Howie D boldly steps into new territory for his solo debut, Back To Me. As one-fourth of The Backstreet Boys, Howie helped build one of the most formidable legacies in pop culture history, selling over 100 million records worldwide, yielding numerous top ten singles, garnering various awards, and encouraging one of the largest and most devout fan bases ever. However, Back To Me is the next phase of his own personal legacy.  Amber talks with Howie D about his past, present and future...

SHAKEFIRE: Your solo album, Back to Me, releases this November. What can fans expect?
HOWIE D: This is an album I worked really hard at making for the past 5 years. I took my time to make sure it was the best representation of Howie D’s first solo album. It is a Pop album with signature Soultry ballad and mid tempo Backstreet style records that fans will recognize my voice from; as well some great Euro-dance tracks similar to the style of Tao Cruz, Usher, Blackeye Peas and David Guetta.

SF: What is your favorite part of creating a new album?
HD: My favorite part of creating this album was that I had a chance to really do so soul searching and take my time to make an album from scratch. It was like having a open canvas and being able to get as artistic as I wanted with no boundaries. I was able to put together a wish list of all the writers and producers I wanted to work with and was very pleased to see what we created together. 
 
SF: Are there any songs in particular on your new album that hold special meaning for you?
HD: The first single “100” will always hold a special place in my heart cause it is the first single ever to me released by me on my first completed solo album. As well, one of my favorite songs on this album is a song titled “Lie To Me”. I love the lyrics, melodies and production on this song. It is very much BSB style song.

SF: What is your favorite song to perform, and why?
HD: I have only had a chance to perform a few songs so far with out the album out yet, but I can definitely say “100” gets me and the crowd dancing. Recently on the NKOTBSB tour, Nick and I were performing our singles at some after parties and I would pass out 100 promotional chap sticks for the ladies to keep their lips kissable. They were a hit. ;)

SF: Are there any songs you and the Backstreet Boys perform that you'd like to retire, but still love to perform for your fans?
HD: We always say that “Quit Playing Games” is a song we have performed thousands of times before and could do without singing again but I know how the fans love it so much that we could never disappoint them, 

SF: With whom would you love to sing a duet?
HD: There are so many great talented people out there to work with that it’s hard to just pick one. I did have the pleasure to work with Jon Secada on my first solo cd and that was a dream come true, as I am a huge fan of his work.

SF: How do you think your fanbase has changed over the years? Do you feel like they have grown with you?
HD: It so amazing to come into a town on tour and look out into the audience to see fans that have been there for us since 18 years, as well all the new faces out there including their kids, parents and grandparents. We truly have the most amazing fans in the world that have stuck behind us thru the highs and lows as well have been so supportive of each of our solo projects.

SF: What was it like touring with New Kids on the Block? Was it different from touring with just your band?
HD: It was so much fun working with NKOTB. They are a true class act and I hope to be doing a lot more work with them in the future. We had a lot of similar patterns in our touring style as well as stories from the past but at the same time we could appreciate each others differences as well.

SF: How did the idea for the annual Backstreet Boys Cruise develop?
HD: I have for the past 10 years been doing Lupus fundraising cruises for my family’s foundation called the Dorough Lupus Foundation in memory of my sister Caroline whom we lost to complications of the decease back in 1998. It has been such a huge hit for my fans to get a chance to hang with me and experience a cruise at the same time raise money for the cause. I kept mentioning to my partners how much fun this was and how we should all partner up to do a BSB cruise. Last year we did our first one a now all the guys are hooked. Our next one is Dec. 2-5 out of Miami to Bahamas on Carnival Cruise lines.

SF: You recently moved back to your hometown of Orlando from Los Angeles. What prompted this move?
HD: After my Father passed away in 2008 to Cancer and my wife and I had our first child James, we decided to move back closer to our families on the East coast. We both come from big loving families and want our kids to grow up around their family as well.

SF: What have you found to be the biggest challenge of being a father?
HD: The lack of sleeps that comes with being a parent, lol. No, being a dad is amazing and my son James has taught me so much about being selfless. He brings me such a new joy in life that I never felt before.

SF: What music has inspired you? What music are you listening to nowadays?
HD: I listen to all types of music depending on my surroundings or what mood I am in. My favorite is when I am relaxing I love listening to chill out music like Sade or Maxwell. For this album I was really inspire by the euro-dance music of David Guetta, Akon, Blackeyed Peas, Usher and Tao Cruz.