For musician Alex Boye, his entire life has been a journey of peaks and valleys, leading him around the world and eventually landing him in Utah.

Originally from London, Boye worked as a 16-year-old at McDonald's. It was there he first came in contact with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"I had a manager that was LDS and he was always trying to get me to come to church," Boye said. "Finally he said he was going to introduce me to some American girls. The sister missionaries came over and I was baptized three weeks later."

Boye, who had been living with his uncle, was thrown out of the house for joining the church and was homeless for a time.

"I remember living in a van, reading the Book of Mormon and praying so hard," Boye said. "The Lord said to me that everything would turn out all right and that I would be able to somehow use my talents to build His kingdom."

After serving an LDS mission to Bristol, England, Boye joined a boy band titled "Awesome." They were signed to Universal Records and performed alongside artists like N'SYNC, Backstreet Boys and Smashing Pumpkins. But there was often a clash between Boye's standards and those of the music industry.

"We were given a song to perform that was not appropriate," Boye said. "I didn't want to do it and was told I could easily be replaced. For about a week I was sick, wondering if I had made the right choice by giving up fame, money and all that. But they called me back, wanted me back in the band and changed the lyrics so I felt comfortable."

Eventually, that song hit the top 10 in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia and other countries and sold more than a half-million CDs.

Shortly after, Boye moved to Utah where he met promoter Ammon Ely. He said the first time he heard Boye perform at a family home evening, he was blown away.

"His stage presence is just incredible," Ely said." "He has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard in person, so soulful and heartfelt."

Ely began promoting Boye and soon they were putting on gigs all over Utah. Recently, Boye won a singing competition judged by the cast of CBS's "How I Met Your Mother."

Despite his worldly successes, Boye remains down-to-earth, said his wife Julie Boye.

"Everybody can relate to Alex because he is so humble about everything," she said. "He has sung everywhere- from MTV Europe in front of millions of viewers, to five youth at a standards night- and he's always happy about it."

Boye, who is also a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, has a concert coming up Wednesday at the SCERA Center. Although his music is wholesome and uplifting, his wife says his stage presence sets him apart from other performers.

"He's like a mixture of Lenny Kravitz and Seal," she said. "He can rap but he's clean and keeps high standards and is so entertaining. Alex always says he puts the Motown in Motab."

Alex Boye's concert at the SCERA Center starts at 7 p.m. and features special guests Ryan Innes and Nicole Sheahan, both BYU students, as well as Mindy Gledhill and Matt Abernathy. Tickets are $8 with student ID and $10 without.

What: Alex Boye and friends in concert

When: Oct. 8, 7 p.m.

Where: SCERA Theater, 745 South State Street, Orem

Admission: $8 with student ID, $10 without



Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Oct 2008