Neal McCoy and band parting ways

 

Hey, good news is Neal McCoy has not dropped off the face of the earth, bad news is he's breaking up with his band.

Neal and his band have been together for 19 years - well some of the members anyway - but after their performance this Saturday they will be parting company. 

Neal blames it on just having different ideas of what kind of music to play.  Seems Neal wants to start some big-band music rather than the country music he's known for. 

"It is just one of those things where I am going to try and find some band people who will enjoy the other kind of music that I enjoy also," McCoy said in a recent telephone interview, explaining the band is not as eager to mix in a new style of sound as much as he is.

Neal says he's been listening to big-band music since he was a kid and it's what he sang before becoming famous. 

"I was singing standards and show tunes at a couple of dinner clubs there where I lived. Just learned it, really enjoyed it, and I want to mix it in a little more," McCoy said.

"(I) just want to start working more into that. And, as I get older, I enjoy that stuff and I appreciate it more, and I want to sing it more," McCoy said.

So I guess if you're a big Neal McCoy fan you're gonna be waiting a long, long time for something new, unless of course you're into "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "Fly Me To The Moon."  So long Neal, it's been nice knowin' ya.

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Comments

[I Know Better]

When will the truth come out about this? When will someone talk to the ex-band members and hear their side?

Do you know in '08 that Neal told his band he was retiring? They were led to believe he was cutting way back on shows. Bottom line is, Neal wanted to save money as diesel fuel and other costs increased. He didn't even ask the guys if they were willing to take a pay cut.

This is more disappointing than I can tell you.

[Shannon]

I never realized that Neal would be such a big topic of conversation. Everyone is taking what I said wrong. I write a country music blog. If Neal chooses to split with his band and go the way of big band music, classic standards, or whatever I say more power to him, but if he does that then as a country music blogger, I'm probably not going to have any more stories about him, simply because he wont be doing what I blog about. That's all I meant. I think Neal is a wonderful singer and I say good for him for doing what he REALLY wants. We should all be so lucky.

[Barry, Sue & Brian Kopatz]

I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion but I think you are way off by writing Neal off. Neal has a beautiful voice and he can sing just about any kind of music he wants to and it would sound good. I think this is probably the right time in Neal's life for a big change and we three support Neal in anything he chooses to do in life, be it country, big band or radio. We will always be behind Neal 100% in whatever he chooses to do and we just want him to be happy. No one in this country can hold a candle to Neal when it comes to entertaining. You have obviously not been to a lot of Neal's concerts or I know you would feel differently. Best of luck to you Neal and keep on singing and entertaining.

[Jeanne Leader]

I will also support Neal no matter what style of music he chooses to do. I realize that with a new band, it will be a big change for everyone (fans included) and as they say, change is good and I think this change is the best thing for him right now. I love the old standards, especially when Neal sings them. As a long time dedicated fan, I will continue to follow and support him as much as I can. If you are a true fan, you will do the same.

[Shannon]

Where the heck did his voice and talent come into question? I wish Neal luck in whatever he does.

[Candy Aurand]

I don't think you are or ever were much of a Neal McCoy fan if you can't appreciate his voice and his talent no matter what style of music he decides to sing. If you had been to many concerts you would know that occasionally he has been mixing a standard in with country for quite some time now. The article said nothing about him giving up country music entirely. I, for one, will be following his career just like I always have in years past. Good luck Neal!