He may only be 22, but Scotty McCreery has a lifetime of experience in knowing just how quickly one’s world can change.
Perhaps that’s what so poignant about his gorgeously sentimental new song, “Five More Minutes.”
“It’s all about life, memories you wish you could go back to, people, places,” the “American Idol” season 10 winner said of the song he wrote a few weeks after his grandfather passed away. “It’s a pretty special one.”
The country singer-songwriter certainly has a bevy of special moments to look back on. After charming America on the Fox reality show, McCreery’s career skyrocketed. He’s debuted three albums at No. 1 on Billboard charts, won American Country Awards for New Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year, had a trio of platinum-certified singles, sold millions of albums and been nominated for a slew of other honors. He’s toured on his own and with Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts and more. He is working on a fourth album.
In fact, these moments inspired him to put pen to paper, authoring what he calls a “travelogue” of his life so far. “Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream” was released on May 3.
“It felt like a unique thing to do,” he said during a phone interview from Ohio, where he was performing. “I realized I had enough stories to tell. It’s not an autobiography – it’s people I’ve met, places I’ve been, things I’ve learned.”
McCreery will be performing at iPlay America in Freehold on Aug. 18 in the midst of a national tour.
What can fans expect?
“New stuff, old stuff. We have a blast out there on stage and try to put a show on for all ages and all kinds of folks,” McCreery said.
McCreery feels lucky to have the experience of performing on “American Idol.”
“Literally no other place puts you in front of 2 million people a night,” he said. “As far as the platform, there never has been anything better than ‘American Idol.’ “
If people haven’t seen him since his “American Idol” days, they may be in for a bit of a surprise at a show.
“I grew up, my teenage years were on the show,” he said. “I’m still the same guy, but a lot more experienced, a lot more comfortable on stage. It may surprise some folks.”
Ilana Keller: 732-643-4260; [email protected]
SCOTTY McCREERY
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
WHERE: iPlay America Event Center, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold
TICKETS: $30 to $100
INFO: 732-577-8200 or iplayamerica.com