Backstreet Boys icon Brian Littrell and rising artist Bailey Littrell stop by to talk music, fatherhood, and the realities of growing up in the spotlight. Bailey opens up about facing “nepo baby” criticism after American Idol, finding his own sound with “So Be It,” and the advice that’s helped him navigate the music industry, while Brian reflects on watching his son follow a path he knows all too well.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
As we promised. Brian and Bailey Littoral are here. Good morning, go.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
There you good good and Todd for a good day.
Look at that he's a translator for the un I
know you, I know you want to hurry and be
downtown for the parade. Oh yeah, we're on our way. Okay,
all right, we just stopped real quick. Thanks for coming
by so Brian. Of course, we've known for a thousand
years with Backstreet Boys. By the way, I did Froggy
(00:24):
loved seeing you at the Sphere To.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
This day, I'll still say it's the best concert I've
ever seen.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
You know what's the best one I've I've never seen.
I can't see, but I've heard about it. It is
the most immersive show ever.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
My back is to it.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
The whole night's class. You guys have to love your show.
I'm like, I've never seen it. Well, it is the
saddest I've heard today.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Brian brings Bailey literal Bailey, welcome to our show.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Thank you so much for having man.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Now, what was it what last year on on the idol?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Right?
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yes, yes, your dad came out with you as well.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
He did. Yeah, you up and moved back to California
for a little.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Bit, a little bit, and you were awesome, awesome on IDOL.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Oh, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
But when you left Idle Bailey, did you know where
you were going, where your career would would take you,
or was it all still kind of where's this going?
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Zero idea?
Speaker 1 (01:19):
I was.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
I was leaving the show kind of trying to figure
out what I was going to do, and I thought,
you know, I had a certain direction in my mind
where music was going to go. I recorded a little
bit and then took the summer to like reflect, and
I was like, this is not you. You need to
like figure out who you are. And so then I
just I kind of took the summer, went back to college,
(01:43):
and then fall came around and then I was writing
again and everything was different. And then quickly like it
it it just kind of changed everything. I was like,
you're writing pop music now, Like what's going on?
Speaker 1 (01:56):
We're back here.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
It really just took its own progression in its own journey,
and it led you to where you are today here
on the most important radio show in America, in the world.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
I'm honestly geeking out right now, Really, are you really?
Speaker 1 (02:12):
I am too to be honest.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
The spot well and by the way, yeah you're you're
geeking very well. By the way, I don't believe in
those being the most big, incredible show in the world,
but I do well now.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
That you've said, okay, let's go back, let's go back.
This is why I love.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Having Brian and Bailey on at the same time, because
it's a story about music starting with your dad. But
you grew up in this world of your dad in music.
You don't really know another world to you. Being on
Broadway in disaster was like just another day having fun
in front of lights and audiences. Really, I mean, did
you even know how long ago was that when you
(02:48):
were on Broadway?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
That was ten years ago, so you're held I was thirteen. Wow,
you had no clue what you were doing. I mean,
I mean you did, but you know what I'm saying.
It was a perfect age to do odd way honestly,
because I had no idea like the magnitude and pressure
that was just on the whole cast because everyone, I
mean they were It was like being on stage with
(03:09):
a bunch of all time greats and they're all like,
you know, I need a I need a good show,
and I'm kind of like I wanted a job.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
You finally had a gig.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Thing I was doing was a Windex commercial and then
now I'm here and I was like, this is pretty cool.
You know, this is pretty cool, Bailey.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Let's go back actually paid taxing. Sorry about that. I'm
gonna go back a little further.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Growing up on a tour bus, yes, with Backstreet Boys.
That was just everyday life for you. Like every day
life for me was just being a punk and picking
my nose and really doing nothing.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Welcome.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
So did you ever think in that day and of
your life that this would be where this world would
take you?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
I feel like young Bailey, like really young Bailey would
say yes, because that was that was my whole life.
Like I mean, I had my little BlackBerry phone and
I'd call my cousin and I'd be on dad's tour
bus and I'm like, yeah, we're gonna start a band,
just like you know, Kevin and Dad, and I just
hope you're ready for it. He's like, dude, I'm in
first grade. And I was like, I don't care. They
(04:17):
started young.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
We have to start younger.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
I mean new additions, really young.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
So that's all you knew.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Yeah, that's all I knew. I mean, I wasn't sure
what was going to happen. As you know, the older
I got, that's when like the doubt kind of kicked in.
