Ain’t no doubt about it…Neal McCoy is one of the most patriotic country artists on the road today. His love for America is evident through his support of the troops, his 15 USO Tours, and the incredible Facebook movement that he started nearly three years ago.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
McCoy took his patriotism to the next level in early 2016 when he began to share the Pledge of Allegiance with his many Facebook followers every morning. It started out as simply typing the words to the pledge.
“People started writing it back,” McCoy told Country Rebel. “I knew they were at least saying it every day as they wrote it because I said it as I wrote it.”
The response prompted Neal to go live on Facebook and recite the well-known words, reminiscent of the days that students raised the flag and said the Pledge of Allegiance every day before school. Little did he know at the time that the simple, patriotic act would gain a faithful following and that he would start a movement that shows no signs of stopping.
TAKE A KNEE
In November of 2017, McCoy released a video of a new song that would become one of his biggest hits in recent years. “Take A Knee” was McCoy’s response to the national anthem protests headed up by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick who chose to kneel during rather than stand while the national anthem was being performed prior to games. Kaepernick’s act was his way of protesting racial injustice in the United States and he was the target of great criticism because of it.
Kaepernick’s actions sparked a movement among those unhappy with the United States’ current political leadership. Athletes, musicians and more began to follow in the NFL player’s footsteps and kneel during the national anthem. But, there were many, including Neal McCoy, who opposed Kaepernick’s protest. McCoy’s song, “Take A Knee,” resonated with this crowd.
“There are conservative folks, God-fearing folks on the patriotic side that were appalled at the idea of protesting anything during the anthem,” McCoy said. “I just thought it was handled wrong. The NFL could have handled it different. The NFL and networks stopped covering the anthem. They’re taking the easy way out.”
Penned by songwriter Dan Roberts, author of Garth Brooks’ “Beaches of Cheyenne,” “Take A Knee” was met with both praise and ridicule, but found great success regardless. The original video of Neal’s debut performance of the song was filmed live in Branson, Missouri, and shows the “Wink” singer borrowing a fan’s glasses and reading the lyrics as he sang. Despite the unpolished performance, “Take A Knee” was an instant hit.
The official video now boasts more than 5 million views and McCoy has appeared on numerous media outlets to promote the single.
PATRIOTISM
Neal’s deep-rooted patriotism is a result of the love for America that was instilled in him by his immigrant mother and military father.
“Our mom coming from the Philippines used to tell us that as kids and growing up in our young adulthood that don’t ever take this stuff for granted,” he said. “So when the election was coming up and I saw all of the mudslinging and people talking about each other, I just thought … I’m gonna say the Pledge of Allegiance on my Facebook page and just let people know where I stand no matter what side of the aisle you’re on.”
In the 999 days since he started, Neal has been joined by several fellow celebrities, some of whom don’t share McCoy’s conservative views but share his love for our country. Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Dennis Quaid and Tim McGraw are just a few of those who have pledged alongside McCoy.
https://www.facebook.com/nealmccoymusic/videos/1039695012750833/
THE MILESTONE
Wednesday evening (October 3), the platinum-selling singer will take to Facebook where he will recite the Pledge of Allegiance live for the 1000th consecutive day. He will be joined by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders aka America’s Sweethearts, a group that he has shared many of his USO experiences with.
“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are huge military supporters. Someone from DCC has been with me on every USO Tour,” Neal told Country Rebel. “I’ve seen these girls be away from their families and with the troops on holidays that I know they’d like to be home.”
Neal and the entire DCC squad will stand on the star at center field of their practice location in East Texas to recite the Pledge of Allegiance together at 7:00 p.m. CST Wednesday. Join Neal McCoy for his milestone Pledge of Allegiance by clicking here.