328: Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block

Summary

Podcast Summary: The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler – Episode 328: Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block

Release Date: April 7, 2025
Host: Ryan Sickler
Guest: Joey McIntyre

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Introduction

In episode 328 of The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler, comedian and host Ryan Sickler sits down with Joey McIntyre, a prominent member of the iconic boy band New Kids on the Block (NKOTB). The conversation delves into Joey's early beginnings, the formation and rise of NKOTB, experiences with fame, solo ventures, and the challenges faced along the way. Rich with anecdotes and reflective insights, this episode offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the life of a child star navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry.

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Early Beginnings and Family Influence

Joey McIntyre's passion for performing arts stemmed from his early childhood. Growing up in a household steeped in theater, Joey was the youngest of nine siblings, with seven older sisters who influenced his love for dance and performance.

Joey McIntyre [35:10]:
"We live four blocks away from the oldest community theater in America called the Footlight Club... My mom showed us the love of theater."

His mother actively participated in plays and musicals, providing a creative outlet for the family, while his father, a union man involved in Boston politics, maintained a more pragmatic view, often referring to the entertainment world as "all showbiz."

Joey McIntyre [35:34]:
"My father would say, it's all showbiz. He was a union guy into politics... It's all about the presentation."

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Formation of New Kids on the Block

At the age of 12, Joey's life took a pivotal turn when he auditioned for what would become New Kids on the Block. The band’s formation was orchestrated by Maurice Starr, who sought to replicate the success of established groups like New Edition by creating a white boy band with strong performance skills.

Joey McIntyre [27:01]:
"I was in the studio two weeks later and 12. Yeah."

The audition process was relatively small-scale, with only about eight kids trying out. Joey's background in theater and his performance abilities stood out, leading to his selection alongside his eventual bandmates.

Joey McIntyre [34:37]:
"I sang a Nat King Cole song for him... And the rest is history."
[35:10]
"We all have the same story. We were living in Roxbury where my parents grew up in Boston..."

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Rise to Fame and Navigating Early Success

Joey recounts the rapid ascent of NKOTB, highlighting the whirlwind nature of fame achieved at such a young age. Despite the excitement, he emphasizes the desire to maintain normalcy and the challenges of sudden celebrity status.

Joey McIntyre [41:12]:
"I didn’t really have that 'Oh my God' moment because it was just another stage for me. It was exciting, it was fantastic. It was fun."

However, the influx of fame brought its own set of difficulties, including managing public attention and maintaining personal relationships. Joey shares memorable incidents, such as being inundated with fans at his childhood home, which underscored the intensity of their popularity.

Joey McIntyre [43:30]:
"I remember I pulled up, I rented a car... I went to my childhood on my dad's home and... 50, 60 girls outside of my house."

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Solo Ventures and Creative Pursuits

After decades with NKOTB, Joey embarked on solo projects, expanding his artistic repertoire beyond music into acting and theater. His latest solo album, Freedom, consists of ten tracks co-written with producer Sean Thomas, reflecting his growth as an artist.

Joey McIntyre [09:32]:
"Out of the 10 songs, me and my collaborator Sean, we co-wrote eight of them and then the other two I wrote by myself."

Joey emphasizes the commitment required to produce a full-length album, contrasting it with the more collaborative environment of the band.

Joey McIntyre [10:20]:
"It's gotta be math. You can only do so many projects before you start getting maxed out and the work is being compromised."

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Challenges and Low Points

Joey candidly discusses the "lowlights" of his career, including moments of self-doubt and the struggle to balance multiple creative pursuits. One significant turning point was a challenging acting audition that initially went poorly, leaving him questioning his versatility.

Joey McIntyre [16:09]:
"When I came out here and I got on Boston Public... my manager was like, I don't know about this audition."

Despite setbacks, Joey highlights the importance of perseverance and self-confidence, drawing parallels between his experiences in music and acting.

Joey McIntyre [21:48]:
"To me, it's the prep. It's about communicating. If you don't know what you're talking about, it's going to show."

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Touring Experiences and Fan Interactions

Joey shares vivid memories from touring, both domestically and internationally. From the adrenaline of performing live to the unpredictable nature of fan interactions, he reflects on the highs and lows of life on the road.

Joey McIntyre [53:08]:
"When we were just building up steam... we were doing a whole routine and Maurice kept talking about the power of radio, but it was really the power of bingo."
(Reference to a low attendance show)

He recounts incidents such as fans throwing stuffed animals during performances, leading to injuries among band members, exemplifying the sometimes chaotic nature of fandom.

Joey McIntyre [53:09]:
"They threw a stuffed animal, and Danny was dancing and he twisted his leg... he had to leave the tour for a couple of weeks."

Additionally, Joey shares humorous and memorable encounters with fans across different countries, highlighting the diverse and passionate nature of NKOTB's global fanbase.

Joey McIntyre [55:08]:
"When we got to Korea... I walked into the bathroom, and behind the door were two Korean schoolgirls. I screamed and ran out."

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Balancing Personal Life and Career

Throughout the discussion, Joey underscores the significance of family support in managing the demands of fame. Despite the challenges, his family's guidance played a pivotal role in sustaining his career and personal well-being.

Joey McIntyre [60:10]:
"My mom was strict, but my dad would come out on the road and check out on me... The best we can do as parents is put a roof over their head, clean clothes, food, and set some boundaries."

He reflects on the necessity of maintaining boundaries and the limitations of parental advice, emphasizing that personal growth and learning ultimately come from individual experiences.

Joey McIntyre [60:24]:
"There's nothing that they, it's like the teacher in Charlie Brown. It really is. And it's just human nature."

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Reflections and Advice

As the episode draws to a close, Joey shares his perspective on legacy and the importance of teamwork. He expresses pride in his contributions to NKOTB's success while maintaining humility about the collective effort required to achieve lasting impact.

Joey McIntyre [58:32]:
"It's all about the presentation. It's communication... There's a detachment to it."

When asked for advice to his younger self, Joey offers a simple yet profound message, echoing his father's wisdom.

Joey McIntyre [63:09]:
"Take five minutes for yourself."

He emphasizes the value of taking moments to reflect and reassess amidst the chaos of a demanding career.

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Conclusion

Episode 328 of The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler provides a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of Joey McIntyre's journey in the entertainment industry. From his early days in theater to the meteoric rise of NKOTB and his ongoing solo endeavors, Joey offers a nuanced perspective on fame, creativity, and personal growth. Listeners are left with an appreciation for the dedication and resilience required to sustain a multi-decade career in the spotlight.

Notable Quotes:

• Joey McIntyre [07:47]:
  "There are certain people, when you look at them, you're like, oh, that person came here to do exactly what they were supposed to do."

• Joey McIntyre [16:18]:
  "That was a big break, acting-wise."

• Joey McIntyre [20:53]:
  "To me, it's the prep. If you haven't done the work, it shows."

• Joey McIntyre [63:09]:
  "Take five minutes for yourself."

