Neal McCoy has been a country music fan favorite ever since he first graced the country music scene in the early 1990s. Since then, he proved that he’s more than a novelty act with his brand of neo-traditionalist honky tonk that earned him a string of hits in the mid-1990s.
Today, we’re going to get to know more about the country star with these facts you probably do not know yet. Keep on scrolling below to find out.
1. He’s a native of Jacksonville, Texas.
Neal McCoy, whose real name is Hubert Neal McGaughey Jr., was born to a Filipina American mother and Irish American father on July 30, 1958,
2. He grew up listening to all kinds of music.
McCoy’s parents were avid music listeners, helping him get acquainted with different types of music growing up – from country, rock to R&B. He began his singing career in school, church choirs, musicals, and quartets.
3. He won a local country music contest that started everything.
In 1981, McCoy joined a talent contest at the Dallas, Texas’ Belle Star nightclub. Lucky for him, he caught the attention of one of the judges – country star Janie Fricke, who then introduced him to Charley Pride. Pride took McCoy under his wing, wherein he would open shows for the country legend, providing McCoy a much bigger audience.
4. He sold women’s shoes in a local mall.
McCoy tried his hand at various jobs before finding success as a country singer. These jobs include mowing lawns, singing with a combo at a Chinese restaurant, and selling women’s shoes at a department store in Longview, Texas. For three years, McCoy reeled in customers, even serenaded and cracked jokes, just to sell a pair.
5. He drew inspiration from pop icon Michael Jackson.
Watching a young performer like Jackson, McCoy said, put a spark in him and made him think, “That’s what I wanna do someday.”
6. He formed his own record label.
In 2004, McCoy and his manager Karen Kane founded the independent Nashville label 903 Music – which released some of Neal McCoy songs. However, after two years of success, McCoy announced the label would be closing its doors. “We flat ran out of money, end of story,” he said in a statement.
7. He’s a father of two.
In 1980, McCoy married Melinda Williams – whom he met during his first job at a shoe store in a local mall. The couple was blessed with two children: a son named Swayde and a daughter named Miki.
8. He performed during the wedding of then-power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.
McCoy sang “No Doubt About It” for the newlywed’s first dance.
9. He supports his own charity organization.
In 1995, McCoy established The East Texas Angel Network together with his wife. The nonprofit charitable organization aims to financially assist families with children suffering from serious illnesses or disabilities.
Neal McCoy is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind country singer, and these facts show he has relished every moment of his long, successful career.
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