NEAL MCCOY
(Q)-Why does Neal McCoy continue to have an appeal as a live performer and entertainer while he has not had many radio hits over the past few years?
Neal McCoy (NM)- We give the people what they want. People come out to have a good time and that’s what we give them. You know, we’re going to do some of our own songs, the song that have been radio hits, we’re going to do some fun Things that they’re going to get into. And, we’re above all going to make sure that before we leave the stage, no one will entertain that audience as well as we (Neal and his band) have. I mean whenever we play I don’t want anybody to be able to follow me up.
(Q)- You’re known as a wild man at times on-stage. Among the stunts you’ve pulled include, climbing high scaffolding, speaker towers along with some other pretty dangerous scenarios. You also go on-stage at outdoor shows when many other performers won’t due to rain and high winds. Is there any time when Neal McCoy will not go on-stage?
(NM)- Only if they (a promoter) won’t let me go on. And, there have been times when I’ve actually has a promoter not allow me to go on-stage and I’ve talked the promoter into letting me go on anyway. You know lighting is obviously dangerous, so that is a situation in which I won’t go on-stage, but other then that, it’s tough, really tough to keep me off of that stage.
(Q)- Why is taking such extreme risks on-stage part of what you do?
(NM)- There are other artists who are concerned about their health and their image. You know I’m a little goofy that way. I’ll take risk and be swinging from some rope over the audience. My stage moves are not panned out. I’ll take the stage and do a couple of songs and then I’ll look around and take a look around and figure out what to do to get that audience going.
(Q)- Is it still difficult to find another act to tour with as Neal McCoy the opening act on the bill?
(NM)- Yes, it still is. Few acts in country music want to go on-stage after my show.
(Q) What is it like for Neal McCoy now that he is going over to the Warner Brothers Record Company?
(NM)- I’m pretty lucky. Believe me, I’m very lucky. I’m fixing to be forty-three and I haven’t had a legitimate hit in five years. But they know how hard we’ve worked for years on the road and what kind of fan base I have and the folks there (At Warner Brothers Records Nashville) think that with the right record, we can still make a big run at this and I do too. And I’m looking at going back into the studio soon and with that right song, take a chance at it.
(Q)- Is there plans for a Neal McCoy “Live”, album in the works?
(NM)- I’d love to record a live album, maybe a DVD would be a good idea to capture what it is we do on-stage every night.
(Q)- The market for radio hits sure has become difficult in country music over the past two years with all of the artists?
(NM)- There’s a lot of us who are struggling right now. It’s tough. You know, it’s tough. It’s tough out there. I haven’t had a hit radio-wise for quite a while but I believe for myself, because I put on great shows and be nice to people, then you can keep on working for a long time. I’m still earning that and a major part of what I’m still in demand is that audiences will be there awaiting for me and my band and the audience collectively is thinking and saying to each another, ‘Boy we can’t wait until Neal McCoy comes on. What’s Neal going to do different this time on-stage that he ha yet to do?’ then you have got to hammer away and boy I mean hammer away at it whenever you are on-stage. Because everybody comes out expecting to have so much fun, that it is a challenge for me every time I take the stage.
(Q)-Isn’t that a pressure packed situation to take each time you’re on-stage?
(NM)-Yes it sure is. It is like everybody is looking for you to be great every time. And, so far we’ve delivered a great show for them.