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Promotional Segments (Skipped)

As per the podcast's structure, advertisements, intros, and outros were omitted to focus solely on the content-rich sections of the interview. This ensures a comprehensive and uninterrupted summary for those who seek to understand the essence of Joey McIntyre's experiences and insights shared during the episode.

Transcript

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[Ryan Sickler]

Come see me run my hour at the World Famous Comedy Store before I head to shoot my special Madison, Wisconsin comedy on State. I'm excited to work with them and bring you my next special two show shows Saturday, April 12th. Get your tickets [e-mail] the Honeydew with.

[Joey McIntyre]

Ryan Sickler.

[Ryan Sickler]

Welcome back to the Honeydew Y'all, we're over here doing it the Night Pan Studios. I'm Ryan Sickler. Want to start this episode like I start them all by saying thank you. Thank you for supporting the show. Thank you for supporting anything that I do. It is well appreciated. Check out the Patreon. Get over there. The shows are wild. And that's the biz, man. We're just gonna get right into it. You know, we do here. We highlight the low lights and always say that these are the stories behind the storytellers. And I am very excited to have this guest here with us today. Ladies and gentlemen, first time on The Honeydew, Joey McIntyre. Welcome to the Honeydew, Joey McIntyre. Give it for yourself, bro. Give it up for yourself. Is a pleasure to have you here.

[Joey McIntyre]

Got Jimi Hendrick looking on, making sure everything's copacetic.

[Ryan Sickler]

Tom Segura made that bust. He had it made for me as a surprise. And I'm a Hendrick super freak. And usually when I see something, I'm like, that's really good, but it's just slightly off the teeth or whatever. This thing.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, it's flawless. It's beautiful. Like, yes.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's Han Solo and carbonite right there.

[Joey McIntyre]

Is what that is right now. Do you. Do you have to be a guitar player to, like, adore Jimi Hendrix? At what. No, no.

[Ryan Sickler]

You just not a guitar player at all.

[Joey McIntyre]

But he's your guy.

[Ryan Sickler]

The just coming out on stage.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

At Monterey and just literally three guys wasn't even. There's no. No seven, eight. Nothing. Three dudes. He's playing lead and rhythm.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And everyone was like, who the Is this guy? Yeah. And Paul McCartney brought him over and was like this. The guy's been kicking ass in England the whole time. Scared Eric Clark, hearing those stories.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then they were like. And off he goes.

[Joey McIntyre]

I love those backstories that, you know, we only get now, you know, from. You know, you get all that content. But, like, the fact that it took that long to figure out all those backstories of different bands and who tour with what. And the Beatles with this one and that one. And that whole connection is. Is very cool. My, my. A buddy of mine, he mixed all the new kids hit records. His name's Phil Green. Character, Character. But could play like crazy. And he always told the story about, I can't do it any justice, because, like, Phil, by now he's on. He's like a New England guy, and he's like. He's got no teeth, but he's like, listen, baby, it's a head fucking. It's a fucking. You know what I mean? He'd make something.

[Ryan Sickler]

You.

[Joey McIntyre]

So, you know, he told that story about something like. Like you. But, like, he did something like he just walked on stage and he would light a joint, you know what I mean? And. And then, like, before you knew it, he'd, you know, spin around, jump up in the air, and then a split and gang. Gang. You know what I mean? Like, with a freaking trait in his hand. So, yeah, he's. He's a good one.

[Ryan Sickler]

He's legend.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

I just feel like I want you to plug things real quick. I'll say this. There are certain people, when you look at them, you're like, oh, that person came here to do exactly what they were supposed to do, right then. I think that's one of those guys. Oh, yeah, no doubt.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, yeah, no, that's a good.

[Ryan Sickler]

And you think about fame like, you were famous before the Internet.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Think about that today. Like, how big you had to be back then for the world to be. Like, you got to hear this guy. You got to listen to this band. You got to see this comedian and selling out arenas and shit. Back then before. Before you could just click a link and see it everywhere in 10 seconds like that. That blows my mind. The level of fame. That's true.

[Joey McIntyre]

Number one.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

I think. Wow. I mean, and people debate this a lot. It's like, was it easier without the Internet or with the Internet, or is it blah, blah. And it's a fun conversation, right? Because it makes it a good debate. The re. To me, though, like, one argument is, yes, but back then, there were gatekeepers, right?

[Ryan Sickler]

It's very.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know what I'm saying?

[Ryan Sickler]

Wall that we.

[Joey McIntyre]

There was a gatekeeper, you know, as a performer, as a guy, you know what I mean? Like, trying to make things happen. It was. I gotta get to this guy so he can get me to, you know.

[Ryan Sickler]

Instead of going right through the wall.

[Joey McIntyre]

Right? So it's that.

[Ryan Sickler]

Good point.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know, there's pros and cons, right? Because it. Sometimes it seems like it was easier back in the day if you could just get to the back door and go, just give me a shot. You know what I mean?

[Ryan Sickler]

Hear me out.

[Joey McIntyre]

And then one step at a time. Now it's like, everybody's got a shot.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, everyone does have a shot. They really do. Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

It's like. It's like the Walking Dead. You don't even at the back door, you know, you're like, what, though? You know, so real quick.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, promote, please promote. You're about to go on tour. Yes. Do it.

[Joey McIntyre]

So well this week I kick off my solo tour which is starts in Houston. I actually develop as one of my pitches. I had fun with it but they. I made a little rap for the date so I'll do it really quick. Houston, Dallas and Old St. Lou. Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, two Cleveland, two Villes, Lewin, Nash, Birmingham, let's kick some ash. Gainesville, Savannah, Raleigh, D.C. philly, Boston and NYC. Freedom Tour. Phase one is here. Buckle up baby. See you there. So that's. Those are the dates but it's. It starts. It starts April 4th and it's the. You know, really just tee up my. My new solo album Freedom and which I'm very happy about 10 songs and I, I wanted to get very spec how this tour is and how I portrayed if you will or presented this album. I like to perform no matter what. I guess I in, in some ways I proud myself that. Pride myself that I can get up and sing a song anywhere. I don't have to be too precious about it. I've toured my solo stuff. You know, the cabaret vibe is great for me. Sit down, have a cocktail, have something to eat, let me entertain you. I like that. And I'm lucky enough that I can do that as a solo artist. But this is a little bit more. There's more of a vision around it. So I'm excited, I'm really excited to do that.

[Ryan Sickler]

And can I ask you this? When it comes to the solo project, things like that, do you write your own songs? You write some collaborate. Like how was your process?

[Joey McIntyre]

Out of the 10 songs? Me and my collaborator Sean, we co wrote eight of them and then the other two I wrote by myself.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Joey McIntyre]

And Sean, this guy, Sean Thomas produced the record. He's 24 years old, he's from Vancouver. He's phenomenal, you know. Yeah, he's in the room and I'm like.

[Ryan Sickler]

How were you when he started?

