The CMA Close Up interview shows during CMA Music Festival are always something I try to fit into my plans. This year, I attended the second session, which included interviews with Neal McCoy, Charley Pride and Montgomery Gentry. The host of the show is Lorianne Crook, and along with her own questions, fans are encouraged to fill out cards with questions they might have for any of the three artists to be interviewed.
Neal McCoy was the first to come out, and Lorianne asked him about some modeling she had heard that he had done recently. Neal replied that he was part of the Country Weekly Fashion Show held on Wednesday night to raise money for Musicians On Call. He then demonstrated his modeling skills to the laughter of the audience.
When asked why he doesn't perform at his Fan Club Parties, he said that he prefers to give his fans more personal time. They can see him sing any time.
Being a consummate entertainer, Lorianne asked him if he would do *anything* to entertain his fans. He said yes. She then replied, "What about doing Playgirl?" Neal said that he heard about Darryl Worley doing Playgirl, and he thinks that's great for him. He's got the body for it, and it works. For him, though, his wife would never let him do it.
Neal talked about his inspiration. He said that it comes from how he grew up. He said that growing up he had diverse influences, like Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson. He went on to quip that he and Michael are both the same age, and that they were a lot alike, but then they took different directions.
Charley Pride came out next, while Neal remained. Charley was the person that helped Neal get his start. He talked about Neal being on his show, and how he would stand off to the side of the stage and watch as he performed. He never gave Neal advice, but Neal said that he always knew if Charley thought maybe something should be done differently, and he learned a lot from him that way.
Charley said that he feels that today's country music is in real trouble, with too much politics. He said it needs to get back to the basics again.
When asked "If you could bring back any one star, who would you bring back to tour with you?" Charley said he couldn't pick just one, and named several - Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, and Waylon Jennings, are just a few.
Charley talked about the film that is being made of his life, starring Terrance Howard, and how he really enjoyed meeting the young actor.
Charley and Neal have both been married to the same women for quite a long time. I believe it's 40 years for Charley, and 26 years for Neal. Lorianne asked them both, "What does a woman want so she'll stay with you?" Charley said that his wife isn't the head of the family, but she will make suggestions on his show, and she does pick out his clothes. Neal claimed that they were both just blessed men to have found women that would put up with everything in their lives.
Both Charley and Neal were asked which three things would you have to have, if you were deserted on an island. Neal replied, "food and water and.... Pamela Anderson." Charley replied, "food and water... and the same."
Last question for both guys was about what super power they would like to have. Neal said he would like to be invisible. "Use your imagination." Charley replied, he would want to know. Lorianne said, "Know what?" Charley replied "That's it." I really didn't get it. He explained it further, but I still didn't understand what he meant.
