The last time I sat down face-to-face with BBMAK was back in 2000 at a press dinner for teen magazine editors at the long-shuttered Ruby Foo’s in Times Square. I was just 23 years old and working as the Entertainment Editor for CosmoGIRL!.
Mark Barry, Christian Burns, and Stephen (Ste) McNally were charming British imports taking the American music scene by storm with their acoustic guitars, soaring three-part harmonies, and a fast-climbing single called “Back Here”. Catching up over Zoom more than two decades later, Ste not only remembered that very dinner but vividly recalled it as the first time he ever tried edamame!
In the early aughts, before DMs, TikTok, and virtual meetings, moments like that were the heartbeat of teen magazine journalism. We sat across dinner tables with up-and-coming artists, building genuine rapport and watching their careers explode in real time. Those priceless connections are why I’m so passionate about keeping that golden era alive in my Substack newsletter, The Teen Mag Time Machine.
Reconnecting with the guys for Parade and The Teen Mag Time Machine felt like stepping right back into 2000 without missing a beat. Lately, they’ve been reveling in the wave of Y2K nostalgia on the Pop 2000 Tour alongside fellow TRL favorites like LFO, O-Town, and *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick. Packing the venues is a mix of original fans (some of whom the guys recognized from back in the day) and the next generation—their fans’ kids!
When I asked BBMAK fans for questions ahead of our chat, the response was overwhelming. Decades later, the love is as fierce as ever, and several questions in our conversation came directly from the fans who have championed the group from day one.
From their memorable acting gigs (including Even Stevens and All My Children) to TRL pandemonium and three decades of friendship with Chris Kirkpatrick, my walk down memory lane with BBMAK is one for the Y2K history books. Here are the four things they will always remember.
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1. Guest Starring on Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and All My Children
Because Disney owned both Hollywood Records and ABC, BBMAK was frequently tapped for high-profile network crossovers. From filming an entire Even Stevens episode where they famously delivered the deadpan line “free cheese,” to performing at the SOS Cafe on All My Children, the guys embraced their unexpected stint as television actors.
2. Touring with Britney Spears, *NSYNC, and Backstage Encounters with Destiny’s Child
Stepping into massive amphitheaters on Britney Spears’ Oops!… I Did It Again tour gave BBMAK their first taste of stateside mega-tours, quickly followed by three sold-out nights with *NSYNC at Giants Stadium. The trio also shared tour bills with Destiny’s Child, remembering just how warm and welcoming Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle were whenever their tour buses rolled into the venue.
3. Times Square Pandemonium at MTV’s TRL (and Why It Needs a Comeback)
Overlooking Times Square, MTV’s Total Request Live was the undisputed epicenter of early-2000s pop culture. Between beefed-up security to manage the crowds surging at the studio side doors and hanging out on set with Carson Daly, the band experienced pure Beatlemania-level energy. They also have a pitch to bring the iconic show back!
4. The 15-Year Hiatus and the Accidental Viral Kitchen Jam
After stepping away in 2003 to recharge after years of non-stop touring, it’s important to note that BBMAK never had a falling out. They stayed tight-knit through their weddings, christenings, and family milestones. Years later, during a casual meetup at Christian’s sister’s house, they picked up an acoustic guitar just to see if they remembered the harmonies to “Back Here”. The impromptu video caught fire online, garnering millions of views and launching their second act.
For more exclusive video clips and deep-dive Y2K nostalgia from Lauren’s interview, head over to The Teen Mag Time Machine on Substack. Follow back here each week on Parade.com!
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