Neal Boyd brings down the Las Vegas Hilton house

Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

America’s Got Talent 2008 winner and opera singer Neal E. Boyd headlined a show at the Las Vegas Hilton on Feb. 14, 2010, that also included singer and pianist Eli Mattson, singer Queen Emily and impressionist Steve Bridges.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 | 6:43 a.m.

Neal E. Boyd @Las Vegas Hilton

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You normally don’t think of opera as being a big draw with Las Vegas audiences who tend to prefer country or rock, but, surprisingly, when America’s Got Talent has its power behind a fairly unknown singer, the outpouring and crowd support becomes just as phenomenal as Garth Brooks and Mick Jagger.

And that was the case when Neal E. Boyd, the winner of NBC’s America’s Got Talent in 2008, showcased a night of opera, songs, comedy and impressions at the Las Vegas Hilton on Sunday night. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was front and center for today’s photo gallery.

“Neal has overcome a lifetime of setbacks, and his journey is a true story of triumph over all the odds,” Tom told me. “He really brought the house down.”

Fellow America’s Got Talent finalists and singers Queen Emily and Eli Mattson were joined onstage by amazing impressionist Steve Bridges, who won a standing ovation with his unbelievable and uncanny take on President Obama. Steve, who takes four hours to transform into America’s Chief Executive, is so spot on, he could easily sub for him during the presidential visit here this Thursday and Friday -- and would anybody really be the wiser?

Tom concluded: “Neal’s emotions poured into every song. He touched the heart of everybody in the sold-out audience and finished with a really moving rendition of Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA.’”

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.