Courtesy of Taste of Country

By:  Amy Sciarretto
Photo Credit:  Rick Diamond 

Scotty McCreery is an exercise in contrasts. On one hand, he is a country music megastar, having racked up platinum sales, toured the world and performed on both breakfast and late night TV programs with increasing frequency. On the other, he just graduated high school and is preparing for college. McCreery will begin his freshman year at North Carolina State University in the fall. But he’s not wasting any time and is diving right in. He’s already started decorating his new house, which is located just a few miles from the school’s main campus.

“We’ve got a few signs, and my buddy’s got a big deer head we’re going to put in the living room,” McCreery said, according to Country Music Is Love, about making the new place feel like home.

The décor isn’t going to consist of any of McCreery’s awards, like his recently picked up 2012 CMT Music Awards honor for ‘Breakthrough Video of the Year,’ which he nabbed for ‘The Trouble With Girls.’ He admitted, “I don’t think we’re going to put any of my awards in there. We’re trying to keep things safe.” That’s a wise idea. Don’t need any mishaps during parties or thefts while he is in class.

McCreery, who will major in communications and PR while at NC State, is not planning to put his career on ice while he attends to his studies and his degree, so don’t fret, all you Scotty fans. He’s going to engage in quite a juggling act by doing both. He said, “My friends back home call the me the ‘real-life Hannah Montana’ because I have two lives.”

In order to balance school and work, he will build a two or three day class schedule and route his touring so that he can be on campus on the required days and then fly out for shows on his “off” days.

Few people can pick up an education at the school of life and on the road and in the classroom, but McCreery has a one in a million chance to do so and he’s going for it. He’s a regular ol’ college freshman by day and a country star by night!

We’re not going to lie. The schedule sounds grueling but if anyone can pull it off, it’s our boy Scotty McCreery.

The first day of fall classes isn't until Aug. 16, but Scotty McCreery is already preparing for college life at North Carolina State University. "My friends back home call the me the 'Real-life Hannah Montana' because I have two lives," McCreery says. "We're planning on having a two- or three-day class schedule and work a tour around college so I can be in class and fly out the next day." McCreery will be living in a house near campus with a few friends, who already have begun decorating their new digs. "We've got a few signs, and my buddy's got a big deer head we're going to put in the living room," McCreery says. "I don't think we're going to put any of my awards in there. We're trying to keep things safe." McCreery is pursuing a concentration in communications/public relations, but right now he says the Virtual Reality tour's Brad Paisley and The Band Perry are "the best professo

Season 10 “American Idol” Scotty McCreery will throw out the first pitch at the Lookouts baseball game at AT&T Field on Friday, June 22, at 7:15 p.m.

Pete Intza, Lookouts spokesman, confirmed McCreery’s appearance and first-pitch honors. The country singer’s visit is one of the promotions during Paint the Park Purple, a benefit for the Mid-South chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association during the Lookouts vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos game.

McCreery should have no trouble getting the ball across home plate. A pitcher on his Garner High School baseball team, he loves the game so much he gave up touring with Brad Paisley this past spring semester to return to school to play ball his senior year.

Beth Cragon, office and volunteer coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, said Paint the Park Purple will be an awareness event for the local chapter.

“The Lookouts will be wearing purple jerseys that will be sold in a silent auction during the game,” she said.

Cragon said fans attending the game are asked to wear purple as well.

“If fans buy game tickets through the Alzheimer’s Association, they will be the same price but part of the proceeds will be donated to the association,” said Cragon.

“They can get tickets by calling 265-3600 or dropping by the office, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, at the intersection of Lee Highway and Bonny Oaks Drive.”

Congratulations, Scotty on the 2012 CMT Breakthrough Video award for 'The Trouble With Girls' video.  Thank you McCreerians for your support and for your vote!! 

Scotty McCreery won Season 10 of ‘American Idol’ and became a legit country superstar in the ensuing year, so of course he has plenty of advice to offer to and to instill in the winner of Season 11, Phillip Phillips. McCreery offered his heir apparent a few choice words of advice: “Go out there looking to learn.”

During a chat with Access Hollywood earlier this week before the finale, McCreery offered that sentiment to Phillips and his competition, Jessica Sanchez, who obviously placed second lat night’s (May 23) finale.

McCreery also said, “Don’t go out of the gates and just try to do as much as you can and conquer the world your first year out. You wanna go out there and learn.”

He even pointed out that he put his money where his mouth is and he isn’t just doling out mindless advice. He said, “I got the opportunity and the blessing to go on tour with Brad Paisley and the Band Perry right now and I’m out there every night just trying to learn from them. Those guys are at the top. They’ve worked hard to get where they’re at.”

“I think if you go out of this with a learning attitude, you’ll take a lot away from it,” he added. Following the show, McCreery shared with his Twitter followers that he was happy to see Phillips win it all. “Passed the torch on to a well deserving artist, @PPhillipsAI11.. take it all in and enjoy it man!” he said.

“Tonight your life has changed forever!” He’s right, and that’s great advice, especially from someone who is living the dream. You hear that Phillip Phillips? The baton has been passed.