Scotty McCreery‘s ‘Can’t Pass The Bar” is out! The song, from his forthcoming new album, is his celebration of his favorite era of country music, one that he hasn’t fully embraced until this song.
McCreery explained his inspiration behind the song, in a video shared on social media.
“I grew up loving ’90s country music, specifically the barn-burning country music songs,” McCreery said, citing John Michael Montgomery‘s “Sold” and Garth Brooks‘ “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up).” “So I wanted to write myself a barn-burning country music song for this next album.”
@scottymccreery Wrote a song I’ve always wanted to write for this next album! 🙌🏼 It’s called Can’t Pass The Bar.. what do yall think?? #countrymusic ♬ original sound – Scotty McCreery
The North Carolina native previously hinted that he was exploring some different sounds on his next set of tunes.
“I’m pumped about this thing,” McCreery recently told Everything Nash. “It’s a little different for me, a touch. I feel like a lot of my other records were very autobiographical. This one has a couple of those songs. There’s a song for Avery. There’s a song for Gabi. But we’re kind of going in some different directions on this record. Some heartbreak, and some breakup songs. Some honky-tonking songs, and stuff I really haven’t done before on records.
“But I grew up loving those kinds of songs, so we just kind of let the guitar take us to where it wanted to when we were writing these songs, and this is where we ended up,” he added.
It’s fitting that one of Brooks’ hit singles served as the inspiration for McCreery’s new song, since the Country Music Hall of Fame member recently invited McCreery to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“[He] flew to Nashville just for the invitation, and he flew back to LA right after it was done, for Jimmy Kimmel,” McCreery boasted to 94-7 WQDR radio station. “He is all class in my book … He’s always just been so cool to me and the family, for sure.”
McCreery will embark on his Cab In A Solo Tour on January 26 in Troy, Ohio. Anne Wilson will serve as direct support for all dates, with Greylan James and Noah Hicks joining on select dates as well.
“I’m on the road year ‘round, but I always love putting together specific tours and I think next year’s Cab in a Solo Tour is gonna be one of my favorites,” McCreery said when the tour was announced. “Happy to have Anne Wilson join us on the road – she’s a great singer. Depending on the city, either Greylan James or Noah Hicks will be opening up the show and they’re both fantastic performers. And who knows, maybe I’ll share a few songs from my upcoming new album! I’m looking forward to it!”
McCreery’s current single, “Cab In A Solo,” is in the Top 20 and climbing. Find all of McCreery’s music, including “Can’t Pass The Bar,” and upcoming shows at ScottyMcCreery.com.