But then finally I realized. I was like, you got to,
you know, chase this stream is as long as you
can and if this is something you can do. I
mean I always felt confident just growing up in it,
you know, being raised around music and then in music,
(04:43):
it was just just the natural thing to do.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
His first big boy bed was a bunk on a
tour bus, so he literally went from a crib to
like a bunk, which was like a sweet to him.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
He was like, wow, I've like grown up big time.
So was it too late for us to get bunks?
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Did you ever like see like the craziness surrounding the
backs boys and say to yourself, he's just my dad.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
I don't get it.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
I feel like I I always understood it, like from
a young age, Like I was always just kind of like, Okay,
well this is normal. There's going to be some screaming people,
you know, chasing my dad and a van. You know,
this seems pretty normal. Throwing trinkets in the windows and he.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Was busting my You know, this was years ago. We
were at where we at, like a drug store somewhere,
and they had like CDs in this case and they
were like literally a dollar for a whole CD and there.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Was a Backstreet Boys c.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
And he grabs He goes Dad like, you've really made it.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Seriously, you probably thought I was being sarcastic, but it wasn't.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Number number one at Walgreens. Man. So how old were
you when you were in this bunk on this on
this bus.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
I mean that was that was like beginning.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
You're the age, all the girls changing your dad, the
young ones.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Anyway, now they're.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
All forty and they've got grandkids. This is the strangest
world we're living in. So Brian and Bailey literal are here.
Bailey's new song is so being I'm gonna play that
in a minute. We've got to We've gotta really just
kind of dig in and get to the bottom of
what this is all about for you as a family,
because that's how it started, and you as a solo artist.
Speaker 5 (06:28):
I want to know if you ever told him not
to do it, Like, Brian, did you ever say to
your son, you know what, don't go into show or
did mom ever say why did mom ever say exactly?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
She's shaking her head.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yes, you know, we we always talked about it's not easy.
I mean, this is this is a business that will
chew you up and spit you out. And I mean
we've known that for a long time. You you've actually
been spit out before. You feel like you've been spinning out. Yeah, sometimes,
you know, but but you just kind of have to
wipe it, wipe yourself off and keep at it. You know,
(07:04):
they love for you, but they love to hate you
at the same time, and it's you know, it's not easy.
So so if anything, like just as a parent, speaking
as a dad, right, take away the titles and the
records and all that stuff, just as a dad, Like
across the board, all five of us Backstreet Boys do
nothing but work hard to support our families and our children,
(07:26):
and we would do be there, do anything to help
push them to be whatever they want to be and
protect them at the same time, protect them at the
same time. True, So you know that's what we talk about.
My dad worked at IBM for thirty five years. He
can never tell me about the music business. So Bailey's
like dad I want to do music, and I'm like,
(07:47):
I'm not sure about that, you know, but he has
a god given gift that is just really undeniable. He
just has it, and it's scary to me as a parent.
So now I feel like what my parents felt like
when I was eighteen running out the door to Orlando
to sing songs and make a living. Who would have thought,
right thirty three years later that there's a new generation.
(08:10):
So I'm just super proud of him. I call him
the American Edge Sharan because he's like, he's a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger.
He does it all, and he does it all very
very well. So it's better a lot of this stuff
than you. Of course he is.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
And yeah, of course he is. He's a lot better
than I am.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Wow, how has the reception been for you when people
find out that you are related? Do they give you
a hard time? Or do you think it's been easier
for you?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Oh, this is a saucy question, I bring does it
make it worse? Because I would have had?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
You know, American Idol, you have all these people who
probably have been struggling for a long time, and then
here you come, and you've got a backstory, boy backing
you up, and it's either going to be better for
you or people are going to be really nasty. So
how has it been?
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Zero friends from the show? Zero today, zero friends. It
was very hard, and then just in general it was
it was hard to try to, you know, make friends
in the industry. Uh the whole time I've done this.
I mean it was, you know, people would be nice.
I would get in record label meetings, I mean agent booking,
agent meetings, right, anything, you name it, and they would
(09:19):
find out the last name and be like, yep, okay, that.
Speaker 6 (09:24):
About dropping it?
Speaker 4 (09:25):
Oh absolutely, I mean there was Idol was kind of
my what was going to be my last ditch effort
to try this because you know everyone says leading common
on social media when I was on Idol was you
could get a record deal. You know, why aren't you
just doing that? Why are you taking this route and
taking someone's spot?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Cursed with this last name?
