Boyd to compete on NBC tonight

SIKESTON, Mo. — It's safe to say a few more people than usual in the Sikeston area will tune into the "America's Got Talent" season premiere at 8 p.m. tonight on NBC.

That's because one of the contestants vying for the million-dollar prize on the talent search this season will be Neal E. Boyd, a Sikeston native and Southeast Missouri State University alumnus.

Since he attended Sikeston High School, Boyd has been referred to as a "magnificent tenor." Friend Lynn Feeler said many in the community have compared Boyd's talents to that of Luciano Pavaratti.

"America's Got Talent" is a competition in which contestants compete to win using one of several types of talents.