Just Nick

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 | 5:11 a.m.

Nick Carter was just 13 years old when he became the youngest member of teen pop group the Backstreet Boys.

From 1994 through 2000 the five-member ensemble released three albums and a string of hit singles, garnering a devoted international following.

Now 23, the sandy-blond Carter is hoping to become known more for his music than for the throngs of teenage girls downloading his image from the Internet.

In October, Carter released his solo debut, "Now or Never," on the Backstreet Boys' Jive Records label.

Last month he kicked off his first U.S. tour sans Backstreet mates Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean and Kevin Richardson. Backed by a new band of musicians, Carter stops off at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Friday night at 7.

In a phone interview outside Boston's Avalon Ballroom last week, Carter talked about his solo plans, his first stabs at songwriting and the status of the Backstreet Boys.

Las Vegas Sun: You've played four solo shows so far on this tour. What has it been like to be onstage without the other Backstreet Boys for the first time?

Nick Carter: It's definitely a new experience, but it's something that I welcome. I love a challenge.

The thing that I didn't realize was how difficult it is performing on your own for an hour and a half. I'm the kind of singer who tries to give it my all during a performance, so my voice is gone after the show and I'm just mentally and physically exhausted. But it's good because at least I know that I did the best I could, that I put all my energy into it.

Sun: Have the audiences been similar to Backstreet Boys' crowds, with lots of young fans coming to your shows?

NC: It's probably like 18 and up, with maybe a couple of younger fans each night. There are more older people this time around, which is cool. But I feel like music is for everybody wants to listen to it. And I'm not the kind of person that goes up onstage and curses or anything like that, so anyone can come to my show.

Sun: You co-wrote five songs on the album. How did your first foray into the world of songwriting go?

NC: It was really cool because I got an opportunity to let all my influences come out. It was a lot of fun. I didn't write the entire album, but I didn't want to. I've always felt like some of the best albums are the ones that you get other people involved in. I mean, Celine Dion doesn't even write half of her songs.

I don't proclaim to be the most incredible writer in the world. I'm an entertainer first, but I do want to learn how to be a better writer someday too, and that's what I'm kind of in the middle of doing. What everybody saw me write on the album is very premature of what could happen.

Sun: Do the Backstreet Boys still exist?

NC: We're talking about possibly doing another record together, maybe this year sometime. March, April, something like that.

Sun: So despite your solo endeavor, you guys remain close?

NC: Oh yeah, I'm still in touch with them. I grew up with them from a young age, but this is something I had to do. I had to do this in order to become the artist that I want to become in the future.

It is scary. It's a whole new thing. I started when I was 12 years old with them, so I didn't know anything but the Backstreet Boys. But I'm very adventurous. I love to spread my wings and fly.

Sun: 'NSync performed a tribute to the Bee Gees at the Grammys on Sunday night. Do you have any regrets about missing out on those types of opportunities like that by putting the Backstreet Boys on hold?

NC: That whole scene -- and I'm not just talking about the Grammys -- is great to do. But there's so much politics involved in that stuff and to me, it's all about the music and entertaining and performing.

Personally, I'm not the kind of guy who strives to be like, "Look at me, look at me. I need to be everywhere." I'm not a male diva. I'm just Nick.

Sun: Are you disappointed that your album hasn't sold as well as ('NSync member) Justin Timberlake's solo debut?

NC: No. I'm so worried about what I'm doing, and that's the way I feel I have to be. If I start worrying about other people's careers and things like that, then how am I going to dedicate 150 percent to what I'm doing?

Sun: Despite their popularity, the Backstreet Boys never got much respect from critics. Do you think that will change for you now that you're out on your own?

NC: What I'm trying to do is be myself and do what I want to do. And if I get respected in the future for it, great. If not, well then I still was happy doing what I felt was true, whether it was the Backstreet Boys or my own stuff.' I'm not a male diva. I'm just Nick."