Neal McCoy delivers Rip-roarin’ show

Jeannette Carrillo

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1997 | 5:23 a.m.

WHEN NEAL MCCOY SAYS HE works just as hard as any other entertainer in the business that's something you can take to the bank. The singer from Longview, Texas, who grew up listening to Michael Jackson, the Carpenters and Barry Manilow, pulls out all the stops when the house lights go down and the microphone warms up.

"You know, we don't have a set list, we wing it every night," said McCoy, who will be performing at the Hard Rock Hotel on Dec. 13.

"We do a little bit of everything," he said, explaining the energy behind songs like "The Shake," "Basic Good-Bye," "Broken Record" and "Party On."

When searching for material, McCoy selects songs that fit his upbeat personality. At least that's what he said was the impetus for his latest hit "If You Can't Be Good, (Be Good At It)," a swinging melody with a big chorus.

For McCoy, that song just "fits my attitude, and it just went hand in hand with what radio fans have come to expect from me."

And what fans he has. Serving up an eclectic selection of songs that run the gamut from R&B to groove and easy listening, the 39-year-old artist does his best to keep all ears satisfied. When it's all said and done, McCoy knows it's been a good night when everyone in the crowd stands up and showers him and his band in applause.

"Most of our shows end up being very good or very well liked because we work very hard at that," McCoy said. "I'm smart enough to know that not everyone that comes to country concerts has only listened to country music all their lives. They come from different formats so every once in a while we sneak a song in that people may be familiar with to where they say 'Oh man I love that.' And then they sort of accept the things they're not familiar with a little easier."

When asked if he gears his music to a particular crowd, McCoy is quick to explain that, although he's had success with a variety of styles, it's really the rapport he's been able to develop with fans that fuels his music.

"My whole attitude in life is to entertain you. The things that people remember when they leave a show, although they might love a ballad that we have out, they still think of Neal McCoy as kind of an up, fun guy. Those are the kind of things they tend to remember."

In his latest album "Be Good At It,"McCoy reveals more of his vocal talents and interpretive skills than ever before. At the same time, he remains the same accessible, real-deal entertainer fans have come to count on.

When he's not in the studio for one of his albums, onstage or on the road, McCoy takes time to explore other avenues. One such event occurred when Target approached him to sing a track on the store's traditional Christmas CD. The compilation features several of McCoy's contemporaries, including Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker and Travis Tritt.

"They contacted me and gave me my choice and I just loved 'Merry Christmas Darling' because I was an old Carpenters fan," said McCoy, adding that the song is the prettiest thing he's ever done.

Keeping with that theme, McCoy said his favorite song on "Be Good At It" has got to be the softer "Party On," which unfolds a tale of sadness that allows McCoy to develop a wrenching story along with powerful music.

"This is the kind of song I've wanted to sing for a long time. I haven't had this kind of sadness in my own life, but it's something most people deal with at one time or another, and it gave me a chance to really dig in emotionally," he said.

"I think all real singers are balladeers at heart and I have this reputation of having those fun songs. I really want people to know the other side of me. Know that I'm capable of singing, of delivering a song. And I love ballads and I love this song. It's just a very well-written song. It's a sad song, but the melody's beautiful, and the lyrics are just wonderful," he said.

As for the future, McCoy hopes to collect a few more hit records and to accomplish his goal of winning the Entertainer of the Year Award.

"Whether we ever get there and become recognized by the people who vote we'll never know, but we feel that we work as hard or harder than anybody every night to entertain people," McCoy said.

If the past few years are any indication of what's to come, we may be hearing an acceptance speech real soon.

Performance details

Where: Hard Rock Hotel

When: Dec. 13

Information: 693-5066