Inside Scotty McCreery's Life Today

Many of us remember well when Scotty McCreery first rose to fame: Much like fellow country superstar Carrie Underwood, he won his season of "American Idol" as a teenager, in 2011. Since then, he has seen a number of songs gain wide acclaim on the charts and beyond, including "This Is It," "In Between," and "Five More Minutes" — the title of which is honestly impossible to read without humming its catchy tune.

But if you're not a die-hard country music fan, it's possible that you've lost touch with what the singer has been up to in recent years. Don't worry! Here's the low-down on McCreery's life today, including where his career has taken him, what relationships he has been nurturing, what he does for fun, and the values he holds dear — among many other juicy details on the North Carolina native. Strap an acoustic guitar to your back, and get ready to earnestly strum — here's what the "American Idol" winner is up to these days ...

In case you hadn't heard, Scotty McCreery lives "in between" many things: "Friday night wild and quiet Sunday morning;" and "holy water" and "Jim Beam," to name a few. One thing he hasn't sung about on a hit country song, though, is the fact that he lives "in between" two places. Born in Garner and having graduated from NC State University, McCreery is super attached to his home state, and has his principal residence in Raleigh, North Carolina. As he told Wake Living, the place also keeps him close to the friends and family who "shaped" who McCreery is "today" — which, as any young adult trying to make their way in the world can attest, can really make your life easier.

Of course, being a very successful country singer, McCreery also needs to spend some amount of time in the center of the country world: Nashville, Tennessee, where he maintains a second apartment. Speaking to the outlet, he expressed how he'd set his sights on Nashville since he was a teenager, and explained, "my original plan was to move to Nashville, go to college there, and enter the music industry". During his "American Idol" stint, however, he discovered one place that definitely didn't suit him. "Los Angeles and Hollywood are very different from Garner," he told the blog, "and I was very homesick the entire time I was there." Sounds like he currently lives in the best place for him.

You'd better stop reading now if you're not a fan of romance, because Scotty McCreery and his wife Gabi (née Dugal) are the absolute cutest together — don't say we didn't warn you! Though they seem to share many interests and hobbies, one thing they clearly love to do is dress up for a costume party (same). Exhibit A: For New Year's Eve 2022, the couple went all out for a '20s-themed murder mystery party, as shared by Scotty on Instagram. Exhibit B: For Halloween 2021, they "went for the gold" as Team USA Olympic athletes. An amazing effort which probably scored 10s, across the board.

The two lovebirds are skilled at more conventional forms of dressing up, too. Gabi proved this by posting a photo of them showing off their red carpet best at the 2021 Country Music Association Awards on Instagram, as well as a throwback photo from the McCreery wedding (you guessed it, it's adorable). The McCreerys tied the knot in 2018 in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where Scotty explained to ABC News is where the couple — who were "high school sweetheart[s]" — hike when they want to "get away from everything." He described the picturesque wedding as being, "just like 'Beauty and the Beast,' pretty much on top of the mountains and cliffs overlooking the land," thus making it a tale as old as time ...

Scotty and Gabi McCreery are proud dog parents to the prettiest pup you ever did see, a Labrador named Moose (the sweetest name for the sweetest boy). They really wanted a dog, and they fell head over heels for the puppy as soon as they saw him. "We loved his face," Scotty told People soon after they adopted the little guy. "It was so expressive. We just knew he was the one."

Moose accompanies Gabi and "Scoot" basically everywhere they go: to the beach, to watch football, on their hikes ... and he even dresses up for Halloween to match his parents' sporty get-ups. And although Gabi is so beautiful that she inspires her husband to write songs about her, Scotty still claims, "Moose is definitely the most photogenic in the family." Oof, hope that caption didn't land him in the doghouse.

The McCreerys don't have any kids yet, but Moose is delivering some valuable lessons until then. "Everyone is telling us now this is great training for kids one day," Scotty told People. "We definitely wanted to start off with a dog. It teaches you responsibility and caring for someone else — making sure he's doing good and putting his needs before ours sometimes." Very smart! Want more Moose in your life? You're in luck: This good boy has his own Instagram account.

