'N Sync, Backstreet Boys Unite for Benefit

Oct. 9 -- Teen fans who argue relentlessly over the merits of 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys will find themselves elbow to elbow in the same arena as the chart rivals share the same bill for one event.

The handsome boy bands are on the growing list of acts, including P.Diddy, Aerosmith, Bette Midler, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson for the "United We Stand" fund-raiser on Oct. 21 at Washington, D.C.'s, RFK Stadium. "We're just gonna have one big huge stadium to do all these acts and really raise a lot of money," said 'N Sync member Lance Bass.

He says they initially wanted to follow the Live Aid-style of simultaneous concerts, by holding events in Washington and Shea Stadium in New York.

"What we were gonna do is have both the stadiums full on the same night," said Bass. "And Backstreet was gonna open up this one, we were gonna open up the other ... it was gonna be just like this incredible night but because of security reasons and everything we had to change it to D.C."

Working Overtime for Charity

The entertainment industry is continuing to grapple with the dilemma of doing business at a time of war.

Some acts, like Janet Jackson and Weezer, canceled European tour dates. Any artist releasing an album or movie this fall is faced with the question of how to promote themselves at such a tense time.

Instead of focusing on chart numbers, musicians immediately refocused their attention on the terrorist attacks with songs like the all-star "What's Going On" and the many fund-raising concerts including Paul McCartney's upcoming star-studded event at Madison Square Garden.

'N Sync had just completed their summer tour when the news hit. Instead of catching up on some rest in mid-September, they got right back to work. "We're doing as much as we can just to, just to bring everyone back out and at least give people some normalcy and entertain them more," said Bass.

The RFK fund-raiser will benefit the American Red Cross Relief Fund, the Pentagon Relief Fund and the Salvation Army Relief Fund.