
Scott McCreery (Courtesy photo)
Scotty McCreery will get to the music as soon as he finishes his homework.
Since winning the 10th season of "American Idol" in 2011, the
North Carolina
native has released a trio of gold-selling singles: "I Love You This
Big," "The Trouble with Girls" and "See You Tonight." But after
graduating from high school in 2012, he has gone on to North Carolina
State University in Raleigh and is attempting to balance his career as a
budding country star with his major in
media communications.
"It's definitely a
juggling act,"
McCreery said during a recent phone interview -- after he finished
classes for the day. "With college and touring, it's started to kick my
butt a little bit. I'm studying part time and online and I have to make
sure my priorities are in line. So instead of watching SportsCenter, I
hit the books."
Now 20, McCreery is out promoting his second album "See You
Tonight" -- his third if you count 2012's "Christmas with Scotty
McCreery" -- and plays
Mystic Lake Casino Friday night.
Here's what else he had to say about concerts and classes.
On choosing to major in communications:
"It fits in with what I'm doing now. I figure I'm getting a
musical education already from being on the road, I might as well try to figure out the other side."
On what it's like to be the most famous kid on campus:
"When I'm in class, I'm just another student. Professors have
brought me up as an example, but in other classes, not my own. People
treat me like a normal student, which is what I want. I always try to
sit in the back of the room and not draw attention to myself. I don't
want to cause a distraction."
On learning about the media when he's been a celebrity for years:
"Some of the time I hear something in class and the other kids
are writing down notes. But I'm, like, I already knew that, because it's
already been part of my experience. I've been there, I've already heard
about that."
On co-writing five songs on his new album:
"I've always liked
writing songs.
Back in the day, I used to write breakup songs. We put out that first
record in three months, but for this one, we had a year and a half. I
really got to dig into the process, which was something I enjoyed."
On what it felt like when one of those songs, "See You Tonight," became his first Top 10 radio hit:
"It was pretty awesome. It's definitely a great feeling to listen
to a song you wrote getting played on the radio. It's the biggest
single I've ever had, which is a really nice perk."
On what he learned from opening for Brad Paisley in 2012:
"He taught me how to treat folks and how to put on a first-class
tour. I would put on a hat and hoodie and go watch him every night in
the stands with the fans. He treats everyone who works for him with
respect, and he also has fun, too. After the show, he will do stuff like
renting out a go-kart track for the crew. He always does things like
that, and he makes the whole touring experience great for everyone.
Obviously Brad is at a higher level than I am, but we like to joke our
show is a mini version of what Brad Paisley is doing."
On interacting with other musical heroes:
"Luckily, I got to meet Garth (Brooks), he was my biggest idol
growing up. I'd like to meet Loretta Lynn someday. My biggest goal is to
become a member of the Grand Old Opry. To me, that's the ultimate."
Pop music critic Ross Raihala can be reached at 651-228-5553. Follow him at
Twitter.com/RossRaihala.
Who: Scotty McCreery
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Mystic Lake Casino, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake
Tickets: $45-$38
Information: 952-496-6563 or
mysticlake.com
http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_25515039/youngest-idol-winner-scott-mccreery-balances-touring-college