Pat Boone: Difference between revisions

*[[Pop music|Pop]]

'''Patrick Charles Eugene Boone'''<ref>{{cite book |title=Current Biography Yearbook |year=1959 |publisher=The H.W. Wilson Company |location=New York City}}</ref> (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer, actor, television personality and composer. HeDuring was[[Pat aBoone successfuldiscography|his poprecording singercareer]], he sold nearly 50 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and he also appeared in various [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] duringfilms.<ref>{{Cite theweb 1950s|date=2024-03-28 and|title=Pat earlyBoone 1960s.{{!}} HeBiography, soldSongs, more& thanFacts 45{{!}} millionBritannica records,|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pat-Boone had|access-date=2024-04-18 38|website=www.britannica.com Top|language=en}}</ref><ref 40name=":0">{{Cite hitsweb |title=Boone, andPat, appearedBorn in1934 more{{!}} thanDiscover 12Our HollywoodArchives films|url=https://archives.shef.ac.uk/agents/people/352 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=archives.shef.ac.uk}}</ref>

According to ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', Boone was the second-biggest-chartingonly artistsinger ofthat thecould latecompete 1950s,in behindpopularity onlywith [[Elvis Presley]], andduring wasthe ranked1950s.<ref>{{Cite atweb|url=https://www.jango.com/music/Pat+Boone/_full_bio|title=Pat NoBoone Bio|website=Jango.com}}</ref> 9''Billboard'' inhas itsranked listingPat as one of the Topbiggest 100charting Topartists 40in the Artistsperiod 1955–1995.<ref>{{cite book|title=Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, The|year=1996|page=806|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|author=Joel Whitburn|author-link=Joel Whitburn}}</ref> Until the 2010s, Boone held the ''Billboard'' record for spending 220 consecutive weeks on the [[Billboard charts]] with one or more songs each week.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Pat Boone {{!}} Biography, Songs, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pat-Boone |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

AtDuring the 1950s and the 1960s Boone was one of the most popular entertainers in the [[United States]],<ref name=":0" /> becoming a [[teen idol]] as a valid alternative to the [[hedonism]] of rock and roll, thanks to his activities as singer, writer, actor and religious motivational speaker.<ref name=":1" /> In 1957, the age of 23, Boone began hosting a half-hour [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] variety television series, ''The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom'', which aired for 115 episodes (1957–1960). Many musical performers including [[Edie Adams]], [[Andy Williams]], [[Pearl Bailey]], and [[Johnny Mathis]] made appearances on the show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pat Boone |date=May 29, 2024 |title=Pat Boone |url=https://www.goldlabelartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PAT-BOONE-BIO.pdf}}</ref> His [[cover version]]s of [[rhythm and blues]] hits had a noticeable effect on the development of the broad popularity of [[rock and roll]]. [[Elvis Presley]] was the opening act for a 1955 Pat Boone show in [[Brooklyn, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/pat_boone_elvis_presley.shtml|title=Pat Boone Remembers Elvis Presley : Elvis Articles: Official Elvis Presley Fan Club : Elvis Australia : Pat Boone |website=Elvis.com.au|access-date=September 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928072111/http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/pat_boone_elvis_presley.shtml|archive-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Albrecht |first=Brian |title=Headliner Pat Boone recalls 1955 Brooklyn High School rock concert with Elvis.... who? |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/g66l-2019/02/6c984b606a5172/headliner-pat-boone-recalls-1955-brooklyn-high-school-rock-concert-with-elvis-who.html |access-date=April 8, 2021 |work=The Plain Dealer |date=February 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Moore |first1=Scotty |title=Brooklyn School Auditorium |date=2002 |url=http://www.scottymoore.net/brooklynoh.html |access-date=April 8, 2021}}</ref>

As an author, Boone had a number-one bestseller in the 1950s (''[['Twixt Twelve and Twenty (book)|<nowiki/>'Twixt Twelve and Twenty]]'', Prentice-Hall). In the 1960s he focused on [[gospel music]]. Later he became a member of the [[Gospel Music Hall of Fame]]. He continues to perform and speak as a motivational speaker, a television personality, and a [[Political conservative|conservative]] political commentator.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Scotty |date=2002 |title=Brooklyn School Auditorium |url=http://www.scottymoore.net/brooklynoh.html |access-date=April 8, 2021}}</ref>

Boone was born on June 1, 1934, in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], the son of Margaret Virginia (née Pritchard) and Archie Altman Boone. He grew up in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], where his family moved when he was two years old. Pat Boone graduated in 1952 from [[Lipscomb Academy|David Lipscomb High School]] in Nashville. His younger brother Cecil (1935–2023), professionally known as [[Nick Todd]], was born a year later to the day,<ref name="obiNBoone">{{cite web |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn/nick-boone-11118203|title=Obituary Nick Boone June 1, 1935 – January 20, 2023|date=|accessdateaccess-date=June 10, 2023|websitepublisher=dignitymemorial.comDignity Memorial }}</ref> and was also a pop singer in the 1950s and later a church music leader.<ref name="ParishPitts2003">{{cite book|last1=Parish|first1=James Robert|last2=Pitts|first2=Michael R.|title=Hollywood Songsters: Allyson to Funicello|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GlybVaD6cakC&pg=PA99|access-date=July 23, 2010|date=July 2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-94332-1|page=99}}</ref>

In a 2007 interview on ''[[The 700 Club]]'', Boone claimed to be the great-great-great-great-grandson of the American pioneer [[Daniel Boone]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woodland |first1=Shannon |last2=Ross |first2=Scott |name-list-style=amp |title=BETWEENBetween THEthe LINERLiner NOTESNotes: Pat Boone and the New American Revolution |url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/700club_patboone022007.aspx |publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network]] |access-date=May 7, 2007}}</ref>

Boone began his career by performing in Nashville's [[Centennial Park (Nashville)|Centennial Park]].<ref name="kingsportevansmusiccityKingsport Evans Music City">{{cite news|last1=Evans|first1=Jim|title='Music City' Tour Set Up|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/75318152/?terms=%22centennial%2Bpark%22|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=The Kingsport Times|date=July 16, 1964|page=11|location=Kingsport, Tennessee|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=registration |quote=The folks are shown where Pat Boone attended school and told how Pat got his start with the Sunday concerts in Centennial Park}}</ref> He began recording in April 1953 for Republic Records (not to be confused with [[Republic Records|the current label with that name]]), and by 1955, for [[Dot Records]]. His 1955 version of [[Fats Domino]]'s "[[Ain't That a Shame]]" was a hit. This set the stage for the early part of Boone's career, which focused on covering [[rhythm and blues|R&B]] songs by Black artists for a white American market.<ref name="Schoemer">[http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2006/1/2006_1_28.shtml Karen Schoemer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902150344/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2006/1/2006_1_28.shtml|date=September 2, 2010 }} "More Mr. Nice Guy", ''American Heritage'', Feb/March 2006.</ref> Randy Wood, the owner of Dot, had issued an R&B single by the Griffin Brothers in 1951 called "Tra La La-a"—a different song from the later [[LaVern Baker]] one—and he was keen to put out another version after the original had failed. This became the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] of the first Boone single "Two Hearts Two Kisses", originally by the Charms – whose "Hearts Of Stone" had been covered by the label's [[Fontane Sisters]].

Many of Boone's hit singles were covers of hits from Black Rock and Roll artists. These included: "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino; "[[Tutti Frutti (song)|Tutti Frutti]]" and "[[Long Tall Sally]]" by [[Little Richard]];<ref name=pc6"Show 6">{{cite web|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19752/m1|title=Show 6 – Hail, Hail, Rock 'n' Roll: The rock revolution gets underway|website=Digital.library.unt.edu |date=March 16, 1969|access-date=September 20, 2010}}</ref> "[[At My Front Door|At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama)]]" by [[The El Dorados]]; and the [[blues ballad]]s "[[I Almost Lost My Mind]]" by [[Ivory Joe Hunter]], "I'll be Home" by [[the Flamingos]] and "[[Don't Forbid Me]]" by [[Charles Singleton (songwriter)|Charles Singleton]]. Boone has been highlighted as an example of [[Whitewashing in film|whitewashing]] by taking songs by black artists and sanitizing them to make them more palatable for a white audience, denying exposure to these black artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-whitewashing-of-black-music-five-singles-made-popular-by-white-artists/|title=The whitewashing of Black music: Five singles made popular by white artist|date=August 11, 2021 |work=Far Out magazine|accessdateaccess-date=18 March 2023}}</ref>

