From in school suspension to center stage; The Andrew Boyer story (Part 2)

Andrew Boyer’s first public performance was in Lamar Middle School’s cafeteria. A few students learned that Andrew had written a song about ISS (In School Suspension) and urged him to get up on the small stage in the corner of the lunch room with his guitar and play the tune. “I was so nervous,” Andrew remembered. “I stood there with my heart beating so fast and I kept strumming the same chord over and over for about 20 Mississippi seconds…it seemed like an eternity.” He finally began playing and singing the “ISS Song” for a small group of kids who had gathered around the stage that morning before school began. The audience quickly grew and everyone started clapping along to the beat. Andrew looked up and saw a stream of students coming from the gym and heading his way. As he finished singing, hundreds of kids were cheering and applauding for Andrew. They loved his performance, and Andrew was hooked. “The energy in the room was amazing.” he said.

The assistant principal, the man who handled Andrew’s frequent discipline infractions, approached Andrew on the stage right after his musical exhibition. “He walked slowly toward me with a stone face and I thought for sure I was in trouble again, but he held out his hand and congratulated me!” Andrew recalled. Andrew knew he wanted to be a performer. “I found that music gave me a high. Singing and playing guitar are better than using drugs because you can give other people a high with your music.” he explained. Angel Boyer, Andrew’s mother, is so grateful that her son found a healthy way to cope with life’s stresses. “If it hadn’t been for music, Andrew wouldn’t have an outlet and he may have gotten involved in some dangerous habits.” she said.

During a Mother’s Day dinner at Rockfish Seafood Grill in 2009, Andrew got a chance to perform in front of people other than his middle school classmates. He asked Barry Martin, who was performing that night at the restaurant, “Can I play a song for my mother?” The generous musician handed Andrew his guitar and stepped away from the microphone so Andrew could play “Pretty Woman” and “I Walk the Line” for his mom. People were astonished at how well young Andrew could sing. That was the beginning of his public appearances. Since then, Andrew has played again at Rockfish as well as Cozymel’s Mexican Grill, Cowboy Chow in Roanoke, and Aperitivo’s Coffee and Wine Bar, where manager Ronnie said, “It was incredible what he did!”

Find out what Andrew has learned during his musical journey (continued tomorrow with Part 3 of “From In School Suspension to Center Stage; The Andrew Boyer Story.”)

Visit Barry Martin's site at http://www.barrymartinmusic.com.