ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997               TAG: 9704170073
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: THE BOSTON GLOBE

ALL IS FORGIVEN, PAT - EVEN THE FAKE TATTOOS CHRISTIANS WANT HIM BACK, 2-1

Trinity Broadcasting Network let the viewers vote on whether the singer should get his show back.

Pat Boone, the 1950s teen idol turned gospel star turned Christian pariah for making a rock album, appears to have won back the favor of his religious audience.

Boone, 63, defended his foray into rock in a two-hour town meeting-style television program Tuesday night on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Trinity had canceled Boone's popular ``Gospel America'' program after the singer appeared in heavy-metal regalia - an earring, fake tattoos, and a leather jacket - on a music awards show in January.

The program was presented as Boone's chance to convince his Christian viewers that neither his album nor his appearance in a heavy-metal costume had diminished his standing as a Christian role model.

Viewers were invited to call in and vote on whether to reinstate Boone's show. About 3,100 calls came in during the two-hour broadcast, and thousands more afterward, according to Trinity.

Trinity spokesman Colby May said the calls were running 2-1 in Boone's favor, but polling would continue until Sunday.

``If I had to be a guessing man, I'd say Boone will get the show back,'' said May.

He said Trinity leaders were pleased by the singer's ``contrite tone.''

LENGTH: Short :   40 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  AP FILE 1997. Pat Boone looked like this at the Music 
          Awards ceremony Jan. 27.