Boyd to sing tonight on 'Talent'

SIKESTON -- Neal E. Boyd, a tenor singer who is a Sikeston native and 1994 SHS graduate, will perform tonight as part of the Top Ten in "America's Got Talent," which begins at 7 p.m. on NBC.

Last week, Boyd survived the cut from 20 contestants with the song "Mama" by the vocal trio Il Divo. It was the first time his mother, Esther, had been in the audience for a performance during Boyd's run on the show.

America's votes will decide what acts advance to the Top 5, and which winner is ultimately crowned, receiving a $1 million prize, in addition to their own Las Vegas show.

Voting is open to all persons in the United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. There is a limit of 10 votes per originating phone number or 10 votes per e-mail.

Here's how to cast your vote in support of Boyd:

>Internet voting is open to those age 13 and older between 8:55 p.m. today and 4 a.m. Thursday, central time, at www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/vote. You must register.

>Toll-free voting by phone opens five minutes before the end of the show and closes two hours after the end of the show (subject to broadcast times and time zones.) The numbers will be shown at the end of the show.

Those advancing to the next round will be revealed on Thursday's show, which begins at 7 p.m.

According to the America's Got Talent Web site, finals for the show are set for Oct. 2, 9 and 16.