Festival Headliner Neal McCoy
Playing Sunday
at 4:30pm
“Everybody wants to find that song
that hits the sweet spot,
that is pretty much them, but everybody else, too.
“I think I finally found that song!” – Neal McCoy
In a world where every single is the biggest hit, every song the best one ever, Neal McCoy has had his share of feel good radio records, a few meaningful ballads, the BMI Song of the Year with “Wink” and “The Shake” and a whole lot of fun. But he's spent almost two decades chasing that song.’
With “A-OK, the song that co-producer Blake Shelton found the Longview, Texan entertainer, McCoy's quest may be over. With its bouncing beat, bright melody and yes, pure Andy Griffith whistle, the song about seeing the glass as half-full and the smile upside down in a frown, along with the Barry Dean/Luke Laird/Brett Eldridge mid-tempo, is the perfect distillation of McCoy?s always effervescent show.
“I think any song that says „It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be alright…? and feels like this one does, has got to be a winner. People really wanna hear, and almost need to hear, that right now…Times being the way they are, and something that makes people feel good? Well, anyone who knows me knows I'm all about that,” McCoy explains.
Ask anyone about Neal McCoy, and they may not be able to name all of the songs, but they'll go on and on about his live concerts: full-tilt celebrations of music, life, laughter, joy and yes, his five #1s. But don't make it about Neal McCoy, he sure wouldn't.
“I think when people come to see you, sure they want to hear your music,” he explains. “But they really wanna be somewhere that makes 'em forget their troubles for a little bit; to have some fun, to laugh and remember how good life can be. I always say, they?re not fans…they're friends and I want 'em to have a good time.”
Modesty aside, McCoy has sold over 6 million albums. His entrance into the country music world was championed by Hall of Famer Charley Pride, and his return is being orchestrated by CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee and reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton, and CMA/ACM Album, Single and Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert.
People like that know music – and performing. Those who came before and those who're now setting the standard both recognize how special McCoy?s kind of country is.
