The core of the BACKSTREET BOYS was comprised of cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell, both of whom hailed from Lexington, KY. Two of the group's other members, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, were natives of Orlando, FL, who met each other -- as well as transplanted New Yorker and fifth Backstreeter Nick Carter -- through auditions for local commercials, theater, and television. At one audition, the three discovered that they shared an affection for classic soul and could harmonize well together. In no time, they were singing as a trio. Shortly after the trio had formed, Richardson moved to Orlando, where he became a tour guide at Disney World and concentrated on music at night. Eventually, he met Dorough, Carter, and McLean through a co-worker, and the four decided to form a group, naming themselves after an Orlando flea market. Littrell was later invited to join and make the band into a quintet.
With the help of Louis J. Pearlman, the BACKSTREET BOYS secured management from Donna and Johnny Wright, the latter of whom had managed New Kids on the Block during the 1980s. Jive/Zomba set the Backstreet Boys up with producers Veit Renn and Tim Allen, and they labored over the album with the band for several months. The group's eponymous album was released in late 1995 and enjoyed considerable

success, spending several weeks in the Top Ten in most continental countries where it charted. In the U.K., the BACKSTREET BOYS were named "Best Newcomers of 1995”.