Backstreet Boys, Los Lonely Boys to perform
Move over, B.K. Jackson. Major League Baseball is bringing in some national acts for the first two games of the World Series here.
The Backstreet Boys will sing the national anthem at Game 1 on Wednesday night, according to team fan experience director Darcy Raymond. The group has a Tampa Bay connection since Nick Carter is a native of Tampa.
Los Lonely Boys, known for the hit Heaven, will perform the anthem in Game 2.
Military personnel from the Tampa area will perform God Bless America in the seventh inning of both Games.
Throwing out the first pitch will be Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart. Stewart was a St. Petersburg City Council member back on July 24, 1986, who voted with five others to build the stadium even when the area didn't have a team.
While Jackson, 17, had played the anthem on his sax for several games in the playoffs, Major League Baseball wanted to go with a more national group for the World Series.
Throwing out the pitch for the second game with be Gen. David Patraeus, who is scheduled to take over U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base and who was the top commander in Iraq.
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Wow they did a really great job, absolutely stunning
Posted by: Monica | November 05, 2008 at 04:00 PM
On the other hand, I thought Los Lonely Boys did a fine job last night. Respectful and traditional. But, really, could MLB (or the Rays, whomever controls these things) not go a little more out of their way to get performers to do the National Anthem? LLB just HAPPENED to be in town last night to play at Jannus Landing, right down the street. It just seems like they could have gone a little more out of their way. Maybe they will, if the Series comes back here next week.
Posted by: MikeD | October 24, 2008 at 07:45 AM
The best part of the Backstreet Boys butchering the National Anthem?
Watching the Backstreet Boys realize they are getting boo'ed on national TV, and realizing they have to finish the song.
Priceless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLInHgNohos
Posted by: | October 24, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Can you picture the thousands of talented singers across America watching the the World Series opener on Wednesday night, screaming "Why can't I get a shot?" at their TVs as the BSB embarrassed themselves and our country with a horrible rendition of the national anthem?
Posted by: | October 24, 2008 at 06:27 AM
BSB fans or not, you've got to admit that was one of the worst National Anthems ever.
Show some respect for the Anthem. it isn't just "another song" that a performer can put their personal styling upon. It is the song representing our nation. When I go to a ballgame, i take my hat off and sing along. . .how could someone sing to THAT?
I liken the National Anthem to a musical equivalent of our flag. If one was to come out "presenting the colors" before a game and fashion a creative hat out of it as their own was of "stylishly" presenting the flag, it would be the same sort of disrespect.
Posted by: blaze | October 23, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I love the Backstreet Boys. They are amazing. If you don't like them, don't leave a hateful comment.
Posted by: | October 23, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Alright lets get things straight.
They are called the Tampa Bay rays because
1. tampa is a much more known town then St. Pete.
2. The team is a bay area team. The lightning when the were first started played in the trop and nobody asked any questions about them being a Tampa team.
And also for all this crap with the backstreet boys, Nick grew up on a small island in St. Pete known as Tierra Verde.
and also, both the Backstreet Boys and Los Lonely boys were excellent bands and if you could get out there and perform as well as they could then you have the right to complain.
Posted by: Adam | October 23, 2008 at 03:37 PM
WOW that was bad and embarassing to say the least. Los Lonely Boys tonight? Give me a freakin' break. Obviously MLB hates the Rays to choose these 2 groups to sing. Who the heck are they going to get if there's a game # 7?? What about Games 2-4, will they dig up Sylvester Stallone and parade him around the field.??
Posted by: Ashamed Rays Fan | October 23, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Just watched the backstreet boys on you tube and they did an amazing version of your national anthem.
Butchered raped and murdered,excuse me while i burst out laughing!!!Certainly not my definition of the above things!!How was it pathetic,not many groups can sing acapela so well live in a stadium so large and carry there voices so well.Especially Brian and Nick who were fantastic.
Yeah fair enough if you dont all like there music, but they clearly can sing and harmonize so-well and they work hard at what they do.Jelousy still springs to mind,notice all the bad comments are from men!!!!
Posted by: sezza | October 23, 2008 at 01:16 PM
I Think that the backstreet boys did great work on singing the national anthem. Unfortunately I do not like the hate comments about AJ, Brian, Howie,and Nick. We can't forget about kevin. Kevin has not come back to the group because he has to "start a family" with his wife. He has been a great cousin to Brian and brother to AJ< HOWIE< AND NICK AND HE NEEDS SUPPORT FROM THEM AND US
Posted by: catherine benincasa | October 23, 2008 at 11:47 AM
those bsb haters....they don't know anything about who the real singers are...bsb forever
Posted by: velika | October 23, 2008 at 12:52 AM
bsb alright!!.they are sooooo great with good voices than who? justin timberlake?
