Scotty McCreery is nominated for one trophy at the CMT Music Awards. The singer-songwriter is nominated for CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year, for his performance of “It Matters To Her,” from CMT Stages. For McCreery, it’s a welcome recognition and acknowledgement of his talent and hard work.
“That’s huge,” McCreery tells Everything Nash. “I love CMT. We’ve done a lot with them over the years, and they’re just great partners, and great champions for country music. Anytime I get the chance to be nominated, it feels great. I’m very honored to be part of the CMT Awards.”
It’s also a hopeful turn for McCreery, who in spite of five consecutive No. 1 singles, multi-platinum hits, sold-out tour dates and more, has been inexplicably eliminated from the list of nominees, year after year.
“That used to bother me a few years ago, but now it’s just whatever,” McCreery deflects. “It’s all good.”
Fortunately, McCreery has plenty to focus on besides new awards and accolades. The father of one will release his Rise and Fall album on May 10, a record he is rightfully proud to have created.
“I just think for me, I’m at a place where I wasn’t going to make a record chasing trends, or chasing the top of the charts, or what sound is selling more tickets on the road,” McCreery says. “I just want to make an album that feels good to me, feels good to my soul, touches on influences that I had growing up. I really think we did that on this record. To me, it’s the most ‘me’ record, and the most proud I’ve been of a record yet.”
Rise and Fall includes McCreery’s Top 10 single, “Cab In A Solo,” plus “Slow Dance,” “Can’t Pass The Bar” and “Red Letter Blueprint.”
“I do think there’s a song on there for everybody,” McCreery boasts. “My previous records used to be so autobiographical. They were autobiographical. And this one, there are a couple of songs on there. But I really feel like there are songs for different seasons of life, different times, your party songs, your serious songs, your love songs, your heartbreak songs. You got a little taste of everything.”
McCreery will be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on April 20 by Josh Turner. Tickets are available at Opry.com.
The CMT Music Awards will air live on Sunday, April 7, at 8:00 PM ET on CBS. Find all of McCreery’s music and upcoming shows, and pre-order Rise and Fall, at ScottyMcCreery.com.