DAVE BOYER / BIOGRAPHY
“The Life and Death of Joey Stephens”
Dave Boyer was the youngest of six children, born to Reverend and
Mrs. Ralph Boyer. During Dave’s childhood he was active in the church
choir and attended church functions regularly, but he had never enjoyed
a true relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dave began performing professionally at the age of 15, but at 18 something
changed. Dave was the MC at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, NJ. when his
manager suggested Dave change his name to Joey Stephens. Dave took
his advice, and Joey Stephens was born.
For Joey, success came quickly, he was performing with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., and Milton Berle, indeed, he was a star in his own right.
In 1956 at the same time all this was happening, something awful was going on inside Joey. Joey was becoming dependent on drugs and alcohol. In 1957 Joey Stephens traded in his tuxedo
for Army Khaki’s at the request of Uncle Sam. After serving in the Army, he returned to the 500
Club. He married June Braswell in 1959 and in 1961; they became parents of a beautiful daughter.
Joey Stephens’s success continued….
During the following three years, Joey’s life drastically changed for the worst. Joey’s drug and alcohol
dependency worsened, and he fell into a self-centered life, thinking in terms of fame and fortune only.
In 1964 June couldn’t handle this awful change in her husband, and left with their daughter. In 1965,
less than a year after June left, Reverend Ralph Boyer passed away.
Dave, or Joey, as he was called, decided at that point to end his self-inflicted miserable life. He began his journey to the railroad tracks in town, where he was going to kill himself, when he passed a small church. The church triggered long forgotten memories of his childhood, of his father and family, and the happiness he once had. This flood of joyful memories brought him to his knees in tears, and he forced himself to make his way to a
phone.
Confused and in pain, he called his brother who was pastor at his late father's church. His brother convinced him to stay where he was until he could get there. After hours of praying together on that fateful night, God reached down to Dave and touched his soul; Joey Stephens was laid to rest forever, and Dave Boyer was reborn through the Lord.
This miracle was not over. After a two year separation, June and their daughter returned to Dave to begin building a Christ-centered life together.
Today Dave and June Boyer make their home in Atlanta, GA. They enjoy the warm climate of Georgia, after years of living in Pennsylvania, and they are closer to their child and grand children. Their relationship with each other and with God is stronger than it has ever been, and continues to grow every day.
Since 1966 Dave Boyer has been bringing the word of God to hundreds of thousands of people in all corners of the country. Dave carries with him a message of joy to the people of the church and world. His message is simple, “ You are not alone in your day to day struggles, and God is always with you”.
Dave’s unique style of Big Band Gospel music reaches people of all ages. His powerful ministry and testimony has opened many doors for hundreds of youth programs all over the U.S. Dave’s ministry and musical style are continuing to gain popularity with people from all walks of life and in all age groups. Dave performs with church bands, orchestras, and solo. No matter how you hear and see Dave, you will forever be blessed. Dave Boyer’s life is a living testimony to the fact that God is forever with us every day, and everywhere!
If you’d like to host a concert with Dave Boyer email Bob@tulsapraise.com
