Career
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, McCoy was best known by his nickname, Papa Charlie. As a guitarist and mandolin player, he was one of the major blues accompanists of his time. He played in the Mississippi area with his band, the Mississippi Hot Footers.
As a slide guitarist, he recorded under the name Tampa Kid, releasing "Keep on Trying".
McCoy and Bo Carter recorded several sides as the Mississippi Mud Steppers, including two variations of Cow Cow Davenport"s "Cow Cow Blues": the first, an instrumental, was released as "The Jackson Stomp", and the second, with lyrics and vocals by McCoy, as "The Lonesome Train, That Took My Girl from Town". They also wrote and recorded "The Vicksburg Stomp" (a version of which was recorded by mandolinists Mike Compton and David Long in 2006).
McCoy"s career was cut short by his service with the United States Army during World World War World War II In poor health after the war, he never returned to music Both are buried in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.
McCoy"s composition "Too Long" has been covered several times.