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November 23 , 2023 The Beacon • 15
McCoy plays bass with country music legends
By Jen Jones
When she was 3 years old , Amanda McCoy ’ s grandparents Larry and Pat Fleming gave her a little guitar for Christmas , and she hasn ’ t stopped playing since . Today , she is a sought-after musician / songwriter in Nashville , Tennessee .
“ I was always involved in band . I started in fifth grade with the flute , and in junior high I saw that I could play guitar in the jazz band . But an eighth-grader had already signed up to play guitar , so I signed up to play bass on a whim . I didn ’ t even have one . I went home , and my dad had just gotten home from work . I told him I needed a bass , and he said , ‘ Let ’ s go get one .’ That ’ s the way my parents ( Mark and Rhonda McCoy ) have always been — so supportive of me and my dreams ,” McCoy said .
She was about 12 when she picked up the bass for the first time and hasn ’ t looked back . “ I love the bass . I ’ m so passionate about it . I always think it ’ s a funny story — the bass found me .”
McCoy credits her music teachers at River View and Bethany College for helping her develop her passion and talent .
“ Mr . Keith Watson was the marching band director , and he always made sure I could play bass . Mr . Jim Bundy was my elementary music teacher and would often provide extra help
on guitar and bass ,” she said . “ Keith Malloy gave me a few private lessons . He was a great teacher . Mary Mattison gave me piano lessons too . She was such a lovely woman .
“ When I got to Bethany College , my formal training began . My mentor all through college was professor Pandel Collaros . I knew I wanted to do something with music when I went to college , but I really wasn ’ t sure what . I knew I loved playing bass and guitar and supporting others on stage . I loved to write my own songs too .”
During her last year of college , McCoy decided she wanted to move to Nashville . “ I always follow my gut . I mentioned it to my parents a few times , and after I graduated from college , I was home for a few weeks . I was sitting in the garage with Mom and Dad and told them I was moving to Nashville . My mom just asked what my plan was . My parents are always behind me 100 %,” she said .
McCoy admits they probably had a few panicked thoughts about her leaving , but they didn ’ t say anything negative about her dream .
“ My mom and dad and Grandma and Grandpa Fleming drove me to Nashville . My grandparents are such huge country music fans ,” McCoy said . “ Getting to play with such country icons brought it all full circle . I signed
Denny Carr
When she was 3 years old , Amanda McCoy ’ s grandparents Larry and Pat Fleming gave her a little guitar for Christmas , and she hasn ’ t stopped playing since .
up for an audition the afternoon I got there and got the job .”
She said her dad always had a guitar with him , and the McCoy side of her family has lots of guitar pickers .
McCoy played in a rock ’ n ’ roll band with her college professor and knew she wanted to keep playing in bands . “ I love the live band situation ,” she said .
McCoy began her career in Nashville touring with a progrock band called Zasz . In 2019 she played the Grand Ole Opry for the first time .
“ I was the music director for a TV pilot , so I had personal contact with the artists . One of
them was Candi Carpenter . We shot the show on a Tuesday or Wednesday , and she was making her Opry debut that Friday . She asked if I wanted to play . My biggest opportunities always seem to come at the last minute . I got to play with the Opry House band , and it was pretty incredible ,” McCoy said .
Carpenter was doing a tribute to Dolly Parton and asked McCoy to be part of that . “ Paying tribute to Dolly at the Opry was just wild ,” McCoy said , “ such a special , incredible moment .”
All through 2019 McCoy was busy , but 2020 was a scary time . “ All of the artists were at home and worried . The world stopped . I spent that year working on my own material . I had been so busy I hadn ’ t had time , so it was refreshing ,” she said .
McCoy said she typically cowrites songs . One of those songs was “ Dirt Around the Tree ” with Candi Carpenter that features and was produced by Brandi Carlile . “ I ’ m hoping to focus on song writing in the future ,” McCoy said .
She has played at The Bluebird Café twice as a featured songwriter . “ I was accompanied both times by my college professor and producer Pandel Collaros . That was very special ,” she said .
McCoy said about two months ago , her life really went wild . “ Out of the blue , I was asked to go on the road with
Tanya Tucker . I had 36 hours to learn her show . I remember my mom had a Tanya greatest hits CD in her van , and we listened to it on the way to school . To be playing with Tanya is just beyond amazing .”
She also was part of a CMT Special honoring Tanya Tucker and Patti LaBelle that aired Nov . 15 . The special will be available on the CMT website . During her 14 years in Nashville , she has performed or opened for more than 80 artists including Patti LaBelle , Hank Williams Jr ., Tim McGraw , Neil McCoy , Jake Clayton , Clint Black , Dolly Parton and Chris Janson .
“ I always tell young people to find their unconditional commitment and passion and follow it ,” McCoy said . “ Whether it ’ s music or arts or being an electrician , whatever you can ’ t live without , follow it .”
McCoy also is proud of growing up in Coshocton County .
She is passionate about sharing her love of music and visual arts . “ It ’ s so important for kids to be involved in the arts . Without the support of all my amazing teachers , I wouldn ’ t be here now , with a job I love and am so passionate about ,” McCoy said .
For more information about McCoy and her career , visit her website at www . amandamccoy . com . Her original music and artwork also are available on her site .
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