All Pop -

Think the Backstreet Boys desire nothing more than a glass of water and a bowl of soup before a big show? Think Britney can make do with a TV tray and a few wobbly stools in her dressing room? Think again!

A website specializing in seeking out court and government information (www.thesmokinggun.com) has uncovered the "contract riders" for top pop acts. The forms let concert promoters know exactly what the artist requires, from lighting and staging demands to the brand of yogurt in his or her dressing room.

During Britney Spears' 2000 world tour, the "Oops" singer was very specific about her dressing room furniture. Here's a sample of her demands:

"Two six foot couches, two easy chairs, and odor free carpeted or rugged floor, a large coffee table, two floor lamps, and four cushioned folding chairs. Please feel free to dress room up to give an apartment feel. A TV cable connection will be required as well as an UNLISTED OUTGOING ONLY telephone line will be required for Britney's room. Publishing of this phone number and/or any incoming calls will result in a $5000 fine payable by the promoter."

Turns out the Backstreet Boys, meanwhile, are big peanut butter fans. Check out what they demand for their dressing room:

16 32 Oz bottles of water for stage

24 Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

1 hot coffee and tea service for 8

1 gallon milk

3 fresh lemons

1 jar honey

1 box sugar

2 quarts orange juice

2 quarts apple juice

1 6 pack Coke

1 6 pack Sprite

1 6 pack diet Coke or Pepsi

2 variety packs of cold cereal

1 gallon spring water

bowl of raw cut up vegetables and dip

bowl of fresh fruit for 8 to include apples, bananas, oranges, seedless white grapes, and whenever possible, tangerines, pears, pineapple, and any other seasonal fruit

**No candy, chips, chocolate or junk food of any kind** (Hmmm, somebody's watching his weight.)

If Backstreet's catering requests look a little skimpy, remember that the rider also has specific demands for each of the group's meals and "bus food", and don't think for a second that the boys would put up with eating on the run. Their catering rider specifically says that:

"All meals are to be sit down meals with clean table cloths, real plates (no paper), silver ware, real coffee cups, and condiments as needed. Any other nice touches would be greatly appreciated."

But it's Christina Aguilera who really takes the cake. Here's the "Genie" diva's long list of wacky food demands on her 2000 tour:

Ten bottles of room temperature bottled water (not Evian)

Full coffee and tea set-up

One 6-pack of Coke (not Pepsi and no diet)

Four packs of Carnation Instant Breakfast "Original Malt Flavor"

One small container of "Nesquick" Chocolate Flavour

One pint of organic whole milk (health food store)

One litre full fat vanilla soy milk (health food store)

One package of "Soya Kaas" soy cheese full fat mozzarella or cheddar (health food store)

One bottle of Echinacea capsules (health food store)

One small fruit platter of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, plums and whole bananas (all must be organic, health food store)

One small tray of fresh roasted turkey, chicken & roast beef deli only (no pressed or processed meats)

One small veggie tray with carrots, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, cauliflower, celery, and Jhicama (all must be organic)

Assorted raw almonds, banana chips, dried cranberries

Assortment or power bars, cliff bars and balance bars

One small bottle of "Flinstones" vitamins with extra vitamin C

One small bottle of chewable vitamin C tablets

One small cheese platter with cheddar, jack, gouda and Swiss

Platter assortment of gums and mints

One roll of APS Film/200 Speed Exposure

One clean large bath towel

Display of fork, knives, spoons, plates (not plastic)

One 1/2 pint of fat free small curd cottage cheese (Knudsen or Clover only)

One container of Coffee Mate non-dairy creamer

Twelve Solo cups

Four votive candles with matches

Two chicken or turkey club sandwiches (white bread with bacon, lettuce and tomato)

Chocolate chip or Oreo cookies

These lists can seem a bit extravagant. But hey, if you were a pop star, you probably wouldn't be ordering Kraft Dinner and tap water for your dressing room either now, would you?

Backstage with Britney