Scotty McCreery, ‘Water Tower Town’ Goes to Country Radio and the ‘American Idol’ Stage

Fresh off the success of his Top 20 single, 'The Trouble With Girls,' Scotty McCreery will release his third single, 'Water Tower Town,' this Thursday (March 29). The new tune from his debut CD, 'Clear as Day,' is a personal favorite of the North Carolina native.

"That's one of the reasons we cut it, because it reminds me of home," he tells The Boot. "To see that imagery in my head of the water tower right across from the baseball fields I grew up playing at ... and the football games ... and sweet tea. Sweet tea, you can't get it everywhere! [laughs] It's a good song. We really fell in love with it the first time we heard it."

Also on Thursday, the reigning 'American Idol' champ will return to the stage that made him famous to perform his new single. "That was my launching pad and what gave me my platform to do what I am doing now," he says. "I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and spending some one-on-one time with the contestants. I can't wait to give them some advice and the ins-and-outs of the competition that I learned last season."

He's performing live this week, but the high school senior can be heard every week by 'Idol' contestants and viewers, although not under the happiest of circumstances. Scotty recorded Tim McGraw's hit, 'Please Remember Me,' as the exit song for contestants who are eliminated from the show.

"I was ecstatic and I'm glad to get to be on there," he told USA Today. "It's cool to still be connected to the show every week."

Scotty is wrapping up his senior year of high school by playing baseball for his school in Garner, N.C. The singer says he plans to go to college in the fall, although he has not revealed where he will attend. He also has several solo concert dates planned. Keep track of his tour schedule here.