Kick off the holidays with Neal McCoy in Crockett
Nov. 13—Back by popular demand, Jacksonville native Neal McCoy will be returning to perform for the Piney Woods Fine Arts Association this Friday.
"We are so excited to have Neal McCoy back in Crockett," said Ann Walker, director of PWFAA. "He is a true entertainer and true American. Neal has never left his East Texas roots and we love him for it! It will be a great show!"
McCoy will be appearing in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at the Crockett Civic Center, 1100 Edmiston Road in Crockett.
This show is a precursor to Christmas in Crockett on Saturday.
McCoy has released 15 studio albums and is known for his big hits like "No Doubt About It," "Wink" and "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On."
Every show with McCoy is different and you never know exactly what to expect. While he's sure to perform some of your favorites, he's got new music to share this year.
"We may do one or two songs that we have released digitally in the last few months to let folks know we are always working to bring them new music," McCoy said. "We are shooting to put out a new project in the first quarter of next year."
The PWFAA has been hosting a concert annually the night before Christmas in Crockett for many years. This show always helps kick off the holiday season. McCoy said his show is sure to help you get in the spirit this year.
"We will be doing a couple of Christmas songs this year," McCoy said. "My favorite Christmas song is the Nat King Cole favorite, "The Christmas Song." It's one we used to sing around the house when we were all one family."
McCoy and his family have special ties to Crockett and have enjoyed visiting the city many times over the years. He's hoping to see some familiar faces during his visit this week.
"This is the first time I've been back to Crockett in a while," McCoy said. "Hopefully we'll get to see some folks we used to know."
McCoy was born in Jacksonville and raised singing in the church choirs before joining an R&B band when he was young. He then switched his focus to country music and started performing in the bars and clubs in the area.
In 1981, he won a talent contest that helped him secure a spot as an opening act for Charley Pride. He toured with Pride until 1990. Pride was a big influence on him during these early years in his career and the two remained close until Pride passed in December 2020.
McCoy honored his longtime mentor and friend Charlie Pride in 2013 by releasing the album "Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride" featuring guest appearances by Darius Rucker and Trace Adkins.
McCoy still stays close to his East Texas roots by heading up a charity called the East Texas Angel Network, which helps provide money for families of seriously ill children.
This show is sponsored by Sam & Ginger Gregg and funded in part by the Houston County Hotel Occupancy Tax.
Tickets for his Crockett show are $45 and $55 each. No refunds, no exchanges. Tickets and more information are available online at www.pwfaa.org. or by calling the PWFAA office at 936-544-4276 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.