No Backstreet Boys Christmas album this year, says AJ McLean
McLean says it's on hold "for obvious reasons."
While fans have been able to see AJ McLean on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" for the past few weeks, what about his day job as a member of the Backstreet Boys? Well, there's good and bad news on that front.
Earlier this year, band member Howie Dorough told ABC Audio the group has wanted to make a Christmas album "forever," but McLean has officially delivered the sad update that we won't be finding one under our trees this holiday season.
"We've put the Christmas album on hold for now for obvious reasons," McLean tells ABC Audio. "I think the next thing is to try to get back on the road, hopefully next year."
The Backstreet Boys — which includes Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell in addition to McLean and Dorough — had to postpone the DNA World Tour in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's since been rescheduled for next summer.
"God willing ... the dust settles enough and people feel safe enough to come see concerts again, because I really feel like that part of culture — when that comes back, it will definitely lift people's spirits," he adds.
McLean feels the lack of live music has contributed to the current gloomy times.
"Losing that personal connection with music and with your favorite artist ... it's been very detrimental to, I think, just the kind of morale of the entire planet," he explains. "You know, music brings joy to people ... so fingers crossed, we can get back on the DNA Tour as soon as we can."
Meanwhile, McLean continues to battle it out in the ballroom on "Dancing in the Stars" — and he has some solo music in the works, too. He tells ABC Audio he's "thrown in the towel" on doing country music and has gone back to "my personal roots: funk and soul and R&B."
