However, after having a thorough look around before the show, surveying the unique qualities of this building and the fascinating décor, meeting the staff, and tasting the food there was no longer any question that he was right where he needed to be this Thursday night .

Manager Michael Ford set the tone for the evening by introducing this multi-faceted, super talented and generous performer.  Ford pointed out that McCoy’s best attribute, in his opinion,  was that McCoy has completed 15 USO tours and is a true patriot.

Neal McCoy came on stage seeming excited to entertain, and entertain he did!   Before the evening was over he was thanking the very vocal, enthusiastic, and embracing  Dosey  Doe audience for such a special night.  And hinting to anyone who would listen that he hoped he would be invited back to play again way sooner than later.

Neal has been around this business for many years now.  He has played the main stage of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo…so to now be playing in a barn (albeit a darn nice one) off a feeder road on Interstate 45 in The Woodlands may have been a tough sell at first glance.

As an aside I did a little research and found that over 40 Rodeo Houston Main Stage Artists have also played the Dosey Doe Big Barn Stage. By all accounts, it’s just that nice a place to play.   And as someone who spends a lot of time there it is just as special a place to watch and listen to a performance.

If you’ve never seen Neal perform   you owe it to yourself to go see him. He is fun, talented, and  embraces the audience as if everyone in attendance is his best friend. Tonight McCoy was even more animated than normal, full of corny jokes, and  danced  with the best of them.  With his versatile style and talent he is such a pleasure to watch, and on this night his energy was contagious and spilled over into the audience.

I also couldn’t help but notice how talented his band was, individually and collectively.  The group of musicians who flanked him both left and right on stage were off the charts. They were so impressive and Neal gave each their moment to shine. It was a pleasure to be introduced to their talent… and it was even more interesting to watch Neal really ENJOY what they were doing in turn. McCoy obviously is sufficiently confident to not feel diminished by these talented men and women!

Neal McCoy gave us a 90 plus minute set including charted songs The Shake, Beer Goggles, Wink, and Hillbilly Rap. All getting some reasonable radio air play over the years.

McCoy,also played a few tunes from his  recently released  twelfth studio album (entitled XII),which  was co-produced by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert,  both singing back- up vocals on a number of songs.   He shared however that he is not getting much air play these days. I sensed some obvious disappointment that he wasn’t but also heard some acceptance that it was just the nature of the beast, and it can be an ugly beast.

I could go on and on about McCoy’s charitable work. He supports ChildFund International and during the show he offered his new disc to anyone who signed up to support a child, even if only for one month .

As mentioned previously, McCoy is a very patriotic sort of American and every chance he has he goes and entertains the troops around the world through the USO. Fifteen tours so far and he commented that he’d keep going as long as they would have him. God bless you Neal McCoy,  and The United States Of America. Neal you are the REAL MCCOY!

My final note would be to mention the perfect closing song , I’m your biggest fan.  The lyrics express that it is he who thanks the audience for giving him the chance to do what he loves to do night after night.

Neal,  thank you for coming this way.   Dosey Doe thanks for snagging him.  And hope you two connect again….hurry!

Until next time hope you’ll keep it between the navigational beacons.