Singing country music was a central part of Scotty McCreery’s upbringing.
“For me it wasn’t a choice. I don’t remember not singing,” he said, adding he sang often in church. “It’s something I enjoy doing. I never looked at it as a job.”
McCreery will headline the concert at this year’s Champaign County Fair. His performance will be Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.
Columbus country band Steel Ivory will be the opening act for the concert.
“Country is what I was raised on,” McCreery said. “You can’t just sing country music, you’ve got to be country music.”
The 22-year-old McCreery won American Idol at age 17 in 2011. Since winning Idol, McCreery released three albums, wrote “Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream” and toured with Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts, according to Essential Broadcast Media, which represents McCreery.
The book highlights McCreery’s upbringing, noting he was inspired by Elvis Presley.
“I don’t like the word ‘biography,’” he said. “It’s truly not where I’m at right now. It tells my story from the perspective of a 22-year-old guy who grew up incredibly quick.”
He wrapped up his 14-city book tour in May.
McCreery received his first Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) award in 2015 for co-writing “See You Tonight,” which was named one of the Top 50 Country Songs of 2015, according to Essential Broadcast Media. All three of his albums debuted at Number 1 on a Billboard chart.
McCreery said he was surprised to win American Idol.
“Idol was a whim, I wasn’t really expecting to win,” he said. “But it all worked out I guess.”
McCreery said he enjoys the traveling and seeing new places and experiencing the local culture when he tours.
But the greatest part is returning home to see friends and family. He even gets in a few rounds of golf, though that can be both good and bad.
“That’s the main thing I do when I’m not working. I don’t know why I pay money to get angry on a golf course, but I do,” he said.
Now McCreery is touring the country, with occasional breaks to rest up at home in North Carolina.
“It’s been great. Touring is probably my favorite thing, outside of making the songs. It’s never gotten old. Until it does, I’m going to keep doing it,” he said.
Tickets for McCreery’s concert are available online on the Champaign County Fair website (champaigncountyfair.com) or can be purchased at the fair office. The fair office’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets are $23 for grandstand and general admission, and $33 for trackside seating (though most of those have been sold out).
For more information about McCreery and tour information, visit www.ScottyMcCreery.com.