Posted by: susan | October 23, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Why do people pick on these guys? They sing tight harmonies, dance well and have worked long and hard to be as good as they are. If you don't like their music or their style, you're entitled to your own taste or lack thereof, but to show such blatant disrespect for talent and hard work merely displays your ignorance.
Posted by: Rick | October 22, 2008 at 11:56 PM
all u people are just jealous...the backstreet boys are an amazing group that has been around for a long time and are still going strong...thats why they sell out all their shows around the world...so sit back and watch the phillies win!GO PHILLIES
Posted by: kelly | October 22, 2008 at 11:47 PM
When I heard who was going to sing the National Anthem tonight, I have to admit it annoyed me. The Backstreet Boys suck but I never imagined it could have been that bad. The Backstreet Boys didn't just "butcher" the anthem. They raped and murdered it, then left it face down in a dirty gutter. They made our anthem sound, well, like a Backstreet Boys song. As an American, I have never been so insulted by a butchering of the National Anthem. At least the Rosanne Barr version was intentionally bad. The Backstreet Boys disgraced the anthem in a much more disgustingly sincere way.
Posted by: Kenny D. | October 22, 2008 at 11:32 PM
I'm not a Backstreet Boys Hater. But I think they owe America a huge apology for doing our National Anthem such an injustice. That was a terrible buthering of our Star Spangled Banner.
Posted by: Will | October 22, 2008 at 08:47 PM
that was hands down the worst rendition of the national anthem EVER. I am so pissed about that
Posted by: will | October 22, 2008 at 08:36 PM
That was disgusting. There are some songs that should never be changed. The National Anthem is one of them. If you are going to change it, make it sound decent. That was pathetic!!!
Posted by: baseballhawk | October 22, 2008 at 08:27 PM
That was horrible. Worse then Roseanne Barr's rendition.
Posted by: American Soldier | October 22, 2008 at 08:22 PM
I'm glad that the Backstreet Boys are performing the national anthem tonight ! They're really successful boy band of all time! keep the backstreet pride alive you guys. they've had sold out concerts and millions and millions of CD's sold.. <33 I love them forever
Posted by: Kim | October 22, 2008 at 05:41 PM
actually BSB has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and just as they have matured so has their sound and not many musicians can do that.
Posted by: dis dood | October 22, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Hey, after searching the backstreet boys on google i came across this link to this page and wish i had not.
I have just read some of your comments on the bsb performing the national anthem of you country and shocked & digusted by some of them.I cant believe you are so rude and ignorant about a group,whom some of you have not even heard sing live.Im from England so have no interest in baseball but will watch them on you tube anyway.But cannot believe how unpatriotic you are of a group of men who represent the people in your country so well.We went to see them recently in concert twice in the uk and for all you bsb haters they were fantastic,sounded perfect,lovely guys who did your country proud.(ah i wish more English men were like them!!!)Dont understand why your bitching about a group thats sold over $70 million albums and been going for 15 years.Guessing most of you are jealous men who secretly given the chance would love to have there life.
Thought Americans were supposed to be proud of there own citizens who are sucessfull??? , especially Nick carter who is from your own state.
I think they will be great as always!!!
Posted by: Sezza | October 22, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Jimbo is an idiot. I hear he is even rooting for both teams to win!
Posted by: unfriendlyfire | October 22, 2008 at 02:12 PM
is that you bryan miller fat boy?
Posted by: trillionaire | October 22, 2008 at 01:43 PM
I know the Backstreet Boys will do a great job singing the National Anthem tonight! Cant wait to see it :D
Posted by: Flavia | October 22, 2008 at 12:30 PM
BK Jackson was awesome. Contrary to Jason's comments, the kid is not "cursed." As a matter of fact, he played in more games than 1 and 6 and THEY WON!!! Don't hate on a 17 year old kid. I agree 100% with Phil. "He may not be a national artist YET, but he is 100% times better that the Backstreet Boys."
Posted by: Fran | October 22, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Seriously, there are a lot of ignorant comments in here. Most of the people saying these negative remarks about BSB most likely haven't actually taken the time to listen to them sing. They have great voices. Sure, many of you may not like their music, and that's fine...not everyone will, but that doesn't mean they can't sing.
Posted by: Rayven | October 22, 2008 at 08:15 AM
The backstreet boys are a good vocal group. Look beyond the fact that yes they were a pop "boyband" in the 90's but that's the point, that was 15 years ago and they are still around doing what they do best...singing!!!
Posted by: | October 22, 2008 at 01:00 AM
I like boys.
Posted by: Bryan | October 21, 2008 at 11:55 PM
This is some paltry fare, my friends (all credit to Sen. McCain).
