HOW TO GO
What: Scotty McCreery, a sold-out concert
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 South Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
More info: 328-3874 or go to http://pac.clarkstate.edu/scotty_mccreery.php
American Idols find home on Clark State stage
If Los Angeles ever needs a rest as the home of “American Idol,” the Clark State Performing Arts Center could be a Midwestern alternative.
The site’s Kuss Auditorium has already hosted three Idol finalists and will add a fourth on Thursday, when season 10 winner Scotty McCreery performs.
The second youngest winner at age 17 and the first born in the 1990s, McCreery follows fellow “Idol” champions David Cook (season 7) and Phillip Phillips (season 11), as well as season nine runner-up Crystal Bowersox who’ve performed here.
“Idol” winners have had a checkered history over its 13 seasons. Whereas Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood became superstars, others such as Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze have had underwhelming success.
McCreery bucked the latter trend and his career is still rising, with his first two CDs reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.
“Clear as Day,” made music history, making McCreery the first country performer on the Billboard 200 to debut at No. 1 with his first studio album and the youngest male to open at number one with a debut .
After a Best New Artist award at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards, McCreery recorded a Christmas album, then follow-up CD “See You Tonight” last fall.
While it looks glamorous in our living rooms, McCreery compared the “Idol” experience to an entertainment boot camp.
“It was intense,” he said. “We had one day off between the first show on February 14 and the finals on May 25, and that was Easter.”
Phillips had similar feelings when interviewed by the News-Sun before his show here last year. He battled a kidney problem in addition to the pressures to perform well each week.
“Music is a personal thing to me and it was tough, but every week I gave it my all,” Phillips said.
McCreery credited the fans who followed his “Idol” journey with helping his career rise and continuing to support him. Now McCreery said he’s also earning respect in the country music world, writing several of his own songs.
He’s taking it in steps and that could keep his career going for years to come.
“I’ve had three years since I started,” McCreery said. “Now I’m looking for three more, then three more after that.”
American Idols find home on Clark State stage
If Los Angeles ever needs a rest as the home of “American Idol,” the Clark State Performing Arts Center could be a Midwestern alternative.
The site’s Kuss Auditorium has already hosted three Idol finalists and will add a fourth on Thursday, April 17 when season 10 winner Scotty McCreery performs.
The second youngest winner at age 17 and the first born in the 1990s, McCreery follows fellow Idol champions David Cook (season seven) and Phillip Phillips (season 11), as well as season nine runner-up Crystal Bowersox who’ve performed here.
Idol winners have had a checkered history over its 13 seasons. Whereas Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood became superstars, others such as Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze have had underwhelming success.
McCreery bucked the latter trend and his career is still rising, with his first two CDs reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.
“Clear as Day,” made music history, making McCreery the first country performer on the Billboard 200 to debut at No. 1 with his first studio album and the youngest male to open at number one with a debut .
After a Best New Artist award at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards, McCreery recorded a Christmas album, then follow-up CD “See You Tonight” last fall.
While it looks glamorous in our living rooms, McCreery compared the Idol experience to an entertainment boot camp.
“It was intense,” he said. “We had one day off between the first show on February 14 and the finals on May 25, and that was Easter.”
Phillips had similar feelings when interviewed by the News-Sun before his show here last year. He battled a kidney problem in addition to the pressures to perform well each week.
“Music is a personal thing to me and it was tough, but every week I gave it my all,” Phillips said.
McCreery credited the fans who followed his Idol journey with helping his career rise and continuing to support him. Now McCreery said he’s also earning respect in the country music world, writing several of his own songs.
He’s taking it in steps and that could keep his career going for years to come.
“I’ve had three years since I started,” McCreery said. “Now I’m looking for three more, then three more after that.”
Scotty McCreery has accomplished a lot the past three years – graduated high school, started college at North Carolina State, won “American Idol.”
In the meantime, he’s performed for President Barack Obama, sung the National Anthem at the World Series and landed two No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country Chart.
Now, as McCreery begins his first headlining tour, the country performer and songwriter is still trying to catch his breath on this amazing ride that began on the stage of American Idol.
“It’s been pretty astonishing,” McCreery said in a deep voice that betrays his youthful 20-year-old appearance. “I had no expectations, was being me and here I am.”
McCreery will perform a sold-out show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Clark State Performing Arts Center’s Kuss Auditorium.
It’s his second recent trip to the area. In March, McCreery loaded up his tour bus with friends to cheer on NC State in the First Four basketball play-in game at the University of Dayton Arena.
It gave him a preview of a Buckeye audience.
“It was an energized crowd and I have no doubt that’s what we’ll get in Springfield,” said McCreery.
He could’ve easily opted to focus on career and put other plans aside, but McCreery was set on school, where he’s treated like “just another guy” after the initial shock.
“Education and that life experience is important to me,” he said. “It always has been. My plan had been to finish school then go to Nashville.”
Besides the unmistakable country sound, McCreery also likes to include songs reflecting his Christian faith. He said it’s kept him grounded to not give in to the temptations that often accompany success.
“I try to keep myself surrounded with like-mind people,” he said. “My band and I are always on the same page, my managers, a great crew.”
McCreery comes into Kuss Auditorium with the release of his second single, “Feelin’ It,” released earlier this week. He compared it to product testing to see how audiences like it, or having a newborn baby to show off.
“Live performances are what drive me,” he said. “We’ll have a lot of fun, it’s a high energy show.”
Rising country music performer and songwriter Abigail Rose will open the show. She has previously opened for Sara Evans and Florida Georgia Line and plays guitar, mandolin and piano.
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