As a conservative Christian, Boone declined certain songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his beliefs—including a role with sex symbol [[Marilyn Monroe]]. In one of his first films, ''April Love'', the director, [[Henry Levin (film director)|Henry Levin]], wanted him to give co-star [[Shirley Jones]] a kiss (which was not in the script). Since this would be his first onscreen kiss, Boone said that he wanted to talk to his wife first, to make sure it was all right with her.<ref>{{cite web|last=King|first=Susan|title=A Pat Boone kiss-and-tell|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/11/entertainment/la-et-classic-hollywood-20100811|work=Los Angeles Times|date=August 11, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2012}}</ref> He had his own film production company, Cooga Mooga Productions.<ref name="coogaCooga">{{cite news|title=Boone to Expand, Buys Two Stories: West Claims Hugh Marlowe; Big Brother's '1984' to Stage |author=Scheuer, Philip K.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 11, 1960|page=23}}</ref>

He appeared as a regular performer on ''[[Arthur Godfrey and His Friends]]'' from 1955 through 1957, and later hosted his own ''The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom'', on Thursday evenings. In 1959, Boone's likeness was licensed to [[DC Comics]], first appearing in ''[[Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]'' No. 9 (May 1959) before starring in his own series from the publisher, which lasted for five issues from September 1959 to May 1960.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://comicvine.gamespot.com/pat-boone-1/4000-56483/|title=Pat Boone No. 1 (Issue)|website=Comic Vine|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=89}}</ref> In the early 1960s, he began writing a series of self-help books for adolescents, including ''[['Twixt Twelve and Twenty (book)|'Twixt Twelve and Twenty]]''. The [[British Invasion]] ended Boone's career as a hitmaker, though he continued recording throughout the 1960s. In 1966, he participated in the [[Sanremo Music Festival]] in Italy, performing the songs ''Mai mai mai Valentina'' alongside [[Giorgio Gaber]] and ''Se tu non -fossi qui'' with [[Peppino Gagliardi]]. During his trip to Italy, he visited the headquarterheadquarters of [[Ferrari]] in [[Maranello]], near [[Modena]], with the intention of buying a [[Ferrari America|Superamerica Sports Car]], but [[Enzo Ferrari]] dissuaded him from purchasing that model by saying that there would not have been enough room for Boone's four daughters, and sold him a four-door [[Ferrari 330|Ferrari 2+2]] instead. In a 2021 interview, Boone admitted having later sold the "Ferrari he didn't like" to [[Tom Smothers]] of the comedic duo [[Smothers Brothers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=December 21, 2021 |title=From Elvis Presley to Speedy Gonzales, from Ronald Reagan to cancel culture: the world's longest interview with 1950s superstar Pat Boone |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/pat-boone-speedy-gonzales-interview/ |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=the-shortlisted.co.ukThe Shortlisted |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[File:Pat & Debby Boone.jpg|thumb|Pat and Debby Boone singing to a fan in [[Washington, D.C.]], 1997]]

Less popular was a musical comedy ''[[Mardi Gras (1958 film)|Mardi Gras]]'' (1958), which was the last movie of [[Edmund Goulding]]. However, ''[[Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959 film)|Journey to the Center of the Earth]]'' (1959), a science fiction adventure tale, was a huge hit. Boone had been reluctant to do it, and needed to be persuaded by being offered the chance to sing several songs and given a percentage of the profits, but was glad he did.<ref name="vaggVagg">{{Cite magazine|url=https://diaboliquemagazine.com/the-surprisingly-interesting-cinema-of-pat-boone/|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|date=September 10, 2019|magazine=Diabolique Magazine|title=The Surprisingly Interesting Cinema of Pat Boone}}</ref>

