Scotty McCreery’s “In Between” Soars to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Make that three in a row for Scotty McCreery…

The 26-year-old part-Puerto Rican country music singer and former American Idol champion hasnotched his third consecutive and total No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “In Between” blasts from No. 8 to the top spot on the list dated June 27.

In the tracking week ending June 21, McCreery’s song increased 25% to 26.7 million audience impressions. It drew its biggest gains on WIVK Knoxville, Tenn., WKHK Richmond, Va. (up 260,000 impressions); WNSH New York (up 247,000) and KSCS Dallas (up 235,000).

The track’s 8-1 rise is the second greatest to the Country Airplay summit in the chart’s 30-year history.

On the October 12, 1991-dated chart, another song with the word “between” in its title leapt 9-1: Ricky Van Shelton’s “Keep It Between the Lines.”

JoAnna Garcia Swisher Taking Part in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Livestream Fundraiser

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

JoAnna Garcia Swisheris doing her Saint-ly duty…

The 40-year-old half-Cuban American actress has joined the all-star roster of musicians, actors, athletes and influencers gathering for a special #GivingTuesdayNowevent today (May 5) to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The “Take 5 Together #forStJude” livestream will take place from 2:00 – 6:00 pm EST and feature singing, dancing, cooking, stretching and laughter in honor of the hospitalthat is the leader in treating childhood cancer.

In addition to Garcia Swisher, the event lineup includes Michael Strahan, Drew Barrymore, Ashley Tisdale, Kaia Gerber,Rio Roma, Shaed, Sofi Tukker, Nick Swisher, Scotty McCreery, Chef Adrianne Calvoand more.

All will “take 5” with St. Jude patients in an effort to “delight and inspire viewers,” according to a statement announcing the event.

St. Jude has also partnered with school spirit company Varsity Brandsfor a TikTokdance challenge to engage supporters willing to show off their best moves #forStJude.

“At St. Jude, our patient families remind us daily that no matter where we are in the world and whatever difficult circumstances we face, it’s important to find ways to be inspired and delighted, and never lose hope,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the statement.

“On May 5, we’ll all have the opportunity to come together in support of #GivingTuesdayNow, and to bring joy and meaningful impact to the lives of millions as we ‘Take 5 Together #forStJude. Let’s show the world that when facing some of life’s greatest challenges and even when we have to be physically apart, together, we can make a difference in the lives of others and the children at St. Jude.”

The stream will feature, dance lessons, cooking segments, live performances and virtual celebration surprises from celebrity friends and St. Jude patients; click hereto join the event.

Scotty McCreery Earns Second No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart with “This Is It”

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is back at the top of the charts…

The 25-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion has notched his second No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, as “This Is It” ascends 2-1 in its 37th week on the chart dated February 16.

The ballad increased by 8 percent to 39.6 million audience impressions in the week ending February 10, according to Nielsen Music.

On the airplay-, streaming- and sales-blended Hot Country Songschart, it enters the top five (6-4).

McCreery co-authored the song, with Frank Rogersand Aaron Eshuis, for his then-longtime girlfriend Gabi Dugal, and sang it at their wedding last June 16.

“Two weeks before I proposed, we wrote ‘This Is It’ as a love song for Gabi,” McCreery tells Billboard. “It’s our story. If the song existed solely for she and I, that would be completely fine with me. But to have our story on the radio and then reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart just makes my heart sing. Gabi is my world, she inspires me every day, and I think people can feel the realness of our love story when they listen to the song and watch the video. The fact that so many couples are now using ‘This’ in their own weddings gives me chills.”

McCreery, who won American Idol in 2011, earns his second Country Airplay leader in a row from his album Seasons Change, which became his third Top Country AlbumsNo. 1 in March 2018. He notched his first Country Airplay No. 1 with the album’s first single, “Five More Minutes,” which led for a week the same month.

McCreery Returning to Perform on “American Idol”

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is returning to the American Idol stage…

The 22-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer and former AI champion will return to Fox’s reality singing competition to perform with one of this season’s contestants.

