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That same week, McCormick was offered a five-night-a-week job playing at Big Al's in Smithers with Southern Sounds.

"Maybe it was a little more than coincidence," he said.

After years of struggling in local clubs, McCormick is still committed to music -- he plays between three and six nights a week -- but isn't ready to endorse the pay scale.

"It's not a good livin'," he said. "I don't recommend it to anybody."

A traditionalist to a fault, McCormick sees himself filling a void in today's music.

"Truthfully, I don't like much new music," he said. "There isn't any soul in most new music. It's either about image or technique. There doesn't seem to be a lot of talented musicians and singers singing their own songs, and the songs don't seem to be about real things."

McCormick said he writes songs about his life, family and friends.

"I write about things that happen to me and things I see happen," he said. "They're inspired by a conversation or an event."

His song "50 Feet of Dirt," tentatively slated for the new record, is a true story about a strip mine taking over his grandfather's place. Mandolinist Johnny Staats has chosen the song to record on his new record.

For his upcoming release, "Music Man," McCormick taps a variety of styles, from the smooth, Allman Brothers rock of "Lightning Over Cheyenne" to the soulful solo acoustic "Jeanine." All the tunes are tied together by his vocals, which have an unmistakable Southern rock twang and his 1970s-styled guitarwork.

So why, when artists are releasing CDs at an alarming rate, did McCormick wait so long to record?

"I never found myself in the financial position to do it," he said. "I'm not now -- but I maxed out a couple of credit cards -- but it came to the point where I had already waited too long. Everybody and his brother had a CD. It seemed to be time.

"I also have lots and lots of fans who have been asking me for a CD for years. I hope to sell them and come clean on the thing."

Although McCormick is eager to utilize the CD for higher-profile bookings, he said his goal is to be a songwriter.

"I really just want to be a songwriter and let someone else do my songs," he said. "I don't think I could handle the pressure of being famous. I don't deal with it well now and if you get famous, it's times 10."

As difficult as it is to be a full-time musician in the Kanawha Valley, McCormick said he has no plans to leave West Virginia. Part of the reason is that he is hooked on the state's slow pace.

McCormick lives on a farm in Lincoln County with his parents (and horses, chickens and pigs) and doesn't get up until "noon or later."

"I don't want to leave here," he said. "I like it here. I've been other places and West Virginia is the most laid-back place on Earth."

McCormick plays from 6 to 9 tonight at the Fifth Quarter. He plays March 29-30 at CJ's Olde Main Pub in St. Albans.