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AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys is Working on Country Project

AJ McLean has been working hard on some new music in Nashville, TN.

Written by Lauren Laffer
AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys is Working on Country Project
(L-R): Brenden Oliver (CMA), AJ McLean, Angela Roland (CMA); Photo courtesy of Crowd Surf

The Backstreet Boys have long since been a staple of the pop world, but one of its five members is able to take a deeper dive into country music. The band’s AJ McLean has spent much of the year in Nashville and is excited to soon share some of what he’s been working on.

In addition to writing in recording within the heart of Music City, McLean stopped by the Country Music Association offices on February 28 to officially become a member of the organization.

“I’m so excited to finally become a member of CMA, it only seems fitting since I’ve been here in Nashville making music with some of the most exciting country talent,” he shared with Sounds Like Nashville.

(L-R) Angela Roland and AJ McLean; Photo courtesy of Crowd Surf

McLean previously teased an upcoming solo project with a lengthy post to Instagram in early February. Posting a photo of a hotel room studio, he posted that the pieces were finally falling into place for his upcoming project to come to life.

“Everything has fallen into place and so organically and not forced or trying to just fit into the moment of where music is right now. Instead I followed my heart and my gut and got back together with the best manager I’ve ever known and have the best team in my corner routing me on and when I say the wait is almost over and I swear to all of you it’ll be worth the wait we finally got it right,” he wrote in part.

I know all of you have been so beyond patient with me since basically 2005 when I released my first ever solo album which sadly never touched American soil or anywhere else for that matter yet you still found a way to support me and through the magic that is the internet learned the words and picked your favorites! That in it self speaks volumes to me as an artist and as a person knowing how truly amazing and loyal my fans our. I say my because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt how above and beyond loyal bsb fans are and continue to be for 25 years but I’m speaking to my fans that believed in me than until now and I know will continue to for many years to come! I’ve been promising a solo album since then and believe me when I tell you I have written and recorded enough music since then for three full albums but something was always not right. Be it timing or the music itself or the climate of the industry but I kept working hard and long hours away from my family if needed to make the best body of work anyone has ever heard bsb fan or not! Finally now everything has fallen into place and so organically and not forced or trying to just fit into the moment of where music is right now. Instead I followed my heart and my gut and got back together with the best manager I’ve ever known and have the best team in my corner routing me on and when I say the wait is almost over and I swear to all of you it’ll be worth the wait we finally got it right. This picture is of a guest bedroom at my rental house in Las Vegas that my dear friend and amazing producer flew out two days ago and than made a make shift studio in his bedroom to record one of the many I believe smash hit songs I’ve compiled for my what I’m calling my true debut album to be released all over the world very soon this shows my dedication to me and my project that we made this happen in a bedroom and to top it all off I recorded the song immediately after our show last night here in Vegas. He just left for the airport two hours ago and that’s when I went to bed. Going back to sleep now but wanted to share this and tell you all the album is coming soon and to say and show my deepest most honest appreciation!

A post shared by AJ McLean (@aj_mclean) on

The jump from pop to country won’t be such a big one for the singer as he and the rest of the Backstreet Boys have been in and around Nashville for the past several years working on different projects, including an appearance on Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots album.

Combining their talents and star power, FGL and BSB soared to the top of the charts with the smash hit No.1 single “God, Your Mama, and Me.” Cementing their crossover success, they teamed up several other times for performances on the 2017 ACM Awards and CMT’s Crossroads.

While there is no date yet for McLean’s upcoming project, fans can keep up with everything he has going on with the Backstreet Boys via their official website.

Tags: AJ McLean, Backstreet Boys