[Joey McIntyre]

When he was born? Yeah, yeah, exactly. So apparently we do have a good time. He's wise beyond his years. And then you know, I like to think combined with just like this, you know, 37 year old dude.

[Ryan Sickler]

But good for you for recognizing that that young can be great as well. Not just as green. You gotta earn.

[Joey McIntyre]

It's gotta, it's. It's. Yes. I, I've always written songs especially for my music. This album. Well, I think we, we like to think that everything we do is better and more evolved and you know, shows growth and And I just, I hadn't done a full length solo album in 15 years. I've written a lot of one offs. I've written for the new kids and that's been great. But to do a full, you know, a full album is a commitment. You really got to go for it. And, and I had the gusto and hung in there and was inspired by all kinds of things in my life to stay the course and get it done. So it's nice to be happy with the project, you know, because you can also, you can also be like, oh, it's done. But damn, I wish I could have done this or done that and I don't have those. I'm not up at night going, oh, I wish I could have. So I'm very happy with the, the finished product and now it's just, you know, supporting it without, you know, you know, you got a hustle. You know, you know, the hustle. It's a hustle. You know what I mean?

[Ryan Sickler]

That's what I'm sitting here thinking too. Respectfully, you've been in this business a. In time.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

How, how were you when you actually started?

[Joey McIntyre]

I mean, we started when you start.

[Ryan Sickler]

I don't mean fame or popularity. When you started grinding.

[Joey McIntyre]

Well, I'm a theater kid, so I grew up on community theater when I was like 6 years old. I just love to do it. It was, it was fun. No strings attached. You had a blast. Of course you, you learned a lot and, and you wanted to again get better, but it was, it was just for fun. New kids came and knocking when I was 12, bro.

[Ryan Sickler]

And you're 52.

[Joey McIntyre]

I'm 52.

[Ryan Sickler]

You've been in this business for 40?

[Joey McIntyre]

Well, I've known those guys for 40 years.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's insane.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And what I, what I want to get at is like, you're still finding a passion for this.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's different. You know, you start in a band, a group, and then someone still doing.

[Joey McIntyre]

Very well with them, but, I mean.

[Ryan Sickler]

Grace of God, then you're also able to offshoot independently and you're still relevant. Still, still finding it enjoyable. Still also hustling like a motherfucker. Not sitting on your ass or thinking everybody's just going to do it because you said it earlier. There's so much out there to watch today.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

So much to see and do. You're not going to catch it all.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And the fact that you still, after 40 years, you love, I can tell you love it. I can really tell you love it. You're Here to do what you were supposed to do.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

You're doing exactly what you were supposed to do.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. I think, as I've been saying the last couple of years, turns out I bring a lot to the table, you know what I mean? So, and, and that's, you know, I get to do other things and you know, movies or theater or different projects, you know what I mean? And, and you know, It's a catch 22. It's like you can't, you can't just suddenly have experience. You got to live it, you know, it's like, you know, God willing, as we get older, we learn there are tough times, but maybe we can see the forest for the trees a little bit more, you know, but it's not always like that, you know what I mean? And that, that probably brings us to, you know, your question of, you know, the lowlights. Funny enough, because, because when I, I was like, when I was coming here, I was like, oh yeah, that'd be cool. But I'm like, what? Because we all have them, you know, specifically. But funny enough, you know, as the universe would have it at the end of this road, you know, those two towers, the two buildings, they're identical. For those of you at home, we're in Los Angeles, which your folks probably know, but Office Santa Monica. And there's two big buildings there. And, and I'll always remember those two big buildings because there was a, there was a casting director in there. There might be a million of them, but there was one. So, you know, yes, I've been doing this, you know, for a long time. There's been down times has been dark times, has been frickin biggest pop in, in the world. There's been, you're a nobody. There's been everything in between, you know what I mean? And I was, sometimes I would feel like I spread myself too thin, you know what I mean? Because I love, I did love to act, I did love to do theater, I did love music. So. But sometimes I'm like, well, maybe you should just focus on one thing. And so that could be true. Sometimes I felt deluded sometimes, you know, energy is energy, right? So it's going to suffer. It's like, it's, it's math. You can only do so many projects before you start getting, you know, maxed out in the, the work is being compromised, right? So that happened to me over the years and I would come out to LA and I had a manager and I had an agent and, and all that jazz and I would, I would get different gigs. I forget this is before. I think this is. I gotta figure it out. It might have been the. The life changing gig is when I came out here and I got on Boston Public, which is a David E. Kelly show, and he was huge producer and still is, but now.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's wild to hear you say life changing because I would for sure would have thought new kids would have been the first life.

[Joey McIntyre]

Well, I meant acting wise.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Joey McIntyre]

That was a big. So. Well, I had a couple before then, but. But life changing in the sense. I came to LA and I met my wife and a year later we were married. So life changing in that sense.

[Ryan Sickler]

Gotcha.

[Joey McIntyre]

So anyways, let's just say it was a. It was a funky time. It was a low time to. And my manager's like, I'm like, I don't know about this audition. Right. It was for a Ed Burns pilot. I think it was made. It was called the Fighting Fitzgerald's. So this is. Ed Burns was doing his thing kind of in, you know, Saving Private Ryan before that. I mean, that wasn't. He didn't write that, but, you know, he was doing his thing. And I was like, yeah, it seemed like on paper a good fit, you know, Irish kid. It was probably New Yorkers, you know what I mean? I'm from Boston. The whole thing. Managers just go to the. Go to the. See the casting agent, you know, and go from there. She'll see it. So I went up to her office and it wasn't like. It was like this, but it wasn't even filmed. I just read with her. Right, okay. And. But I have my tail between my legs, you know, it was one of those, you know, you just want to. You just want to stand on the covers that day, you know what I'm saying? It was just like a Go to a movie or check out or see you later, you know. And I read her and she said, I finished and she said, it's so funny. She said, well, you don't suck. That's good one, right? Well, you don't suck. Does that, does that, does that just say it all? Okay. Does that say it all? Does that say it all? Is that a honeydew moment or what? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you don't suck. And I was like, wow, okay. And I'm. I'm just in a fog. I'm like, you know what I mean? Well, come back. Come back in a couple of hours and you'll read for Ed and the producers. And the thing I remember too, I remember, I. It's Got to be right there. There's a donut shop down there. I don't know if there is. Throw in a donut, okay? In the afternoon, you know, throw in a donut in between. What could make it worse? You know, a donut, you know what I'm saying?

[Ryan Sickler]

There is a parking lot over there.

[Joey McIntyre]

There's, there's like, let's throw in a donut, you know, to make you feel.

[Ryan Sickler]

Out in the area for the two hours in your head.

