of guys who love doing this and want every show to be our best.”

Now that the five Kids are standing together and planning to hit the road with a new show, simply reviving the old hits isn’t enough. “No, I want this to be redemption — but not for us,” Wahlberg explains. “I want it to be redemption for the fans. I want them to feel entertained, to feel treated to something special. And I want them to be so satisfied by what they get that they’ll realize they weren’t crazy all those years ago — that they put their heart into the right place back then and that it was worth the wait to come back again.”

Make no mistake; the New Kids intend to play all the familiar hits – along with some brand new ones too. “Our old songs aren’t necessarily standards — they were pretty sweet — but it’s going to be fun in a live show. People come to hear that music, so we’re going to sing it with basically the same sound. We’re not doing a reggae version of our three biggest hits because when I see that, it pisses me off. Even I’m like ..Spare me.’ We have something like ten top ten hits, which is amazing. So if we do those and five new songs, we’ll have a hell of a show. We will give the people what they want to hear.

So what will a New Kids On The Block concert look like in 2008?

“ We’re still young, we’re still hot,” McIntryre answers with a laugh. “Our fans are between 25 and 35 now because they were really young then. They’re still very attractive — and very legal. So it’s going to be a girls night out. I know my wife’s going to be there every step of the way, but it’s still going to be fun.”

Yes, the wait has been a long one, but it won’t be much longer now.

“The snowball is getting pretty big,” McIntrye adds as he and his four old friends get back to work. “And it’s heading down the mountain now.”