Speaker 4 (09:47):
I mean I had people on the show. I had
people on the show that were like, you know, you
don't deserve to be here, right, And I was like, well,
I think I have every right just as much as
you do. And I was like, and we're all to
make it so you try it, and it just became
one of those things. It was an amazing experience because
I feel like if I didn't have that, then I
(10:09):
wouldn't still be here because it was like you have
to take the heat, and I had taken a lot
of heat. But that was I was getting it dish
to me every day in Troves, so it was I
was like, all right, I get it, that's fine.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
He wrote a song about it, yeah, about experienced about
having friends and like you know, and being treated how
he was treated, and it'll be on his record. It's
really damn good to Oh sorry, it's really dang good.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Damn is the least.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Show.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
It's called the best friend I never had? Yeah, Hey, Frog,
what's up?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
So Bailey's what would you say?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Is the best piece of advice that your dad has
given you as far as as far as the music
business and getting through this deal?
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Run don't walk?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Composure Composure has always been his his main thing with me,
and that's that goes to like performing and being on stage,
but also like in those types of situations, keeping your composure.
So Idle, for instance, was one of those where it
was like, don't lose your head. Don't get upset. Don't
let anyone, you know, really ruffle your feathers, even if
they do. Like channel it, sure use it if you
(11:24):
want to use that anger, But composure, like find a
way to harness it. I finally got to a point
where it was super hard, you know, and he's looking
at me like what have we talked about? You know,
and I'm like, I want to run through a wall
right now, you know, and you just kind of slowed
me down a little bit, which was great. But I
(11:44):
always say, don't cry.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
We got to cry or online one.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
It's definitely is definitely composure. That's I mean, that's both
of my parents, and that's just it's also just being
a genuine person, like being honest, and in this business
it's it's very rare obviously to find that. And we're
just us, you know, there's I mean a lot of
people have to be, especially artists, they have a persona
a character, and that really does sometimes work. But us,
(12:12):
we are just us. Like the same person you're seeing
here is the same person we are, you know, in
our normal lives.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
And so you know, hating here, you're growing up way
too fast for here, Bailey. I want to go back
to the day that the family discovered that Bailey had talent.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
I mean, how did you know that this kid had it?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
I had a recording session out in California. I flew
out from Atlanta. I landed and I got a text
from my buddy. He was like, did you hear the news?
And I was like, what news? And it was the
day that Michael Jackson had passed away. So I was
flying into la I saw the choppers everywhere. We had
a house out there at the time, and so it
(12:54):
was very close to the vicinity. So you know, the
entertainment world was in an uproar trying to find out
what was going on. I went to the studio, I
did this this session that day, and I went right
back to the airport to fly back home. And I
got back the very next morning and I was making
coffee in the kitchen. Bailey walks in and he's.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Like, oh, baby, give me a warm unchet.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
He walks in, singing I want you back, and I
was like, Bubba, what are you doing. He's like and
he was tiny at the time, and he's like, oh, Daddy,
that's Michael Jackson. And I go, I know it's Michael Jackson,
but like, what are you singing? He's like, oh, they're
playing it all over the radio. And I was like,
that's really when I knew because he was singing in key,
he was doing the crazy you.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Never heard that before ever. That was he just out
of nowhere.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I mean not really, not really. It was just something
that that he didn't really do.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
It's kind of creepy. Well it was.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
I know, you think you know your kid, and your
kid comes out sounding like Michael Jackson, like I don't know,
walking stuff. I was just like, you are not a
good dad if you're just thinking I don't know. I'm
just thinking all the things I could deprive my mom
and dad with.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Nothing quite nice as that.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
But anyway, so so did you decide, Well, we got
to see what else we can tap into with I
think I go back.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
To just being a dad and like being supportive of
whatever he wants to do. And you know, it's not
like he didn't grow up on the road, like you
mentioned that earlier, so he's always been around it. But
I think it was just his, you know, his time
to be like, oh I can do this, and and
it just came out. And so that was, you know, again,
(14:33):
it wasn't something that mom and dad like push, Like
I wouldn't push anybody to be like, hey, let's go
be a pop star and be an entertainer, because it
like I said, it's it's not an easy thing. But
you know, you figure it out. And like you just said,
like we're just who we are. That's you know, don't
care who you are, where you're from, what you did,
you know, as long as you love us, which.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
It makes sense.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
So you talk about being a dad. So Bailey, I
have to know from you. What is the most dad
stuff that Brian does?
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Is he like.
