Texas Music News — September 24, 2026
Neal McCoy, the Jacksonville, Texas, hitmaker behind “Wink,” got his invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night.
Some country singers ride one hot streak into the sunset. Neal McCoy never did. Instead, he kept hauling his high-voltage show from town to town long after radio moved on. Also, he treated every county fair stage like a sold-out arena. Now that hustle has paid off with the biggest honor country music hands out.
The moment came Tuesday, September 22, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. That night, the Opry also staged a tribute to the late Charley Pride. Pride’s widow, Rozene, stood onstage beside Pam Tillis. Then Tillis turned to McCoy and spoke for her old friend. “He’d say Neal McCoy needs to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry,” she said. McCoy looked like a man who just found a winning lottery ticket in his work jeans. “Oh my gosh, this is great,” he answered. “What a great night to be invited!”
Neal McCoy’s Debt to Charley Pride, Paid in Full
The Pride connection runs deep, because it launched his career. Years ago, McCoy won a talent contest hosted by Opry star Janie Fricke. After that win, he hit the road as Pride’s opening act. So in 2013, McCoy repaid the favor with Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride.
Meanwhile, his own hits still hold up. “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” reached No. 1 back to back in 1993 and 1994. Then eight Top 5 singles followed before 1997 ended. McCoy also stands among the few country stars of Filipino heritage. Now, at 68, he joins a circle fans say he earned years ago. Still, the timing feels right. On a night built for Charley Pride, the old opening act finally got his own seat at the table.
Details at Saving Country Music
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