The Road to Sucess

The Road to Success

Author’s Note: I am writing this piece to show my knowledge of creating a research piece, by writing about Scotty McCreery’s success in the music industry. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

“I never thought that I might have a chance to win. I never even thought about making it to Hollywood,” (The Clear as Day Album/Deluxe Edition Magazine) reflects Scott Cooke McCreery, winner of the American Idol season ten.  Scotty was born on October 9th, 1993 in the small town of Garner, North Carolina. Scotty’s mother says that even at the age of four Scotty’s love for music was apparent to her while they were on a family vacation in Tijuana, Mexico. Scotty had taken a ukulele from a music shop they had passed. His mother goes on to tell how she had to rip the ukulele out of Scotty’s hands to return it to the shop owner. Ever since that day Scotty has exhibited the same determination to achieve his dream of making music. This is his story.

Scotty paid his dues in the world of music long before he made his debut on American Idol. Starting with high school choir (The Die Meistersingers), a win at the “Clayton Idol” competition at the Clayton Harvest Festival in North Carolina, and an appearance in the “Rip the Hallways” contest in North Carolina, Scotty has spent much time and risked much failure to make his dreams come true.

At age seventeen Scotty’s family packed up the car and drove from Garner, North Carolina all the way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to try out for the tenth season of American Idol; a nationwide singing competition that has featured singers such as Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry. Throughout the competition Scotty stayed true to his love for country music by putting his own country spin on songs of many genres. Throughout the competition Scotty’s innocence and country charm never wavered. This earned him a place in the hearts of people all over America, and may be one of the reasons why he was never in the bottom three in nationwide voting.

A week after winning season ten of American Idol, Scotty was signed by Mercury Nashville records and released his first album, “Clear as Day.” Songs featured on this album consisted of his American Idol finale hit “I Love You This Big”, that went gold alongside another future hit titled “The Trouble with Girls”. Just before his eighteenth birthday Scotty had a platinum number one record on the billboard two-hundred!

In 2011, Scotty was nominated for Breakout Artist of the year in the Teen Choice Awards. He also won New Artist of the Year at the 2011 American Country Music Awards (Wikipedia.org/scottymccreery). True to his country values, Scotty graciously accepted the award, thanked his family, his mentors and his fans.  Once again, Scotty’s humble country demeanor earned him a spot in the hearts of American music fans.

In 2012 Scotty joined Brad Paisley and The Band Perry in Brad Paisley’s “Virtual Reality World Tour”. In January of that year Scotty opened the tour at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  In addition to singing songs from his “Clear as Day” album and performing a duet with Brad Paisley, Scotty spoke to the crowd about his experiences as a fledgling country music singer. He encouraged aspiring singers to pursue their dreams and never give up, because life may just surprise them.

After attending the Bradley Center concert, I was inspired to pursue my own dream and love for music.  Scotty’s music and words not only tell good stories, but they teach good values.  “Be thankful for what you have, believe in what you can become, and inspire others to pursue their own dreams.”

Scott Cooke McCreery is a strong-willed and kind hearted country singer who continues to reach out to people all over the world through his music and positive example.  In an age crying out for role models that stay true to themselves, their values, and their fans, Scotty is a shining light. I wish him a long and satisfying journey.