Marquee lights illuminated downtown Ada December 18 to welcome renowned country music artist Neal McCoy to the newly-remodeled McSwain Theatre.
Landing a country star like McCoy harkens back to Ada’s days as a “country Hollywood.”
“I remember when we used to see a lot of feature acts come through our city,” lifelong Ada resident and country music fan Joyce Watling said. “Moe Bandy, George Strait, Reba McEntire. It is good to see popular recording artists back in our hometown.” The Neal McCoy show brought real, big-time country music entertainment back to Ada.
The Neal McCoy show theme at the McSwain was “Christmas Season.” McCoy opened the evening with a mix of holiday classics, followed by chart-topping singles including “Wink,” “The Shake” and “I’m Your Biggest Fan.”
McCoy is no stranger to country music success. He first hit the Billboard country charts in 1988, and again in 1992 with “Where Forever Begins.”
His big breakthrough came in 1993 with backto-back number one singles “No Doubt About It,” and “Wink.” He has three platinum albums to his credit and eight top 10 hits. Like many country singers, McCoy got his start singing in the church choir in his hometown of Jacksonville, Texas. Influenced by the eclectic mix of music his parents enjoyed, he soon started his own Rhythm & Blues band. He then made the switch to country music – and the rest is history!
“The song ‘I’m Your Biggest Fan’ is very inspirational for me,” McCoy said. “I’ve been on fourteen U.S.O. tours entertaining our soldiers. I’ve had the pleasure and honor of playing in Iraq seven times, Bosnia, Italy – all over the place. And on January 23 I’m going on another U.S.O. tour and it’s the highlight of my career. “This was actually my second time to visit Ada. I played Blake Shelton’s “Raindance” fundraiser two years ago here in Ada. Being from a small town myself, I appreciate the friendliness and hospitality. “This area reminds me a lot of growing up in Jacksonville, Texas. Good small town values and lots of outdoor activities including hunting and fishing.” added Neal McCoy. McCoy said he enjoyed the McSwain and looked forward to his return. “This theatre adds an intimate setting with the balcony,” he said. “There’s not a bad seat in the house. I look forward to returning to Ada and playing here. The people here are my kind of people.”
The newly-remodeled McSwain Theatre has once again put Ada on the map as a country and Western music and entertainment hub. The McSwain, which originally opened in 1920 as a movie and vaudeville house, was purchased and entirely refurbished by the Chickasaw Nation.
What has been created is an exciting, modern venue to attract country music and variety shows. The stage, audience seating and dressing rooms have all been remodeled and expanded. The McSwain now also boasts a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system that brings the 21st Century to Ada country entertainment. An elevator and full accessibility are also hallmarks of the modern McSwain.