[Joey McIntyre]

Totally, totally. And there's, there's no Tik Tok or Instagram to get on. You're just, you barely get text to check, you know what I mean? You're calling your buddy back home saying what's going on? You know, and, you know, two hours, you know, comes and goes. And I go up there and you know, again, it's simple math. It's like, did I really do the work on the scene? Did I have a partner to do it? Did I have the infrastructure at the time to take care of myself? And the answer is no. And golly, you know how you just kind of black out, you know, I've had auditions on Broadway. The funny. I mean, maybe it's just how I look at it. It's like all the stuff I got in my life, you know, the three Broadway shows, the, the, the David Kelly, the movies, the. All those auditions. I was so like in the zone, so present, so in my own body that it was a no brainer. Right? And everything else. Not that I, you know, didn't always shit the bed, but like that feeling of you, you literally want to jump out the window, you want to be anywhere.

[Ryan Sickler]

This is what you want to ask you. What is it? Tell me for you what it feels like to go from being confident as hell, being a new kid and in this genre of dance and music and being like, fuck yeah. To then switching gears and going completely vulnerable to something else where you're not confident in yourself, you know, does that with you.

[Joey McIntyre]

Well, to me, it's the prep. I mean, to answer that, you know, I, I'm, I'm a performing artist, so I see it as the same thing. You know what I mean? It's about communicating. And if you don't know what you're talking about, it's going to show or if you haven't done the work. I mean, it's as simple as that. And we all like to think, let's go in there, we'll wing it. Maybe they'll like, I don't know. It's a cold Read. He was amazing. Like, I don't know. That doesn't. That didn't happen for me very often if. If ever I need to do the work. So, yeah, that. That. That can be part of the avalanche of making it a darker time when you're like, man, I was the. The guy, or I was. I was the man.

[Ryan Sickler]

And now, you know, man, I'm good at this. Yeah, I'm not good at this. Yeah, I need to work at this. Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

I think. I think, you know, I think I'm good. You know, over the years, and especially now, I have a lot of confidence in myself as an actor. So that was sort of somewhere there. But I had to do the work, and I didn't do the work. And just to finish, there was one other quote. It's like bookended. It's like, you don't suck donut. Yeah. Then I go in to Ed Burns, and I couldn't tell you how the scene went. We all knew it was bad. We're all just whatever. And I said, see you later. And in Ed Burns, he said he was sweet because he was, like, very nice. He kind of knew I was having a moment, and he said, be good. There's that east coast be good thing. You know what I mean? He had that. He has that high, kind of high pitch. Be good. I always remember that. So, you know, can you avoid those moments? I don't know. You know what I mean? Everybody.

[Ryan Sickler]

Everybody putting yourself out there, right? If you're going to. If you're going to be invulnerable.

[Joey McIntyre]

Right, right, right.

[Ryan Sickler]

And the older I get, I try to do. This is. This is so stupid. So I don't dance. I am not a dan. I'm good in the car. I'm good waist up. When I have to get my legs involved. It's not a good situation. And my daughter is doing cheer. Right. She's 10 now. And at the event, they were like, hey, parents, if you come down and dance the cheers, like cheerleaders will show you, like, a quick routine outside. It'll give more spirit points for your kids. And I was like, you know what? Oh, I'm gonna go do it and help your team out.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

This is something I would never do.

[Joey McIntyre]

Right.

[Ryan Sickler]

And I gotta get up in front of people and do this. But it's, you know, moms, dads, men, women. I can hide in the back. It'll be probably a bunch of people.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's in a middle school gym that's way bigger than the middle school I went to. It's like 500 people.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

We go outside and they go, okay, ladies over here, guys over there. I go, oh, no, no, no, no. Hold up, hold up. It's like 50, 60 women. It's like four dudes.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And I'm like, no, I thought we were all. And they're like, no, it's going to be a guys and a girls. I'm like, so they teach us this young high school.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, they're teaching yourself.

[Ryan Sickler]

And she has this music on. And she goes, do you guys know what this is? I'm like, yeah, it's. It's Tricky by Run dmc. She had no idea who that was. She just knew the song.

[Joey McIntyre]

That's funny.

[Ryan Sickler]

So it's her and his boy, and they're like, we're going to do. We're going to just teach you a simple routine. So they do a whole routine. We got to do it. And we're like, are we done? She goes, no, that's just the first round. We're like, it's four rounds and there's this young black kid next to me. And he goes, I'm not gonna lie, dude. I'm struggling with these steps right now. And I said, I'm not gonna lie. Yeah, you saying that right now gives me the confidence I need to get through this.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, nice.

[Ryan Sickler]

So he's messing up. We're all messing up. So then we go in, and then you wait 20 minutes and I'm like, wait, we gotta wait. Like, I'm going to forget this shit. She's like, don't worry, we'll be out there with you. The ladies all go. It's like 100 of them now at this point, they get done, the guys come out. Maybe there's 10 of us at this. Whoa. Front of this 500 seat gymnasium. I'm like, oh, my God. Diarrhea.

[Joey McIntyre]

Diarrhea. Oh, my God.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then the lady goes real quick, we're going to do our routine. And then after the routine, the freestyle begins. And just so you know, that's the most important part. I was like, I'm not freestyling. So we start doing the routine and. And I'm, you know, I'm fine following somebody up there. Yeah, a little bit. And then young kid over here with the. I can't. I don't know the steps. Maybe he wasn't good at following steps. This starts back flipping and I'm like, you son of a. Dude, you don't know this part.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, dude.

[Ryan Sickler]

Another guy's doing the worm. And so of Course, Kendrick Lamar has created a two step that even white guys can do.

[Joey McIntyre]

Okay.

[Ryan Sickler]

I just two step my ass. Like Kendrick Lamar right off that stage.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, my God.

[Ryan Sickler]

Lady comes up and taps you on the back. Now, my daughter's mother is, anytime music's on, she. She thinks she is dance. Dance.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And I'm not. Yeah, okay. This lady taps me on back and goes, this is for you. And it's this trophy. I go, oh, is that for my daughter? She goes, no, that's for you. I go, for what? She goes for outstanding performance. Go for.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, my.

[Ryan Sickler]

I go back into the stands and like, look at this, y'all. They're like, that's Stella's. I'm like, that's mine.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh.

[Ryan Sickler]

And so I told my daughter, look at that. I got out of my comfort zone. We're both going home with awards.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh.

[Ryan Sickler]

Sometimes you just gotta do it. Sometimes you gotta step up and do it, dude. I wouldn't. And I'm done. I'm going out on a high.

[Joey McIntyre]

And you had no idea what you were getting into?

[Ryan Sickler]

Nothing. Nothing. But that's what it is when you get out there and you make yourself vulnerable.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

The only way to learn is to suck. You gotta fail. You gotta fail.

[Joey McIntyre]

Stand up.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yes. Uncomfortable. Yeah, sure.

[Joey McIntyre]

For sure.

[Ryan Sickler]

So can we go back to the beginning of your story? Because you said 12 is when they came calling.

[Joey McIntyre]

12.

[Ryan Sickler]

Now, were they audition. Were you auditioning for this? Or, you know, how did that work out, the assembled sort of kids?

[Joey McIntyre]

It was. The way the new kids came together was very unceremonious. It was not a cattle call by any means. I think a total of the whole thing. Maybe eight kids audition.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wow. That's it.

