25 years ago this weekend saw the release of what I think is the greatest album of all time. If you’re into pop music, then you know it’s one of the best. If not, then that’s OK too.
The Backstreet Boys came onto the pop music scene in the mid-1990s. They released their self-titled debut in the US in the Summer of 1997. That album generated five hits in 1997 and 1998. All of them charted in the top 20 and all got heavy airplay on my favorite station growing up, B94.
My CD buying history begins in the Spring of 1997 when I bought my first album. It was a Simpsons compilation with songs from the show (from the show’s first seven seasons) called “Songs in the Key of Springfield”. The CD even resembled a donut (Homer’s favorite food). My first album from an artist was the Spice Girls’ debut album which I got for my 16th birthday. I played the hell out of that CD. I’m not ashamed to admit it. Just so you’re aware, this gender nonconformity thing dates back to high school.
I fell in love with the Backstreet Boys and this genre of pop music during my senior year of high school. All the airplay on B94 and videos on MTV’s Total Request Live (remember that show) helped fuel my buying decisions one night in January of 2000. I played those CD’s a lot during my senior year as I wrapped up my time on the swimming team.
My college years were defined by some of these songs that I heard on B94, and eventually on Power 99.1 (the Pop/Top 40 station in Johnstown). Like the disco era of the mid to late 1970’s, the bubble gum pop era of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s is a long gone era that was short. Whether it’s sweet is your own opinion. To me, it’s a hidden gem.
Today I attended my former Toastmasters club, Achievers, as I had a free weekend and it’s the third Sunday of the month. We had nine in attendance, myself included. Mike Dalton from my home club and Charlie Krebs from ESL (formerly Penn Hills) both gave great speeches. Mike talked about past mentors he had in his long Toastmasters journey. Charlie talked about Catholic school and his could have passed for a humorous speech. I hope to meet him again at the upcoming Summer TLI on June 22. I liked coming today and I might be back on June 23. There might even be a Speech-a-thon at that meeting. I may just prepare a speech if I attend that June meeting. As for joining, that’s not going to happen right now because of my schedule.
If I committed to giving more speeches and my path as I have been with this blog, I’d have a Triple Crown and multiple DTMs by this point. But nevertheless, I’m still happy to be a part of Toastmasters.
Stylish 🍒 