Scotty McCreery Reflects On ‘American Idol,’ Talks New Album On ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’

Scotty McCreery recently appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show to discuss some of his most recent achievements including the release of his new Rise & Fall album and his Grand Ole Opry induction in April. However, he also did a bit of reminiscing on his early career while chatting with the show’s host, Jennifer Hudson, who happens to be a fellow American Idol alum. 

The country singer from North Carolina was 17 years old when he won the singing competition in 2011 while Hudson rose to fame on the third season of Idol, which aired in 2004. Each artist admits they have been on a “rollercoaster” ever since their time on the show, and although there were some incredibly tough moments throughout their journey, they both shared they are grateful for the doors the show has opened for them in the years since. 

“It’s been a wild ride. I think if somebody would’ve told me back at 16 when I auditioned for the show, like, ‘Hey, 13 years later, you’ll still be doing it. Writing country songs, touring the country, the world, having fun,’ I would’ve shook their hand in a heartbeat and said, ‘I’ll take that deal.’ This is fun,” McCreery said. 

“It’s a blessing. That is for sure,” Hudson added.

McCreery Recalls Earning High Praise From Priscilla Presley

McCreery went on to discuss one of his favorite performances from his time in the competition that came during Rock & Roll week when he got to sing the Elvis Presley song, “That’s Alright (Mama).” Along with the pride that came from this delivery, he also explained that it was the conversation with Priscilla Presley just before taking the stage that really made the performance memorable. 

“The kicker was that Priscilla was there at the show, and I got to talk with her kind of between commercial breaks. She looked at me and she said, ‘Scotty, can I tell you something?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, Priscilla.’ She said, ‘Elvis would’ve loved you,’” McCreery said, causing the audience to offer a collective coo. “I had to sing after that…But that was the best compliment I’ve ever received.”

Would He Ever Be A Judge On American Idol?

The country singer also discussed one of the lowest points for him that came during the show’s dreaded Hollywood week, when he forgot the words to the song he was singing in front of the judges and was sure he would be eliminated. Luckily, the panel of judges saw something in his talent and decided to give him a second chance. 

“It was a teaching moment for me,” he explained. “I was like, can’t let that happen again. Got to show up prepared. And I’ve remembered that even all these years later.”

When Hudson asked the “Cab In A Solo” singer if he would consider becoming a judge on the show, he explained that the pressure he felt during his time there was enough to make him reluctant to take on that role.

“I’ve been asked, ‘Would you ever want to be a judge?’ And I’m like, absolutely not. I don’t want to do that. I know what it feels like to be on the stage being judged, I don’t want to put that on somebody else.”

Following hot on the heels of his new album release, Scotty McCreery sent his new single “Fall Of Summer” to country radio and saw success right out of the gate. The title track to his latest project officially hit airwaves on Tuesday, May 28, and became the most-added song of the week with a whopping 62 adds (64 overall). 

His conversation on the Jennifer Hudson show joins a string of recent high-profile appearances for McCreery, including The Kelly Clarkson Show and the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas. 

He will continue celebrating Rise & Fall throughout the summer as he performs a mix of headlining shows and sets at festivals and fairs across the U.S.