'American Idol' Scotty McCreery's First Single Debuts at No. 1 on iTunes

By Lee Warren, Christian Post Reporter Friday, May 27, 2011

If he didn’t already know it, American Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery got a taste yesterday of how much winning the competition will change his life.

The 17-year-old Southern Baptist from Garner, N.C. who thanked the Lord after winning the competition learned during a conference call with the media yesterday that his first single, “I Love You This Big,” is No. 1 on iTunes.

He was blown away.

“Is it really?” he said. “That’s the first I’ve heard! That’s amazing! That is wild.”

Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina’s single “Like My Mother Does” is currently No. 3 on iTunes.

If McCreery’s song hits the top of the Billboard charts, it would give the American Idol franchise its 300th No. 1. According to the Hollywood Reporter website, the franchise has sold more than 50 million albums with over 250 million downloaded singles from iTunes.

Even though McCreery had never been in the bottom three during the competition, he admitted he had some doubts in the finale against Alaina.

“My thought was that (Lauren) wrapped it up when she sang that momma song,” he said. “It’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard. I was more than nervous coming into it last night, but it worked out in my favor. Lauren, she’s sweet. She’s been supporting me and I’ve been supporting her through this whole process. We’re really close friends and we both came out winners last night.”

McCreery isn’t wasting any time. He’s already recording music for his debut album.

“We’ve already recorded two this weekend, we weren’t sure which one we would do, and “I Love You This Big” was the one we did, but the other one I’m really excited about, too. I think it’s going to be a great album. I gotta pick some great songs. That’s what it’s all about after the show, because the fans got me to where I’m at now and now it’s my job to get them the music they want to hear and have good songs. Hopefully, me and Lauren get to do a duet some time. I’m not sure about the first album but hopefully sometime soon.”