PLANT CITY --
Country music heartthrob Scotty McCreery says he has two reasons
to look forward to performing at the Florida Strawberry Festival. First, it's a top venue for country stars, the 19-year-old said.
"Everybody said you've got to play this festival," said McCreery, who
was catapulted to fame as the winner of the 10th season of "American
Idol. "A lot of the biggest acts in country music have played there." There's an added bonus, the baritone singer said: "I love to eat strawberries."
McCreery appears 7:30 p.m. March 8 at the festival as part of his
first headline tour, Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013. The tour's title is a
nod to his current routine, attending classes at North Carolina State
University on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and concentrating on
music the other days.
McCreery appears 7:30 p.m. March 8 at the festival as part of his
first headline tour, Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013. The tour's title is a
nod to his current routine, attending classes at North Carolina State
University on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and concentrating on
music the other days.
McCreery, a freshman studying public relations, said it's been a
challenge juggling school and music. "A lot of it is just catching up on
my homework," he said.
"Right now, I'm balancing my music career with my second semester at
North Carolina State University. I go to school early in the week and
get to play my music every weekend. So, calling this tour the Weekend
Roadtrip Tour just made sense. Plus, what college student doesn't love a
good road trip?" At the festival, the Academy of Country Music Artists reigning New
Artist of the Year said he'll sing a mixture of his hits, such as "The
Trouble With Girls," "Water Tower Town" and "I Love You This Big." He
also plans to give his fans a sneak peek at some new music coming soon
from his second album.
McCreery said he's grateful
to "American Idol" for helping him launch a career that has led to
almost overnight stardom. He laughs when asked about how he deals with
being considered a heartthrob.
He brushes aside the compliment. "They can call me what they want, but I still look at myself the same. They can describe me any way they want," he said.
World Vision is the charitable sponsor for the Weekend Roadtrip Tour
2013. The 63-year-old Christian humanitarian organization fights poverty
and injustice around the globe.
Reserved seats to McCreery's festival concert are $25 and $30,
depending on location. In addition to the reserved seats, there are
about 3,000 free seats at each show in the festival grandstand.
For information, call the festival ticket office at (813) 754-1996 or go to
www.flstrawberryfestival.com.
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