Scotty McCreery loves golf, and plays every time he gets the chance. "I play a lot more back home, I sleep in too late on the road to make a tee time," McCreery told PGA Tour in 2019, "normally ... I play two or three times a week." He has also participated in the ACM Golf Benefit in Las Vegas, which in 2014 benefited the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. 

Unfortunately, McCreery's game was up and down while he was practicing for the event. "Golf is a sport I will never figure out, but it's fun," he told Billboard. "It keeps me coming back." The country star also has his favorite courses, such as the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. "No place in the world like ANGC," he wrote on Instagram in 2021. "Truly a piece of heaven on earth."

But golf is far from the only outdoors activity McCreery loves. He and his wife Gabi regularly go hiking, both close to home in North Carolina and much further afield, such as the time in the summer of 2021 that they took an "anniversary trip to Sequoia National Park." They're also big fans of the ocean, and always remember to bring their dog Moose along on their adventures.

Sports have always had a special place in Scotty McCreery's heart. Being a North Carolina boy, he supports some of the teams you would expect, such as the Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes hockey team (AKA the "Canes"). He also, obviously, cheers for the North Carolina State University Wolfpack, as do his mom and dad, as he told The News & Observer in 2018.

But you might be surprised to hear that McCreery doesn't only have love for North Carolina teams. His dad grew up in the Northeast, so teams from up there mean a lot to the singer's family — especially the New England Patriots. "They'll always be my No. 1 team," McCreery told the Independent in 2021. "It wasn't always the popular choice in North Carolina though." You don't say!

Being a famous sports fan definitely has its advantages, as McCreery has come to see many times over the course of his career. "I've sung the national anthem at Gillette Stadium and the Patriots have had me perform at a few Super Bowl week events," the artist explained to the Independent. "They definitely know I'm a fan." Sharing those opportunities with his New Englander of a father — who also inspired his son to become a Red Sox and Celtics fan — has been an amazing experience for McCreery. He told the Patriots website, "he's the one that instilled those New England roots in me, so it's been awesome to have those father-son memories."

Scotty McCreery is a Southern Baptist, who was raised in the First Baptist Church in Garner, according to Baptist Press. His religion means a lot to him, and he isn't afraid to share it with the world. "I'm not ashamed [of my faith] but I know that everyone doesn't agree with me," he explained to FOX411 in 2017. "I think especially in the country music world, if there's anyone that's going to accept it, it'll be them." He wasn't wrong, of course — many country artists sing about their relationship to faith and God.

McCreery may be a devout Christian, but that's not the only thing that defines him by a long stretch. People sometimes think that he doesn't drink because he's religious, but the singer would like to set the record straight on that one, please. "My faith is a huge part of what I do, but I'm a human being, and I like to have fun," he told Rolling Stone in 2018. "That's everybody. I don't think anyone is one thing or another." Wise words.

Last but not least, where religion is concerned he and his wife Gabi share the same devotion — and she credits that commonality with making their marriage a strong one. "Our faith is a big part of our relationship," she said on Caroline Hobby's "Get Real!" podcast (via Taste of Country). "We knew who we were in Christ before we got married."

Scotty McCreery is very caring, not just toward his family, his wife, and his dog, but also towards the world at large. He engages in philanthropic efforts often, helping out with a variety of causes — while making sure to have some fun in the process. In 2021, for example, McCreery participated in the Special Olympics North Carolina's "Plunge in Place" initiative, which saw him (and his pup Moose) take a "polar plunge" into water that "was less than 40 degrees" to support Special Olympics athletes. He also gladly participated in the ACM Golf Benefit in 2014, which raised money for the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. The foundation enables ACM Lifting Lives to provide financial assistance to music workers who need it, according to Billboard.

In 2014, the country star's altruistic nature was celebrated when McCreery was named "National Goodwill Ambassador" for the 12.14 Foundation, established following the tragedy of Sandy Hook to provide empowerment to children via the arts. With all these contributions to charity, it's not surprising that the artist was honored with North Carolina's Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award in 2017 (per WRAL). "While most people know about his musical talents, Scotty also has a strong commitment to service through his many philanthropic efforts," former Gov. Pat McCrory said of the accolade. "Scotty truly represents the best of North Carolina." What a guy!

