NEAL BOYD

St. Louis insurance salesman Neal E. Boyd was crowned the winner of America’s Got Talent’s third season on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

It was a shocker to some, especially AGT judge Piers Morgan, who thought New York-based violin duo Nuttin But Stringz would walk away with the show’s top prize. Instead the Escobar brothers, whose original compositions electrified the audience all season long, ended up second runners-up.

One million dollars richer and a music career ahead of him, Boyd simply says, “My life will never be the same.”

On October 17 Boyd and the rest of season three’s top five finalists will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with season two’s winner, ventriloquist Terry Fator. –Monica Rizzo