Brian Littrell
Brian Thomas Littrell (born February 20, 1975[1]) is an American singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys. In the late 1990s and early 2000s his participation in the Backstreet Boys catapulted him into super-stardom as the band sold over 200 million albums. He is also a contemporary Christian recording artist and released a solo album, Welcome Home, in 2006.
Brian Littrell was born in Lexington, Kentucky to Jackie and Harold Littrell.[1] He has an older brother, Harold Littrell, Jr. At five, he took a tumble from his Big Wheel tricycle that his doctors later assumed signified the start of a bacterial infection that began circulating in his blood. Nevertheless, Brian seemed perfectly fit. A few weeks later at his grandparents' house, Brian was messing around with his older brother when he slipped and fell, sustaining a nasty bump to his head. Worried that he might have a concussion, his mother took him to the hospital where the doctors discovered Brian's affliction. Brian was admitted immediately and started on a course of medication that the doctors doubted would cure him. The infection had gone too far, they said. The doctors actually told Brian's parents to prepare themselves for the worst.[2] But faith sustained his family as Brian remained in hospital for two months gradually recovering. Not only was it the loneliest time of his life, but he admits that he sometimes still has nightmares about it. The doctors called Brian's recovery nothing short of a miracle. "I think everyone is here for a reason," Brian has said. "I think it's destiny why we're all here together."
He began singing as a child in his Baptist church and attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington. Littrell's cousin, Kevin Richardson, moved to Orlando, Florida, during Littrell's teenage years. Richardson had gone to Orlando to find a job in the entertainment industry. After being chosen as one of the Backstreet Boys, Richardson recommended his cousin to the band members and management. Even though Littrell was planning on attending Cincinnati Bible College and studying to become a youth pastor,[3] he was convinced by Richardson to go to Florida and audition.[3] Eventually, he was chosen as the fifth member of the band.
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Littrell decided to make a Christian album and become a contemporary Christian singer, while maintaining his duties as the lead singer of the Backstreet Boys. In the summer of 2005 Brian's solo single "In Christ Alone" went to #1 on the Christian Charts on July 4 and Littrell was the winner of the 2006 GMA Music Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year, "In Christ Alone," which won both the 1993 award in this category (when recorded by Michael English) and the 1994 Song of the Year at the GMA Music Awards. Brian's first solo album, Welcome Home (You) was released on May 2, 2006, which like the Backstreet Boys projects, is a Sony BMG release. The album peaked at #74 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Christian Charts, and has currently sold over 100,000 copies[1]. Three singles were released from the album. The first single "Welcome Home (You)" reached #2 on the US Christian Charts and #1 on Reach FM's Top 40 chart and the R&R Christian Inspirational Chart staying there for 3 weeks. The second single from the album was "Wish" and in 2007 the third single "Over My Head" was released.
On September 27, 2006, he shared his testimony and performed at the Crystal Cathedral. The service was broadcast around the world on the Hour of Power television program and seen by an estimated 20 million viewers.
On May 10, 2007 he received an award from the Crystal Cathedral for being a positive role model using his music to touch lives in the pop and Christian market, and using his foundation to help children.
On June 15, 1997, Littrell met model and aspiring actress Leighanne Wallace at the video shoot for their single "As Long As You Love Me." He proposed on Christmas night of 1999 and they were married on September 2, 2000. Both are committed evangelical Christians. They have one child, son Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell, who lately recovered from Kawasaki disease.