[Joey McIntyre]

It was. What happened was there's Maurice Starr is this larger than life character, and he had produced new editions. First album. Candy Girl.

[Ryan Sickler]

Candy Girl. Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

Is this the end? The whole thing? So they're from Boston. They were like our heroes. Before we were even a group individually. We were like, oh, my God. They went their separate ways. And Maurice was like, I'm. I'm gonna do this again, but I'm gonna find some white boys.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay. So they go do Bell Biv devoe and Bobby Brown goes off on his own. And Ralph treads van and all that goes off on there.

[Joey McIntyre]

That's been. No, that's before. No, no, no. This is years before that.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'm saying they were New Edition. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yes.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then they broke up, and then they all went and did their own projects. Exactly.

[Joey McIntyre]

And they're back Together again.

[Ryan Sickler]

Can I ask you this, because I know people like to say the Beatles are the first boy band sort of put together. Who would you say is the next one? Because I'm. I was thinking it was New Edition.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, well, I mean, is there a 70s? I think the Beatles are. Yeah, I get it that normally they're not involved, but, you know, so who.

[Ryan Sickler]

Do you think's the first.

[Joey McIntyre]

The line, though? Yes, they are in the lineage. I mean, they're in that. That inspirational, you know, inspiration board, for sure. But, you know, before the New Kids was New Edition. Before New Edition was the Jackson five.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, duh. Of course. Of course.

[Joey McIntyre]

Throw in the Osmonds were really just ape and no Jackson 5. I'd like to think we're a little bit cooler as far as us, you know, stealing from New Edition. But. But I. I love the Osmonds, too, for what they brought, too. You know what I mean? And. And they were very genuine, you know what I'm saying? There's. There's got to be an organic, genuine vibe to a boy band. And then, you know, of course, the Jacksons learned from the Motown, the, you know, the Four Tops and the. The, you know, all that. So there's a line there. And. And it's. And it's a blessing to be a part of that, you know, pop sort of legacy.

[Ryan Sickler]

Now, how are you in this little world of these eight people? Because you're already a theater kid. Stuff like, how do you. How do you hear about.

[Joey McIntyre]

So Don. Donnie met Maurice first and, you know, again, lightning in a bottle. You know, Donnie Wahlberg was this, you know, he was a born leader. Big personality, caring and loving, but, you know, healthy enough ego to want to make this happen. Yeah, big music lover, very knowledgeable about rock and roll, but also R B. And a lot of weird, like, lines like, he was in the record store looking for freaking music. And he had Maurice's album in his hand and another album. And I don't know if he picked Maurices or whatever, but there's all these things that the universe sort of, like, teed up. And so he meets Maurice. We all have the same story. He lived in a dilapidated brick building in Roxbury where my parents grew up in Boston. A lot of this, about six or seven towns, basically, in Boston. A lot of people say they're from Boston, and you say, where? And it's like an hour outside. This is, like, Boston. And so he was very unassuming guy, super sweet. But also, Maury Star was, you know, big chip on his shoulder. Wanted to freaking make it. You know what I mean? He had a chip on his shoulder because he, you know, New Edition left him and is, you know, plus he was. He was like a prize fighter. He was so talented. Talked a lot of trash, but he backed it up, you know, but good guy with us. Great. I mean, he just really. It was. It was a great combination. But at the same time, Maurice is sitting around. Donnie's like, I gotta get. I gotta get this band together. So he's like, you know, trying to pull things out of a hat. He said, oh, well, he. Remember he went to school with. With Jordan and John. He was friends with their brother Chris. But he's like, oh, yeah, Jordan used to sing in the choir. And so he calls Chris and Chris tells Jordan, and then Donnie calls Jordan. He's like, hey, I get this band. I'm get this group of. What do you think, Maury Star? Yada, yada. He's like. Jordan's like, yeah, it sounds pretty cool. Then John gets wind of it, and he's like, I want to get down with that too. Right? So it was sort of like a package deal, which Maurice loved because he loved that they were brothers. But Maurice didn't need to hear a lot. I mean, part of his ego was like, I'll make anybody a star. Which is.

[Ryan Sickler]

I see. Sure.

[Joey McIntyre]

Which is. It's not true, of course, you know, But. But you gotta have that attitude. You know what I'm saying?

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, you do.

[Joey McIntyre]

You gotta have that attitude. So he's got Jordan and John, these. This incredibly handsome couple of brothers. Jordan can sing. John shy. He's the shy one, but he's ready to go. And then when Danny found out that Jordan was going to be in it, he was like. Because at first he said no, but Danny and Jordan used to break dance battle. They were in different breakdance groups. So when Danny hears Jordan, he's like, wait a minute. Because Donnie and Danny were good friends. So then you have four. And then there was this kid Jamie, who wasn't really a fit, but they were good friends. And he was a good kid, but he was like. And. And funny enough, like, one of the. The sort of the things was his parents didn't want him to be in it, he said. And the story is still coming out. But recently Donnie said that his parents. That I don't want my son going to Roxbury because Roxbury was a black town and it was. There was a tough town. So again, how the universe works out. My parents grew up in Roxbury. So when I said, I'm going to Roxbury, they didn't bat an eyelash, you know what I mean? And back then, it was 1985, and it was like, hey, dad, some lady's picking me up and taking me to Roxbury. All right, be home by five. Yeah, yeah, you know, it was that, that. You know what I mean? And so the. The rest of the guys were together for about, I don't know, like, with. Trying to figure out the dates, but no more than a year. You know, hit or miss, things were building. But people, slow times, you know, it was like a couple of shows here and there. And then they started. Mary Alfred, who was Maurice's partner at the time, trying to put this thing together. She found Donnie as well. Sweetheart. She. She called the local schools in Boston, the local public schools, and said, do you know any little white kids who can sing and dance? And there weren't many of us in Boston at the time.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that right? Just cold calling the school.

[Joey McIntyre]

And I didn't even go to the school, except it was in my hometown. And I was going to an after school project, an after school just thing, daycare thing. Like when I was 12, and they told me once and I was like, I'm all set. You know what I mean? I like my little community theater, you know, career happening. And obviously I have my buddies and the whole thing. And then they called again, and then the New Edition connection, I was like, wait a minute. They work with New Edition. Like, I had. I didn't have a lot of albums that was like, it. The cool.

[Ryan Sickler]

Now I feel like it still holds away today.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, totally, totally. So. And then I went up there, I sang a Nat King Cole song for him.

[Ryan Sickler]

And you did.

[Joey McIntyre]

The rest is history. I was in the studio two weeks later and 12. 12. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And as was anyone else in your family in show businesses. Like, where'd you find the love for this? Mom, dad? Like, or were you just.

[Joey McIntyre]

I had my mother, who. We live four blocks away from the oldest community theater in America called the Footlight Club. Didn't know how lucky we were until I moved to New York. And like, this could be a theater, right?

[Ryan Sickler]

Black. Yeah, I've been in plenty.

