McCoy Moore is quickly emerging as one of country music’s most exciting new voices, blending small-town storytelling with a modern edge and a natural sense of authenticity. Raised in Lakeland, Florida, Moore didn’t discover music until his late teens, picking up a guitar during high school before making regular trips to Nashville to chase something bigger. Inspired early on by Luke Combs, a chance meeting with the star helped solidify his path, encouraging Moore to stay true to himself—a mindset that continues to shape both his songwriting and his career. By 19, he had made the move to Nashville, immersing himself in the city’s songwriting culture and learning quickly what it takes to stand out in one of music’s most competitive environments.
Since then, Moore has built his foundation as both a songwriter and an artist, signing with SMACKSongs and earning cuts with rising names before stepping into the spotlight with his own music. His self-titled debut EP serves as an introduction to his range, from the reflective storytelling of ‘Bible and a Bar' and ‘John Deere Blue' to the lighter, more playful energy of tracks like ‘Naming Boats.' Backed by a tight-knit circle of collaborators and shaped by time on the road with artists like HARDY, Moore has developed into a confident live performer whose songs translate from intimate acoustic settings to arena stages. By the time he arrived in London for C2C, he wasn’t just a newcomer—he was an artist beginning to find his stride, with a clear sense of identity and plenty more to come.
So welcome to the UK. I was going to ask you about jet lag, but you’ve already been in Berlin — how was that whole trip?
Thank you, brother. It’s been awesome. We started out in the Netherlands and I stayed a night in Amsterdam, which was kind of my chance to catch up and get my bearings a bit. We got to see a lot while we were there — went to the bars, checked out the coffee shops, did the whole thing — and honestly, it was just a really cool experience. Now that I’ve been over here for almost two weeks, I’m definitely starting to feel it a little bit — a bit tired — but in a good way. It’s been such a great run of shows and experiences that you kind of forget about the fatigue until you slow down for a second.
This is your first time playing in front of a UK crowd — what do you hope people take away from your shows this weekend?
Man, first and foremost I hope they get a real taste of the record I’ve got coming out this year. That’s a big part of why we’re here — to introduce people to what I’ve been working on. But beyond that, I really hope they feel how much we appreciate them. Coming over here isn’t a small thing — it’s a long way from home — and you can tell that people here really care. The crowds are super attentive, they listen, they take it in, and that means a lot as an artist. It’s easy to tour in the States, but coming over here and feeling that appreciation makes it special. I just hope they leave knowing that we’re just as grateful to be here as they are to have us.
When we spoke last time, you described yourself as a “sponge.” Can you expand on what you meant by that?
Absolutely. That mindset really comes from the beginning of my journey — even going back to meeting Luke Combs and seeing how all of that worked. I’ve always felt like if you think you’ve got it all figured out, you’re probably wrong. So I try to learn constantly. Over the past year, especially being out on the road, I’ve had the chance to watch guys like HARDY, Kip Moore, Luke — artists who have really paved the way. I watch everything: how they run their shows, how they connect with fans, how they carry themselves. And then I take little pieces of that and figure out how to apply it in my own way. I want to experience it as an artist, but also as a fan — because that’s where the real connection comes from.
What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since stepping out as an artist in your own right?
Honestly, it might sound simple, but it’s just to be a good person. That’s the biggest thing. The second you start taking any of this for granted, you’ve lost the plot. I mean, I wake up and I’m in London — somewhere I never imagined I’d be — and I get to play music for a living. That’s a blessing. Every day is. So for me, it’s about staying grounded, being kind, wearing your heart on your sleeve and showing people who you really are. If you can do that, everything else kind of falls into place.
Since your EP, you’ve released ‘Praying For Me' and now ‘Sunshine State' — two very different songs. Are you still intentionally showing different sides of yourself?
Yeah, absolutely. Both of those songs are on the record, which is also called ‘Sunshine State,' and I’m definitely still putting myself out there in that way — showing different sides of who I am. I want people to get a full picture. There are different moods, different stories, different energies. But when the album comes out, it’ll all make sense — it’ll feel cohesive. It’s about giving people an introduction to me, where I’m from, and what I have to say.
Tell me more about the album — how many songs are we getting?
There are 14 tracks on the record. It’s my first full project, so I really wanted it to feel like a proper introduction — something complete but still tight. There’s more music coming down the line, for sure, but this felt like the right number to tell the story I wanted to tell.
‘Sunshine State' feels very visual — have you thought about a video for it?
I haven’t shot one yet, but I’ve definitely thought about it. It’s one of those songs where you can really see it play out — the imagery is strong. If we do it, we’ll probably be getting soaked filming it, but at least we’d be back home in Florida, right? That song came from wanting to introduce people to where I’m from — the people, the environment, everything that shaped me. I didn’t have a title track at first, so I started writing down ideas, and that one just clicked.
Is there a song on the album you’re especially proud of that we haven’t heard yet?
There are a couple. One is called ‘Went to the Bar,' and it’s about that in-between space after a relationship — where you’re not over someone yet, but you’re not sure you want to be. It’s big, anthemic, and it’s been going over really well live, especially in arenas. The other one is ‘Every Single Summer,' which is just pure fun — it feels like driving to the beach on the Fourth of July with the windows down. I don’t usually listen to my own music a lot, but that’s one I’d happily play over and over again.
Are you still writing for other artists as well, or focusing mainly on your own material?
A bit of both. I recently got a cut with Dallas Smith, which is really exciting. But once my artist career started picking up, I shifted my focus a bit more toward my own songs. That said, I still love songwriting and I’d definitely like to keep getting cuts with other artists when the opportunity comes up.
Let’s finish by looking ahead — if we’re talking again this time next year, what do you hope has happened?
Man, I just hope the music has connected with people. That’s the biggest thing. I’ve worked really hard on the live show, so I hope that’s resonating too. If people know who I am, if they’re coming out to shows, if they’re singing the songs — that’s everything. Of course there are big goals, like playing the Grand Ole Opry or performing in arenas, but at the core of it, I just want the music to reach people and mean something to them. If we can do that, I’ll be happy.
Thank you for your time today.
Thank you, brother. I really appreciate it.
For a glimpse at what McCoy's debut album might be like check out his new song and potential title track ‘Sunshine State' in all the usual places right now.
