Encounter from: April Peterson

It's June 18, 1999...We are leaving Franklin PA at 3:30 p.m. This had ended up to be a different four people than what originally was planned, but I was ready. Mom was supposed to be there...she HAD to be there, she has become as big of fan as I have, but my Aunt needed her more. Mom was in Georgia taking care of my Aunt.

We make our 2 1/2 hour trip to Deerfield, Ohio where we had front row seats for a show I knew would be "AWESOME". I was right. *Thanks Larry*

Fan Club - Meet and Greet. We got in line, a very unorganized line. The road manager told everyone to get behind ME - :-) That had to be a sign, right? Sure was. The radio station winners and staff got to go first. We walked back to the buses...There he was. NY Knicks polo shirt, grey cotton pants, white socks and sandals. Just like you and I. Mr. McCoy was so people oriented. Wanted to know everyone's name and if you were lucky and your name ever had a song about it, you got it sung to you.

I was up next. I had a picture I wanted -- HAD to get signed for my bestest bud, Lisa. It was a picture I'd taken of Neal looking at her when her and I went to see him last year...Very sweet picture. He liked it, I told him it was for Lisa who SHOULD have been with me, but was at home being 8 months pregnant. :-) He told me I should have brought her, he'd a helped her along.

You see, in the rules of the meet and greet it clearly stated - ONE autograph and ONE picture. But ya know, I had this feeling, so I had found a few of my pictures from previous concerts I'd been too. Never from front row, but good, to say the least. He signed one for me as he sang "I've got pieces of April" to me....I asked if I could have a picture with him and he said "Sure, suga". ;-) How cute. So I put my left arm around him and held on..He pulled me so close, I know when you're reading these things you always think to yourself *yeah right, I'm sure he didn't pull - SHE pulled* but really, Neal's cheek and my cheek were touching :-) He thanked me and I told him that Mom wanted to hear "The Shake" -- from Georgia. He smiled and gave me a "WHAT?" look..I told him to look for us in the front row. He agreed. My sister was behind me, she wanted a picture, but wanted me in that picture, also. How was I supposed to say NO? So I put my right arm around him this time and held on again....Again, a very close hug.

On to the show. We listened to LoneWolf for about an hour before Neal was scheduled to begin. The anticipation mounted. I've been to 3 other Neal McCoy shows and KNEW what to expect, well, almost. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, your TNN Entertainer of the Year 1998 and 1999 -- NEAL MCCOY" - The crowd erupted. Standing ovation as Neal was on stage. Very cool.

He was beginning on his third song, when I realized it was do or die time.....It was getting dark and I had a song HE HAD to see. So, I got it out, put it up and waited. He came over to our side and saw it. He read it, he grinned, he shook his head and he gave me the "OK" sign. Good start. So throughout the whole show I'd tease him with my sign and the big red bag that went with it...he always had a sly grin for me.

He liked my Pennsylvania Wildlife shirt I'd gotten him and wore my PennState ballcap during "The Hillbilly Rap" -- very cool.

"The Shake." I called Georgia on my cell phone, I could not hear anything, but I didnt' want to hang up, in case someone was on the other end, so I just held out my phone along with the sign I had to go with it..."Mom says Hello from Georgia." He was in the middle of shaking it and saw my sign... He stopped, he read it, he saw my black phone on the white sign and kinda did a "wow" expression. He smiled, he pointed and he put his hand on his heart. Later he came over and was singing as he held his arm out to me. He was singing to Mom.

His show was as great as always..very funny, witty, and very entertaining. He sang so many styles last night from "Play that Funky Music" to "Kiss An Angel Good Morning." That boy has talent.

It was his last encore song and everyone made their way to the closest they could to the stage... You still were 5 feet or so from him, but we were close enough. Snapped some pictures, then held up my sign. He came over and saw it, got a little grin on that face and pointed and said "I'll get it." :-) I just smiled....

The lights when down, Neal was headed to the bus. We hung out for awhile and waited. I had faith that he'd be back to honor my sign. The band members were out and about and we all got to chat with them -- some very nice guys in Justice. The crowd dwindled down to about 20. They let the radio station back stage pass winners go back and meet Neal. The best part was seeing everyone coming back out with smiles and hearing what they'd say "wow, he was a nice guy" - "he was so personable" - "is he funny or what?"... I love that.

A crowd of 8 or 9, an hour later. We were the last four in the "line" just talking to the others and the security. Then what do we see, but Mr. McCoy coming back out. :-) He began at the front of the line, signing, getting pictures and just chatting - was NEVER in any hurry. In fact, a lady had a picture signed and was walking away and Neal asked her if she wanted the other pictures signed.... She said she didn't want to bother him... He signed them all. Very sweet.

Well, it was my turn. I held my sign in front of me and watched. He looked at me and again, the grin appeared so eloquently on that boyish face. He said to me "Does the offer still stand?" I said "OH YEAHHH!" So, he opened up his arms and I remember having to really reach up to get my arms around him. I never really realized how tall he was. I'm 5' 9 1/2" so he must be around 6'2 or so. He gave me a really good hug. Not in any rush.. I said a few things to him as I was hugging him and he laughed. The only thing I remember is patting his back. I then asked him if he'd sign my shirt. He asked my name and I said "April" he started singing "I've got pieces of April" again to me. Ahhhh... I don't remember much else...but starting to walk away with my big red bag and realizing I didnt' give it to him. I turn around and there he is with this confused look on his face and said "HELLO?? Where is it?" I started laughing and gave it to him and like a goof I poked him in the chest and laughed... Don't ask. He looked inside my bag to see 90 items. He said "I'll eat these all tonight" and then he said "Thank you."

My cousin was behind me and had boughten him his favorite thing as I did...she got her ticket signed then waved it in his face...he said to her "Are you bribin' me?" She just laughed...So she got her hug. My Aunt.. This is the same Aunt and cousin who sat with me front row in Buffalo, NY for Trisha and Garth...They both had a ball. Neal signed her shirt *which is my mom's but mom lent it to her to wear* for my mom and Aunt Deanna asked for a hug, and he agreed :-). She then told him the truth that she did eat some of my gift. He said to her "Then that makes it all the more better." What a guy! What did my sign say? "WANNA TRADE? A HUG FOR CHOCOLATE."

So we left very happy and contented. I'm still flying so high and after getting my pictures back, the memories flood me again. The hug turned out GREAT, the meet and greet pics are awesome and the concert pics are the best I've ever taken. ;-)

Thanks Neal.... and for any of you who've never seen Neal McCoy, GO. You will NOT be disappointed. I look forward to seeing him in August! He's a terrific entertainer who I've grown to love, admire and respect in a short 3 years. My respect, however, has skyrocketed through the roof because of June 18, 1999.

Take care!!

April Peterson Franklin, PA

Visit April's Neal McCoy Page

Check out April's photos from this Encounter with Neal on Country Music Photo Album Page 10.