Nick and His Ever Growing Relationships in the Industry

So this one has been on the brain for awhile and what better time to post this then fresh off of Nick following this blog’s Twitter and the week of his birthday?

None better, I’d say.

And while I do have lighter posts in the cards I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a sucker for caring so much about the music that it tends to be the source of much of my writing. One thing that I don’t think gets talked about enough is Nick making connections no matter what the project and using those very connections later in his career. Whether it’s as a Backstreet Boy or it’s for a solo career, this actually happens quite a lot. Now admittedly this wasn’t something I caught onto as a fan until BSB’s This Is Us era. Which, love it or hate it, that’s a topic for a BSB blog. This one’s about Nick. Basically it’s about him being passionate enough about the music that he does whatever it takes to create his vision, and get the right people for the job.

Respecting his hustle, I guess you can say.

And the reason I first noticed all the way back in 2009? It was because the Boys themselves talked about it in various interviews. Now this of course was during the Kevin-less years. one of their self admitted lows. They talked about how they were having a hard time finding writers and producers. Nick mentioned himself that he was the one calling people up, basically without fear of rejection because he wanted the album to be the best it could possibly be. He was the one who kept calling T-Pain, and RedOne to try and give the album it’s best shot of succeeding despite a label that was basically giving them nothing but scraps.

What’s even more interesting is this translates into his solo career. Dan Muckala is one of those song writers and producers that’s been working with the Backstreet Boys since the Never Gone days. He’s had songs on Unbreakable, and In A World Like This as well.  Muckala is one of the writers from Nick’s I’m Taking Off album and the primary one throughout his last album All American. When Nick sees someone he works well with, he tends to hang on to them. And as a fan? I sort of love that because it means Nick’s always looking to make sure there’s quality to his music, not to mention it says a lot that the producers keep coming back to work with him.

Nick never wastes an opportunity. Whether it’s using a show to help launch something, or using the relationships he made after whatever project it came from ends. One of the biggest examples of this was his run on Dancing With The Stars. There were two main things that came from that. His partner, Sharna Burgess? He had her come out and help choreograph two songs for their Vegas Residency show. And honestly a lot of people thought it was one of the more unique parts of the show. I personally loved it. Hell it was probably part of why AJ ended up doing the show later on.

The second example?

Andy Grammar. Nick said flat out that he kept pestering Andy to try and give him a song because BSB had started working on the album that would come to grow into DNA. To the point where Andy had to ask him to stop cause they were still competing on the show, which is somewhat hilarious. But I know I for one am beyond grateful he did. Because his asking and asking led to his giving BSB one of the best (if not the best) songs on the entire album. I’m talking about Passionate and the fact is that song never would’ve landed in their laps had Nick not seen an opportunity and took it.

Speaking of DNA however, let’s go back to translating connections back onto his solo career! Because he does in fact do it again. Do any of you remember Stuart Crichton? Because I do. This is the man who gave us the song that got BSB back on the Hot 100, and their best performing single since I Want It That Way, yes I’m talking about Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. The man who gave us The Way It Was? Well, he also managed to give us Nick’s latest single 80’s Movie. Imagine my surprise when I saw the credits pop up while I was listening to the song on Amazon Music! But then again, Nick knows a great producer and songwriter when he sees one. And he’s the type who never hesitates to reach out.

I mean, fans have seen it on Twitter. Whether it’s to reach out to any artists to see if they’re interested in working together…

Being open to other artists reaching out…

Or to see his visions for Dead 7 happen. Fans watched as he literally tweeted the people he wanted, asking if they’d be willing to come be in his movie.

And it’s just legitimately a neat thing to witness because Nick seems to not care who you are, where you’re from, what you did – as long as you can make good music.That’s what matters and that’s what should matter. He never hesitates to try and reach out. If social media is only avenue to do so? So be it.  His passion to make things happen is part of why I can’t wait for the album to come. Because who knows what we’ll get? He has a tendency to surprise you. While now it’s a more common thing for members of different boybanders to team up and work together? He did it first with Jordan Knight. And now he’s doing it again for who knows what with Lance Bass. Part of me wonders if Nick’s going to make a song with LeAnn Rimes or Tori Kelly now that he’s done The Masked Singer. That sort of move is absolutely along the lines of what he’d do, wouldn’t you say?

Either way, I think we all need to take a minute and really appreciate the way Nick hustles throughout his career. With the Boys and without.

Because damn if he ain’t good at it.