Neal McCoy’s voice developed into a rich baritone, and he first put it to professional use in an R&B band. Soon, he moved to country music, playing bars and clubs all over Texas. In 1981, he won a talent contest that was attended by Janie Fricke, and she helped him land a slot on tour as Charley Pride’s opening act. He spent six years in that capacity. He eventually left to pursue his own recording career in 1988, when he released his debut single, “That’s How Much I Love You,” under the name Neal McGoy (the pronunciation of his birth name). Modifying it to the more common McCoy, he released his debut album, At This Moment, on Atlantic in 1990. McCoy’s third album, 1994’s No Doubt About It sold more than a million copies. In the next few years, he returned to the Top 5 six times. In 2005, he released That’s Life on 903 Music, a label he co-founded and reached the Top 20 with “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On.” McCoy released his twelfth album, XII, for the label in 2012. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert co-produced the album with Brent Rowan and sang backing vocals on single “A-OK.” He released the compilation album Neal McCoy’s Favorite Hits in 2017. An enthusiastic performer, Neal McCoy continues to tour the country.