Scotty McCreery is ready to try something new. Since he won American Idol 14 years ago, the country singer has done the expected and put out new albums, full of new, solo songs every few years. With his forthcoming EP, though, that all changes.
Videos by American Songwriter
As he conceptualized Scooter and Friends, McCreery committed to doing “something different,” he told American Songwriter during a recent conversation.
“We just wanted to write some different songs, put out some different flavors,” he said.
Those flavors wound up creating a five-song EP in which three of the tracks are collaborations.
“I’ve never been a big collaboration guy,” he noted. “I haven’t done many at all in my career, so to do a project kind of centered around that felt like something fun and a different challenge to do.”
Scotty McCreery’s EP Collaborations
On “Bottle Rockets,” Hootie & the Blowfish revisit their 1994 hit, “Hold My Hand.”
“I was writing a song about one of their biggest hits, so I didn’t know if they’d be like, ‘Oh, this is cool’ or ‘Oh, don’t touch something that’s already so great,’” McCreery admitted. “But they loved it and we’re so gracious to go back in the studio and re-record their parts. The song turned out better than I could’ve imagined.”
The same can be said for “Once Upon a Bottle of Wine,” which McCreery penned during a songwriting retreat.
“We started ‘Once Upon a Bottle of Wine,’ and the way it was kind of going I was like, ‘Man, it would be super cool if we could get Charlie Wilson on it,’” McCreery said of the legendary R&B singer, whom he considers a musical idol.
The result, McCreery said, is “just absolute gasoline.”
“I am the world’s biggest Charlie Wilson fan. I first heard his music in middle school and just instantly fell in love,” McCreery said. “… I’m fired up about this song.”
McCreery is likewise thrilled to welcome Lee Brice onto “Whiskey Said.”
“His voice on this song, he’s got that powerhouse vocal, and the soul, and the country altogether,” he praised. “It’s a unique combination that I think he’s one of the only ones that’s got that in that format.”
Overall, McCreery said he envisions Scooter and Friends as a “fun, laid-back” record that people “can listen to through the summer.”
“I think every one of these songs is meant to lift you up, put a smile on, feel good, have a good time kind of tune,” he said. “There’s nothing too serious… This is just kind of a chill out, enjoy yourself kind of EP, which is something little different for me.”
Scotty McCreery Is “Super Jazzed Up” About the Future
After the EP drops on July 18, McCreery will turn his focus to family life. He’s set to welcome his second son with his wife, Gabi Dugal, this fall. The pair, who tied the knot in 2018, already share 2-year-old Avery.
“That’s the real important stuff in life, right? It’s been a fun season for us, just kind of gearing up for baby number two,” McCreery said. “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.”
Around the same time the newborn makes his arrival, McCreery, along with his family, will head out on his co-headlining Two for the Road Tour with Dustin Lynch.
“The bus is baby proofed. There’s a zip up bunk crib kind of thing on there and stuffed animals. Whatever you need for the babies, it’s already on there,” McCreery said. “Just as soon mama bear feels comfortable bringing the little one out, I think is when that will happen.”
When it comes to the shows themselves, McCreery said that fans can expect “the biggest and best show” that either he or Lynch have put on. In addition to their individual sets, McCreery and Lynch will take the stage together at some point during the show.
“It’s not your typical headline, opener get off stage kind of vibe,” he said. “Everybody’s in it for the same reasons and wants to make it great.”
With all that’s on the horizon, McCreery said he’s “super jazzed up” about the future.
“I’ve just kind of got a lot of hope. I’m thankful,” he said. “I’m just kind of walking around with a smile on my face right now, both professionally and personally.”
Photo courtesy of Scotty McCreery
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.