[Joey McIntyre]

This was a go. It's still living and it's in great shape through the members and grants and they. They redid it. When I was growing up, it was. Everything was peeling and falling apart. It was a, like a 230 seat theater, like, gorgeous, like legit theater in our hometown. And my mom Would get away. That was her getaway. She had nine kids and that was her getaway. She was in plays, musicals and she would just beam up there. So she showed us the love of theater. My father, on the other hand, as he would say, it's. It's all showbiz. It's all show me. He was a union guy into politics. You talk about Boston politics, Boston Irish politics. I mean JFK's grandfather, Honey Fitz was like a. At the top. Like that's, that's what it was. And it's sort of. I keep thinking of the word. What's the word? Prison. What do you. It's sort of like future priscient. Let's see, let's see folks, teach me a new word. Prison. Prison. Prison, folks, that I'm. Prison. Here we go. There it is. Prisient is having or showing knowledge of events before they take place. So my point is, my dad said it was all showbiz 35 years ago. And, and here we have Donald Trump in office. So if, if it ain't showbiz, like what the hell? Yeah, you know, and it always has been.

[Ryan Sickler]

Reagan, Clint Eastwood, jfk. It was all about Ventura. All these people are actors and performers.

[Joey McIntyre]

It's all about the presentation. Not all about it, but obviously a huge part of it. It's communication.

[Ryan Sickler]

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[Joey McIntyre]

So my dad loved showbiz. He loves singing tunes and whatever, but he between my mother and my father, you know that, you know, and I had seven older sisters, so they all loved to dance. Yeah. Yeah. I was the youngest of nine. Yeah. So. So all that I. I was the theater and the stage was my home. Like, expressing ourselves that way was, you know, not out of the ordinary.

[Ryan Sickler]

Tell me the moment you realize, oh my God, this is massive. Like what. What happens to you where you're like, this is crazy. Life changing.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know what makes me think of it like, you know, I was. When we've got our first hit record, I was 15.

[Ryan Sickler]

I think just putting myself at 15 right now. Like I'm in 10th grade.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was the. The.

[Ryan Sickler]

And you're going the other. Are you going global?

[Joey McIntyre]

I mean, it all happened Fast. But you know, when you're a kid, it doesn't feel fast.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'll bet. You know, that's. That's why I want to say, because you're 15, like, yeah, that's. You got non stop energy and go, go, go to me, to me.

[Joey McIntyre]

I think of the other guys when you ask that question because they were 18 and 19, which is a huge difference.

[Ryan Sickler]

It is.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know, I think of Danny Wood and like he. He would look at the. The charts every day. You know, even before we were. He was just a music fan before we made it. So, you know, I was just watching an old tape that of us in Japan. Like when we just started making it, we went over there for the first time and it's like, we're all babies, right? And he's like, what do you say, Top? He goes, how you feel about the next single? Which was going to be right stuff after. Please Don't Go Girl was the first, first single that was top 10. And we're building or whatever. He's like, and. And Danny said top five. And the album's going platinum now, right? Stuff went three. Number three. And talk about platinum. I mean, we hanging top sold, I don't know, 20 million records. So he was way. So you tell that kid, oh no, Danny, it's not only going to go platinum, it's gone. But to answer your question for me, I didn't really have that. Oh my God. Because it was just another stage for me. It was exciting, it was fantastic. It was fun. I realized that we were playing arenas and it was. But.

[Ryan Sickler]

But outside it was coming to your house. It was weird fan, you know what I mean? Where you're like, that's what I'm saying. That's not normal. Oh, you know what I mean? Like, it's one thing for you to perform or to do what you're supposed.

[Joey McIntyre]

I just wanted to go home. I remember I pulled up, I. I rented a car because, like, that's all you want to do is, man, I can rent a car, take my friends to McDonald's. So I'd rush home on a day off and I went to my childhood on my dad's home and.

[Ryan Sickler]

I don't.

[Joey McIntyre]

Know, 50, 60 girls outside of my house. Right? Yeah, yeah. So. So for some reason, anybody in their right mind would have kept driving.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

But you have this sense of like, no, I'm. I should be able. I want to go home. I'm gonna go home.

[Ryan Sickler]

My house.

[Joey McIntyre]

And so I pull up the driveway, which I never do. You know, some things you do when you, you just don't. Like we never went through the front door because my mother said, come through the back door the night kids. There was just certain things that the household had. So I pull up the driveway, I run in, they're losing it. My sisters are like, what are you doing here? What the hell are you doing here? You know, I was like. So I finally leave. I'm trying to back out as they're coming up the driveway. I'm trying to. It's tiny. It's a tiny neighbor. Like I'm, I'm surprised that I'm coming up on the curb so I can. Yeah, it was, it was not normal.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's heist? Are you just homeschooled after that? Like, how do you even show up?

[Joey McIntyre]

I did ninth grade and then that summer is when it started.

[Ryan Sickler]

Blew up.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

So did you ever go back for a prom or anything like.

[Joey McIntyre]

I did. I did my midterms on at 10th.

[Ryan Sickler]

10Th grade you went in to take.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yes, but it was an all boys school.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Joey McIntyre]

So it wasn't. Girls weren't my. Okay. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

You would not. Probably not even got out of that damn school. I see.

[Joey McIntyre]

And then after that, that was, it was all homeschool. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

What are, what would you say, like you have kids who are roughly that age now, looking back at seeing, looking at them through your lens, like, what were some of the hardest things to deal with being that age. Even though you do have all the energy and that's the time you, if you're going to do something like that, it's like, I'm going to do it now and get it in.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. I mean, buckle up. I mean, I, you know, I, I had, thankfully, we all had good families. I had seven older sisters that, you know, were always keeping an eye on me whether I liked it or not.

[Ryan Sickler]

Keeping you in line too.

[Joey McIntyre]

Ish. Yeah, enough. I mean, my mom was strict, but my dad would come out on the road and check out on me and we check, check, check in with me and you know, you'd always say, sit down. He's like, take five minutes for yourself. I go, five minutes. What's 17 year old? Is it gonna. 16 year old. Okay, dad, thanks. You know, that's the thing that I always say about my kid. It's like kids have to learn it on their own. You know what I mean? There's nothing that they, it's like the, the teacher in Charlie Brown. It really is. And it's just human nature. I think the best we can do as parents is, you know, obviously put a roof over their head, clean clothes, food, and, and try to listen, set some boundaries. But the advice thing, they got to learn on their own. They gotta learn on their own. So. Oh, and listen, sit down. Listen when I blow. I. I don't think it works.

[Ryan Sickler]

When you grew up, the Internet didn't exist. Yeah, that old advice. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's the best.

[Joey McIntyre]

Not that I don't say that.

[Ryan Sickler]

No, sure. Because.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, here goes. Yeah, of course I know, you know, but. But I, I recognize that that's not, you know, that that's. It's in one ear and out the other, just like every generation. Hello, it is Ryan. And I was on a flight the other day playing one of my favorite social spin slot games on jumbaccasino.com I looked over the person sitting next to me and you know what they were doing? They were also playing Jumba Casino. Coincidence?