You know Scotty McCreery as a musician, but did you know he's also a filmmaker? Well, he has only made one film so far, but who knows, maybe there will be more to come. The star served as a writer and producer for the 2021 movie "Five More Minutes," which was — as you may have guessed — inspired by McCreery's hit song of the same name.

The made-for-TV Christmas romance (you know the type!) aired on the Hallmark Channel in 2021, and tells the story of a woman "whose Christmas wish is answered in unexpected ways when her late grandfather's journal turns up and reveals an untold romance," according to Taste of Country. Naturally, it's also set in North Carolina, because where else?

As McCreery told it, there was only one cultural home for such a film, and it was the right place for a story based on his song. "[Hallmark] own the Christmas season," the artist told CMT ahead of the movie's premiere. "We've been in talks with them for a while. They heard the song and loved the song, and wanted to find a way to incorporate it into a movie. It's a cool way; they're taking the grandfather theme, which is how 'Five More Minutes' got started." Here's hoping there's a "You Time" movie soon to follow.

Scotty McCreery's career may have taken off in 2011, but it's definitely not showing any signs of slowing down. The singer is still touring, stopping off in towns around the country to serenade the residents of, in no particular order: Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan, Denver, Colorado, Sioux Falls, North Dakota, and many more places. Obviously, it would be unfair for McCreery to play favorites, but he seemed to really enjoy a recent South Dakota gig: "Another full house in Sioux Falls!" he wrote on Instagram. "What a freakin way to end a run!"

Touring is one way to tell how successful a musical artist is, but the music they have recorded — and how it's received — is another. In 2021, McCreery released his fifth studio album, titled "Same Truck." By September of that year, the single "You Time" earned the artist his fourth "total and consecutive No.1" on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. "This song, like so many of my songs, was inspired by my wife Gabi as well as my desire to spend more time with her in the midst of our busy careers," McCreery told Music Row as he celebrated his achievement. 

Scotty McCreery has more than established himself as a fixture in country music — and he has the panoply of famous friends and collaborators to show for it. See, for example, McCreery's 2022 single "Damn Strait," which unsurprisingly is about country legend George Strait. Much like Walker Hayes' "Shut Up Kenny," the lyrics see McCreery unable to listen to Strait's music because it reminds him of a love story gone awry. The country legend himself seems to be a fan of the song, having enthusiastically shared it with his followers on Twitter — a development which McCreery was obviously very excited about.

In his personal life, McCreery has been known to hang out with the likes of Luke Combs. As the "Five More Minutes" singer shared on Instagram, the two were even inadvertently twinning with each other in matching velvet suit jackets, during a "big night" in Nashville in 2021. Professionally, McCreery has toured with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts, as detailed by his official website. Oh, and also, never forget that one time McCreery made a musical cameo on one of the GOAT TV shows, "Hart of Dixie," starring Rachel Bilson, Jaime King, and Cress Williams. Which, as everyone knows, was akin to receiving a country music knighthood in 2012.

With more than a decade as a country music star under his belt, it should come as no surprise that Scotty McCreery has amassed a small fortune during his career. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the "This Is It" singer has a very nice $4 million in the bank to play around with. The performer has reached several milestones throughout his career, beginning with him earning a purported $250,000 advance for winning "American Idol," in development of his first album.

He then went on to top the Billboard 200 with this debut release, an incredible feat for a country artist, and won the ACM New Artist of the Year Award in 2012, per The Boot. All of which, of course, has had the convenient effect of prompting new interest in his music — something which has eventually, and literally, paid off. 

Music isn't McCreery's only venture, even though it's the one he concentrates his efforts into. His work on Hallmark movie "Five More Minutes," based on his song of the same name, is sure to have afforded him a nice paycheck too, for instance. Last but not least, McCreery owns property: a home in Garner, North Carolina, close enough to his family and childhood home, and an apartment in Nashville, Tennessee, where he can stay when he is in town for work, according to Wake Living.