Scotty McCreery received the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award in October, honoring his devotion and commitment to raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The North Carolina native was thrilled to receive the award, especially from Alabama‘s own Randy Owen, whose tireless efforts have raised millions of dollars for St. Jude over the years.
The accolade felt even more poignant for McCreery, coming shortly before the band’s co-founder Jeff Cook passed away.
“[It was] extremely sad news about Jeff. What a legend he was, and left quite a mark, not just with his music, but just how he treated people and everything. He will be sorely missed,” McCreery tells Everything Nash. “But getting the chance to get the Angels Among Us Award from Randy, it’s huge. It’s what I do this for. I get this platform, and what’s it all for if you’re not doing good and trying to help other people with the platform? I’m not in this for awards or anything, but it’s nice to be recognized, and kind of a nod saying, ‘Hey man, you’re doing the right things, and you’re helping people.’ That’s what we try to do. So it’s great to be recognized for that in St. Jude.
“They do amazing, amazing work, for the kids there, [and] for the families, and even for kids and families all around the world,” he adds. “So I’m proud to align myself with them, and help them any way I can.”
McCreery is so committed to the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that he asked fans to donate to that cause in honor of his son, Merrick Avery, instead of sending presents for his family of three.
“Gabi and I are so grateful for all the gifts that we have received for Avery,” McCreery shared on Facebook after the birth of his son. “Presents have arrived at our home and our family members’ homes on a daily basis, and the Fan Club continues to ship everything to us that they receive as well. Yall know how to make a family feel loved. You have been so generous to us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
“We can honestly say we have everything we need and more at this point,” he continued. “We ask that if you are still inclined to send a gift for Avery, that you consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It would thrill us to know that Avery’s birth helped other kids receive the care they need.”
The American Idol alum just released Same Truck: The Deluxe Album, adding six more songs to the original record, which was released last year.
“We had a ton of songs ready to go, and we even had to narrow it down from stuff we’d recorded to make the deluxe album” McCreery told Everything Nash. “But the way we made the Same Truck record was kind of in two different parts because of the pandemic. So the more recent stuff with the recency bias won out, but I still loved all these other songs we had, so I’m glad with this deluxe album, we found a home for them, and can get them out there in the world, and hopefully people enjoy them.”
McCreery will return to touring on November 30, after spending several weeks at home soaking up time with his baby boy. He will perform as part of the annual Opry Country Christmas celebration on December 4. McCreery will also return to opening act status when he opens for Alabama on December 9 in Roanoke, Virginia. Purchase Same Truck: The Deluxe Album, and find music and tour dates at ScottyMcCreery.com.
