SIKESTON — Fans of the NBC show “America’s Got Talent” will see a familiar face when the show’s third season premieres later this month.
Sikeston native Neal Boyd — also dubbed “The Voice of Missouri” — will be a contestant, showing off his singing talents.
“I think it’s super,” said Randy York of Sikeston, one of Boyd’s friends. “He has a lot of talent ... I’m just amazed that somebody can have the talent he has.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by several people who know Boyd and will be cheering him on.
“America’s Got Talent” is a talent search open to acts of all ages. Produced by Simon Cowell, hopeful future stars perform each week in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The audience at home votes for its favorites each week, and the series ends with a live finale, with one act walking away with a million- dollar prize.
Due to his contract with NBC, Boyd, who now lives in the St. Louis area, can’t comment on the show or his involvement. In fact, word about his being one of the contestants only came about when he was featured on a commercial promoting the show.
When Lynn Feeler of Sikeston first saw the clip, she said she was “thrilled for him and for Sikeston.”
Boyd and his mother, Esther, as well as other family members attend St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, to which Feeler also belongs. Feeler watched Boyd grow up in the church, as well as in school, because she has two daughters about the same age as him.
“It’s been evident from early on that he was and is a magnificent tenor,” she said. “Many in the community have said of the likes of (Luciano) Pavaratti.”
Friend Dan Norton agreed. He said he wasn’t surprised when he learned Boyd would be featured on the show. “He’s a great talent,” said Norton.
Feeler continued to say that Boyd has a “phenomenal” voice. “You’re just absolutely filled with awe at the magnificence of this young man’s voice,” she said. “He just puts you at another level musically.”
Boyd, a 1994 graduate of Sikeston High School, studied speech communications and music through Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. He graduated from both in May 2001.
He then took a year off to teach, and in 2002, went to study at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where he obtained an artist’s degree in singing.
During his singing career, Boyd has performed for many political and state events. He’s also performed at Carnegie Hall.
Jeffrey Connor, communications director for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, said she is “a huge fan” of Boyd. Emerson was out of the country Friday and unable to speak, but Connor said Boyd has performed at several events the representative has attended.
Friends of Boyd say he’s worked hard to get to where he is. They also say it’s an honor to Sikeston — and a reflection of the community and its educational system.
“Every time you’ve got talent like that in a community, it shows your city can nurture,” said Norton.
York agreed. “I think it’s a reflection of our educational system — they are able to help our kids early on to capitalize on their strengths,” he said.
And of course, Boyd’s friends and the entire community is rallying to support him ... and hopefully help him become the show’s ultimate winner.
Feeler said some friends, as well as other church members are discussing having a watch party. “I think there is a good possibility (he will win),” she said. “Everybody will be pulling for him.”
And although York said he’ll be on the road when the show premieres, he’ll still find a way to see his friend on the big screen. “I’ll be watching it from my hotel room,” he said.
The show premieres at 8 p.m. June 17 on NBC. For more on the show, go to www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/.
And for more on Boyd, as well as some clips of his music, go to www.nealeboyd.com.