Surely Philly and Tampa Bay can do better. And, Amanda, I love and adore you, honey. Your message at 1:00 a.m. after Game 7 was perfect, priceless and eternal - the perfect exclamation point on an historic night.
But, sugar, the back street boys suck.
xxxxoooo
Posted by: CrackerJack | October 21, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Looks like lots of BSB fans have grown up to like them for their music and stellar singing voices since 1999. But too bad some people haven't gotten new insults since 1999. I enjoy their singing (yes I'm a fan). It's nice to hear them singing the national anthem at another game again.
Posted by: Anna | October 21, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Way to go Boys!!! I wish I could come up to the Trop tomorrow and see you! GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Autumn | October 21, 2008 at 10:10 PM
All of you need to grow up, and just try to enjoy it. They have been together for a while, so that must mean they are doing something that they are suppose to. And, there is still people that like them. Don't boo them because they are known as the "Backstreet Boys" which sounds like a teeny bopper group just like them for who they are. You wouldn't like people putting you down so knock it off.
Posted by: Jenny | October 21, 2008 at 09:15 PM
haha Janie you know it ;)
Posted by: Jules | October 21, 2008 at 05:15 PM
what's wrong with you people?!!! NIck is a native Tampa resident,still has friends there. This has all been expected from the Haters... hataaaaaaaaaaas!! get over it!! BSB will be performing if your NOT a fan of them,just keep your mouth shut!! We don't really appreciate you guys for being sooooooo nega about this,give them a break!! THey can still sing and rock the stage!!!
Posted by: allyson | October 21, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Hey assrugs, why so much hate? Stop killing the high around here. Be happy that it will be a local. Did you forget that Nick can outsing you, your mamma, and everyone you know or something?? So smile and RAYS the roof cuz Philly is goin' down!!
:) :) :) :)
Posted by: Jules | October 21, 2008 at 05:09 PM
This is so dumb. Who cares. They have nice voices, it'll be a nice rendition, I am sure. Now let's talk baseball.
Posted by: 9equals8.com | October 21, 2008 at 04:54 PM
That´s great!!!
Backstreet Boys are amazing!!!
Posted by: Camila | October 21, 2008 at 04:47 PM
all I can say is . . . squeeeeeeeee!
Posted by: MikeD | October 21, 2008 at 04:45 PM
The Backstreet Boys sang the National Anthem at the Superbowl XXXV Tampa Bay. They did a great job.
Posted by: Amanda | October 21, 2008 at 04:42 PM
can you say "Too Much, Too Much Time on my HAnds"?
Posted by: Harold | October 21, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Thanks Maris. And to all the BSB naysayers - as recently as 2004 the guys did a benefit concert for the victims of the Florida hurricanes.
They remember the place where they got their start.
Posted by: misha | October 21, 2008 at 04:39 PM
We wanted that Gig. Darn Backdoor Boys!
Posted by: 98 Degrees | October 21, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Nick went to Miles Elementary in Tampa. So did Bobbie Jean, Leslie, Angel and Aaron. So they were Tampa natives before they moved to Ruskin. And by the way, Nick was one of the first performers at age 10 to perform at the Grand Opening of the convention Center. He won first Place in the first Talent Contest held at the St. Pete Pier. Nick has always loved and supported the entire Tampa Bay area and all of it's sports teams.
Just because they aren't as big as they used to be back in their teen years, doesn't mean they don't still have the talent to deliver what I would guarantee will be a flawless delivery of the National Anthem for the Rays first game. We here in Tampa should embrace them as the true talent they really are. And yes, they are very much a piece of Tampa history.
Posted by: janie | October 21, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I thought you were a chubby chaser since my mom is pushing four bills. Make sure her LARK is charged!
Posted by: Sully | October 21, 2008 at 04:30 PM
It was nice talking with everyone today, I am logging off now. I have to go pick up Sully's Mom for our date.
Posted by: Bryan | October 21, 2008 at 04:25 PM
I vote for Barry Melrose!
Posted by: Sully | October 21, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Nevermind, I vote for Sully.
Posted by: Barry Melrose | October 21, 2008 at 04:22 PM
my vote is JIMBO. It was close though.
Posted by: Barry Melrose | October 21, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Bryan think of this, why aren't these teams named...
Oakland Warriors
St. Paul Wild
East Rutherford Giants
East Rutherford Jets
Auburn Hills Pistons
Glendale Cardinals
Irving Cowboys
Miami Gardens Dolphins
Landover Redskins
You get the point. There are plenty of teams that do not use the exact name of their city. Tampa Bay describes a region not a city. You're an idiot Internet troll. Get a life loser!
Posted by: Sully | October 21, 2008 at 04:20 PM