On this Wednesday’s show (Feb. 10) MacKenzie Bourg, Emily Brooke, Gianna Isabella, James VIII, Jeneve Rose Mitchell, Stephany Negrete, Jenna Renae, La’Porsha Renae, Jordan Sasser, Thomas Stringfellow, Sonika Vaid and Avalon Young will each get a chance to perform solo.

The next night (Feb. 11), the semi-finalists will have the opportunity to duet with McCreery, Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard, Caleb Johnson, Lauren Alaina, and Nick Fradiani . Each Idol will duet with 12 semi-finalists, seven of which will move forward to the next round, according to a Fox release.

The Feb. 17 show will feature Jenn Blosil, Amelia Eisenhauer, Trent Harmon, Lee Jean, CJ Johnson, Adam Lasher, Tristan McIntosh, Dalton Rapattoni, Olivia Rox, Manny Torres, Kory Wheeler and Shelbie Z.

The next night they will get their chance to duet with alums Constantine Maroulis, Haley Reinhart, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks and David Cook. The judges will then announce which contestants are moving forward and who is going home.

The following week (Feb. 24), the judges will reveal which eight singers are definitely moving forward to the top 10, leaving six remaining vocalists to compete for America’s vote. The show will go live the next night (Feb. 25), when host Ryan Seacrest announces the results and which two singers will complete the top 10. As a bonus that evening, Kelly Clarkson will return to the show to perform and serve as a guest judge.

Beginning Feb. 24, public voting will be live at AmericanIdol.com, on the FOX NOW app, via Google Search, via text messaging and by toll-free calling when the Idol vote window opens.

McCreery to Release Autobiography in May 2016

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is ready to open up about his life…

The 22-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion is writing his autobiography, which will be released on May 3.

McCreery’s book — entitled Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream — will be published by Zondervan, a Christian book and media company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“God gave me a voice and America gave me a chance,” he said in a release. “This book is about those two things, and about the amazing journey that began the moment I decided to say two words about this show I knew and love. ‘Why not?'”

The book will focus on McCreery’s career, telling the story of his North Carolina childhood leading to his victory on Idol at the age of 17. It will be available for pre-order on November 15, according to his website.

McCreery’s fourth album is scheduled for release next year. His 2011 debut, Clear as Day, reached No. 1 on five separate Billboard charts: the Billboard 200, Top Current Albums, Digital Albums, Internet Albums, and Top Country Albums.

McCreery, the season 10 winner of American Idol, is currently promoting his single “Southern Belle.”

Gomez Signs with Interscope Records

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

“Forget Forever,” Selena Gomez has a new label…

The 22-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress has signed with Interscope Records.

Gomez shared the news through her Instagram account over the weekend by showing a photo of her face next to what appears to be her new contract.

“Guess who’s officially an Interscope artist #thisiswhatdreamsaremadeof,” Gomez wrote in the photo caption.

The “Love You Like a Love Song” singer was previously signed to Hollywood Records, the pop division of Disney Music Group.

Her final release on the label was the best-of album, For You, which hit retailers and online music outlets on November 24. It features her latest single “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” which was inspired by her on-and-off relationship with Justin Bieber.

Interscope’s current roster of artists includes Aloe Blacc, Fergie, Jessica Sanchez, Scotty McCreery, Gwen Stefani, Madonna and Lady Gaga.

McCreery to be a Presenter at the American Country Countdown Awards

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is ready for his countdown close-up…

The 21-year-old part-Puerto Rican country crooner and American Idol champion is among the presenters announced for the first ever American Country Countdown Awards, joining hosts Florida Georgia Line at the December 15 event.

McCreery joins a roster that includes Sara Evans, Hunter Hayes, Maddie & Tae and Kip Moore.

Musicians Thomas Rhett, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell and Chris Young, as well as NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and 2014 National League MVP Clayton Kershaw, actors Terry Crews of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Emily Kinney of The Walking Dead, and Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev will also present.

The show will air live on FOX at 8:00 pm EST and PST with a tape-delay.

The American Country Countdown Awards is based on country music’s longest-running radio countdown show of 41 years, “American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks,” and will honor country artists based on album sales and radio airplay.

Kenny Chesney will be on hand to accept The Groundbreaker Award and Reba McEntire will accept the NASH Icon Award. Performers will include Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

Tickets to the American Country Countdown Awards, are available for purchase here.

The American Country Countdown Awards is produced by dick clark productions.

Fifth Harmony Named to This Year’s Billboard 21 Under 21 List

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui are hot young stars…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have earned a spot on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, the annual ranking of music’s most powerful minors.

Fifth Harmony, the all-girl group created by Simon Cowell on the second season of The X Factor, has moved up from No. 21 last year to No. 5 on the 2014 list.

Since their formation, Hernandez, Cabello, Jauregui and the gang have earned love from a million Harmonizers, one of the most passionate online fanbases today, helping the ladies of Fifth Harmony continue to thrive a few years removed from their X Factor introduction.

Following their debut EP release last October, Fifth Harmony has spent much of 2014 on the road supporting artists like Demi Lovato and Austin Mahone on tour, winning over new fans while preparing for the release of their debut full-length album, Reflection.

The first single, “Bo$$,” flaunted a rhythmic new sound and became 5H’s biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit to date, ahead of Reflection’s November release.

Recently, Fifth Harmony has added some impressive honors to their list of accomplishments, earning the MTV Artist to Watch award at the MTV Video Music Awards, as well as the Favorite Band on Social Media award at the Shorties.

They recently released the second single from Reflection, “Them Girls Be Like.”

But Fifth Harmony’s Latina singers aren’t the only Hispanic artists on the list…

Becky G makes her first-ever appearance on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list.

The 17-year-old Mexican American singer, rapper, actress and CoverGirl model comes in at No. 9 on the list.

The L.A.-born Gomez has continued to build momentum since her Dr. Luke-produced debut single “Shower” reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2014. “Can’t Get Enough,” featuring Pitbull, spent a week at No. 1 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart in June and recent TV performances on the Today show and the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, among others, have brought even more attention to the Latina teen queen. Her strong social media following (she’s quickly approaching 5 million Facebook likes) has continued to rise as she tours with Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and Jason Derulo. With her debut full-length album set for release later this year, Becky G is on her way to becoming a bona fide power brand.

Meanwhile, the first Latino on this year’s list is Luis Coronel.

The 18-year-old regional Mexican singer, who comes in at No. 11, hadn’t even finished high school before he was trending on social media and showing up on the Billboard charts in 2013. One year later, he has a major teen following in the U.S. and beyond, as well as a thriving career under his belt.

The Del Records artist spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart with Con La Frente En Alto in October 2013 and his single “Tenerte” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay charts earlier this year.

He’s also had two top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, has won trophies for new artist of the year at the 2014 Billboard Latin Music Awards and social media sensation on Telemundo‘s Premios Tu Mundo awards show, has served as a judge on the Mexican singing competition show La Academia Kids and has toured with major recording acts Julion Alvarez to Gerardo Ortiz. Next up for Coronel: a new album, Quiero Ser Tu Dueno, due on September 30.

Last, but certainly not least, Scotty McCreery comes in at No. 16 on this year’s list, down eight spots from his No. 8 position last year.

The 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer has come a long way since winning season 10 of American Idol. The past year has seen the North Carolina native continue to grow his career. “See You Tonight” became his first top 10 hit on the Billboard charts, and became his third gold single. His sophomore album of the same name topped the Country Albums chart upon its release in October 2013, and also became his third straight song to hit the top 10 on the Billboard 200.

McCreery is also proving himself as a live commodity — his See You Tonight tour put him in front of thousands of fans each night, and continues to roll across the country through December. As he approaches 21 in just a few weeks, this will be Scotty’s last appearance on our 21 Under 21.

McCreery Named to Forbes’ Top-Earning American Idols List

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is the Three Million Dollar Man…

The 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion has earned a spot on Forbes magazine’s annual list of the Top-Earning American Idols.

McCreery comes in at No. 6 on the list, raking in $3 million dollars.

“Still not old enough to drink legally and not quite three years removed from his Idol win, McCreery is already making a name for himself as a solo act,” states the magazine’s description of McCreery. “His debut album, Clear As Day, sold over 1 million copies; on the road, he opened for Brad Paisley before launching a solo tour in 2013.”

Forbes determined this year’s Top-Earning list by calculating pretax earnings from June 2012 through June 2013 “with the help of data from Pollstar Pro, the RIAA, Nielsen SoundScan as wells industry veterans, the musicians’ handlers and some of the artists themselves.”

Carrie Underwood, who raked in approximately $31 million, comes in No. 1 on the list. Over the past five years, Forbes estimates that she has earned $83 million.

Here’s the complete list:

1. Carrie Underwood, $31 million
2. Kelly Clarkson, $7 million
3. Phillip Phillips, $5 million
3. Adam Lambert, $5 million
5. Chris Daughtry, $4 million
6. Scotty McCreery $3 million
7. Taylor Hicks, $2.5 million
8. Fantasia Barrino, $1.5 million
8. Kellie Pickler, $1.5 million
10. Katharine McPhee, $1 million
10. Jennifer Hudson, $1 million

McCreery Named Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist at the American Country Awards

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is bucklin’ up all over again…

The 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer, one of Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21 honorees this year, has picked up the second commemorative guitar of his young career at the American Country Awards, which aired live from Las Vegas on Fox.

The former American Idol champion beat out Lee Brice,  Hunter Hayes,  Randy Houser  and Justin Moore to win the Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist award.

Last December, McCreery – whose sophomore album See You Tonight debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart –was named the Artist of the Year: New Artist.

The American Country Award winners are selected by the genre’s fans.

Luke Bryan was among the night’s biggest winners, earning the top prize, artist of the year, about eight months after receiving the same accolade from the Academy of Country Music. The Georgia native also won male artist of the year and touring artist of the year, bringing him to 12 ACA awards in the Fox show’s four-year history.

Here is the full list of American Country Award winners:

Inaugural Worldwide Artist Award
Taylor Swift

Video Visionary Award
Brad Paisley

Artist of the Year
Luke Bryan

Artist of the Year: Male
Luke Bryan

Artist of the Year: Female
Miranda Lambert

Artist of the Year:
Lady Antebellum

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Scotty McCreery

Artist of the Year: New Artist
Florida Georgia Line

Album of the Year
Based On a True Story… Blake Shelton

Single of the Year
‘Cruise,’ Florida Georgia Line

Single of the Year: Male
‘Sure Be Cool If You Did,’ Blake Shelton

Single of the Year: Female
‘Mama’s Broken Heart,’ Miranda Lambert

Single of the Year: Duo/Group
‘Downtown,’ Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
‘I Drive Your Truck,’ Lee Brice

Single of the Year: New Artist
‘Cruise,’ Florida Georgia Line

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
‘Highway Don’t Care,’ Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban

Touring Artist of the Year
Luke Bryan

Great American Country – Music Video of the Year
‘Sure Be Cool If You Did,’ Blake Shelton

Music Video of the Year: Male ‘
‘Sure Be Cool If You Did,’ Blake Shelton”

Music Video of the Year: Female
‘Blown Away,’ Carrie Underwood

Music Video of the Year: New Artist
‘Cruise,’ Florida Georgia Line

Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration
‘Highway Don’t Care,’ Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban

Song of the Year (award goes to the songwriter(s):
‘‘Highway Don’t Care,’ Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Brad Warren and Brett Warren – Recorded by Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban- WINNER

Radio track of the year Florida Georgia Line – ‘Cruise’

Radio track of the year: New artist Florida Georgia Line – ‘Cruise’

Radio track of the year: Male Randy Houser – ‘How Country Feels’

Radio track of the year: Female
Miranda Lambert – ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’

Radio track of the year: Group
The Band Perry – ‘Better Dig Two’

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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