Alex Boye to Share Music, Insights in Free Concert at SCERA Shell

If you work for MacDonald's, it's a sure thing that you'll get a paycheck and an opportunity to eat a lot of burgers and fries. For 16-year-old Alex Boyé, however, working at the fast food restaurant in London was life-changing. His manager introduced him to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he was soon baptized.

The multi-talented singer, dancer, and actor first performed in public as an LDS Church missionary in Bristol, England, and returned home to pursue an entertainment career.

Boyé will share insights and experiences - and of course his African-infused music - on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 7:00 pm at a free community fireside under the stars at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 699 South State St., Orem, in the center of SCERA Park. The gates will open at 6:00pm. He's calling the fireside "The Power of Big Thinking." and it is designed to both entertain and inspire.

No tickets or reservations are required. Bring a blanket or a low-style lawn chair. SCERA does have a limited supply of chairs you may use for free, but please bring a seating backup as they will go quickly.

The British-American singer with Nigerian roots has spent more than 20 years sharing his talents to appreciative audiences.

After his mission Boyé became a back-up dancer for many artists including George Michael. In 1995, he found success as the lead singer of Awesome, a European boy band, but despite charting top hits across Europe, Boyé believed it was leading to a lifestyle he couldn't support. He quit the band and moved to Salt Lake City in 2000 to follow the Christian music market.

He released the album "Loves Goes On" in 2001, and followed it with a foray into acting. When another performer left the Rodgers Memorial Theatre's production of "Civil War" three weeks prior to opening, Boyé-with no acting credits-was recruited, and later performed in the Lightstone production of "David and Goliath." Other film and stage opportunities followed.

Boyé received help reaching his goal for a broader LDS audience when he met Craig Jessop, who was then conducting for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Jessop encouraged Boyé to audition, and he joined the choir in 2006 as one of three African-American choir members.

He also continued pursuing a solo career. LDS film work, recording contracts, videos and other successes followed. His video, an Africanized tribal version of "Let It Go" from the Disney movie "Frozen," went viral, and Boyé's YouTube views exceeded 100 million. He also released an Africanized version of "Circle of Life" where the proceeds went to a mission in Kenya, and in 2015, Boyé received the Governor's Mansion Artist Award. He received positive national exposure and high praise from the judges after making it through several rounds on NBC's "America's Got Talent."

The fireside is made possible by Kelly and Teri Sundberg of Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home.