Scotty McCreery just released 15, a restrospective look at the 15 years he’s been part of country music, ever since winning American Idol in 2011. The record includes nine of his previous hits, plus covers of Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me, Lord,” plus a cover of Josh Turner’s “Your Man,” featuring Turner, and a brand-new song, “Been a Good Run.”
But now, McCreery is ready to work on his next project, one he says the fans he has had since the beginning will appreciate.
“We’ve been writing for a while now,” McCreery tells Billboard. “15 kind of gave me a chance to reflect and have a breather from the ‘go, go’ pace of the music business right now. I appreciated my label being on board with that. But we’ve never stopped thinking ahead and getting ready for the next thing. We have a lot of songs in the vault and ready to go.
“In a couple of weeks, we’ll be putting them down on tape,” he adds. “If [fans have] liked what we’ve done before, they are going to like this project. I’m trying to stay true to who I am and tell the story of where I’m at in my life right now.”
What Scotty McCreery Says About His Next Album
McCreery’s next record includes a tribute to his beloved dog, Moose, plus a sentimental song with deep personal meaning.
“I didn’t go into the session looking for a dog song, but I’m so glad it happened,” McCreery reveals on Country Countdown USA. “I’m pretty sure that song will make the album. I also wrote a story song about my grandmothers. I lost both of them last year. So if ‘Five More Minutes’ was for my grandfather, then this song is more touching on my grandmothers.”
As for the timeline, the North Carolina native hints he is hard at work on getting the new album completed.
“I’ll be back in the studio in a month or two, been writing songs for that,” he reveals. “Can’t wait for folks to hear what we’re working on.”
Scotty McCreery’s Cover of Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’”
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When McCreery released his cover of Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’,” the song quickly went viral, garnering nearly 45 million views. McCreery’s love of classic country music like “Hello Darlin’” goes back to his childhood.
“My mama was always playing traditional country music,” he says. “She loved Conway, she loved Ronnie Milsap. So, I grew up hearing [the song] as a kid. I think that’s why it stuck when I [covered the song at] the Opry years ago. I’ve done it in my shows for a long time, so we thought, “Why don’t we do a little Conway?” I’ve always been a huge Conway fan, so it’s cool to get to put my version of it out there.”
Scotty McCreery’s Duet With Josh Turner on “Your Man
It’s “Your Man” that McCreery sang when auditioning for Idol. A fan of Turner first, and now a close friend, McCreery is so glad he got to do a version of “Your Man” with Turner.
“I have been a major Josh Turner fan since ‘Long Black Train’ was released,” McCreery says. “Getting to know him has been something little Scotty would never have imagined, and having the honor of recording ‘Your Man’ with him is a moment I’ll never get over. If I was him, I would have been a little irritated that this teenage kid kept singing my songs on TV….but Josh has been nothing but gracious and kind to me from day one, and he even inducted me into the Grand Ole Opry a few years ago.”