The ‘Original American Idol’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — He wore them, signed them, then gave ’em away. Not just an ordinary pair of shoes. Those white buckskins became a significant trademark of the legendary Pat Boone.

“At first, in the early days, I had only one pair,” he said. “I had gray and brown shoes, too. Yet, the public strongly identified them with me. I’m glad they did,” Boone said. You can almost hear him smiling as he said it, “God built a platform ... and those white bucks produced green bucks for some good humanitarian causes.”

Born in Nashville, Tenn., Boone became a Christian at 13.

Influenced by key role models—his mom a registered nurse, and his high school teachers and principal—his childhood desire was “to become a teacher of literature, and a preacher” Boone said.

A different plan unfolded.

“Like the little boy in the Bible who gave up his lunch for God to use... this guy from Nashville is not a great singer, nothin’ but out of the ordinary. I’m a pop singer with a pleasing voice... And God used it,” Boone said.

With 38 “Top 40 Hits” and more than 45 million units sold, God has used it in a very big way.

Identified as the No. 10 rock record recording artist in history by BillBoard Magazine, Boone ranks higher than either Billy Joel or Madonna on that impressive chart. He’s recognized worldwide as a recording star, actor and author.

In 2003, Pat Boone secured his 61st hit, “Under God,” a top 15 single on Billboard’s ‘Hot 100 Chart’ from his American Glory album, as documented by Entertainment Weekly.

His smile of sincerity, songs, and appeal are universal in scope spanning the globe. As Boone’s promotional materials state, he truly is the “Original American Idol.”

Celebrating his 50th year in show biz and the 50th wedding anniversary to his wife Shirley, Boone continues to impact the entertainment and music industries.

“I’m in my 50th year as a performer, and God did it,” Boone said.

Remembering the tenacious route to his “boomin’ career,” Boone recalled that he first appeared nationally on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour.

“I won 3 times,” Boone said.

Increased demand
That show landed him record and movie contracts.

“I remember having supper at a house way out in the country with chickens, ducks, pigs running around,” he said. “The only telephone switchboard in town was 50 miles away in a lady’s living room.”

A station wagon covered in soot came clanging down that dirt road calling out, “Is a guy named Pat Boone here?”

“It was a production guy from New York,” Boone recalled. “He said, ‘You have great appeal.’”

That led to more movie and record contracts … and his first two songs, “2 Hearts, 2 Kisses” and “Ain’t That A Shame” which sold millions.

“I’ve always strived to tithe,” said Boone, adding that one of his first jobs was two radio and TV parts for $44.50. He gave $5 to God.

Then, the great explosion happened.

Boone won the professional competition on The Arthur Godfrey Show. Since his chart debut on April 2, 1955—just months prior to Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino or Elvis, Boone had anchored himself as the second-most impactful force in the early rock era, just behind Presley.

Faith on his sleeve
From the beginning, Boone went public with his faith.

“I wanted my life to mean something,” Boone said.

He endured, despite the teasing jabs about being “wholesome” or a “goody-two-shoes” by Hollywood.

“We’re not of the world, yet as Christians we’re in the world,” he said. “Despite all kinds of teasing, I laughed. I repeated them. I got the jokes, so they figured I must not be so square after all.

“I was always a kid who wanted to be used for God’s purposes. God was watching, grooming, training me in faithfulness all along.”

Already tithing as a kid and young adult, Boone, who married his high school sweetheart, Shirley, recalled singing and preaching in Texas.

“There was this little tilted over, paint peeling, wood-sided building where I preached a sermon,” he said. “We put money in the offering plate. You can’t outgive God. Today, I look at a picture of that humble, out of the way place in weeds of a field, where I was and cry with gratitude.”

Diversified ministry
Today his business acumen is illustrated by the success of Boone’s own music company, The Gold Label, which has released and produced 26 albums from such notables as Glen Campbell, Roger Williams, Jack Jones and more.

Boone who is principal owner of KDOC-TV in Orange County, Calif., also hosts “The Music of Your Life” syndicated radio program, airing on more than 180 radio stations nationally. Most recently, Boone, who resides in Los Angeles, hosted the PBS program “Magic Moments of Music,” featuring the greats of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s music era, such as The Diamonds and The McGuires.

A best-selling author, Boone has authored several books including his first, “Twixt, Twelve and Twenty.” After appearing on the cover of TV Guide with his four daughters in 1958, Boone, then 23, said, “I was getting four to five letters a week from high school kids who wanted advice. The book for teens is now in just about every high school and church library in America.” His newest book, “A New Song,” has sold more than a million copies.

“It’s about a journey with the Holy Spirit,” he said.

A vessel at work
His walk of faith, spanning more than six decades, has not always been easy, especially enduring two specific defining moments and challenges.

“I’ve strived to be a faithful vessel,” he said.

Boone’s humanitarian efforts illustrate his use as a vessel. His charity work involves organizations including NARTH, an organization “to help those rehabilitate and break out of the homosexual life,” said Boone, who also authored the book, “Joy, A Homosexual’s Search for Fulfillment.”

“I don’t endorse the lifestyle, yet have known many in the entertainment industry, loved them as people and prayed for many to be healed,” Boone said.

He recalled his “good, dear friend,” Rock Hudson.

“The last night before he died—his throat ravaged, eyes sunken, body worn — with Liz Taylor by his side, my wife Shirley and I, with two Christian nurses, prayed with him. A lady named Eleanor led him through a prayer of forgiveness for the person who infected him with AIDS. Rock nodded in agreement, his eyes brightened. Faith is rewarded,” Boone said.

Strength in tragedy
As a husband, church elder, grandfather of 15, father of four daughters, including singer Debbie Boone (“You Light Up My Life” and “Day by Day”), Boone has also seen God’s faithfulness illustrated in a most personal way with a near family tragedy.

“It’s been 4 1/2 years.… Faith is the substance of evidence not seen. The world would have it fatalistic. We grasped on to the substance of what we hope for. It’s been a persistent test of faith,” said Boone about his grandson Ryan’s miraculous, on-going recovery from brain damage, including regaining more cognitive thinking, expressiveness and some talking after accidentally falling 40 feet from a rooftop skylight.

“We could have given up, believing ‘no more improvement,’ and agreed with doctors after 2-2 1/2 years, which the world’s option would be bleak.... We chose God’s option. God is bigger. God is more powerful. Faith is approved, not fatalistic.”

Following in her father’s humanitarian footsteps, Lindy Boone-Michaelis and family founded Ryan’s Reach to help other head injury victims.

On the ‘Glory Train’
The high-water mark of his career, Boone said, is his newest album, “Glory Train,” coupled with a DVD featuring a six-minute tribute to evangelist Billy Graham.

“A concern, a real burden on my heart, was the passing of servant Mother Theresa whose death was derailed in the news by Princess Diana’s death,” the singer said. “I wondered, ‘Lord, what if Billy Graham passes?’ I wanted to honor Billy in a big way.”

This album is a collaboration of David Pack (Ambrosia), Billy Dean, Pat Boone and friends, with a narrative by TV’s Larry King.

In pondering his longevity of success Boone said he just loves to sing.

“I never learned to say ‘no,’” he said, laughing. “I longed to be God’s vessel. I tell others, make God your agent. I’ve strived to be faithful to God.”

Published, March 2006

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