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Tonight a chapter in Neal E. Boyd's life draws to a closeWednesday, October 1, 2008
Neal E. Boyd
It's always strange to see someone you've met or talked to on national television -- not because being on national television is necessarily a great accomplishment (such as when people appear on "Cops"), but because those images on that electronic screen seem so detached from reality. No, they ARE detached from reality. Neal E. Boyd's been living in an alternate reality for months. Ask the tenor from Sikeston, Mo., himself, as I did in an interview a few weeks back, and he'll tell you the life he's been living is nothing less than surreal. Since June, Boyd has become an easily recognizable face to the millions of fans of NBC's "America's Got Talent." Not too long ago Boyd was the chubby, mixed race kid from small town Southeast Missouri (not insults, this is the way Boyd talks about his past). Now's he's in the middle of what's at least 15 minutes of fame. Soon Boyd's long strange trip will come to an end, maybe. Tonight the tenor will find out if he's the winner of $1 million and a chance at his own Las Vegas show. There are at least hundreds, if not thousands, of people in Southeast Missouri cheering for the hometown boy, now a man in his 30s with opera training and a job selling insurance. Boyd could win big, which would obviously be the best outcome. But even if he doesn't win big, the big guy is going to come out a better person for the experience, and might just be able to launch a singing career. And people in Southeast Missouri, even those who didn't know him before, will remember his accomplishment for decades. That's just he way it is around here, the local legend syndrome. I heard about several of them growing up in Stoddard County. Try to watch Boyd and give him your good will tonight, if you're so inclined. And if you're really juiced, join our live chat on "America's Voice," our website devoted to Boyd's run on the show. Or if you're just curious how Boyd did, you can check "America's Voice" after the show tonight or on Thursday morning. We'll have the complete story there.
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Matt Sanders, former arts and entertainment editor and reporter for the Southeast Missourian, was appointed editor of the paper's online operation this year. In his blog Extra Edition, he gives readers an extra dose of news they won't find in our print edition or elsewhere on our Web site, and gives them a glimpse of the operation of the new seMissourian.com.
Does Playboy want kids to be porn addicts? (November 20, 2008) Having trouble voting in our contests?; the dramatist guild weighs in on SEMO (November 19, 2008) The price we pay at Thanksgiving (November 17, 2008) Where to win free tix, cash on our website (November 14, 2008) The wonders of self-diagnosis (November 13, 2008) Sister Mary Ignatius riles them up; what's wrong with our search (November 10, 2008) Where to find election information on our site; I'm out for the weekend (November 5, 2008) Expect a busy day in election land; problems posting comments (November 4, 2008) Check out reader photos from the GOP rally (October 31, 2008) Blogging live from the Show Me Center (October 30, 2008) Ballooning voter rolls and a Southeast Missourian in an odd couple household (October 29, 2008) We'll be streaming Palin live (October 28, 2008) Did you go crazy for Palin?; Check out our new email system (October 27, 2008) Scary stuff at a suburban St. Louis school; your favorite Homecoming window decoration; Gov. Blunt's election concerns (October 24, 2008) What's wrong with movie theater alcohol?; Vote for your favorite Homecoming window decoration (October 22, 2008) Sikeston schools' bomb scare: Overreaction? (October 21, 2008) Would you want to be Joe the Plumber?; state 'retardation'; burning St. Louis office buildings (October 16, 2008) Become a 'community photographer' and make some cash doing it; Blunt administration builds 'ethanol infrastructure'; prez campaigns coming to Cape (October 15, 2008) New (and old) ways to interact with the news department; requiring renewable energy (October 13, 2008) Have you heard the latest on 'Killshot'? It's a doozy. (October 9, 2008) Know any thankful people? (October 7, 2008) On the trail of the white deer (October 6, 2008) Video of Boyd's win, there and here (October 2, 2008) Boyd's the winner (October 2, 2008) Tonight a chapter in Neal E. Boyd's life draws to a close (October 1, 2008) About our coverage of the Copa shooting (September 29, 2008) Chaffee gets a new police chief (September 25, 2008) Sikeston declares October "Neal E. Boyd month" hours before the tenor's finals performance; Emerson and the economic bailout (September 24, 2008) Images of the dastardly Capaha Park graffiti (September 23, 2008) Get to know the candidates: Where to find clips from our Nixon, Hulshof interviews (September 22, 2008) advertisement
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I am so proud of the people that voted Neal into the winner's circle. Neal has single-handedly blown the stereotypical image of popular singers through the roof at the speed of sound (pun intended). Way to go, Neal!! What a doll!! Many blessings to you and yours!
That was so awesome, Neal. I am still shaking from the experience. God has blessed you and I know you will return all that He has given you .Go out and enjoy the ride. I'm glad we can share your dream with you. Can't wait to have the opportunity to hear and see you in person. You have the sweetest face.....
CONGRATS NEAL! YOU DID IT!
We're all pulling for you, Neal!!