Neal E. Boyd to perform October concert in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Neal E. Boyd is coming to Poplar Bluff to tear the roof off Rodgers Theatre with his powerful tenor voice. Literally.

The 2008 "America's Got Talent" winner will donate all proceeds of his Oct. 17 concert toward restoring the roof of the historic theater, estimated to cost $150,000, according to Ben Traxel of Dille & Traxel LLC, the architectural consultant for Rodgers.

"I've performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, which has a tremendous reputation," Boyd said. "We're looking to give Rodgers Theatre a pretty good reputation so hopefully the next performer can come in and maybe say, 'Neal E. Boyd sang here once.'"

Since the 33-year-old Sikeston, Mo., native won a million dollars on the popular national NBC talent show, he has been touring the country.

Boyd's first major label album, "My American Dream," was released on Decca in June.

Tickets go on sale today for the Poplar Bluff event, being billed: "An Intimate Evening with Neal E. Boyd."

Ticket outlets include the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, Myrtle's Place and San Francisco Bread Co. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at Corner Cottage in Dexter and Focus Bank in Sikeston.

The doors of Rodgers will open at 6 p.m. Oct. 17. Dove Award nominee Toni Becker will be the opening act.

Boyd will sign CDs beginning at 4 p.m. at San Francisco Bread in the Mansion Mall before to the show.