Always on the go: Aaron Carter's career zooms in many directions

3/25/2005

Aaron Carter, 17, says he's seeking to develop his own musical voice with his new album, which is being recorded one song at a time as his hectic schedule allows.

The last time Aaron Carter was in town, the singer, musician, dancer, and actor was 15 years old and anxiously waiting to get his hands on his first driver's license.

Now, two years later, the 17-year-old pop star is anxiously trying to hang onto that license.

"I've had a lot of speeding tickets - a lot," said Carter, who will be in concert tomorrow in Club Bijou, with former New Kids on the Block member Jordan Knight opening. "I've only got one point left on my license. If I get another ticket, I'll lose my license."

The teenager's need for speed behind the wheel carries over to his entertainment career.

Carter got his start at age 9 when he made his singing debut with older brother and Backstreet Boy Nick in Berlin, Germany.

He then signed with Edel Record Co., released his debut CD, "Crush on You," when he was 10, and toured as an opening act for Britney Spears.

Thus far in his young career, Carter has sold more than 5 million records worldwide, including 1 million singles. His live concert video has sold more than 2 million copies, he's been featured on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, he has guest starred on the TV series Seventh Heaven, and is starring in two movies due for release this year, Pop Star and Supercross.

"That's my life - I'm consistently going," Carter said.

One of seven children in the musically gifted Carter family, Aaron plays just about any instrument but focuses on guitar, piano, and drums.

He said there are two singers he most admires, Steve Perry of Journey and Jimi Jamison of Survivor, but is seeking to develop his own musical voice. He believes he's making progress toward that goal with his new album, which is being recorded one song at a time as his hectic schedule allows.

"I'm getting older and I'm ready to change my style," he said. "The next album is going to be a huge change. It will be a whole lot of everything - rock, rap, pop. You're not going to hear a whole bunch of songs that pretty much sound the same."

Carter said he hopes to do more songwriting on the new disc than he has on previous albums.

"That's what I'm going for. A lot of times, people have trouble transitioning because they aren't really in touch with themselves. They don't know who they are. But for this album, I know who I am and I know what I want to do - whether I sell 5 albums or 5 million albums. Well, not really 5 albums. That wouldn't be too good."

His current tour is a "track show," he said, meaning he'll be singing along with prerecorded instrumentation and backing vocals.

"It's a really great show - nothing but consistent dancing and a lot of fun," he said.

Aaron Carter will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Club Bijou, 209 North Superior St. Jordan Knight, a former member of the New Kids on the Block, opens the concert. Tickets are $25 from the box office, 419-243-4446.

Contact David Yonke at:

dyonke@theblade.com or

419-724-6154.