Speaker 6 (15:08):
To show up at the airport four hours early, like
the home depot dad?
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Yeah, absolutely does he of the yard wearing sandals and
black socks.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
No, maybe maybe some like air monarchs, you know, like
the Nikes.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
But you were lying about the airport thing a straight
line because I can't get him and his mother out
of the house.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
But it translates too.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
He gets, you know, he gets a little uh, I guess,
I don't know, you know, crotchety like your dad, and
so it just you know, as time goes on, he's
more like you know this and you're gonna be late.
And you can't do this and he'll just get so
mad about you.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Know what, you laugh how you want Bailey? One day
you'll turn into that.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
It's it's already carried on.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
What about social media?
Speaker 5 (15:53):
Because the Backshi boys really didn't grow up in the
age of social media, and you wouldn't have it right
and you didn't have all this like you look like
crap or you this or you this. What how do
you get teach him about dealing with social media when
you guys really didn't have it.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
So I think it was just the comment that he
just made previously about composure, because because if you buy
in too much, too far into what people are saying,
nobody would ever do anything, you know. I mean, there's
so many people that love to hate out there, and
it's like, oh, he's a net pope baby, and I'm like,
you name it. We can go through all the NEPO
(16:29):
babies in the entertainment world and the acting world and
the music world. It's like he's no different, you know,
but oh his platform is too big, and it's like
he's still got to fill it. He's still got to
do it, you know. So you know, the joke we
have is people want to people want to say all
these negative things, but it's like they would trade. They
would trade in a heartbeat.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
Of course, it's like we just want to shower those
people with blessings because it's like, you know, anybody in
our situation would do the same thing. They would take
advantage of it and they would run and they'd figure
it out along the way. So I think I think
it's that composure with social media. Back to your question,
sorry because I got all way lift. But yeah, if
you sit there and read all the comments and you
believe everything that everybody says, like you will turn into
(17:13):
somebody that you don't want to be. And so that's
the thing. It was like, shrug it off, and I
am blessed that we didn't have to deal with that
because it's an emotional roller coaster, especially reading. You know,
we were at the Yankees game a couple of days
ago and it was like they show us on the
big jumbo tron and you know, somebody makes a comment
about my beach house and all the crap that happened
(17:35):
with the beach house, and they're like tell him somebody
sitting in front of his chairs, and I'm like, yeah,
but you would take that beach house if you had.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
My life too.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
You know, I think I'm deserving of those beach chairs,
so you need to get the hell out of my way.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Like I'm sorry, I purchased it. I'm a taxpayer and
that's what it is. I'll never forget.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Today I was near the beach house and someone said,
Brian's over there, yelling get that old woman with a
Harry saggy breast away from my house.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
That's me, Brian.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Oh my god, I'll shave my breast next time. She's
kicking me off the beach. I've never been so insulted. Okay,
back to back to the to the world here. I
got to play so be It, which is out now
from Bailey Literal, And so what's next? When are you
selling out? Arenas?
Speaker 4 (18:33):
You know? Next thing on my schedule would be to
get another single out, finish my album and going like
a club tour. I would love that. That would be
my realistic goal. I would love to sell it decently.
I'm not going to say sell out every show, but
I would love to sell out at least like the
hometown shows.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
You're being so reasonably ambitious, very humble, I mean Yeah,
music business, you can't really shoot for the stars to
far out.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I'm always like, you know what, I'm gonna take it
every day as it comes and enjoy it because I've
I've set some unrealistic goals for myself before, and so
I'm just trying to set ones that I think I
can accomplish. And I hope I can have your mom, But.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
I'm so proud of you.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
I love Brian to be my daddy.
Speaker 6 (19:24):
Do you have a dream collaboration? While you're being reasonable?
Dream collaboration, don't be reasonable with this one.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
Totally great man, great question, John Mayer.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Play a guitar solo.
Speaker 6 (19:34):
In one of my songs, speaking into the universe, and
it might just happen.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
Later out there somewhere, and you're gonna hear this, and
you're probably gonna get frustrated. But no, one day you
might come around for the idea.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah, don't laugh at that. You never know, so be it.
We gotta play it. It's out now, Bailey Literal, Brian Littell,
thank you, guys. Thanks thanks to mom for coming in.
She's so quiet, she's not talking to us. She's the
most awesome lady on the planet.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah, she's gonna put it on. You know, we just
celebrated twenty nine years together. Wow. And they never had
a fight.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Yeah, And in the entertainment world, that's like one hundred.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
It's like one hundred and sixty four seven. Congratulations and everything.
