Before he was one of the biggest teen pop star pin-ups on the planet, before the Backstreet Boys sold a zillion records, and before being named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People In The World," Nick Carter was a very talented kid with a dream. 　　 　　Nick Carter: BEFORE The Backstreet Boys 1989-1993 (Dyenamic Discs), released October 1, 2002, gathers ALL of Carter's early efforts, the recordings that eventually helped him land a gig in one of the world's top singing groups. 　　 　　For Boys fans everywhere, Nick Carter: BEFORE The Backstreet Boys 1989-1993 is that special album that captures the innocence and promise of one of their favorite stars, the youngest of the Backstreet Boys and perhaps it's most popular member. Previously available only regionally by mail, Nick Carter: BEFORE The Backstreet Boys 1989-1993 now makes it's debut on record shelves across the country. 　　 　　The album's 17 selections are the first professional recordings featuring Nickolas Gene Carter. Produced in the Saint Petersburg, Florida studio of Mark J. Dye, Carter's producer, composer, arranger and vocal teacher from 1989-1993, they span Nick's progress from the age of nine to 13. Two of the songs were written especially for Nick by Dye: "Summer!" (the first time Carter ever sang four-part harmony and all of the parts are him!) and "Hard To Get" (a duet with longtime singing partner, Malia). 　　 　　Yet another landmark is his recording of "The Star Spangled Banner", the first time he ever recorded a song solo (at age 11). His earliest recording, "Sunday Morning Bells", recorded in 1989, is also included as a bonus track. Yvonne Rice, who wrote the song, was the first musician to recognize Carter's potential. She used him as the lead in many of her plays and musicals. She's famous for her "Clubhouse Kids" shows. 　　 　　Other bonus tracks are a Nick only, solo version of "Hard To Get" and another Dye song written for and performed by Malia, Nick's singing partner during 1992 and 1993. Malia, now 18, lives and sings in southwest Florida. As a child she won the coveted role of Annie in the musical of the same name. 　　 　　The remaining selections run the gamut from pop standards to the patriotic: "Love Is A Wonderful Thing," "More Today Than Yesterday," "Rhythm Of My Heart," "Runaround Sue," "Lights," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Jailhouse Rock," "God Bless The U.S.A.," "Uptown Girl," "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and a medley of "Just A Gigolo"/"I Ain't Got Nobody." 　　 　　Born January 28, 1980, in Jamestown, New York, the oldest of six siblings (BJ, Leslie, Angel, Aaron and half-sister Ginger), Carter was groomed for success at an early age. In the fourth grade, he debuted on stage as Raoul in a school production of "Phantom Of The Opera." He starred in many of the "Clubhouse Kids" live performances and TV shows as well as the educational video, "Reach For A Book," which was featured on VH-1's "Before They Were Rock Stars." He was barely a teenager when he joined Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough in the Backstreet Boys. The group broke through in 1995 in Europe; three years later in the U.S., and became a bonafide phenomenon. 　　 　　For Nick Carter and his fans, where it all began can be heard on Nick Carter: BEFORE The Backstreet Boys 1989-1993.