The music world is mourning the death of country singer Mindy McCready. Police found her dead at her Arkansas home Sunday night after an apparent suicide. The Florida native rose to the top early in her career. In the past decade, McCready had lived a difficult life.
But a local DJ watched McCready's career from the very beginning. In the Mid-90s, Country Music singer Mindy McCready reached stardom at breakneck speed. The Fort Myers native went to Nashville when she was only a teenager and quickly scored some huge hits. But then as the years went on, her notoriety took a different turn- with failed relationships, and struggles with drug addiction.
Then on Sunday night she was found dead on her porch, after apparently taking her own life just weeks after the death of her boyfriend, David Wilson. McCready left behind two children, the youngest is not even a year old. They were both put into foster care earlier this month after she entered rehab. McCready's former boyfriend, Billy McKnight, was saddened, but not surprised by the news.
McKnight said, "As sad as it is, it didn't come as a shock. She's been battling demons for so long."
But before the addictions, and before the breakups, a teenage McCready spent time on the radio in Tampa Bay. Local country music DJ Dave McKay met McCready when she was a brand new artist. He recalled how friendly and talented she was.
McKay said, "She was the karaoke queen of Fort Myers at the time, with that one cassette in her hand, saying 'mom, give me one year in Nashville, and I'm gonna get a deal, a record deal." But McKay says along with her success, she developed an attitude, later lost her record deal and control of her life.
"A lot of artists that I know of that are successful are the ones that are very humbled by it. She was overly confident with it, and I think that hurt her. That hurt her," said McKay.
The girl McKay first met is very different from the woman she became. He feels it's a tragic end to a sad downfall.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:59:30 GMT
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:04:00 GMT
The Manatee County school superintendent says the district is in a financial crisis. One of the proposals to save the district includes cutting the number of teachers and many parents are not happy.
The Manatee County school superintendent says the district is in a financial crisis. One of the proposals to save the district includes cutting the number of teachers and many parents are not happy.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:27 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Monday, May 20 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:56:18 GMT
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:54:08 GMT
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday. Staff Sgt. Cheryl Westbrook was driving in the center lane on
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:40:22 GMT
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