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[Joey McIntyre]

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[Ryan Sickler]

So when you're in the middle of it and you guys like, I mean also you're, you're. You become branded. I mean, my younger cousin, so I'm your age, so my younger girl cousins, I mean, bro, I've been looking at you on their walls for years. You know what I mean? Looking at you. Every time I walk in, I'm like, yes, sure. These guys are taking pictures left and right. These posters.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like what? I forgot what I wanted to answer.

[Joey McIntyre]

So you said, let's see.

[Ryan Sickler]

Damn it.

[Joey McIntyre]

We said.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's right.

[Joey McIntyre]

We said kids and advice.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh yeah, you guys are grooving. You're in it. You ever. Have you ever fallen on stage? We've talked about being the bad stuff. Yeah, like. Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

The funky stuff.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Have you ever. I mean it happens, but I mean it. And this is before Internet too. So I imagine you're not being the Beyonce Falls not on stick.

[Joey McIntyre]

But yeah, what do we ever.

[Ryan Sickler]

You ever hear. I got a great question for you. I was just telling my. I was working out my physical therapist today and I was telling him, you know, like back in the day when we would do three shows a night. The third show, sometimes me, I Would find a little difficult at times. Because I know I've already said this twice tonight, but did I already say it in this hour? You know, And I start getting in my own head away from being present. I'm like, yeah, look, I know I'm supposed to say it two times. You ever do that? You ever lyrics up?

[Joey McIntyre]

Well, I've been pretty good with that. I mean, I'm. Again, I'm a theater kid and, you know, on Broadway and in New York, you know, you're doing eight shows a week. You know what I mean? So I know that. Is it. Is this the Wednesday matinee or the Sunday matinee?

[Ryan Sickler]

Never fallen off stage or anything. You guys are moving so much. I always look at you guys think.

[Joey McIntyre]

Of, like, the stuff that we talk about. Do you remember when. Blah, blah, blah. I mean, trying to think. I mean. Well, what one when we were just sort of building up steam. Because before Please Don't Go Girl was really taken off, it would. It was on the black charts. The black music charts, okay. And it was building up seam and went to 55 and then stopped. And then we got a break on a pop station in Florida, started playing it, and that was. That was it. It's crazy. So. Talk about the gatekeepers, right?

[Ryan Sickler]

You're right.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know what I'm saying?

[Ryan Sickler]

DJs, back in the day. Yeah. If you could get your record played, man, that was big time.

[Joey McIntyre]

So we got some steam or whatever. There's some radio play. And we had played. We had played this place out outside of Boston, and it was like a church basement. But they had a couple of things going on. And so we're going there. We're excited. We're excited about any show, you know what I'm saying? And we. This is it. Every show was like the Super Bowl. It was like, how are we gonna surprise them? What's the gag? How are we gonna. You know, with no money, blah, blah, blah. We'd always ripping something off to, like, expose another costume. Like something. So we get there. This time we're working on, like, a little doo wop section. We're gonna play some instruments and. Which we normally didn't do, but we mixed it up and Donnie could play the drums. But let me back it up, though. We play, we drive up to this place, and it's always us five in one car. Like, Maurice would rent a car. He knew he had a few bucks or he would finagle a deal for a Cadillac. So we'd all pile in a Cadillac and we drive up to this church in the parking lot is packed, and we're like, oh, my God. Right? And. And Maurice kept. The power of radio. The power of radio. We got down in the basement. No one's there. It's bingo upstairs. Bingo upstairs, bro.

[Ryan Sickler]

It is bingo.

[Joey McIntyre]

There's eight people in the audience, and this is the.

[Ryan Sickler]

This wonder where the bingo is.

[Joey McIntyre]

And this is the show we're gonna try out our big instrumental. Donnie's on the drums, and he's playing in the drum set. Is, like, falling apart as he's playing, you know? So, yeah, I mean, radio. The power of radio, man. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

The power of bingo, bro.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, exactly.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, man.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Any so weirdest or craziest thing any fan has ever thrown on stage at you?

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, Throne.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, Throne. We'll come back to. Done.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's wild to show up.

[Joey McIntyre]

I mean, we kind of. When we're asked that, we go, oh, you want to tell them A or B? Been asked that a lot. But Throne, I mean, you know, when we got over to Europe, in. In the uk, there's a. There's a rabid quality. Like, there's those soccer fans, and they're amazing, but they, like, kind of lose their. When they're in a crowd.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right, okay.

[Joey McIntyre]

Like, they'll throw coins up and stuff like that. You know what I mean? Like, and you probably. They're probably drunk. Maybe it's the boyfriend.

[Ryan Sickler]

Who the hell knows?

[Joey McIntyre]

But they did throw a lot of stuffed animals, and unfortunately, on our first tour over there, they threw a stuffed animal, and Danny was dancing and he twisted his leg.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, he stepped on it.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. Oh. Had to leave the tour for a couple of weeks, actually.

[Ryan Sickler]

For real?

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah. Sadly, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Because of a stuffy.

[Joey McIntyre]

I know. Exactly, bro. Exactly. I remember him coming off stage, and he always. He's still pissed at me because I couldn't help but laugh because he's, like, limping off.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. What kind of job.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. I don't know if he. I think he forgave me or he said he did. I don't think he did, though. But that was. I mean, we did feel bad. That was crazy. He had to go home and recoup.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's the crate now? See, those are. They're older guys. You're the baby also of this group, Right.

[Joey McIntyre]

At this point, I'm just. You know, I played at it. The youngest.

[Ryan Sickler]

But I'm saying, just like, you're the youngest of your sisters.

[Joey McIntyre]

Right? Right.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you're watching. I mean, you're right. You're looking at a 10th grader.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Who. And these guys would be equivalent to, like, fresh college freshmen. There's a big fucking difference. So what kind of. What's the craziest thing Give me A or B the fans ever done?

[Joey McIntyre]

Well, my thing is, we were in Korea. Came back from the gym, you know, ready to take a shower, take my clothes off. I walk into the bathroom, and I close the door, and behind the door are two Korean schoolgirls. Get the out, and I scream like a Korean school girl. Ice cream. They scream. We all scream. I grab a towel, I run down the freaking hotel, you know, lobbying. I'm like, this girl's in my room. See, it sounds like a dream, right? Sounds like every teenager's dream to have two schoolgirls. And. But it's not when it first happens. So, yeah, you know, there was girls that got on the top of the bus in Chile. You know, we're like, what's that sound? On the top of the bus? We open the hatch, and some girls, like, hanging on, you know.

[Ryan Sickler]

That is nuts, dude. Yeah, I get that dude mentality, but for girls? Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, yeah. No, they were. It was. It was intense, man.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's it like to be a high schooler and walk into a store? A Target or what? I don't even know if they had targets back then. Kmart, whatever.

[Joey McIntyre]

Chess king.

