Scott started out in 2009 when he managed to win the singing contest 'Clayton Idol' held by WQDR-FM at the Clayton Harvest Festival in Clayton, North Carolina. Following this win Scott sang at numerous local shows with the radio station.
His success came about in 2011, after winning the popular talent show, USA's, 'American Idol'. Scott was the series' youngest male winner and second youngest winner overall. Scott McCreery had to have one of his parents live with him during the process of the show due to his young age. Following his success in the reality TV show, Scott went on to record and release his debut studio album, titled, Clear as Day, that same year. The album was highly successful and was impressively certified platinum in America.
Scott’s unique style meant his country vocals suited a number outlets. This was made evident through his debut album including the top 20 country songs, "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls". Additionally his talents filtered through to him successfully releasing a public's favourite, Christmas album in 2012, titled, 'Christmas with Scotty McCreery', which has impressively been certified gold in the USA.
Success didn’t end there however, his first single from his third album titled, "See You Tonight", successfully reached the highly regarded, America's top 10 on Billboard's Country charts.
I thought that Scotty did a really, truly great job. I thought that him telling us about his cousin dying in the war, along with the fact he wrote a about him and his wife and son was admirable. It was great that he sang old and new songs for us too!
With a handful of female country superstars dominating the forefront of the genre, it can be hard for any up and coming talent to break the industry.
That said, as country music enters the mainstream more and more, we are seeing more country singers appearing on TV talent shows, such as American Idol and X Factor USA. Whilst someone have questioned these shows as legitimate routes into carving a music career, they should be viewed as platforms to showcase talent that otherwise would be ignored. Country's leading female vocalist, Carrie Underwood, was herself a winner of American Idol.
Another talent that American Idol has produced, Lauren Alaina is a new country superstar taking the industry by storm. I was fortunate enough to see her live on a trip to Nashville earlier this year, the home of country music, and was taken by surprise by how polished and mature the 19-year-olds performance was. She sang her way through a short set of sure to be hit songs including first single "Like My Mother Does", the perfect, emotional country song.
At just 19, Lauren Alaina has clearly got the talent to spend many more years making music and I'm sure she will be a credit to the country genre. Her live performance was truly exceptional for someone so young and so new to the industry and was a testament to just how far she will go.