He produced and starred in a documentary, ''[[Salute to the Teenagers]]'' (1960), but did not make a film for a while, studying acting with [[Sanford Meisner]]. He returned with a military comedy, ''[[All Hands on Deck (1961 film)|All Hands on Deck]]'' (1961), a mild hit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rumors Have Marlon Married to Movita |author=Dorothy Kilgallen |work=The Washington Post and Times-Herald |date= March 12, 1961 |page=G3}}</ref>

He was one of several names in another remake, ''[[State Fair (1962 film)|State Fair]]'' (1962), a box office disappointment. Musicals were becoming less fashionable in Hollywood, so Boone decided to take on a dramatic role in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-distributed movie ''[[The Main Attraction (film)|The Main Attraction]]'' (1962) for [[Seven Arts Productions]], his first movie outside Fox. It was an unhappy experience for Boone as he disliked the implication his character had sex with [[Nancy Kwan]]'s and he got into several public fights with the producers.<ref name="laLA Times">{{cite news|title=Boone Fights Use of Movie That Lacks OK|author=Ryon, Art|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 15, 1962|page=B5}}</ref> He had a deal with Fox to make three films at $200,000 a film with his production company. This was meant to start with a thriller, ''[[The Yellow Canary]]'' (1963), in which Boone would play an unsympathetic character. New management came in at the studio, which was unenthusiastic about the picture but because Boone had a pay or play deal, they decided to make it anyway, only with a much shorter budget. Boone even paid some money out of his own pocket to help complete it.<ref name="robertRobert">Mark Thomas McGee, ''Talk's Cheap, Action's Expensive: The Films of Robert L. Lippert'', Bear Manor Media, 2014, pp. 271–72</ref>

In 1994, Pat Boone played the title role in ''The Will Rogers Follies'' in [[Branson, Missouri|Branson]], [[Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/1994/voices/columns/showbiz-makes-unlikely-stand-in-branson-mo-1117862463/ | title=Showbiz makes unlikely stand in Branson, Mo | date=April 13, 1994 }}</ref>

In 1997, Boone released ''[[In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy]]'', a collection of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] [[cover version|covers]].<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=165/6|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref> To promote the album, he appeared at the [[American Music Award]]s in black leather. He was then dismissed from ''Gospel America'', a TV show on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]]. After making a special appearance on TBN with the president of the network, [[Paul Crouch]], and his pastor, Jack Hayford, many fans accepted his explanation of the leather outfit being a "parody of himself". Trinity Broadcasting then reinstated him, and ''Gospel America'' was brought back.<ref name="Pat" />

In 2010, plans were announced for the Pat Boone Family Theater at [[Broadway at the Beach]] in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/31/1895168/boone-boom-set-for-spring.html|title=Pat Boone Family Theater replaces NASCAR café in Myrtle Beach|last=Spring|first=Jake|work=[[The Sun News]]|date=December 31, 2010|access-date=December 31, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204032723/http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/31/1895168/boone-boom-set-for-spring.html|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> The attraction was never built.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|title=Hollywood Wax Museum on track for summer debut in Myrtle Beach|last=Bryant|first=Dawn|work=[[The Sun News]]|date=January 13, 2014}}</ref>

In 2011, Boone acted as a spokesperson for Security One Lending, a reverse mortgage company.<ref name=":3">{{Cite AV media |last=kpb92651|title=Security One Lending – Innovative Direct Response|date=October 5, 2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvUCtEL7kAA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211031/mvUCtEL7kAA| archive-date=October 31, 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Since at least 2007<ref>{{Cite AV media |last=swissamerica|title=Swiss America-Free Gold Info w/ Pat Boone|date=September 11, 2007|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASpX9gNkfHs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211031/ASpX9gNkfHs| archive-date=October 31, 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Boone has acted as a spokesperson for Swiss America Trading Corporation, a broker of gold and silver coins that warns of "America's Economic Collapse".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.swissamerica.com/press.php|title=Investment Market & News Reports {{!}} Swiss America Trading|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref>