[Ryan Sickler]

And see. Yeah. And see. Okay, a new kid's jacket or lunchbox. Oh, that's the school. Is that fucking wild?

[Joey McIntyre]

You know, I mean, I know you're.

[Ryan Sickler]

So used to it now, but. Yeah, it's got to be nuts. You guys were everywhere. Your kids. Do your kids know how, like, globally. Well, out there, everywhere you go.

[Joey McIntyre]

We've been playing arenas again since 2008. So they. My kids grew up walking, so they're watching it.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's. By the way, the credits don't transfer. Of course. You know, I'm still Dad in the.

[Ryan Sickler]

Morning or they don't give us whatever, dad. Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know, so that's. That means nothing. Exactly. Exactly. Big time. You know, partly. You know, we were a little dismayed at how much of a brand it became. You know, there were mistakes made along the way. We were teenagers, we were cool, and then suddenly everything is pink and fluorescent, you know, and the gatekeepers unfortunately let the floodgates open without.

[Ryan Sickler]

The cousins had, like, bed sheets and for sure pink.

[Joey McIntyre]

So that might have been, like. There's another thing we don't like, you know, they used to use anything, but, I mean, I Guess it's partly, partly. It's like for new kids, when you say wow, there's. Because we have gratitude all the day long. But like when you say wow, there's a ownership to that. There's almost like there's a, it's a, it's a, it's a slippery slope because you can go, wow, look at me. Look what I did. So, you know, and I'll bring it back to when I see stuff that's solo for me, it's a little bit more like I see the work. Okay. This is lovely. But, but, but I'm reminded of the work I did to get there.

[Ryan Sickler]

Got it.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know what I'm saying? Like CBS show and I'm. I'm on billboards on Sunset Boulevard with my face on it.

[Ryan Sickler]

And I did.

[Joey McIntyre]

For me, there's a little bit. It's not that you're claiming it, but it's different.

[Ryan Sickler]

That makes sense to me. Someone just signed a licensing agreement. You're over there in Montgomery Wards in the bed section, right? Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah. So it's, it's what the.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'm on a beach towel right now. Like, that's not because of that and.

[Joey McIntyre]

Also because we are a band and we are a group and we did it all together and, and also was this massive mothership of holy cow. You know what I mean? Even for all the work we did, it just.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know, and so you, you. There's a detachment. There's a detachment to it. That's what it is. You know, and, and, and, and for the most part, it's a healthy detachment. You know what I mean? But it is. You know, you talk about Target, the New Kids did a brand new full length album last year. And you know that you go into Target and there it is at Target, you know what I mean? With right next to Taylor Swift's album. And you know, that kind of thing. So that's very cool. And that's something to be proud of.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Yes. Do you have. You have one of your own action figures? You got one.

[Joey McIntyre]

Not, not on a shelf. Oh, I do have my. What are the other doll. The new. The Dolls that everybody.

[Ryan Sickler]

Funko.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, Funko. Yeah. Yeah, I got, got one of those.

[Ryan Sickler]

Last question before we wrap up here. You're a child at the time, so who's. Are mom and dad protecting you through all this? Like, how much are they worried about? Like, this is also, you said a mothership and everything's gone. Like, how much are they, you know, trying to really make sure you don't get exploited and you're just a kid.

[Joey McIntyre]

You know, it was a different time. They would check in. My mother was kind of clueless at the same time. She's just like, oh, my baby. My mother was very dramatic. So this, you take it with a grain of salt. Sorry. How dare you. Like for instance, that first summer when we went on tour with Tiffany, big break, I mean, big break, you know? Yeah, we went, we went from some shows in Boston to, to opening for her and 10,000 girls a night. I mean, you know, talk about those breaks, you know, and at the end of that summer, we're gonna keep going, obviously. And I remember calling her, I remember the phone call, the motel, sitting on the bed, calling my mom, saying, mom, this thing is going to continue, so I'm gonna have to get a tutor. What? Like she didn't, she didn't put two and two together. Yeah, she saw the hysteria, she saw the hit record. She saw everything happen. She didn't connect one and one and go, oh my God. You know, so it was that very homegrown, organic, learn as family, learn as you go. Working class, who knows what, you know, and of course that was, you know, that was such a big part of the fabric of who we were, you know what I mean? And I, I more and more, you know, people ask how or what it was. It was our parents, it was our working class. Boston, up from your bootstraps, go get them. It's all in your attitude, you know, that, that is, that's who made us, that's who made us. And then, you know, from there we try not to mess it up.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's great, dude.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Thank you for doing this.

[Joey McIntyre]

Thank you.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'm gonna ask you advice you'd give to 16 year old Joey McIntyre because. Yeah, 16.

[Joey McIntyre]

Oh, me?

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, you not giving it to 16 year old man.

[Joey McIntyre]

Just me.

[Ryan Sickler]

You look going back and saying, bro, yeah. Here's something I want to tell you because you're a year into new kids at that point, right?

[Joey McIntyre]

I don't know, man. I want to answer the question, but it's just like there's nothing you can tell 16 year olds. There's nothing you can tell a 16 year old. You know, it's like my dad would say, take it easy. Easy does it.

[Ryan Sickler]

Know what he say, take five for yourself.

[Joey McIntyre]

Take five minutes for yourself.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's a good advice though, these days. My grandmother used to say, I'm gonna take five. She'd always say it. I'm like, yeah, the five minutes gonna do for.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Thank you, brother. Thank you very much. Of course. Please promote one more time again.

[Joey McIntyre]

Freedom Tour. April, Joey McIntyre.com for the dates and come see me and check out the album Freedom. And then New Kids are in Vegas. This. This. We didn't even talk. The Vegas residency, too.

[Ryan Sickler]

So how long have you been doing that?

[Joey McIntyre]

No, we start. We start June 20th.

[Ryan Sickler]

June 20th.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, is that nightly? How many, like, how many shows a week do you have to do?

[Joey McIntyre]

They call it a residency, but it's really. Bands come in and out. Acts come in and out. So you're not there. You know, we have eight shows at a time. These different chunks of shows. Yeah. So it's.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you get a lot easier than.

[Joey McIntyre]

Jumping on a bus and doing 70 days.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. At the MGM. Yeah, I'm coming.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah, sure was. And Bruno. Yeah. So we got all the bells and whistles, so it's gonna be fun.

[Ryan Sickler]

Thank you.

[Joey McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

As always, Ryan Sickler on your social media. RyanCickler.com we'll talk to y'all next week. Step into the world of power, loyalty, and luck.

[Joey McIntyre]

I'm gonna make him an offer he.

[Ryan Sickler]

Can'T refuse with family. Cannolis and spin pins mean everything.

[Joey McIntyre]

Now you want to get mixed up in the family business.

[Ryan Sickler]

Introducing the [e-mail] test your luck in the shadowy world of the Godfather.

[Joey McIntyre]

Slots. Someday I will call upon you to do a service for me.

[Ryan Sickler]

Play the Godfather [e-mail] Welcome to the family.

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[Joey McIntyre]

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