How to go
What: Neal McCoy
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Admission: $20-60 adults; $25 students. Senior citizens and Clark State students get a $10 discount.
More info: 937-328-3874 or go to www.clarkstate.edu/about-clark-state/performing-arts-center
Multiplatinum-selling country music artist and Texas native Neal McCoy is getting to know Ohio well.
“We’ve probably worked Ohio and Wisconsin more than any other places,” he says. “Ohio always supports country music and has huge festivals. It’s why we love being in this area.”
McCoy and his four-piece band will share the love when they perform on Saturday at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.
The show is part of the Clark State Country Artist Series.
With more than 30 professional years under his big belt buckle, McCoy differs from many musicians who name their tours or have a theme. He’s out on the road so often and entertaining so many that he really hasn’t thought about that, nor about having a set list until about five minutes before he goes on stage.
“I like to know what I’m feeling that night and having a good band that can pick up the set quickly helps. If we’re having a good time then the audience will have a good time. So let’s just call this the Goodtime Tour,” McCoy said, laughing.
Entertainer of the Year awards, three multiplatinum albums and a gold album, No. 1 hits “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” among his 34 chart singles have been just part of McCoy’s career.
In recent years he’s branched out a bit. Last summer McCoy went on the road to support good friend Blake Shelton’s tour, and gotten into other areas of music.
“Country’s got some wide-open arms, and it all seems to be working. We don’t get a lot of radio play, but there’s a lot to cross-over with.”
Recent projects have included a tribute album to country legend Charlie Pride, one of his personal heroes. “Charlie gave me my start and gotten a lot of folks into country,” said McCoy. “I was proud of that project, taking great songs and put a new spin on them.”
McCoy also likes to give back, putting together the East Texas Angel Network to aid the families of ill children, and supports veterans causes and been inspired to write songs for them.
“We’ve done 15 USO Tours. It’s very important to show we appreciate them,” he said.
McCoy also said he’s hoping to record a big band album in the future, filled with standards like “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Don’t be surprised then if such a song shows up in Saturday’s performance, or a surprising cover from anybody from The Beatles to Bruno Mars to Led Zeppelin.
He says, “We try to approach every show with the professional attitude that you give 100 percent of what you have. And we’re in Ohio.”
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