Boone grew up in the [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]].<ref name="religion">{{cite web|title=The religion of Pat Boone, singer|url=http://www.adherents.com/people/pb/Pat_Boone.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050731090423/http://www.adherents.com/people/pb/Pat_Boone.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2005|website=Adherents.com|access-date=June 6, 2010}}</ref> In the 1960s, Boone's marriage to Shirley Foley nearly came to an end because of his use of alcohol and his preference for attending parties. However, after coming into contact with the [[Charismatic Movement]], Shirley began to focus more on her religion and eventually influenced Pat and their daughters to have a similar religious focus.<ref>{{cite book|last=Neitz|first=Mary Jo|title=Charisma and Community: A Study of Religious Commitment Within the Charismatic Renewal|year=1987|publisher=Transaction Publishers|location=New Brunswick NJ|isbn=978-0-88738-130-0|page=76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KrUr2ydLiwAC}}</ref> At the time they attended the [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood Church of Christ in [[Inglewood, California]].

On an April 22, 2016, broadcast of [[Fox News Radio]]'s ''[[The Alan Colmes Show]]'', Boone discussed an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' that included a sketch entitled ''God Is a Boob Man''; the sketch parodied the film ''[[God's Not Dead 2]]'', in which Boone had a role.<ref name="Fox News Colmes 2016-04-22">[http://radio.foxnews.com/2016/04/22/pat-boone-the-fcc-should-punish-blasphemy Pat Boone: The FCC Should Punish Blasphemy], on ''[[The Alan Colmes Show]]''; published April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016</ref> He described the sketch as "[[blasphemy]]", stating that the [[Federal Communications Commission]] should forbid any such content, and that it should revoke the broadcast licenses of any "network, or whoever is responsible for the shows".<ref name="Fox News Colmes 2016-04-22" />

At a 1961 gathering at [[Pepperdine College]], Pat Boone said, "I would rather see my four girls shot and die as little girls who have faith in God than leave them to die some years later as godless, faithless, soulless communists."<ref>{{cite web |title=Kristin Kobes Du Mez > Quotes |website=[[Goodreads]] |url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/20374247.Kristin_Kobes_Du_Mez?page=5 |postscript=,}} quoting from {{cite book |author=Kristin Kobes Du Mez |authorlink=Kristin Kobes Du Mez |title=Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation |year=2020 |publisher=WW Norton |isbn=9781631495731}}</ref> <!-- <ref>{{cite web |author=David Dark |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Wolves in Shepherd's Clothing |website=Chapter 16 |url=https://chapter16.org/wolves-in-shepherds-clothing/}}</ref> -->

Boone supported [[Barry Goldwater]] in the [[1964 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QfHXAAAAQBAJ&q=pat%20boone | title=When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics| isbn=9781107650282| last1=Critchlow| first1=Donald T.| date=October 21, 2013|publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref>

In December 2009, Boone endorsed conservative Republican John Wayne Tucker's campaign in [[Missouri's 3rd congressional district]] against incumbent [[Russ Carnahan]] (D) in the 2010 midterm elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://johnwaynetucker.com/congress/campaign_endorsements.html|title=Pat Boone Endorses John Wayne Tucker for Congress|date=December 15, 2009|website=JohnWayneTucker.com|access-date=January 26, 2011}}</ref> In 2010, Boone endorsed Republican Clayton Trotter in the race for [[Texas's 20th congressional district]] with an ad campaign referencing his song "[[Speedy Gonzales (song)|Speedy Gonzales]]", about [[Speedy Gonzales|the Looney Tunes character]], which critics have characterized as offensive stereotypes.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Trotter-s-campaign-ad-had-to-be-an-inside-job-735873.php|title=Trotter's campaign ad had to be an inside job|author=Greg Jefferson|date=October 28, 2010|journal=San Antonio Express -News|access-date=June 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/clayton-trotter-the-anglo-with-the-hispanic-heart/|title=Clayton Trotter: "The Anglo With The Hispanic Heart"|date=October 28, 2010|author=Kyle Mantyla|website=RightWingWatch|access-date=June 25, 2021}}</ref> Boone received a lifetime achievement award at the 38th annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] held in February 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://60plus.org/boone-honored-by-cpac-lifetime-achievement-award|publisher=[[60 Plus Association]] |title=Boone Honored By CPAC Lifetime Achievement Award|website=60plus.org|date=February 9, 2011|access-date=May 4, 2012}}</ref>

