JACKSONVILLE —
Neil McCoy became the third Jacksonville native to be added to the chamber of commerce's wall of honor on Monday.
The wall of honor was started in 2011 and features collages that represent the careers of Jacksonville residents who have excelled in their fields and have done extraordinary things.
Neil McCoy is a famous country singer. He put out his first album “At This Moment” in 1990, and has made a total of 11 records. His 12th “XII” will be released in stores March 6. Some of his major hits include “The Shake,” “If I was a Drinkin' Man,” “Wink” and “They're Playin' Our Song.”
“This is our very own home-grown tomato,” said Janie Barber, McCoy's cousin and the woman responsible for collecting the memorabilia in the collage.
“It's a big deal,” McCoy said. “Being born and raised here, it's a pretty nice gesture from the city and the people of Jacksonville to bring me back and give me this.”
McCoy, 53, was presented with a collage of memorabilia collected from family members.
His collage of memorabilia hangs on the wall between LeeAnn Womack and Dr. Cordell Adams.
The Shadowbox includes an autographed napkin from Canton's Chinese restaurant in Longview, where McCoy was a regular sight in the 1980s.
“I was singing wherever I could, that was one of the earlier places I sang,” he said. “I had a full-time job and I would do that on the weekends.”
It also has a poster from a benefit concert in 1997 for the East Texas Miracle Network, a foundation McCoy and his wife started in 1994 after the birth of their second son, McCoy said.
“I appreciate y'all putting that in there because, what we do and what I have been able to do, is go around the country and sing and entertain, but there is nothing like helping the folks at home,” he said.
McCoy said over the past 17 years, the foundation has raised over $7 million dollars and helped over 4 million families with children diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.
The shadowbox also contains photos of McCoy through the decades and an autographed bandana.
Officials said the idea for the wall of honor, located in the Norman Activity Center, came out of the Blue Ribbon Committee, a committee focused on improving Jacksonville.
Nancy Washburn, chairman of the Wall of Honor Committee, said they wanted to let the people of Jacksonville they have something to be proud of, and this is a way to showcase hometown people who have a made it big or made a name for themselves.
“It gives a great sence of pride to see some locals I went to school with, and it's great to see the honorees pursue a career that started here in Jacksonville,” said Peggy Renfro, president of the chamber of commerce.
Renfro said she does not know who will be inducted to the wall next year, but the chamber will take recommendations from residents on possible candidates.
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Neil McCoy admires a shadowbox full memorabilia from his career that was been added to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce's Wall of Fame on Monday. Progress photo by Faith Harper
Discussion
Jacksonville chamber puts country star McCoy on wall of honor
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