Michael Boykin poses with his new award. Photo by Katie Holland
Having spent almost his entire life listening and learning about gospel music, Boykin has taken these those glorious sounds and stamped his own personal style on them, and he is now beginning to get some national level exposure.
In fact, his recognition is growing increasingly fast since he and his group, Michael Boykin and Mighty Voices, won a National Rhythm of Gospel Award for Male Quartet of the Year. In fact, everyone will get the chance to see Boykin in his moment of glory when the Rhythm of Gospel Awards is shown on Gospel Music Television, which is channel 49 on Starvision Cable.
In an interview, Boykin stated that he had started his group five years ago after he finished his work with the Slim and Supreme Angels during that time period.
“I left that group so I could go work at WCLN,” Boykin stated.
Since that time, he and his band mates, including Jason Boykin, James Rich, Greg Boykin, Marcus Register, Kevin Lawrence, Tracey Dudley, Carlos Elliot and Michael Rogers, practiced performing regularly and looked for ways to get their sound out there.
“This is a business, and we have to keep our name out there,” Boykin established, and he hopes as a result, more young men will try to reach for their own dreams, no matter how out of reach they may seem.
“I hope to show young men that they can be anything they want to be,” Boykin explained.
Boykin’s music is not only renditions of songs written by different artists, Boykin also pens his own pieces.
“We write our own music,” said Boykin, and he does all of his producing as well through the label that he founded in 2003, Versatile Music Group.
At the heart of his sound comes a foundation and love for gospel music that comes from his two greatest teachers, his parents, the Rev. Harold Boykin and pastor Alice Boykin.
“They have been awesome about my work. They really are the backbone of my career,” Boykin commented.
As a result of their teaching him, Boykin stated that he has been able to stay out of trouble and reach out to the Lord through his music and his life.
In addition to his parents, he also credits his godmother Louise Royal who was the first to teach him how to sing.
“I watched her in amazement,” said Boykin, and at age eight, he joined one of the main choirs of his church.
In addition to garnering his musical gifts from his godmother, he also pointed out that Royal taught him the value of being a good leader.
Now, as looks ahead at his career in gospel music, he sees nothing but good things.
“I would like work on getting a Stellar or Dove Award,” Boykin.
“I think we are close, and I have connections with people who can help.”
He would also like to see gospel music become more mainstream than what it currently is.
“I would like to see it more on television and in the movies,” said Boykin.
In the meantime, he has his family, his wife, Peaches, and daughter, Makiyah, supporting him along the way.
He also has the support of his church, Baldwin Branch Church, who will also be cheering Michael Boykin and Mighty Voices on for years to come.
Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@heartlandpublications.com.
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