Everybody Loves Neal McCoy

  • By Teri Stein
  • September 21, 2013
  • 470
                        
Summary: It was a love fest and a party rolled into one as Neal McCoy took to the stage at the Tuscarawas County Fair on Wednesday night. They’re everywhere! Neal McCoy fans, that is. Looking a little out of place at a fair concert instead of a fair auction where they routinely purchase firsts and grand champions, Pat and Jim Cargnel of Cargnel’s Cleaning Service, said they have been to see every show that McCoy has performed at the Tuscarawas County Fair. “We’ve liked him since he started,” said Pat who couldn’t pick a favorite Neal McCoy song. “I like them all.” “He just puts on a good show,” said Cheryl Gordon of Cadiz who had never seen the singer in person but enjoys watching the television broadcasts of McCoy when he performs each summer at Jamboree in the Hills. Gordon attended the concert with a friend, Paula Stackhouse of Cadiz, and both women bought McCoy t-shirts which they changed into for the show. McCoy led the party with a string of his hit songs. He is big on crowd participation at his shows and had the audience singing along on many songs. He also seemed surprised at the loud response the band received when an O-H was shouted from the stage. McCoy repeated the letters again to hear an even louder I-O. McCoy was a much into participation with the crowd as they were with him. Leaving the stage he jumped on a chair and sang, danced, and high fived with delighted fans. He shook hands with fans as he made his way up and down the Grandstand. One fan brought McCoy an elephant ear causing him to mumble some comments about all the things you shouldn’t eat before singing like flour and sugar. “He had the elephant ear and he looked like he was dying of thirst up there,” said Ashley Wright of Dover who shook hands with McCoy when he ventured into the Grandstand early in the show. “I bought Neal McCoy a lemonade.” Wright had the drink delivered to the stage to an appreciative McCoy by the vendor. “The concert was so good. He danced onstage to The Shake. He can really shake it,” said Wright who had previously seen McCoy at the fair in 2006. Wright was impressed enough that she purchased a McCoy t-shirt at the show. The Tuscarawas County Fair was an exclusive place on Wednesday; it was the first place in the nation one could purchase copies of McCoy’s new tribute album to Charlie Pride. The album was not scheduled to be released for another week. The crowd burst into applause when McCoy told them this news. “I appreciate it and if you don’t get that album tonight then you’re just stupid,” the singer joked. Fans who would like to see a return appearance of the singer to the Tuscarawas County Fair had better start lobbying now; McCoy hinted he may sometime cease touring as he’s not getting any younger. “I’m not doing this because I need the money; I’m doing this because I’m having fun.”


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