‘The Voice’ winner coming to NPAC stage

VW independent/submitted information

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio, along with Presenting Sponsor US Bank, announces that last season’s winner of NBC’s “The Voice”, Craig Wayne Boyd, will bring his signature Southern sound to Van Wert on Saturday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Dynamic and charismatic, Boyd’s sound is rooted in the southern tradition of country music and is topped with a rebellious flair. Texas-born and raised country singer and multi-instrumentalist Boyd, who came to the public’s attention when he was a contestant and the eventual winner on the seventh season of the television show “The Voice” in 2014, showed an affinity for music even as a child. Growing up in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas, he was drawn to gospel and country, and was active in his church choir, eventually becoming its director.

He moved to Nashville to try for his dream of a career in the music business in the early 2000s, and soon had a publishing deal with EMI. Things looked promising, yet Boyd, after 10 years of songwriting, local gigs, national support touring, and trying everything he could to further that dream in Nashville, was on the verge of quitting music because of financial and other pressures.

All that changed when he auditioned for the seventh season of “The Voice”. Ending up on Blake Shelton’s team, Boyd’s singing voice, playing, and easy musical versatility made him a fan favorite, and eventually made him the overall winner. Boyd then rocketed onto Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart at No. 1 with his coronation single “My Baby’s Got a Smile on Her Face.”

Boyd becomes just the second artist to launch at No. 1 since Hot Country Songs began as a multi-metric chart in October 1958. Garth Brooks is the only other act to bow atop the chart.

After Boyd won the latest season of “The Voice”, and performed “Smile,” on the show’s December 16 episode, the track entered atop Country Digital Songs with 99,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen Music.

Noted as a very personable performer who takes time with his fans, Boyd will be meeting with his Niswonger audience in the lobby following the January 23 performance. When asked what fans should expect from his songwriting, Boyd responded: “I hope to bring to light songs again that have stories with meanings behind them. I feel like I’m a spokesperson for all of those guys who have paid their dues and slugged it out. If they truly believe in themselves, don’t quit. Find any avenue you can; it will pay off.”

Tickets are now available and range from $20-$35. Get tickets online at NPACVW.ORG or through the Niswonger Box Office, noon-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Niswonger Performing Arts Center is located at 10700 Ohio 118 on the south edge of Van Wert.