'Idol' winner Scotty McCreery takes stage at MSU Riley Center July 20
Easygoing singer Scotty McCreery, who has stayed true to himself and his country-music roots after achieving sudden stardom while still in high school, will serenade an MSU Riley Center audience in downtown Meridian on July 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Concertgoers will get a bonus if they arrive early: A pre-show party with free refreshments will start in the Grand Lobby at 6:30 p.m.
McCreery won the 2011 “American Idol” TV talent competition at age 17. Since then, he has released three number-one albums. His deep, resonant voice has caressed such hit songs as “I Love You This Big,” “See You Tonight” and “Feelin’ It.” He has amassed more than 3 million followers on Facebook and Twitter and more than 150 million YouTube views.
And yet the North Carolina native with the enigmatic half-smile and the boy-next-door good looks is still the same Scotty. He finished high school, then went on to study communication at North Carolina State University, where he fits his studies around his concert tour and recording schedule.
In 2016, he released his first book, “Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream,” which emphasized the importance in his life of his family, friends and faith.
Tickets are $48 and $42 at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and an hour before showtime on the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by phone through the box office at (601) 696-2200.