“God gave me a voice and America gave me a chance:” Scotty McCreery on Faith, McCreerians, and his ‘Journey to the Dream”

College graduate. Baseball pitcher. American Idol winner. Top-selling country artist. Those are just a few of the moniker’s that Scotty McCreery possess’, and with the May release of his first novel Go Big or Go Home: The Journey to the Dream, McCreery can proudly declare himself an author.

From impersonating Elvis as a child, the details of the AI process or his inner thoughts while being robbed at his North Carolina State University apartment, McCreery is exposes himself in a genuinely raw manner as he takes readers down the pages of his ‘travelogue’: “I was actually approached to do a book 3 years ago and I thought I was too young. But at this point, I’ve had enough life experiences that I felt like I had some stories to share,” states McCreery. “This is not a ‘Scotty has life all figured out’ kind of book because I certainly don’t.  This is just a way for me to share some stories that I think are interesting and some lessons that I have learned along the way.”

True to Scotty’s form, the structure of the book is incredibly relaxing; it takes the approach of just a conversation as opposed to more conventional texts. It’s just a small-town kid from Gardner, NC telling his story – there’s no fluff, no pomp or circumstance, just the inner thoughts and observations of one whom has had a multitude of experiences in a short life. “That’s really what I wanted it to be – a conversation where I share some stories from my life,” McCreery humbly states. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have a little bit of success, to travel to 49 of the 50 states (Alaska – one of these days I’m coming there!) and meet people from all over this country, and I just want so share those experiences with others.  I appreciate what you said because that was the goal – to be as if I was sitting right there next to you and telling you a story.”

And in a most genuine manner, McCreery uses the pages of his text to praise and acknowledge those whom inspired him – quote heavy, McCreery’s novel has an abundance of quotes from the Bible, idols such as Josh Turner, and, of course, his fans.

If anyone knows anything about the 23 year old, it is that he has one of the most dedicated fanbases in the industry. The McCreerians were there during the Idol days, tirelessly promoting him via socials and through grassroots approaches. Today they reign in voting for McCreery in online contests, such has his most recent win of Country’s Hottest Bachelor in the last physical issue of NASH Country Weekly. A culmination stretching among the latter half of the 330 page ‘travelogue,’ McCreerians from his hometown to the Philippines are given a few lines to have there voice heard. “They have supported me from day one and continue to support me with such love and passion. I can’t thank them enough.  In some ways, this book is a love letter to them.  If you are going to accurately reflect my life and career, then you have to include the McCreerians. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As for the manner of accumulating those testaments?  “I know many of the McCreerians personally, as do my family members and my fan club president,” McCreery states. “The hard part wasn’t finding them and getting quotes. The hard part was knowing we could only include a limited number of quotes. I’d love to have included more.”

In addition to the love of his fans, McCreery provides a wealth of praise for those in his faily, those on his team, and even accounts for his longtime girlfriend, Gabi. Remarking on intimate moments among them all, McCreery never shy from expressing gratitude, applauding them for each pivotal part they have played in his success and the balance they bring to his life: “I am fortunate that I have my faith to guide me and my family, my lady, and my close friends to keep me level headed and balanced.  Being able to spend time with those who have been with me since way before all the fame is so important.  I also have a great team around me – my tour manager, my publicist, my band and crew, my booking agents, my fan club leaders, and more. They all work with me to make sure I have time to go back home, rest and re-energize so that I can bring my A-game to everything I do.”

Finally, and most importantly, Go Big or Go Home is an incredible testament to McCreery’s faith. He finds strength and certainty through Christ, and never once hide his devotion. With Christian-based songs returning to mainstream (such as Hillary Scott’s “Thy Will Be Done” and Blake Shelton’s “Savior’s Shadow”), perhaps the idea of a Christian album isn’t so far away for McCreery. But taking a note from his idol Elvis Presley, it might be a few years before that comes to fruition. “I would love to do a Gospel album,” he declares. “But I’m just starting out and need to grow my career a bit more before doing that. It was several years before Elvis did his first Gospel album. I always include an inspirational song on each album.  But it is a goal to one day record a Gospel album.”

The question remains – will there be any further novels down the line? Under the section entitled SCOTTYMANIA, McCreery mentions ‘so surreal’ as the summary of an autobiography he might write forty years from now. When approached, we coyly remarks “We’ll see.  It would be fun to do another one years from now.  I can’t see doing another one anytime soon, but maybe 10-20 years from now I could do “Part 2.”  I’ve got a lot of life to live and lot of goals I want to reach before we do the next one.”

Go Big or Go Home: The Journey to the Dream was released on May 3rd and can be purchased here. For more information on Scotty, visit his official website.