Neil McCoy "Shakes" Up Packed Crowd
in Civic Center, Thursday Night, With Great Concert

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Country and Western star and East Texas native, Neil McCoy, brought his music and talent to a packed crowd in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, on Thursday night, and "brought down the house" with a very entertaining show! What makes McCoy even more special was his interviews before the show, as he greeted fans in the exhibit hall of the Civic Center and is truly a "nice guy!" You can't ask for anyone to be more accommodating, more gracious, and appreciative of his fans and those he works with, as he was interviewed and asked questions. McCoy fielded a number of interviews and truly had a good time, before the concert even got started. "If these folks take the time to come and out and see me perform, the least I can do is visit with them and let them know how much I appreciate their support," expressed McCoy in pre-concert interviews. "I'm here to get to know the fans and provide them with a quality show!"

 

Country and Western star, Neil McCoy, greeted fans and visitors in a
pre-concert gathering, before the show on Thursday night, where he was
a joy to interview and loads of fun!

Thursday night's concert sponsored by a number of East Texas Radio Stations, including local STAR Country, was free to the public as a listener appreciation bonus and featured a large crowd of fans from Paris, Mt. Vernon, Greenville, Commerce, Mt. Pleasant, Tyler, and points all across East Texas. "It's amazing how many people will come out to one of my concerts when it's free!" quipped McCoy. "Now, you go to charging 'em three dollars and they'll stay at home!"

 

Thursday night's concert was opened by Texas native, Rich O'Toole,
who hails from Houston, as he brought his "Texas Red Dirt Music"
to the stage in a quality performance.

 

 

 

Thursday night's venue began with the entertaining opening act of Rick O'Toole and his band. O'Toole told the crowd that he too was a native Texan, hailing from Houston, Texas, and received a large number of "whoops" from the crowd, when he shared that he's an Aggie and got his degree from Texas A&M University. O'Toole brought his brand of "Texas Red Dirt Music" to the stage in an energetic and entertaining show, that featured a more modern appeal.

 

 

 

Highlights of O'Toole's show was the favorite numbers of "Summertime," his latest "In A Minute or 2," and "Romance Rodeo," one of his first hits. His show included three of the top hits from his "Alone" Album, "When Kelly Comes to Town," and "Queen of the Misfits." Rich O'Toole hit the scene in early 2007 with his debut album "Seventeen," and has never looked back. He was leaving the Sulphur Springs venue for a Friday night performance at "Hurricane Harry's" in College Station, and then performing live in an outside performance at the Austin Rodeo, in Austin, on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McCoy took the stage and began his show with some of the popular songs that he remembered from his youth, including his own version of the Village People's hit "Y.M.C.A" and others that were popular in the late 1970's and Early 1980's. McCoy credited his introduction into the music business to Country and Western great, Charlie Pride, "taking him under his wing," back in 1981 and providing him a venue as an opening act. "I was just a poor ol' country boy from Jacksonville, Texas, who needed all the help and direction he could get!"

 

Neil McCoy "cut up" and danced across the stage, throughout Thursday night's
show," in a very energetic performance.

 

 

McCoy performed two of Pride's number 1, tribute songs, "Kiss An Angel Good Morning," and "Is Anybody Going to San Antone?" to the delight of the audience. Do you remember the lyrics....."Rain dripping off the brim of my hat....Is anybody going to San Antone or Phoenix, Arizona...anywhere just as long as I can forget her?"

 

 

As the hits flowed from the stage in a very energetic performance, McCoy "shook" the crowd with his popular "The Shake" and then worked into his first number one hit, "No Doubt About It," as the crowd enjoyed each number.

 

 

 

He featured each of his band members in a feature song, as he introduced them. Among the features was a memorable one from keyboard artist, Beckie Priest, a native of Hubbard, Texas, as she performed "In The Arms of Angels," to the delight of the crowd!

 

 

 

It was then that McCoy and his band broke into the famous "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On," and included the audience in several "sing-alongs" during the number!

 

 

 

Later in the show, McCoy delighted the crowd with another favorite "Just Give Me That Wink!"

 

 

 

"I'm amazed at the energy in the show and the time just seemed to slip away!" remarked a devoted fan, as she left the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. "McCoy and O'Toole put on great shows that keep the energy alive throughout the night and had you wishing it would never end!"

 

Neil McCoy was truly a nice guy and a pleasure to see perform, in
Thursday night's great concert in the Hopkins County Civic Center!

 

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