I mean, really, come on, can listen to you guys
every morning Elvis Duran in the Morning Show
As we promised. Brian and Bailey Littoral are here. Good morning, go.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
There you good good and Todd for a good day.
Look at that he's a translator for the un I
know you, I know you want to hurry and be
downtown for the parade. Oh yeah, we're on our way. Okay,
all right, we just stopped real quick. Thanks for coming
by so Brian. Of course, we've known for a thousand
years with Backstreet Boys. By the way, I did Froggy
(00:24):
loved seeing you at the Sphere To.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
This day, I'll still say it's the best concert I've
ever seen.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
You know what's the best one I've I've never seen.
I can't see, but I've heard about it. It is
the most immersive show ever.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
My back is to it.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
The whole night's class. You guys have to love your show.
I'm like, I've never seen it. Well, it is the
saddest I've heard today.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Brian brings Bailey literal Bailey, welcome to our show.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Thank you so much for having man.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Now, what was it what last year on on the idol?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Right?
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yes, yes, your dad came out with you as well.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
He did. Yeah, you up and moved back to California
for a little.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Bit, a little bit, and you were awesome, awesome on IDOL.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Oh, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
But when you left Idle Bailey, did you know where
you were going, where your career would would take you,
or was it all still kind of where's this going?
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Zero idea?
Speaker 1 (01:19):
I was.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
I was leaving the show kind of trying to figure
out what I was going to do, and I thought,
you know, I had a certain direction in my mind
where music was going to go. I recorded a little
bit and then took the summer to like reflect, and
I was like, this is not you. You need to
like figure out who you are. And so then I
just I kind of took the summer, went back to college,
(01:43):
and then fall came around and then I was writing
again and everything was different. And then quickly like it
it it just kind of changed everything. I was like,
you're writing pop music now, Like what's going on?
Speaker 1 (01:56):
We're back here.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
It really just took its own progression in its own journey,
and it led you to where you are today here
on the most important radio show in America, in the world.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
I'm honestly geeking out right now, Really, are you really?
Speaker 1 (02:12):
I am too to be honest.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
The spot well and by the way, yeah you're you're
geeking very well. By the way, I don't believe in
those being the most big, incredible show in the world,
but I do well now.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
That you've said, okay, let's go back, let's go back.
This is why I love.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Having Brian and Bailey on at the same time, because
it's a story about music starting with your dad. But
you grew up in this world of your dad in music.
You don't really know another world to you. Being on
Broadway in disaster was like just another day having fun
in front of lights and audiences. Really, I mean, did
you even know how long ago was that when you
(02:48):
were on Broadway?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
That was ten years ago, so you're held I was thirteen. Wow,
you had no clue what you were doing. I mean,
I mean you did, but you know what I'm saying.
It was a perfect age to do odd way honestly,
because I had no idea like the magnitude and pressure
that was just on the whole cast because everyone, I
mean they were It was like being on stage with
(03:09):
a bunch of all time greats and they're all like,
you know, I need a I need a good show,
and I'm kind of like I wanted a job.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
You finally had a gig.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Thing I was doing was a Windex commercial and then
now I'm here and I was like, this is pretty cool.
You know, this is pretty cool, Bailey.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Let's go back actually paid taxing. Sorry about that. I'm
gonna go back a little further.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Growing up on a tour bus, yes, with Backstreet Boys.
That was just everyday life for you. Like every day
life for me was just being a punk and picking
my nose and really doing nothing.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Welcome.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
So did you ever think in that day and of
your life that this would be where this world would
take you?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
I feel like young Bailey, like really young Bailey would
say yes, because that was that was my whole life.
Like I mean, I had my little BlackBerry phone and
I'd call my cousin and I'd be on dad's tour
bus and I'm like, yeah, we're gonna start a band,
just like you know, Kevin and Dad, and I just
hope you're ready for it. He's like, dude, I'm in
first grade. And I was like, I don't care. They
(04:17):
started young.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
We have to start younger.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
I mean new additions, really young.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
So that's all you knew.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Yeah, that's all I knew. I mean, I wasn't sure
what was going to happen. As you know, the older
I got, that's when like the doubt kind of kicked in.
But then finally I realized. I was like, you got to,
you know, chase this stream is as long as you
can and if this is something you can do. I
mean I always felt confident just growing up in it,
you know, being raised around music and then in music,
(04:43):
it was just just the natural thing to do.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
His first big boy bed was a bunk on a
tour bus, so he literally went from a crib to
like a bunk, which was like a sweet to him.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
He was like, wow, I've like grown up big time.
