A Kansas transplant via L.A., Boyd's first foray into the Portland music scene was his publication of The Portland Live Music Guide from 1988-1992. Although a professional studio bassist in L.A., Boyd took up the drums after moving to Portland, and formed the blues-rock trio, The Mighty Sparrows, who won a nomination for "Best New Act" from the Cascade Blues Assn.'s Muddy Awards. Boyd's next band was Paulette & Power, the late Paulette Davis' band with former Blues Sisters guitarslinger, Sonny Hess. The band won "Best R&B Act" from the Portland Music Association in 1991. Robbie Laws recruited Boyd in 1993 for the Urban All-Stars, who went on to win "Best New Band" in 1994, and "Best Contemporary Blues Band" in 1995, along with "Best Northwest Recording" for Midnight Rain. In 1997, Boyd got the call from the Joanna Connor Band out of Chicago to sub for their ailing drummer. The temporary gig became a year-long touring adventure, including criss-crossing the U.S. three times in a Dodge van, a six-day-six-gig trip to Hawaii, and two trips to Europe. Boyd's drumming was recorded on Joanna's 1998 release, Slidetime on Blind Pig Records. After returning to Portland, Boyd was immediately hired by Charlie Grant for his band, Shade. The band recorded City Lights, an all-original CD that reached No. 9 on the Northwest Charts in June of last year. Tragically, Charlie suffered a fatal heart attack at his day job just a month after the CD release, effectively suspending the band's progress. Currently, Boyd is gigging freelance with several Portland bands. Boyd was the music editor at Our Town magazine for 10 years, and is creator and webmaster for Indie Avenue dot com, as well as webmaster for the annual Waterfront Blues Festival.