Nashville – Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell will make his first foray into the Christian music market next fall when he releases his debut solo album.
Littrell is talking to producers, but hasn’t nailed anyone down. He does have some songwriters in mind, though.
“I would like to collaborate with Michael W. Smith,” he says. “We’ve been talking about that for years, and now we can start getting these things in motion. I’m looking for outside stuff, and I’ve got a lot of material in my head as well.”
Littrell, who grew up attending a Baptist church with his family in Lexington, Ky., hopes his record will encourage others to be open about their faith.
“I want to say, ‘(Don’t) be afraid… stand up for what you believe in,” he says. “‘Don’t be afraid to tell your friends that you believe in the higher power.”‘
Littrell says marriage and fatherhood have strengthened his faith. “My values have changed. I’m in a selfless situation rather than a selfish situation because it’s not about me anymore, and that’s the way I want my career to be. It’s not about me. It’s about God.”
His album will be released on Nashville-based Provident Music Group’s Reunion Records, home to Smith as well as to Casting Crowns and Joy Williams, and a corporate sibling of the Backstreet Boys’ Jive/Zomba label.
“We have not taken an artist with 7 million records under his belt and done this before,” says Terry Hemmings, president/CEO of Provident Music Group. “But there’s such great confidence in Brian. He’s genuine and real. People will see that. I know he can sing. We all do. I think people will be interested in buying the record.”
