‘American Idol’’s Scotty McCreery Achieves Major Career Milestone
- - ‘American Idol’’s Scotty McCreery Achieves Major Career Milestone
Melinda LorgeSeptember 30, 2025 at 4:16 AM
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Scotty McCreery may have needed someone to hold his hand recently as he received some big news this week. The country star and season 10 American Idol winner scored his seventh No. 1 smash with “Bottle Rockets,” his collaboration with Hootie & The Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker.
In just 20 weeks, and with an average of six million streams per week, the track has become McCreery’s fastest rising single of his career, landing in the top spot on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase charts. The achievement also marks a major feat for Rucker, placing him in a rare category as one of only two solo artists to ever top the chart as a solo act and a group, with the other being Tyler Hubbard, formerly of Florida Georgia Line.
“Bottle Rockets,” arguably the nostalgic jam of the summer, was written by McCreery alongside a slew of tunesmiths, including Brent Anderson, Derek George, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers, and Bobby Hamrick. Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld of Hootie & The Blowfish also receive songwriting credits on the song, which samples the chorus of “Hold My Hand,” breathing new life into the band’s ‘90s debut single.
The Song Marks the First No. 1 Hit for Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & The Blowfish, who re-recorded an version of “Hold My Hand,” specifically for “Bottle Rockets,” also charted their first No. 1 of their career with “Bottle Rockets,” making the success a major one for both parties.
“Any time your song hits No. 1, it feels great,” McCreery, 31, said in a press release. “To be able to hit No.1 with a song featuring a band you have loved your whole life is beyond amazing!”
“Thanks to Hootie & The Blowfish for joining me on this song, thanks to Triple Tigers Records and Triple 8 Management for all their hard work, thanks to country radio and the streaming services, and thanks to the fans who have supported me from day one,” he added.
For Hootie & The Blowfish, who are known for songs like “Time,” “Let Her Cry,” and “Only Wanna Be with You,” the excitement of bringing back such a timeless song is a mutual feeling.
“We’re blessed that ‘Hold My Hand’ has lived a rather long life, and Scotty’s ‘Bottle Rockets’ has certainly given it a new one,” Sonefeld said. “Thrilled to be part of this special rebirth!”
“Bottle Rockets” follows a string of No. 1 hits for McCreery since the launch of his career back in 2010 after his run and triumph on American Idol. His songs, “Damn Strait,” “Five More Minutes,” “In Between,” “This Is It,” “You Time,” and “Cab In A Solo,” have all taken up the top spot at country radio.
Scotty McCreery Recently Welcomed Baby No. 2
“Bottle Rockets” appears on McCreery’s recently released EP Scooter & Friends, which features five songs. McCreery has not shared whether or not the collection will be a part of a larger record, but he has good reason for taking his time with a follow-up, as he’s been busy taking care of his newborn son, Oliver Cooke McCreery, whom he welcomed on Thursday, Sept. 18, with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Gabi McCreery. The infant boy rounds out the family of four, which includes big brother Merrick Avery McCreery, who was born on Oct. 24, 2022.
Related: 'American Idol's Scotty McCreery and Wife Welcome Baby No. 2: ‘Can’t Imagine Life Without Him’
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
