‘American Idol’ Winner Turned Country Star Rethinks Life on the Road as His Family Grows: “I Think That’ll Happen Pretty Soon”

Over a decade has passed since Scotty McCreery won the tenth season of American Idol. Since that moment, he has released six studio albums, helmed numerous tours, and even appeared on shows like Celebrity Family Feud. Having spent years completely focused on his career, the singer recently discussed the possibility of retiring. Although only in his 30s, McCreery had no interest in calling it quits. But with his family growing, he admitted there might be a change in schedule. 

Speaking with Taste of Country Nights, McCreery discussed what the future might look like for him. Hoping to add a few more chapters to his legacy before officially hanging it up, the American Idol winner insisted, “Yeah, the retirement thing doesn’t ever, I mean I’m only 32, I’ll be 33 here in a month or two, but I don’t, I don’t ponder retirement. I do ponder doing less shows on the road. I think that’ll happen pretty soon.”

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The Milestones Scotty McCreery Wasn’t Willing To Miss

With a family at home, life on the road didn’t appeal to McCreery like it once did. As his oldest son, Avery, was preparing to enter school and begin sports, the singer wanted to make sure he was present in his children’s lives. “Just the boys are growing up, you know, Avery will be 4 this year, he’ll be 5 next year. He’s gonna start doing Little League, and he’s gonna start having events at school and I’m not always gonna want to be gone, you know.”

Although looking to take it slow over the next few years, McCreery promised fans that he was still performing. “I love what I do, I love the band, I love touring, I love seeing the fans, I love the music.” 

Wanting to find the perfect balance between family and stardom, McCreery once again said, “I’ll never, I don’t, retirement, that word never crosses my mind, but slowing down a little bit does.”

Slowing down seemed like a great approach for McCreery. In the last couple of years, he has performed over 400 shows. And while the stage remained a major part of his life, McCreery made it clear that watching his sons grow up was one show he had no intention of missing. 

(Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images)