Neal McCoy Brings His ‘Very Best’ to Loyal Fans

With his infectious hits, lively stage shows and super nice-guy personality, Neal McCoy has been a staple in country music since the late 80s. The country singer is now wrapping up almost two decades of his career in 'The Very Best of Neal McCoy,' a compilation of 21 beloved hits and one new song that he hopes will keep him at the top of country fans' minds for years to come.

The Boot sat down with the Texas crooner to hear his personal stories about the new album. We also got McCoy's candid comments on today's young stars and what he fears is a lack of loyalty in the country music business.

Tell us the story behind the new track, 'Rednecktified.'

My producer and I were trying to come up with something that wasn't really a word but maybe a catch-phrase. So we came up with 'Rednecktified.' I love the lyrics, because that's pretty much what we grew up with here in east Texas.

So maybe it's the next Honky Tonk Badonkadonk!

Well that would make me some money! [laughs]

After your big comeback success on country radio with 'Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On,' was it important for you to put humor on this album?

We've charted with a lot of different kinds of songs. But for whatever reason, radio just really likes my more lighthearted things. It probably has something to do with my personality -- they know that I'm a little goofy and a little crazy. So they must just think that kind of song is better for me.

Of all 22 songs, is there one that's the most personal?

There's a song called 'For a Change' that really speaks to my life. I've been married for 27 years, and when I first met my life, I was a happy man for a change. I had been through a few relationships that didn't work out, and that song just hit the nail on the head all those years ago. And I like to think that my wife likes it a little bit -- maybe not as much as she did 27 years ago [laughs].

What is the secret to a happy marriage after 27 years?

There really isn't a secret. It's just work. I think the reason there are so many divorces these days is that people aren't forced to work at it, to understand that you're not always going to get along. You've gotta take a step back and ask if you're doing the right thing, and we are doing the right thing, by sticking together.

We saw you hosting a celebrity fashion show at CMA Music Fest. So we have to ask, what is your favorite thing in your wife's closet?

Keith Whitley wrote a song, "You say it best when you say nothing at all." So maybe I should say she looks good when she wears nothing at all! [laughs] It's the truth. She looks as good as she's ever looked in 27 years.

Think back 20 years ago to when you signed your first record deal. What's the biggest difference in Neal McCoy then and Neal McCoy now?

Obviously there's 20 years of life -- I've aged! [laughs] But I'd like to think, from a physical standpoint, I'm in as good of shape as I was 20 years ago. I feel like I am, but I'm sure I'm not! I'm definitely more settled, very comfortable where I am in life -- with my family, friends and my career. I'm happier now, because I've got so many things to appreciate. I have a daughter who just graduated from college, and 20 years ago, my wife and I were worried about what we were going to do to support her. But I'm perfectly content where I am now.

It was 15 years ago that you released 'Wink,' and the crowd still goes wild when you perform it today. When you recorded it, did you have any suspicion it would be such a career-spanning hit?

Definitely not. I was on my third album then, and I'd already been through about six singles off the first two albums, and none of them had done very well. I sure liked the song, but I'd liked all the other stuff I'd recorded, too. So you never know what's gonna work and what's not going to work. You just record things that you like and that you think will be successful. But for it to be my first No. 1 song, wow . . . I do think there weren't a whole lot of uptempo songs out there at the time, so it worked for radio. We got lucky!

You've kept a packed road schedule every year for 20 years now. What keeps touring from being monotonous?

We're still out there a whole bunch, probably more than we need to be. [laughs] But I still enjoy it. Of course, there is a lot of monotony in it, with all of the traveling and such. But what keeps me going is just getting to that stage. Some artists like to write, some like to sing, but I enjoy just being on stage. That's where I feel like I was meant to be. And we try to make every show different -- going out without a set-list and making every show different.

What's the coolest venue you've ever played?

I don't know about a coolest venue, but the coolest area I've played is Iraq, during my overseas tour. Being over there with those soldiers as many times as I've been able to go over there is just life changing.

If you could change anything about the country music industry, what would you change?

I'd be more successful! [laughs] No, I think it's pretty good as it is. Country music is so wide open, which is why you can have everyone from Rascal Flatts to George Strait and everyone in between -- and it all appears to be working. But I'd like for there to be a little more loyalty, the way it used to be. I understand that more youth is involved now, so we've become a lot more like pop music now -- the flavor-of-the-month kind of thing. There isn't that loyalty that there once was. When I first started in country music 30 years ago, I really got into this business because of Charley Pride. And whatever Charley would put out, people would buy. It didn't matter if he had a hit single out or not, they were going to buy it because they liked the person, Charley Pride. And nowadays, they don't really know as much about the artists.

You are certainly humble about your own success, because you seem to have found the secret to longevity in the business. So, what is it?

I have to go back to Charley Pride on that one. He used to say that if you can put on a great show every night and treat people right, you can continue to work in this business a long time. I do try very hard to give 100% every time and to be nice to people -- not just to the fans but to the promoters, the caterers, the people on the stage hanging lights.

Are there any new singers these days who you think have a shot at longevity?

Golly, no . . . I don't like any of 'em. [laughs] I'm kidding. I really like a lot of the new girl singers, like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. But you never know who's going to stick around.
It's fickle. If they don't continue to have hit after hit, then someone else will come along and steal their spotlight.