Ida Mae Astute/ABC

There are 10 guys altogether in Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block, but only two of them - Nick Carter and Jordan Knight - have decided to team up and record and tour as a duo.

Why have this "Boy" and "New Kid" chosen to work together? Turns out they go way, way back.

"When we were doing the NKOTBSB tour together, we gravitated towards one another," Carter told ABC News Radio about his newly-announced collaboration with Jordan. "I mean, when we were onstage, when we were performing, y'know, we like the same music, we have the same style, we dance similarly. So it was a lot of similarities."

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But "way before that," Carter added, "I had met Jordan down in Orlando, and we had been writing music way before NKOTBSB even became anything."

So they've got history on their side, but Knight said they also wanted to please their legions of devoted fans.

"When we were on the NKOTBSB tour, we talked about touring together. We always kind of threw the idea around," he told ABC News Radio. "And then when push came to shove, when we actually wanted to do it, we said, 'Why don't we do a musical project and make it even more special for the fans?' So that's how we came up with the idea."

Nick & Knight will release their debut album September 2, and hit the road for a tour September 15.

Will that tour include the guys performing the hits that made them famous? Yes, to some extent, said Carter.

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"What we have done in the past with Backstreet Boys and New Kids has been extraordinary and we want to definitely give the fans a little something," he explained. "So maybe put, like, a song or two of each group and maybe do a mash-up or something; something like that."

While they're waiting for that tour to kick off, Backstreet fans will be getting all the hits they want this summer, because Carter and the entire group begin an extensive tour this weekend.

"We've been on the road forever for the last two years, just taking care of our fans," he told ABC News Radio. "It's all about putting on a great show, making sure the production's tip-top, making sure you give them the hits they want to hear [and] at the same time entertain yourselves."

But what about those recent comments by 'N SYNC's Joey Fatone, who seemingly dissed Backstreet by accusing them of going on the road because they need the money?

Carter responded on Twitter by writing, "Just disappointed, I really liked joey…Sorry bro but you have us all wrong."

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Carter told ABC News Radio that he's actually spoken to Fatone about his ill-advised comments.

"I screamed at him. He screamed at me. No, I'm just joking. He's got dry humor," Carter laughed. "That's who he is and I knew it, and I kind of played off of it a little bit. I mean, there was a little bit of truth to what I was saying [in my tweet], but he got it and I got it and then we were cool afterwards…we had a long conversation and so we're good. Everything's great."

Then, there's Ed Sheeran, who was recently quoted by a British tabloid as criticizing Backstreet for not playing enough of their hits in concert. What does Carter say to that?

"We're really excited that such a fantastic writer and producer wants to talk about us. I mean, that's awesome. You know, that's great," Carter said with way more than just a hint of sarcasm. "He cares that much about what we do in our show. So, you know, if he has any advice or any suggestions to help with our show, we would be open to that. We love you Ed. Thank you."