Name: Steven Powell
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Q. When did the boom box become part of your life?
A. The boom box has been big part of who I am since the summer of 2009. It was a summer purchase I made with my earnings from my summer job working for the proximity hotel. It was probably one of my favorite investments.
Q. Where do you get your inspiration?
A. Some artists are inspired by the world and her majestic beauty, other artists look into themselves and find symphonies, and others wake from dreams of worlds of inspiration so wondrous they have to be permanently recorded in sound, on canvas, or whatever the medium. My inspiration comes from the people who smile. I do what I do because people seem to like it. I walk down the street jammin’ to the sound of my own drum, and my smile seems to transcend from me to the people around me. Making people happy is all the inspiration I could ever ask for.
Q. What is your all-time favorite song?
A. My favorite all time song would have to be “Love Train” by the O’ Jays. The songs I play are meant to be friendly, free of curse words, and full of that old school funk that brings out the true flavor of the boom box. Songs like “Love Train” deliver a beautiful message with a funky backbone, a perfect recipe for a boom box walk.
Q. Have you ever had any surprising/out of the ordinary reactions to your music and dancing?
A. It really depends where I am. I was born and raised in Greensboro, so I take the box home and try to share what joy I can, when I can. Unfortunately, people in Greensboro seem to be less accepting of the boom box, and as a result, I actually got the finger from a lot of people as they drove by me walking and dancing. When that kind of stuff happens, I simply remember how much love I get from my Boone family and I keep on keepin’ on.
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Q. How heavy is the boom box?
A. The boom box sits at about 17 lbs. it may be a tad on the heavy side, but it is worth it.
Q. What is your favorite place to go on campus?
A. I really enjoy being around Sanford Mall for a class change. The best scene is when every ones walking through the campus, the jugglers are juggling, the box is booming, and ASU is smiling.
Q. What is in store for you and your boom box in the future? Hopes and dreams?
A. I don’t plan on doing this forever. I love making people happy on the large scale, but I eventually want to move my focus to making some lovely lady as happy as my life experiences have made me. The boom box will never die, but eventually it won’t be the most important thing I hold with my hand, and in my heart.
Q. What is the best part about being known and recognized all over campus?
A. Honestly, I enjoy the idea of traveling in whispers more than screams. I love that people are so enthusiastic to support what I do, but I don’t belong in the lime light. The ideals of no fear, love for what makes you happy, and throwing ones inhibition to the wind are what people should be cheering for. (Mind you, it is kind of cool when my professors see me boom dancing and then mention it to me in class haha)
Q. What is something that most people don’t know about you?
A. People who know the boom box guy but don’t know me don’t know that I traveled to India for five months, fresh out of high school, and taught English to the tribal children. It was after running as far away from home as I could that I made it to Appalachian state to live on and love the mountains with all that I am. I can’t imagine being anywhere else, so let me boom box for you Boone, all day long!