So was it too late for us to get bunks?
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Did you ever like see like the craziness surrounding the
backs boys and say to yourself, he's just my dad.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
I don't get it.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
I feel like I I always understood it, like from
a young age, Like I was always just kind of like, Okay,
well this is normal. There's going to be some screaming people,
you know, chasing my dad and a van. You know,
this seems pretty normal. Throwing trinkets in the windows and he.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Was busting my You know, this was years ago. We
were at where we at, like a drug store somewhere,
and they had like CDs in this case and they
were like literally a dollar for a whole CD and there.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Was a Backstreet Boys c.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
And he grabs He goes Dad like, you've really made it.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Seriously, you probably thought I was being sarcastic, but it wasn't.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Number number one at Walgreens. Man. So how old were
you when you were in this bunk on this on
this bus.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
I mean that was that was like beginning.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
You're the age, all the girls changing your dad, the
young ones.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Anyway, now they're.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
All forty and they've got grandkids. This is the strangest
world we're living in. So Brian and Bailey literal are here.
Bailey's new song is so being I'm gonna play that
in a minute. We've got to We've gotta really just
kind of dig in and get to the bottom of
what this is all about for you as a family,
because that's how it started, and you as a solo artist.
Speaker 5 (06:28):
I want to know if you ever told him not
to do it, Like, Brian, did you ever say to
your son, you know what, don't go into show or
did mom ever say why did mom ever say exactly?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
She's shaking her head.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yes, you know, we we always talked about it's not easy.
I mean, this is this is a business that will
chew you up and spit you out. And I mean
we've known that for a long time. You you've actually
been spit out before. You feel like you've been spinning out. Yeah, sometimes,
you know, but but you just kind of have to
wipe it, wipe yourself off and keep at it. You know,
(07:04):
they love for you, but they love to hate you
at the same time, and it's you know, it's not easy.
So so if anything, like just as a parent, speaking
as a dad, right, take away the titles and the
records and all that stuff, just as a dad, Like
across the board, all five of us Backstreet Boys do
nothing but work hard to support our families and our children,
(07:26):
and we would do be there, do anything to help
push them to be whatever they want to be and
protect them at the same time, protect them at the
same time. True, So you know that's what we talk about.
My dad worked at IBM for thirty five years. He
can never tell me about the music business. So Bailey's
like dad I want to do music, and I'm like,
(07:47):
I'm not sure about that, you know, but he has
a god given gift that is just really undeniable. He
just has it, and it's scary to me as a parent.
So now I feel like what my parents felt like
when I was eighteen running out the door to Orlando
to sing songs and make a living. Who would have thought,
right thirty three years later that there's a new generation.
(08:10):
So I'm just super proud of him. I call him
the American Edge Sharan because he's like, he's a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger.
He does it all, and he does it all very
very well. So it's better a lot of this stuff
than you. Of course he is.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
And yeah, of course he is. He's a lot better
than I am.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Wow, how has the reception been for you when people
find out that you are related? Do they give you
a hard time? Or do you think it's been easier
for you?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Oh, this is a saucy question, I bring does it
make it worse? Because I would have had?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
You know, American Idol, you have all these people who
probably have been struggling for a long time, and then
here you come, and you've got a backstory, boy backing
you up, and it's either going to be better for
you or people are going to be really nasty. So
how has it been?
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Zero friends from the show? Zero today, zero friends. It
was very hard, and then just in general it was
it was hard to try to, you know, make friends
in the industry. Uh the whole time I've done this.
I mean it was, you know, people would be nice.
I would get in record label meetings, I mean agent booking,
agent meetings, right, anything, you name it, and they would
(09:19):
find out the last name and be like, yep, okay, that.
Speaker 6 (09:24):
About dropping it?
Speaker 4 (09:25):
Oh absolutely, I mean there was Idol was kind of
my what was going to be my last ditch effort
to try this because you know everyone says leading common
on social media when I was on Idol was you
could get a record deal. You know, why aren't you
just doing that? Why are you taking this route and
taking someone's spot?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Cursed with this last name?
