American 'Idol' takes Nashville by storm (Created February 13, 2013)

With a deep, velvety baritone and charming good looks, Scotty McCreery captured the hearts of America to win the tenth season of FOX television's "American Idol." Whether tackling the emotions behind classics like George Strait's "I Cross My Heart" or the fist-pumping affirmation of Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," McCreery placed a stamp on his own credibility by staying true to his Southern roots.

Born and raised in North Carolina, McCreery was a bona fide country tenor by the time he reached middle school. By high school he had joined a traveling vocal ensemble and auditioned for "American Idol" in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by singing Josh Turner's "Your Man" and Travis Tritt's "Put Some Drive in Your Country." And drive he did, all the way to Hollywood and into the winner's circle of the famed reality show, with his coronation single "I Love You This Big" immediately released to radio. Behind it came his debut album, "Clear as Day" released on October 4, 2011. It sold 197,000 copies in its first week, making him the first country act to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their first studio album, as well as the youngest male artist to open at the top of the chart with a debut release.

McCreery's other singles, "The Trouble with Girls," and "Water Tower Town" carried him through 2012 but failed to make a significant climb up the country charts, landing at 17 and 38 respectively. He also recorded his first Christmas album, performing in the "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special broadcast on NBC on November 28.

McCreery graduated from Garner High School in 2012 and is currently attending North Carolina State University. While continuing to balance music and education, he is beginning his first tour as a headlining artist on weekends only, which kicked off February 14 at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, PA.