Amy McCoy's Charmed Path to Success

If you ask Amy McCoy whether she's lived a charmed life, she'd say no. But her sudden launch into the world of performing throughout central Texas is nothing short of amazing. From elementary notes; her first instrument was "...the pre-school Fisher-Price piano," to complex melodies at the top of fans' play lists, the road to center stage has been short and full of surprises. Her first show came out of nowhere, the result of a last minute phone call.

"The youth pastor up at our church offered me a gig opening for Matthew West. It was an awesome event called Faith Night and it was going to be a pre-game show at the Dell Diamond baseball field. I called up a friend who knew some musicians that played on a regular basis for a church he used to attend, and he thought they would be perfect for my style. So he asked them if they would come up for the show. We all worked great together and the show was awesome."

Although that show solidified a calling in Amy's heart, it didn't signal immediate success. After that initial peformance in front of thousands, her next audience numbered less than two dozen. Strapping on her acoustic guitar for open mic nights and coffee houses, Amy began building her fan base one show at a time. The numbers were small, college students and young adults mostly, but the response was huge.

"The initial response was very motivating! The feedback from fans and well-respected people in the music industry re-fueled my passion for song writing."

From that point forward, Amy re-dedicated herself to making the sacrifices necessary for a successful music career.

"I started making sacrifices for music, choir and theatre, when I was very young so this is something that comes naturally."

What doesn't come as naturally for Amy is staying true to her musical influences and messages without being a mimic. Drawing from artists like 12 Stone, The Juliana Theory, Shawn McDonald, Flyleaf, Plumb, Dave Matthews Band, Kate Voegle, Anna Nalick and Jason Mraz, she concocts an energetic, alternative sound that flirts with the edge of rock and plumbs the depths of folk with equal aplomb. She walks the fine line of being unique while paying homage to those who came before by being honest with herself and her fans.

"If I focus on trying to sound 'different,' the song almost always comes out wrong. I get inspired by really random things or events in my life and I just start writing. The music I write is about life; things that happen, things that I see, feel or believe. This is such a tough area for me as I have changed so much in the past few years. Stylistically I like to write songs that tell stories. So the messages from song to song vary. My faith is evident in many of my songs, but so are my struggles."

From those early days of small groups and flyers announcing her shows, Amy has moved into the electronic fast-lane. Her website allows fans to sign on to her email list, listen to song samples and link to her MySpace site. With a new CD, and new bookings, her informational evolution closely mirrors her musical growth.

"I listen to some of the songs I wrote and recorded just three years ago and I sound like such a baby! Good thing there were only a few copies handed out! But now, people will get the CD after seeing me live or from a friend and tell me months later that they still love listening to it. There seems to be a true appreciation of the music."

And Amy is appreciating the journey more now than ever before. Success in a very demanding industry is her goal, but she's learned to value what happens along the way.

"I used to think that I could plan everything out. The only problem is I'm not good with planning and this business is tough. I couldn't continue with the business side of things without the support and prayers of my family and fans. But music is a part of who I am. It is something that I will always come back to as long as I am alive and able."