Scotty McCreery is mourning the unexpected loss of two of his family members. McCreery reveals on social media that both of his grandmothers have passed away.
“My heart is absolutely broken,” McCreery writes on social media, sharing a photo of both women, from his wedding to Gabi. “Yesterday, both my Grandma Janet and my Grandma Paquita passed away. I think I am still in a bit of shock as I type this, but I’m choosing to remember the great memories we all made with both of them. There really are too many to count. From being on the farm in Elizabeth City or visiting the Outer Banks with Grandma Janet.
“And then the incredible memories we made at the backyard pool in Pinehurst, all the way to visiting Puerto Rico with Grandma Paquita,” he continues. “Both of them truly taught me what love is all about. I will miss them dearly. If y’all could keep my family in your prayers I’d appreciate it.”
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It was the loss of McCreery’s grandfather in 2015 that inspired “Five More Minutes.” The song became McCreery’s first No. 1 hit. McCreery wrote the song with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell.
“We sat down at Frank’s house – Frank Rogers, my producer and co-writer on the song,” McCreery tells The Boot. “I was just kind of talking to him about Grandaddy, and [how] there were a few things I wanted to tell Grandaddy that I didn’t get a chance to. I was kind of reminiscing on what we’d do together: We’d golf together and swim together in his pool in the backyard.
“Monty was the one who had the idea that you just wish you have five more minutes with them,” he adds. “He had the idea for the song, and I said, ‘Yeah, man, that’s the title.’ We wrote the song around that. Tried to make it pretty autobiographical and pretty relatable to the folks out there.”
The heartbreaking news comes as McCreery and Gabi are about to add to their family. In May, the couple announced they are expecting their second child, joining their son Avery, born in 2022.
“It’s been a fun season for us, just kind of gearing up for baby number two,” McCreery tells American Songwriter. “We’re getting Avery prepped and ready. I think he’s finally grasping that his baby brother’s in mommy’s belly. I think he’s gonna be a great big brother.”
McCreery has several concerts on his calendar for the next few weeks. Updates to his touring schedule can be found at ScottyMcCreery.com.
Everything Nash extends our deepest condolences to McCreery and his family.
Photo Credit: CMA / Hunter Berry