Scotty McCreery Has a Good ‘Head Start’ on Debut Album

Scotty McCreery hasn't had much time off in the last few months since becoming the Season 10 winner of 'American Idol.' Busy touring with the American Idols Live! tour, he's also working on his debut album -- making it a challenging schedule for any artist, let alone a 17 year old. But the North Carolina native says he is doing everything possible to make sure his album gets into the hands of his eager fans sooner rather than later.

"We got a good head start and we are really moving along," he tells Billboard. "We laid down the tracks in Nashville before the tour, so now pretty much any pit stop we have we are going to the nearest studio and laying down vocals for it and hopefully getting it done as quickly as possible while still making it just right. On the days off, we're working hard. It's definitely a full day in the studio every time I go in."

The album, filled with songs from prestigious Nashville songwriters, will be an eclectic mix of country tunes. "It's got different vibes on each song," Scotty explains. "We're trying not to make it all ballad-y or all up-tempos. We're getting a good mix of everything in there. It's got a good ol' country feeling on some songs, and it's got a contemporary feel in some songs. It's kind of showing what you saw me do all season on ('Idol'). We're trying to find the right mix between the two."

The former grocery store clerk, who has been very vocal about his admiration for former 'AI' champ, Carrie Underwood, is using the producer of her albums, Mark Bright, to sit at the helm of his own recording sessions. It is, according to the singer, a providential occurrence.

"[The 'Idol' producers] thought [Mark] would be a good fit for me, and we clicked right off the bat," he notes. "I wore an I Am Second bracelet throughout the whole competition, meaning God and others are first and I'm second, and it just so happens that [Mark] is the I Am Second Ambassador in Nashville, so it's just those little things that seem to fit the puzzle right now."

In addition to his newly-minted superstar status, Scotty is also still a high school student. Getting ready to enter his senior year in a couple months, he acknowledges he is still undecided about whether to return to Garner, N.C. to finish his education.

"There's a lot of options out there for us that we're looking at," he reveals. "I'm still a kid. This is a huge thing for me, this 'Idol' thing and starting my career early, but I don't want to miss out on all those memories that everybody has from senior [year]. So hopefully I can get back from some high school football games and have a little bit of fun."

Significantly younger than some of his musical heroes, the 'I Love You This Big' singer understands he may have to work harder than his peers. "Teen males have never really made it in country music, so it's going to be tough for me," he acknowledges to The Boot. "I've talked to people who've laid out a game plan, but there's no formula for me. We can't go by what other guys are doing who are 40 years old in this industry. We have to go by something totally new and hope it works. I'm looking forward to seeing how the country world embraces a teen male country singer."

The American Idol Live! tour plays two shows in Scotty's home state of North Carolina tonight and tomorrow night (July 27 and 28), followed by shows in Tennessee and Missouri. Keep track of the tour's dates and cities here.