Neal McCoy’s Tribute To Charley Pride Album Celebrates Their Long Friendship

Isn't it funny - and truly marvelous - how life's twists and turns take us places we never thought we'd go? That happened to Neal McCoy and country music legend Charley Pride.

Back in 1981, McCoy, a young Texan barely wet behind the ears, won a nightclub talent contest in Dallas. Pride was introduced to McCoy after the contest win and the veteran performer soon hired the newcomer to be his opening act at his concerts. Their business relationship grew into a friendship.

McCoy got to watch the way Pride staged his shows and how he interacted with his fans. The lessons were invaluable for the younger singer. After all, Pride is a genuine country music icon. His enviable credits include 29 No. 1 hits and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. He's earned a trio of Grammy Awards, including Best Country Vocal Performance, Male in 1972. His CMA Awards include Entertainer of the Year in 1971 and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1971 and 1972.

McCoy worked for, and continued to learn from, Pride until 1986. That's when McCoy landed his own record deal. He went on to have a slew of hits, including the No. 1s. "No Doubt About It" and "Wink." Some of his best-remembered songs are "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye," "You Gotta Love That," "For a Change," "The Shake" and "They're Playin' Our Song." Earlier this year, McCoy toured with Blake Shelton on the Ten Times Crazier Tour.

Now McCoy gets to pay tribute to his mentor. "Neal McCoy's Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride: Deluxe Edition" is set for a Nov. 3 release. The album is the latest project in the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store exclusive music program. The CD will be available exclusively in all 633 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and online at crackerbarrel.com. The digital album will also be available for purchase at select digital retailers.

The album features McCoy singing 13 songs originally made famous by Pride. There are three songs performed as duets: "Roll On Mississippi" with Trace Adkins, "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" - Pride's signature song - with Darius Rucker and "I'm Just Me" with Raul Malo. In addition, there are two exclusive bonus tracks that were not on the original edition released by Slate Creek Records last year.

"It's really neat to have this package," explains McCoy. "It's a real tribute from me to Charley, and my way of just saying, 'Thank you for letting me get my foot in the proverbial door and giving me the opportunity to make my dreams come to life.'"

McCoy went on to say, "Charley told me years ago, 'Neal, if you put on a great show and be nice to people, you'll last a long time in this business.' I adopted that. And it has worked. It certainly did for him. So, thank you, Charley Pride. And thank you Cracker Barrel for allowing me to expand the album into a Deluxe Edition so I could share two more of my favorite Charley Pride songs."

The track list for the album is:

1. "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone"

2. "I'm Just Me" (duet with Raul Malo)

3. "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" (duet with Darius Rucker)

4. "Kaw-Liga"

5. "You're So Good When You're Bad"

6. "It's Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer"

7. "Roll On Mississippi" (duet with Trace Adkins)

8. "Just Between You and Me"

9. "Mountain of Love"

10. "Someone Loves You Honey"

11. "You're My Jamaica"