Neal McCoy has been invited to join Grand Ole Opry by his friend Pam Tillis.
The honor arrived on Sept. 22 during "Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride," a show celebrating the legacy of a fellow Opry member Pride, the "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" singer.
During his set, "Wink" singer McCoy performed Pride's classics and reflected on his friendship with Pride, who died in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.
“If there had never been a Charley Pride there would never have been a Neal McCoy,” McCoy said, adding that in the beginning of his career he would mow yards to make ends meet during the week, then open for Pride's shows on the weekends.
Opry member Pam Tillis also performed during the evening. After her set, she welcomed Pride’s wife Rozene Pride to
the stage.
With McCoy on stage next to her as her escort, Rozene Pride said, "Charley would be so happy with what you’re going to do next, Pam.”
Tillis extended an official Opry invitation to McCoy.
“Oh my gosh," he said. “What a great night. What a great night to be invited.”
McCoy will officially join the Opry family later this year on a date to be announced. You can sign up for updates on his induction ceremony.
Who is Neal McCoy?
McCoy is known for his neo-traditionalist honky-tonk country music, which blends in occasional influence from big-band jazz and R&B.
He broke out in the '90s with songs “No Doubt About It” and “Wink,” going on to achieve three platinum albums throughout the decade.
Now age 68, the Longview, Texas singer has released 15 studio albums and garnered two No. 1 hits.
McCoy met Charley Pride in the '80s at the start of his career, and has often credited Pride's guidance with shaping him as a performer.
In 2013, McCoy released his album "Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride" to honor his longtime friend.
Throughout the course of his career, McCoy has been on 17 different USO Tours to honor men and women in uniform and is also the recipient of multiple humanitarian awards from The Academy of Country Music.
McCoy runs his own charity, the East Texas Angel Network, which supports children in East Texas who are living with terminal or life-threatening diseases.
McCoy, known as an avid patriot, recites the Pledge of Allegiance live on his Facebook page every morning. So far, he's at 2,800 days in a row, and counting.
To this day, McCoy maintains a busy touring schedule. He has upcoming stops in Texas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and more.
On Dec. 10, he is slated to appear on the Opry again.
To learn more about McCoy, head to nealmccoy.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Neal McCoy invited to join Grand Ole Opry by Pam Tillis
