AJ McLean releases new country song, “Boy and a Man”; solo album “Long Road” due this spring

m_ajmclean_022119

Tyler ShieldsA Backstreet Boy has now officially gone country.

AJ McLean has released his first actual country single today, called “Boy and a Man.” He’ll debut his country-influenced solo album, Long Road, this spring.

“‘Boy and a Man’ is that growing-up story about finding that one true love even when you’re super-young and never wanting to let that person go and really just hanging out for the long haul,” AJ tells People.

Last year, AJ tested the country music waters with two songs: “Back Porch Bottle Service” and “Night Visions.” He says he was inspired to explore the genre after the Backstreet Boys recorded “God, Your Mama, and Me” with Florida Georgia Line, and the two acts toured together.

Also an inspiration to him: his wife of seven years, Rochelle.

“My wife was truly the inspiration behind the album title,” he tells People. “When we first released ‘Back Porch Bottle Service’ as kind of a feeler track, she had posted a commented on my Instagram saying how proud she was of me, and she basically said, ‘Baby, this has been such a long road coming for you to finally get here.’”

He adds, “When I read that, I was like, ‘Wow, that really does ring true.’”

AJ’s got some busy months ahead. In addition to launching his solo project, he’ll be kicking off the Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour in May. BSB wrap up their Las Vegas residency in April.

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.