Scotty McCreery‘s career has taken him all over the country, but his roots will always remain in Garner, North Carolina. The 29-year-old visits the small town as often as he can, each time feeling like he never left.
“I still love it so much. All my friends and my family are right there. … I think what makes Garner Garner is the people, and the small-town feel,” McCreery tells Taste of Country. “It’s getting bigger, but you can still go to Angie’s Restaurant and you’ll see all the folks I grew up going to church with, playing ball with. [My friends’ parents] might still go to eat there. It’s a trip down memory lane for me anytime I get to go back.”
After winning American Idol in 2011, McCreery admits some in Garner might have suspected fame would change him, but they quickly realized he was still the same person he always was, albeit with a bit more notoriety.
“I think they thought I had changed,” he concedes. “And it took a little bit of me being around town and seeing everybody, to go, ‘Oh, his life might have changed, but he’s still the same person.’ Now they treat me like the same old dude they did when I was growing up.”
To honor McCreery’s hometown, the “It Matters To Her” singer is partnering with UScellular, and their Locally Grown, Locally Live music campaign, joining an impressive list of artists, including Morgan Wade, Kalie Shorr, Corey Kent and more. The campaign honors the hometowns and the community that helped shape their promising careers.
“I love how UScellular is creating an opportunity for me and other artists to stay connected with fans in communities across the country,” McCreery praises. “The amazing people in my hometown of Garner, North Carolina, helped give me my start in music, and it’s great to see that UScellular is working in a similar way to show how they are committed to enriching the communities they serve.”
As part of the Locally Grown, Locally Live campaign, fans can visit locallygrown.uscellular.com to engage directly with McCreery and the other artists joining the program. On April 5 at 8:00 PM CT, McCreery will also host an “Ask Me Anything” Instagram Live session where fans can interact with McCreery and ask him questions.
All of the artists participating in Locally Grown, Locally Live will also perform at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the UScellular Connection stage. McCreery will headline that event. More information is available at Summerfest.com.
McCreery is currently on his own headlining Damn Strait Tour. He will join Brooks & Dunn, on their REBOOT 2023 Tour, kicking off on May 4. Find music and tour dates at ScottyMcCreery.com.