Speaker 4 (09:47):
I mean I had people on the show. I had
people on the show that were like, you know, you
don't deserve to be here, right, And I was like, well,
I think I have every right just as much as
you do. And I was like, and we're all to
make it so you try it, and it just became
one of those things. It was an amazing experience because
I feel like if I didn't have that, then I
(10:09):
wouldn't still be here because it was like you have
to take the heat, and I had taken a lot
of heat. But that was I was getting it dish
to me every day in Troves, so it was I
was like, all right, I get it, that's fine.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
He wrote a song about it, yeah, about experienced about
having friends and like you know, and being treated how
he was treated, and it'll be on his record. It's
really damn good to Oh sorry, it's really dang good.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Damn is the least.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Show.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
It's called the best friend I never had? Yeah, Hey, Frog,
what's up?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
So Bailey's what would you say?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Is the best piece of advice that your dad has
given you as far as as far as the music
business and getting through this deal?
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Run don't walk?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Composure Composure has always been his his main thing with me,
and that's that goes to like performing and being on stage,
but also like in those types of situations, keeping your composure.
So Idle, for instance, was one of those where it
was like, don't lose your head. Don't get upset. Don't
let anyone, you know, really ruffle your feathers, even if
they do. Like channel it, sure use it if you
(11:24):
want to use that anger, But composure, like find a
way to harness it. I finally got to a point
where it was super hard, you know, and he's looking
at me like what have we talked about? You know,
and I'm like, I want to run through a wall
right now, you know, and you just kind of slowed
me down a little bit, which was great. But I
(11:44):
always say, don't cry.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
We got to cry or online one.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
It's definitely is definitely composure. That's I mean, that's both
of my parents, and that's just it's also just being
a genuine person, like being honest, and in this business
it's it's very rare obviously to find that. And we're
just us, you know, there's I mean a lot of
people have to be, especially artists, they have a persona
a character, and that really does sometimes work. But us,
(12:12):
we are just us. Like the same person you're seeing
here is the same person we are, you know, in
our normal lives.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
And so you know, hating here, you're growing up way
too fast for here, Bailey. I want to go back
to the day that the family discovered that Bailey had talent.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
I mean, how did you know that this kid had it?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
I had a recording session out in California. I flew
out from Atlanta. I landed and I got a text
from my buddy. He was like, did you hear the news?
And I was like, what news? And it was the
day that Michael Jackson had passed away. So I was
flying into la I saw the choppers everywhere. We had
a house out there at the time, and so it
(12:54):
was very close to the vicinity. So you know, the
entertainment world was in an uproar trying to find out
what was going on. I went to the studio, I
did this this session that day, and I went right
back to the airport to fly back home. And I
got back the very next morning and I was making
coffee in the kitchen. Bailey walks in and he's.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Like, oh, baby, give me a warm unchet.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
He walks in, singing I want you back, and I
was like, Bubba, what are you doing. He's like and
he was tiny at the time, and he's like, oh, Daddy,
that's Michael Jackson. And I go, I know it's Michael Jackson,
but like, what are you singing? He's like, oh, they're
playing it all over the radio. And I was like,
that's really when I knew because he was singing in key,
he was doing the crazy you.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Never heard that before ever. That was he just out
of nowhere.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I mean not really, not really. It was just something
that that he didn't really do.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
It's kind of creepy. Well it was.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
I know, you think you know your kid, and your
kid comes out sounding like Michael Jackson, like I don't know,
walking stuff. I was just like, you are not a
good dad if you're just thinking I don't know. I'm
just thinking all the things I could deprive my mom
and dad with.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Nothing quite nice as that.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
But anyway, so so did you decide, Well, we got
to see what else we can tap into with I
think I go back.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
To just being a dad and like being supportive of
whatever he wants to do. And you know, it's not
like he didn't grow up on the road, like you
mentioned that earlier, so he's always been around it. But
I think it was just his, you know, his time
to be like, oh I can do this, and and
it just came out. And so that was, you know, again,
(14:33):
it wasn't something that mom and dad like push, Like
I wouldn't push anybody to be like, hey, let's go
be a pop star and be an entertainer, because it
like I said, it's it's not an easy thing. But
you know, you figure it out. And like you just said,
like we're just who we are. That's you know, don't
care who you are, where you're from, what you did,
you know, as long as you love us, which.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
It makes sense.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
So you talk about being a dad. So Bailey, I
have to know from you. What is the most dad
stuff that Brian does?
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Is he like.
Speaker 6 (15:08):
To show up at the airport four hours early, like
the home depot dad?
