Neal E. Boyd: secrets of the ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist
The $1 million question is: Will Neal E. Boyd win “America’s Got Talent”?
But while we wait for the finale tonight (8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, on NBC), here are some things you might not know about Neal, based on a long and enjoyable phone conversation Monday. You can also click on this link to read my front-page story about Neal that ran today.
His uncle is former Boston Red Sox pitcher Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd. Neal and his brother, Michael, both wanted to play baseball, but Neal says: “I could pitch and I could hit. But if I didn’t hit a home run, I was out. I was slow getting down to first.”
Neal sang a lot of karaoke in St. Louis at spots like Syberg’s. He also did comedy at the Funnybone.
The backward gray cap is something he owned for years before starting to wear it. Now it’s his signature.
He sang at Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan’s funeral and was recognized and rushed on stage by Billy Bush of “Access Hollywood” to sing for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a Hollywood event the other day.
Neal is a supervisor for Aflack in Valley Park, and the company has been supportive of the competition, even flying his brother and family out for a show. Also, Neal says, “I know the duck really well.”
Everywhere he goes, people want to hug him. “Sharon (Osbourne) hugs me every time she sees me.”
Many of the “Talent” contenders have become close friends during the show’s run. The Wright Kids (who will join the rest of the Top 10 in a medley tonight) love to imitate Neal.
We’ll be watching the final tonight. We usually skip watching after the initial tryouts, since we think the show runs way too long getting to the finals.