Scotty McCreery has a new album coming out on July 17! The 32-year-old announces the release of 15, a celebration of his 15 years in country music, after winning Season 10 of American Idol in 2011.
“Fifteen years goes by like a flash,” McCreery shares on social media. “Some days it feels like yesterday when I did my initial American Idol audition in Milwaukee, while other days it feels like it happened a hundred years ago. I’ve lived a lot of life, traveled millions of miles, and followed my dreams, all thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my family, my team, and all the fans who have supported me through these 15 years. 15, the retrospective album, with 4 new tracks is out July 17. Pre-order—for both digital and physical versions—starts Friday.”
In addition to songs like “This Is It,” “Damn Strait,” and “It Matters to Her,” 15 also includes a duet with Josh Turner on “Your Man,” the song McCreery sang for his Idol audition. 15 also includes his “Bottle Rockets” collaboration with Hootie & the Blowfish, plus “Hello Darlin’,” “Been a Good Run,” and “Why Me, Lord?.”
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The Story Behind “Bottle Rockets” by Scotty McCreery and Hootie & the Blowfish
McCreery had a No. 1 single with “Bottle Rockets,” his collaboration with Hootie & the Blowfish. The song, McCreery’s seventh No. 1 single, first appeared on McCreery’s 2025 Scooter & Friends EP. It was written during a writing retreat, penning songs for a future McCreery record.
“Darius has been a friend now for a long time,” McCreery tells Country Now. “So I was hopeful that maybe they would want to do this, but you never know, especially when the song probably means so much to them. But I nervously texted him, and he got back to me and said, ‘We’d love to do it.’ The song turned out better than my wildest dreams.”
McCreery was feeling nostalgic about years go by when they wrote what became one of the biggest hits of his career.
“I was talking about my last summer with no job,” McCreery remembers. “I didn’t have a learner’s permit, but my buddies did. So they were driving everywhere and hitting the beach. No responsibilities. It was like, man, I just remember that everybody’s like, ‘Oh, these are the golden days.’ It was like, ‘Oh, whatever.’ But man, those were good times.”
Scotty McCreery’s Love Of the Grand Ole Opry
McCreery is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, with Turner inducting him in 2024. For McCreery, his love of the Opry and traditional country music goes back to when he was a child, growing up in North Carolina.
“My mom was the first one who introduced me to the Opry,” McCreery tells CMT. “She came here when she was younger, and I heard stories about the Grand Ole Opry my whole life. I hoped one day I could be on this stage, never thought being a part of the family would be a dream come true, but here we are.”
Of all of McCreery’s accomplishments, nothing for him will ever mean as much as becoming an Opry member.
“This is it for me,” McCreery tells Everything Nash. “Being an Opry member was at the top of my bucket list. … I don’t think we’d be here without the Opry. I hope they all realize that. I’m just such a fan of what the Opry stood for, and just the traditions behind it all.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC