McCreery’s “See You Tonight” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an impressive double for Scotty McCreery…

The 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion’s latest studio album has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart—his second chart-topper on that list.

In addition, See You Tonight debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart with 52,000.

His first album, Clear As Day, arrived at No. 1 on the chart back in 2011, selling 197,000 in its first week. It was certified platinum early last year after registering sales of more than one million copies just three months after its release.

McCreery then followed it with a holiday effort, Christmas With Scotty McCreery, which hit No. 2 on the country chart in 2012 and No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

McCreery Leads the Latweeno Pack of Billboard.com’s “21 Under 21” Honorees

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He may only be a minor… But Scotty McCreery is a major player in the music industry…

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion has been named to Billboard.com’s 2013 list of 21 Under 21, a ranking of music’s most powerful minors.

Now that Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez have turned 21, McCreery now ranks as the top Latweeno on the list, coming in at No. 8.

McCreery, who ranked at No. 4 last year, will be celebrating his 20th birthday early next month somewhat differently than most people his age. Onlysix days after he exits his teens, McCreery will release See You Tonight, his sophomore follow-up to his platinum 2011 debut album Clear As Day.

McCreery continues his hot streak in 2013. The first single and title track from the new disc continues moving up the singles chart, and he also headlined his first tour this year. That, along with an endorsement deal with fried chicken chain Bojangles, makes him a shoe-in for this year’s list.

But McCreery isn’t the only Latino on the list…

Puerto Rican singer Miguelito comes in at No. 14 on the 21 Under 21 list. At 14 years old, he already boasts a Latin Grammy and a multi-million dollar branding business that includes “Miguelito” vitamins, clothing line, videogame, summer camp, party goods and a themed cruise.

According to his manager dad Wascar Valenzuela, Miguelito-branded products have sold more than $70 million to date.

With a newly minted representation deal with CAA and a new record deal with BlastMusic, Miguelito is poised to crossover early next year with new album, Here To Stay.

“People tell me I’m a 21 or 30-year-old mind inside a 14-year-old body,” says the reggaetón star.

Meanwhile, Fifth Harmony, with 20-year-old Allyson Brooke Hernandez, 17-year-old Lauren Jauregui and 16-year-old Camila Cabello come in at No. 21 on the list.

Formed by Simon Cowell on last year’s edition of The X Factor, Fifth Harmony’s brief career so far is on the fast track for success.

Their triumphant debut single “Miss Movin’ On,” produced by the Suspex (the duo behind Lovato’s “Heart Attack“), became the first track from an American The X Factor alumni to break Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at No. 76.

The song samples a debut EP expected on October 22 via Epic Records/Syco Music.

In the meantime, the quintet is on tour with Cher Lloyd and was recently featured in Disney‘s “Next Big Thing” series.

McCreery to Perform on “Duck Dynasty” Family’s Caribbean Cruise

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s duck, duck, cruise for Scotty McCreery…

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer and former American Idol champion is set to join a special cruise featuring the cast of the hit reality television series Duck Dynasty.

McCreery announced the news via Twitter this week.

“So here’s the news ya’ll,” started McCreery. “I’ll be joining the @DuckCruise with @DuckDynastyAE next summer! Gonna be tons of fun! Come out and sail with us!”

The A&E reality series follows the lives of the Robertson family, who became wealthy from their family-operated business, Duck Commander. The Monroe, La.-based company makes products for duck hunters.

A spin-off of the successful reality series, the Duck Commander Cruise – hosted by the Robertsons – allows fans to “get up close and personal” with the entire cast on a four-night cruise of the Caribbean.

McCreery’s announcement comes as no surprise. Despite embarking on his very first headlining tour, the “I Love You This Big” singer recently took time to perform at the Sweet 16 birthday party of Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson.

While at the Robertson home, McCreery also went off-roading with Sadie’s brother John Luke Robertson and sampled the cooking of their grandmother Kay Robertson, according to Country Weekly.

It was through Twitter that McCreery struck up a friendship with Sadie.

“The first time I met Sadie and John Luke was at the Opry in Nashville,” McCreery explained to Country Weekly. “I saw her tweet that said she was in Nashville, so I said, ‘Hey, you want to come to the Opry?’ I’ve watched the show since season 1 and we had exchanged tweets before.”

McCreery to Perform on “American Idol”

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Scotty McCreery is headed back to his roots…

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country crooner and former American Idol winner is headed back to Fox’s reality singing competition on Thursday, April 11.

McCreery will perform on the Idol results show, as will season one winner Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson will perform her new single, “People Like Us,” while the season ten winner’s song has yet to be announced.

McCreery’s debut album Clear as Day was released in October 2011 and was certified platinum in the United States.

McCreery Performs the “Harlem Shake”

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He may be known for his deep country voice… But Scotty McCreery isn’t afraid to show off his ability to shake, rattle and roll.

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol winner recruited his band mates to play along to DJ Baauer international hit single “Harlem Shake.”

The video begins with McCreery skillfully tuning his guitar in an empty venue (Pittsburgh’s Stage AE), then breaks into a giant dance party for the last 15 seconds of the clip.

The video was filmed February 21 at a tour stop in Pennsylvania with help from the country crooner’s fans — more than 2,000 of whom were in attendance.

McCreery is currently recording his next album, which is set for release later this year via 19/Interscope/Mercury Records. He recently debuted a new song called “See You Tonight.”

McCreery: A Top-Earning “American Idol”

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He’s only been part of American Idol history for less than two years, but Scotty McCreery is already one of the Fox reality singing competition’s top-earners.

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country crooner, the season 10 winner, claimed the No. 3 spot on Forbes’ list of Top-Earning American Idols for 2012 with $4 million.

McCreery, who ranks behind Kelly Clarkson with $8 million and Carrie Underwood with $5 million during the scoring period (May 2011 through May 2012), has been on a roll since receiving a $250,000 record deal as part of his Idol victory in May 2011.

The CMT Award-winner and Academy of Country Music Awards’ New Artist of the Year surpassed expectations with his debut album, Clear As Day, which sold more than 1 million copies. And the North Carolina native took advantage by hitting the road last year, opening for Brad Paisley.

So what’s next for McCreery? A solo tour and a new album later this year, all while continuing his college education.

“It’s meant everything,” says McCreery of the show. “I didn’t have a career before, so it was the starting point for my career and it got me going. … They reach like 16 million fans on a bad night.”

Lovato to Perform on TNT’s “Christmas in Washington” Special

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato will be spending Christmas in our nation’s capital…

The 20-year-old half-Mexican singer and The X Factor judge, who will be performing in VH1’s annual Divas concert, will headline the annual Christmas in Washington special airing December 21 on TNT, along with “Gangnam Style” sensation PSY and the Supreme Diana Ross.

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien will host the telecast, which will be taped in Washington D.C.’s National Building Museum, for the second consecutive year.

Additional performers include former American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, who recently released an album of holiday music, as well as Smash star Megan Hilty and former The Voice finalist Chris Mann.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend.

This is the 14th year TNT will be broadcasting Christmas in Washington to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center.

McCreery’s Holiday Album Debuts at No. 1

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a bright Christmas in October for Scotty McCreery…

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country crooner and former American Idol champ’s first holiday album, Christmas With Scotty McCreery, has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums and Top Internet Albums charts.

The album also debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200, selling 41,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Christmas With Scotty McCreery is the singer’s second album to debut in the top spot on the Billboard Charts.

Last October, McCreery’s first album, Clear as Day, debuted at No. 1 on five charts: The Billboard 200, Top Country Albums, Top Internet Albums, Top Digital Albums and Top Current Albums.

But that’s not all… The first single from the album, “Christmas in Heaven,” has landed at No. 1 on the Holiday Digital Songs tally.

In addition to “Christmas In Heaven,” McCreery, one of Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21, has six other songs from his holiday-themed debut, including “Mary Did You Know?” (No. 18), “Let It Snow” (No. 31), “First Noel” (No. 38), “Christmas Comin’ Round Again” (No. 39), “O Holy Night” (No. 43) and “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” (No. 49). In all, seven of the 11 tracks on the album are charting on Holiday Digital Songs.

The album includes nine holiday classics and two new holiday songs.

Lovato: The Top-Ranking Latweeno on Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Billboard.com is back with its list of this year’s hottest minors in music, with five Latweeno artists/groups making the cut… And Demi Lovato isn’t only the highest ranking Hispanic artist, she’s also the top-ranking female…

The 20-year-old part Mexican singer/actress, who ranked at No. 7 last year, moved up four spots on Billboard.com’s latest 21 Under 21 installment, which ranks the most powerful minors in music.

Here’s a look at the Latweenos making the grade this year:

No. 3: Demi Lovato
Following the personal problems that threatened to derail her career two years ago, Lovato has come back Unbroken, which happens to be name of the album she released last year. It’s an album that’s still garnering attention. The album’s first track “Skyscraper” recently picked up an MTV Video Music Award, while follow up single “Give Your Heart a Break” has resulted in Lovato’s first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

But that’s not all… Lovato scored a high-profile primetime television gig by joining Fox’s The X Factor, where she’s currently judging other aspiring artists alongside Simon Cowell and Britney Spears.

Throw in a popular summer tour with Hot Chelle Rae and hosting gigs at the Teen Choice Awards and MTV’s live New Year’s Eve Special, and 2012 is proving to be the year the former Disney Channel star is reaching new heights in her already impressive career.

No. 4: Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery is holding steady on the 21 Under 21 list, coming in at No. 4 once again. That’s probably because the 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer’s career has been going full steam ahead since he won American Idol in 2011. McCreery, who graduated from high school this year, saw his debut album Clear as Day reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Even though he hasn’t placed a single in the top 10 on the country charts, McCreery has developed a very loyal fan base at a young age. Clear as Day helped him claim prizes from the American Country Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards.

McCreery even toured with Brad Paisley and performed on the CW’s Hart of Dixie.

McCreery is following up his debut album, which was certified platinum, with a holiday set, Christmas with Scotty McCreery, will hit stores on October 16.

No. 6: Selena Gomez
She may have dropped three spots on the 21 Under 21 list, to No. 6, but Selena Gomez has not fallen off the radar. In the last year, she’s released another hugely popular album (When the Sun Goes Down), which spawned the hit singles “Who Says” and “Love You Like a Love Song,” which earned Gomez her first-ever MTV Video Music Award nod. And the 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress performed the album’s third single, Hit The Lights, on Dancing with the Stars.

And Gomez has broadened her appeal while taking a break from recording music. This spring, she launched a brand new fragrance and focused on her film career. Her voice will be heard in the animated film Hotel Transylvania, and she’s set to appear in two films that could help shatter her Disney image: Spring Breakers with James Franco and the crime drama Getaway.

And she’s currently dating the No. 1 on the 21 Under 21 list, Justin Bieber, which has resulted in countless tabloid placements. Selena Gomez and the Scene will hopefully be back soon, but in the meantime, she continues to leave her indelible imprint on pop culture.

No. 17: 3BallMTY
3BallMTY may not be huge in the United States, but they could be very soon. The Mexican DJ collective, comprised of 19-year-old Erick Rincón, 19-year-old Alberto Presenda (DJ Otto) and 20-year-old Sergio Zavala (DJ Sheeqo Beat), have managed to turn their hobby into a huge business that’s reached a global audience thanks to their signature “tribal guarachero” sound. They’ve achieved success via radio airplay and synch deals with brands like Pepsi. And they recently dominated the list of finalists for the upcoming Billboard Mexican Music Awards. Despite their newfound fame, 3BallMTY has kept a cool and down-to-earth attitude about the group’s ascent in the music business. This past summer they opened up for Justin Bieber in a special concert at the famous Zócalo, the main square in the heart of historic Mexico City in front of about 200,000 music fans. “It was a bit nerve-wrecking,” says Rincón, “but once we were out on stage it was an amazing experience that we will never forget.”

No. 21: Victoria Justice
Victoria Justice has taken a tumble on the 21 Under 21 list, dropping from No. 10 to No. 21. But that has nothing to do with the 19-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress’ talent. The star of had a relatively quiet recording year. She’s the breakout star of the Nickelodeon hit show, even while co-stars like Ariana Grande are seeing their stock rise. The release of the show’s latest soundtrack, Victorious 2.0, coincided with the release of Justice’s recent solo single, “Make It In America,” and in August Justice embarked on her first solo tour in support of the pop tune.

With Victorious ending it’s run on cable, Justice will be setting her sights elsewhere. She has a new film Fun Size coming out this October; and she plans to release a solo album shortly after that.

Click here to see this year’s complete list of music’s hottest minors.

McCreery Graduates From High School

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s been a big week for Scotty McCreery… He’s not only the owner a coveted silver buckle at the CMT Music Award; he’s also the holder of diploma.

The 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer graduated from North Carolina’s Garner Magnet High School Thursday, the same location where he filmed his “breakthrough video of the year” for “The Trouble With Girls.”

McCreery walked across the stage with his 400 or so classmates in Raleigh, N.C., to collect his diploma the day after claiming his first CMT Music Award in Nashville.

“The year has gone so fast,” the American Idol Season 10 winner told People on the red carpet before the awards show. “I’m glad it worked out that I could do both [school and music]. It was important to me and my family. Graduation is a big milestone, and it’s going to be a little bittersweet.”

“It was a good four years for me in high school,” he says.

McCreery, who plans to attend North Carolina State University in the fall, tells the magazine that his dedication to his studies has paid off. He graduated with distinguished honors and said he believed he ranked in the top 50 in his class academically.

“I tried to keep in the books while I was on the road,” he said. “There’s a lot of down time, hurry up and wait time, and I tried to put it to good use. I know my family will be proud.”

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Scotty McCreery