He has an infectious laugh, charming accent, resplendent singing voice, and enough energy and personality to fill a dozen rooms. I’m nervous to interview him, in awe of his musical success. Our phone call begins and within minutes he has me laughing and talking about myself. I have to stop and remind myself I’m not talking to a friend, I’m conducting a professional interview for publication. An hour later I hang up and turn to Facebook to brag, “I just interviewed Alex Boye! And he’s amazing!”
From humble Nigerian roots to a soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Alex Boye is just as fascinating as he is friendly. And on Friday night, October 26, the former boy band phenom, Mormon convert, and international music sensation will do something he’s never done before- he will perform a solo concert at Kent Concert Hall at USU in Logan, Utah. It is the first time Boye will present a full concert in collaboration with a choir. He’s been a guest soloist with many choirs before, and he’s given many concerts before. But this is the first time he has performed a full concert with a choir. It is sure to be an incredible night. The concert will also feature the USU Chamber Singers, and guest performer Lorisa Pulotu. The initial inspiration for this concert format came from Alex’s YouTube video, “I Will Rise.”
The Music
Alex Boye’s voice could sing any style of music. His rich baritone fits in with the classical, well-trained stylings of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and he used to sing in a hit boy band in the U.K. called, Awesome. But the style of music he enjoys singing the most is his own Africanized twist on inspirational pop music. He doesn’t limit himself to only the inspirational tunes. If he likes a pop song (and let it be known here, when he calls it “pop music,” he uses it in the more British sense of the term, not the American “bubblegum pop music” sense.), he will take it and turn into a more inspirational song, with his custom African branding.
His music career began on his mission [England Bristol Mission] when he sang a gospel-style solo, and his mission president encouraged him to pursue music when he got home. He returned home in 1995. In 1996 he formed Awesome, and before long had a record deal with Universal Records. They released three singles off their hit album, Rumours, sold over 500,000 CDs, and made the top of the European pop charts.
But by 1999, Alex walked away from his fame and success with Awesome. The life of an on the road touring pop sensation wasn’t for him. He found it difficult to live his Mormon values and lifestyle, and when the world wouldn’t change for him, he changed his world. In 2000, he moved to Utah and began to pursue a (now successful) career as a faith-based musician.
He cites Ray Charles, Billy Preston, Sting, and Marvin Gaye as musical influencers- which both a trained and untrained ear can detect in his music. I asked him out of all the shows he has ever performed which one was his favorite or most memorable. He narrows the expansive list down to three very different shows. The first was in Barcelona with Awesome for the 1997 New Years Eve show. They were in an open roof coliseum with over 100,000 people. While they performed fireworks shot off over the open top of the coliseum. He gets giddy and excited all over again as he describes the thrill of the show.
The second show he named was not too long ago. He went to Jerusalem in 2011 with the Glenn Beck program, “Restoring Courage.” He was not expected or supposed to perform while there. But after Beck heard about his voice, he was so impressed that he rearranged the next evening’s program so that Alex could close the program. No one had ever performed at that location before. The venue, crowd, and experience left its mark on Alex.
As Alex tells me about his third favorite musical performance he speaks with awe of the occasion. He’s no longer giddy, he’s serious and mindful of the musical legacy he describes. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Denver, Colorado. Alex sang an African spiritual, “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” Many big and powerful musicians had performed there before, including U2 and the Rolling Stones, but the Choir brought in a bigger audience, and received multiple ovations. He says it is an experience he will never forget. Listen to the song below and you’ll agree, the audience won’t soon forget it either.
The Man
Alex is married, a father, and a musician. I asked how does he balance family life with the “dream of pursuing a music career.” He quickly corrects me. It isn’t a dream. It is reality. It is his work. It is work. This is how he supports his family, this is his income. It is his job. “You just make it work.”
He has a wife, two small children, and one more baby on the way this winter. “Music is not all I am about. My family doesn’t go to the back burner for my music,” he explains. He takes his music seriously. He balances out his family and work life the way any other person would. It takes scheduling and effort. This is the life he wants, the life he choose, and the life he worked hard to earn.
He’s a character and a very funny man. About a year ago he began to wear bowties that have almost become synonymous with his image. I ask why he wears the bowties, is it an English thing? He laughs (he laughs a lot) and says it is partially a nod to his heritage and to English gentlemen. But it is also a nod to the young men in his current ward, where the current fashion trend is bowties. He wears them because they wear them. It is just a fun thing to do.
I’ve noticed many times that I always seem to hear his name in conjunction with charity projects. I asked him why that is, and he explains that being in Utah he gets a lot of requests. He is happy to help, and support and share good causes. (But in response to a follow up question, he explains it was never some sort or marketing strategy to get involved with so many causes.
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The Mormon (and the Tabernacle Choir)
Alex joined the Mormon Church at age sixteen after being introduced by a friend. He served a mission not long thereafter. Now his face is on the Church sponsored ad running in the “Book of Mormon Musical” playbill with the caption, “You’ve seen the play, now read the book.”
He has brought a new face and image to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His unexpected voice, look, and style are bringing a new audience to the choir as well. He laughs (again) and says, “It’s not your mother’s Tabernacle Choir!” Need proof? During a tour of the Midwest United States with the choir, a friend dared him to “moonwalk” during the song, “Rock-a My Soul (in the Bosom of Abraham).” And yes, he did it. (Sadly, no YouTube evidence of the feat exists.)
Alex has been with the choir for six years. However, due to the commitments and requirements of both his full-time music career and the choir, he has had to change to a “special events” capacity. He isn’t able to be at every concert every time. But fans probably spotted him during the most recent General Conference.
Friday Night, October 26, Logan, Utah.
If you can get to Logan on Friday night- do it! Go! You will be in for a concert you will never forget. The first half of the concert will feature Alex with the USU Chamber Singers, while the second half will be Alex solo. Local Cache Valley resident, singer Lorisa Pulotu, will be the opening act.
If that isn’t reason enough to go to the show, music and Broadway lovers, listen up! The concert will open with the Broadway smash hit song, “Circle of Life,” from The Lion King, being performed off-Broadway for the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. In fact, a little birdie tells me, that after the show they are contractually required to destroy the music to prevent it from leaking out and be performed again!
Can’t you just feel the “good music chills” already? Alex’s voice, a full chamber choir, and the “Circle of Life?!” I get goosebumps just thinking about what it will sound like! How can you miss the chance to go see this amazing show? This caliber of music (and talent and personality) doesn’t happen like this every day!
Click here for tickets and more information.
Erin Ann McBride is a writer, dreamer, and blogger. Check out her newest book, “You Heard It Here First,” a romantic political thriller with conservative values and a good sense of humor!
She enjoys blogging at Story of a Nice Mormon Girl, politics, pop culture, all things 80’s, and watching canceled science fiction TV series. She is a native of Washington, D.C., and currently resides in Roanoke, Va.
