WATCH: Kelly Clarkson Takes a Dig at Blake Shelton Before Scotty McCreery’s ‘Damn Strait’ Performance

Kelly Clarkson welcomed fellow American Idol alum Scotty McCreery to The Kelly Clarkson Show on Tuesday (Oct. 19) for a performance of his brand new single, “Damn Strait.” 

His performance aired during the “What I’m Liking” segment, as Clarkson gushed over McCreery and all of the “amazing things” he’s done since winning American Idol in 2011. 

Just moments before introducing his virtual performance, Clarkson held up McCreery’s new album, Same Truck, and took a hilarious dig at fellow The Voice coach Blake Shelton. 

“His latest is called ‘Same Truck’ and it features a song that pays tribute to the King of Country – not you Shelton – George Strait,” Clarkson quipped. 

https://youtu.be/OS5bArmDwf8

McCreery then appeared to perform the new track.  Click above to watch. 

“Damn Strait” is a standout among the 12-track Same Truck album and finds the North Carolina native tipping his hat to the legendary George Strait, with shout outs to some of his most iconic songs. 

The opening line references Strait’s  “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her” and throughout the song he mentions “Marina Del Rey,” “Baby Blue,” “Blue Clear Sky,” “Give It Away,” and “I Hate Everything.” 

“Damn Strait” is one of two songs McCreery didn’t have a hand in writing for his just-released album and will follow the success of his latest single, “You Time.” 

“I had an email from Kevin Herring at my label and he said, ‘Hey, take a listen to this song. It just came through for you,’ and I kind of had a little mini freak out session because I’m a huge George Strait fan,” McCreery shared with Billboard of the track. “I love the different tidbits in there of songs of his… It’s a classic country breakup song, but [it’s also] paying homage to George Strait throughout the song. It’s so cleverly written. If you’re a country fan, a George Strait fan, this song is so cool.”

The former American Idol champ is taking his new music on the road this fall, with tour dates planned through mid-November.