PASSAGES: Backstreet Baby On the Way

By Stephen M. Silverman

08/29/2002 at 01:00 PM EDT

ANNOUNCED: Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, 27, is about to become the first Backstreet Dad, reports the new issue of PEOPLE. His wife, Leighanne, 33, is due by the end of the year. "It's a boy," Littrell tells the magazine's "Insider" column. "We were a little surprised, but it's a good time because our schedules are lightening up a little bit." No name has been decided yet. ... HONORED: Country crooner Alan Jackson, 43, was nominated for a record 10 Country Music Association awards Thursday, including best entertainer, reports the Associated Press. (Merle Haggard set the previous record of nine in 1970.) Toby Keith, 41, followed with eight nominations. The awards are slated to be handed out Nov. 6 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. ... PROMISED: Latin stars Marc Anthony and Carlos Vives are scheduled to perform live at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood for the Sept. 18 Latin Grammy Awards, the Associated Press reports. Among the award presenters are two-time Grammy-winner Jon Secada, actress Daisy Fuentes and Backstreet Boy singer Nick Carter. Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Smits will cohost the CBS telecast. ... DIAGNOSED: Singer Ronnie Hawkins, 67, whose band backed Bob Dylan before gaining prominence as the Band, has been diagnosed with cancer after Aug. 13 surgery to remove a tumor, family members tell the Associated Press. Doctors say there was no sign the cancer had spread, and no immediate plans for Hawkins to undergo chemotherapy. ... CAST: Double Oscar winner Sally Field, 55, will return to "ER" this fall to reprise the guest role of the bipolar Maggie Wyczenski, which earned her an Emmy Award, reports Variety. Field's most recent network TV appearance was her starring role on ABC's midseason series "The Court," which was canceled after disappointing ratings.