In June 2016, Boone, along with [[Mike Huckabee]] and executive producer Troy Duhon, all of whom were involved in the film ''[[God's Not Dead 2]]'', sent a letter to [[California]] Governor [[Jerry Brown]] in opposition to Senate Bill 1146,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB1146|title=Bill Text – SB-1146 Discrimination: postsecondary education.|website=Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov|access-date=January 22, 2019}}</ref> which "prohibits a person from being subjected to discrimination" at California colleges. Other than schools that train pastors and theology teachers, schools "might no longer be allowed to hire Christian-only staff, teach religious ideas in regular classes, require attendance at chapel services, or keep bathrooms and dormitories restricted to either males or females."<ref>{{cite web|last=Bond|first=Paul|date=June 30, 2016|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gods-not-dead-2-filmmakers-907838|title=''God's Not Dead 2'' Filmmakers Wade into California Politics|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=August 24, 2016}}</ref>

Boone is a basketball fan and had ownership interests in two teams. He owned a team in the Hollywood Studio League called the Cooga Moogas. The Cooga Moogas included [[Bill Cosby]], [[Rafer Johnson]], [[Gardner McKay]], [[Don Murray (actor)|Don Murray]], and [[Denny Miller|Denny "Tarzan" Miller]].<ref name="RTABARemember the ABA">{{cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/Oakland-Oaks.html|title=Oakland Oaks|work=Remember the ABA|access-date=November 10, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223307/http://www.remembertheaba.com/Oakland-Oaks.html|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

When the [[American Basketball Association]] began, Boone became the majority owner of the league's team in [[Oakland, California]], on February 2, 1967.<ref name="RTABARemember the ABA" /> The team was first named the Oakland Americans, but was renamed the [[Oakland Oaks (ABA)|Oakland Oaks]], the name under which it played from 1967 to 1969.<ref name="RTABARemember the ABA" /> The Oaks won the [[1969 ABA Playoffs|1969 ABA championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1969Playoffs.html|title=1968–69 ABA Regular Season Standings|work=Remember the ABA|access-date=November 10, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017202704/http://remembertheaba.com/PlayoffPages/1969Playoffs.html|archive-date=October 17, 2007}}</ref>

Despite the Oaks' success on the court, the team had severe financial problems. By August 1969, the [[Bank of America]] was threatening to foreclose on a $1.2 &nbsp;million loan to the Oaks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/VirginiaMaterial/OaksCapsSquiresYearly.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614055042/http://remembertheaba.com/VirginiaMaterial/OaksCapsSquiresYearly.html|archive-date=June 14, 2007|title=Oakland Oaks/Washington Caps/Virginia Squires Year-to-Year Franchise Notes|work=Remember the ABA |access-date=November 10, 2007}}</ref> and the team was sold to a group of businessmen in Washington, D.C., and became the [[Washington Caps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/VirginiaMaterial/SquiresRosters2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626220240/http://www.remembertheaba.com/VirginiaMaterial/SquiresRosters2.html|archive-date=June 26, 2007|title=Oakland Oaks/Washington Caps/Virginia Squires Year-to-Year Rosters|work=Remember the ABA|access-date=November 10, 2007}}</ref>

*''The Human Touch: The Story of the National Easter Seal'' (1990) Certification Review, {{ISBN|0-914373-22-6}}

*''Culture-Wise Family: Upholding Christian Values in A Mass-Media World'' (2007) Gospel Light Publications, {{ISBN|0-8307-4355-3}}