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Yeah, absolutely does he of the yard wearing sandals and
black socks.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
No, maybe maybe some like air monarchs, you know, like
the Nikes.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
But you were lying about the airport thing a straight
line because I can't get him and his mother out
of the house.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
But it translates too.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
He gets, you know, he gets a little uh, I guess,
I don't know, you know, crotchety like your dad, and
so it just you know, as time goes on, he's
more like you know this and you're gonna be late.
And you can't do this and he'll just get so
mad about you.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Know what, you laugh how you want Bailey? One day
you'll turn into that.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
It's it's already carried on.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
What about social media?
Speaker 5 (15:53):
Because the Backshi boys really didn't grow up in the
age of social media, and you wouldn't have it right
and you didn't have all this like you look like
crap or you this or you this. What how do
you get teach him about dealing with social media when
you guys really didn't have it.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
So I think it was just the comment that he
just made previously about composure, because because if you buy
in too much, too far into what people are saying,
nobody would ever do anything, you know. I mean, there's
so many people that love to hate out there, and
it's like, oh, he's a net pope baby, and I'm like,
you name it. We can go through all the NEPO
(16:29):
babies in the entertainment world and the acting world and
the music world. It's like he's no different, you know,
but oh his platform is too big, and it's like
he's still got to fill it. He's still got to
do it, you know. So you know, the joke we
have is people want to people want to say all
these negative things, but it's like they would trade. They
would trade in a heartbeat.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
Of course, it's like we just want to shower those
people with blessings because it's like, you know, anybody in
our situation would do the same thing. They would take
advantage of it and they would run and they'd figure
it out along the way. So I think I think
it's that composure with social media. Back to your question,
sorry because I got all way lift. But yeah, if
you sit there and read all the comments and you
believe everything that everybody says, like you will turn into
(17:13):
somebody that you don't want to be. And so that's
the thing. It was like, shrug it off, and I
am blessed that we didn't have to deal with that
because it's an emotional roller coaster, especially reading. You know,
we were at the Yankees game a couple of days
ago and it was like they show us on the
big jumbo tron and you know, somebody makes a comment
about my beach house and all the crap that happened
(17:35):
with the beach house, and they're like tell him somebody
sitting in front of his chairs, and I'm like, yeah,
but you would take that beach house if you had.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
My life too.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
You know, I think I'm deserving of those beach chairs,
so you need to get the hell out of my way.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Like I'm sorry, I purchased it. I'm a taxpayer and
that's what it is. I'll never forget.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Today I was near the beach house and someone said,
Brian's over there, yelling get that old woman with a
Harry saggy breast away from my house.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
That's me, Brian.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Oh my god, I'll shave my breast next time. She's
kicking me off the beach. I've never been so insulted. Okay,
back to back to the to the world here. I
got to play so be It, which is out now
from Bailey Literal, And so what's next? When are you
selling out? Arenas?
Speaker 4 (18:33):
You know? Next thing on my schedule would be to
get another single out, finish my album and going like
a club tour. I would love that. That would be
my realistic goal. I would love to sell it decently.
I'm not going to say sell out every show, but
I would love to sell out at least like the
hometown shows.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
You're being so reasonably ambitious, very humble, I mean Yeah,
music business, you can't really shoot for the stars to
far out.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I'm always like, you know what, I'm gonna take it
every day as it comes and enjoy it because I've
I've set some unrealistic goals for myself before, and so
I'm just trying to set ones that I think I
can accomplish. And I hope I can have your mom, But.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
I'm so proud of you.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
I love Brian to be my daddy.
Speaker 6 (19:24):
Do you have a dream collaboration? While you're being reasonable?
Dream collaboration, don't be reasonable with this one.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
Totally great man, great question, John Mayer.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Play a guitar solo.
Speaker 6 (19:34):
In one of my songs, speaking into the universe, and
it might just happen.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
Later out there somewhere, and you're gonna hear this, and
you're probably gonna get frustrated. But no, one day you
might come around for the idea.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah, don't laugh at that. You never know, so be it.
We gotta play it. It's out now, Bailey Literal, Brian Littell,
thank you, guys. Thanks thanks to mom for coming in.
She's so quiet, she's not talking to us. She's the
most awesome lady on the planet.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah, she's gonna put it on. You know, we just
celebrated twenty nine years together. Wow. And they never had
a fight.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Yeah, And in the entertainment world, that's like one hundred.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
It's like one hundred and sixty four seven. Congratulations and everything.
I mean, really, come on, can listen to you guys
every morning Elvis Duran in the Morning Show
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