Scotty McCreery Plans New CD & CMA Music Fest Appearance

Newly-crowned 'American Idol' winner Scotty McCreery is not wasting any time in getting his country music career off the ground. The 17-year-old, who wowed 'Idol' audiences week after week by belting out hits by Josh Turner, Garth Brooks and George Strait, beat out fellow country contestant, 16-year-old Lauren Alaina, to become the tenth season champion -- and is already hard at work on his debut CD.

"I'm really looking forward to getting my music out there," the North Carolina native tells Billboard. "I think it's going to be a great album. I've gotta pick good songs -- that's what it's all about after the show is getting good songs. The fans got me to where I'm at now, so it's my job to get them the music they want to hear. Hopefully me and Lauren Alaina get to do a duet at some point. I'm not sure about the first album, but hopefully sometime soon."

The former grocery store clerk is quickly adjusting to going from relative obscurity to becoming a famous face in music. "This is pretty wild, I gotta say," he admits. "It's a whole lot more than I bargained for coming into this. I never would have expected it. But I'm handling it well -- this is what I asked for, and it's my new life, so this is a really crazy ride so far."

He hopes Lauren will have to strap in for the same crazy ride, seeing a big career ahead of her, as well. "She's something else," gushes Scotty. "She sings like a bird. She's just an amazing young lady."

The teenagers, who set rumors swirling when they famously kissed after he was named the winner, says their relationship is strictly platonic. "It's more like the brother-sister thing," reveals the bass crooner. "She's a character. But she's lovely, we're really close friends. I met her day one of Hollywood Week, and we were schoolmates through this whole experience."

The two hope to both follow in the footsteps of the most successful 'Idol,' fellow country star Carrie Underwood, who capped off her 2004 win with a performance at both the Grand Ole Opry and CMA Music Fest. "I think we're gonna try and get me and Lauren out there this year," he reveals. "They're trying to work out the specifics right now about where we're gonna be playing, the booth signings and maybe playing at the Grand Ole Opry. They're working all this out as we speak. But we're gonna be down there for sure, I think."

Scotty has already recorded his first single, 'I Love You This Big,' which he performed for the season finale. Listen to an exclusive preview here.

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