Scotty's big week: 18th birthday, CD release, Triangle concert

GARNER -- With his first CD and his 18th birthday arriving next week, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery is planning a big bash for his many hometown fans.

Scotty will be giving a concert at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. The next day, Oct. 9, is Scotty's 18th birthday.

The "Album Release and Birthday Bash Homecoming" will feature a performance from Scotty and his band, plus a question-and-answer session with the audience.

"It's going to be a blast," Scotty said. "It's going to be held at the venue where I've grown up watching country concerts. ... What better way to celebrate than at Walnut Creek?"

The performance will come just a few days after Scotty's CD, "Clear As Day," is released on Tuesday. In fact, fans who bring a copy of the CD to Walnut Creek will be able to get themselves and a guest in free.

The News & Observer also is giving away 2,000 tickets to our subscribers. 500 lucky winners will each receive a family 4-pack of tickets. Register for free at www.newsobserver.com/zone and enter before Oct. 4 for a chance to win. Unclaimed tickets, if any, will distributed on a first-come, first-served basis Friday, Oct. 7.

Scotty, who is back attending his senior year at Garner High School, will be taking to the road next week to promote the CD. His schedule of appearance includes:

-- a performance on "Today" on Monday, Oct. 3

-- a performance on "Live With Regis and Kelly" on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

-- an appearance on "Today's" 10 a.m. hour on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

-- a performance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

-- a performance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Friday, Oct. 7.

-- a performance on The Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 11, which will be televised on "Opry Live" on cable channel GAC. That channel also will premiere "Introducing: Scotty McCreery" on Monday, Oct. 3, at 9 p.m.

Scotty gained national acclaim last spring as a contestant on the 10th season of "American Idol," the top-ranked FOX TV singing competition. He advanced each week before winning the "Idol" crown in late May.

This summer, he traveled nationally and internationally with other finalists in the "American Idols Live!" concert tour, while also recording tracks for "Clear As Day." Scotty already has had success with the singles "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble With Girls" -- both of which are on the CD.

Though it hasn't been released yet, "Clear As Day" ranks 32nd on the Amazon album sales list.