Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris McCoy.

Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I started piano lessons at age 6. Although I was able to learn to read music, I played mostly be ear. This was a gift I inherited from my grandmother. She was an accomplished musician, playing organ and directing the church choir in her small town in Iowa. She also played in the silent movie houses back when that was still happening.

At age 10 I took up trombone and played in the school band. I was very successful with that and managed to study for a summer at Interlochen and later Florida State University for while.

Eventually I left Florida and returned to my home in Virginia. Almost as soon as I got home I was contacted by an old high school friend about joining his band. Within a matter of months we went from playing backyard parties to opening for bands in nightclubs. None of us was old enough to get in. I think I was the oldest at 19 years of age. Over time, the club work continued and I found myself touring with a headlining club act up and down the east coast club circuit, from New Hampshire to Florida.

In the mid-90’s I decided to finish my college undergrad degree after dropping out once and changing majors three times. I finally finished and grabbed an office job. During that time I was working with a friend to produce radio commercials. Fast forward to 2013. I started working with Tribute Acts. I first worked with a Tom Petty Tribute and later a Stevie Nicks Tribute. Today I’m working with an ELO Tribute band based in Philadelphia. I’ve been with them since 2018.

In 2020 I was invited to play with Tokyo Motor Fist, a Frontiers Records supergroup consisting of members who had performed with Ted Nugent, Rainbow, Dennis DeYoung (Styx), Def Leppard and more. That performance was canceled by the pandemic but eventually I ended up with that same group, performing at the M3 Festival in 2021. Later I also played with them in 2022 on the Monsters of Rock cruise. I hope to do more of those kind of shows in the future.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Ha ! Well what musician ever had a smooth road ? I wouldn’t say no smoother or rougher than anyone else. . Along the way I’ve been thrown out of hotels for having long hair, spent the night on the side of the road waiting for tow trucks (in the 1980’s before mobile phones were around), Been told by State Troopers that we were not allowed to stay in town for the night because he ‘didn’t like our kind’. I also had my van engine blow up on the highway and more. I have split hotel rooms with 6 other people often sleeping on the floor. I’ve also watched other members of my band get attacked and then thrown in jail because the police thought that ”the guy with long hair must have started the fight”. I also totaled a car driving home late at night from a studio session because I fell asleep at the wheel. My car spun into the gravel and hit a jersey wall with an 18-wheeler almost hitting me. We all walked away from that accident but I had to go to court. I was only 20 but I remember it like yesterday. These things happened to every band on the road and I’m sure there are far worse stories to tell. But to answer the question, no it has not been a smooth road.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

What do I specialize in ? Well, I’m a keyboard player. I work with mostly tribute bands, but I’ve also done studio work for several clients over the years. Everything from Radio Commercial jingles to full albums. I’m most proud of staying in the business for over 35 years while raising a family and working a full time job during the day. What sets me apart from others is my uncanny ability to pick out just the right sound for any song. I play by ear and I’m able to pick up on melody very quickly without having to spend hours writing charts. I’m very easy to work with in the studio and on stage. I’m most proud of the songs I wrote and the record I released in 1994, “Turn it On’ with a band from Baltimore called “Intuition”.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

Advice for those who are just starting out: Practice every day, even if you don’t feel like it. The work will pay off in the end. Don’t give up on yourself. If you’re having a bad day, remember there is tomorrow. Go out and meet people and be willing to take on new projects and help others as much as you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chrismccoymusic.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismccoymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastcoast.keyboardist/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/LbDPhKnfSSc