Country music superstar Scotty McCreery graced H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center with his soulful and deep voice Friday, Sept. 20, as part of his “Weekend Roadtrip” tour.

Angie Johnson, Season 2 contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” opened the show for McCreery.
Her powerful vocals impressed the entire crowd and although she sang several songs off her EP, it was her rendition of Adele’s, “Rolling in the Deep,” that had the audience singing along and praising the former Air Force staff sergeant.

The sold-out show had audience members on the edge of their seats and even on their feet the entire time.

Starting the show with, “Rock this Night,” the American Idol Season 10 winner quickly set a fun, energetic tone for the night.

McCreery, 19, from Garner, N.C.s had the audience hanging on his every low note all night.
From babies to senior citizens and everything inbetween, the audience cheered loud and sang along with McCreery all night. During the popular song “Write My Number on Your Hand,” audience members participated in a popular McCreery show ritual.

Prior to the end of the song, McCreery stopped singing, allowing audience members to enjoy his band playing, during which girls from every age group, rushed the stage to have Scotty write his number on their hands. A new tradition during the song, for many it was a highlight of the evening.

During the hour and a half set, McCreery performed songs from his debut album “Clear as Day,” released in 2011 and his sophomore album “See You Tonight,” to be released Oct. 15.

Along with his own songs, many written by the young artist, McCreery also performed a number of covers including “Do You Love Me,” by George Strait, a beautiful rendition of “The Dance,” by Garth Brooks, and “Celebrity,” by Scotty’s previous tour mate, Brad Paisley, who made a hilarious appearance via video prior to the song.

The University of North Carolina undergraduate took time from singing to talk about his appreciation to be in Shippensburg.

Being from a small town in N.C., McCreery told the crowd about his appreciation of “grass roots.”
Proudly standing on stage, McCreery said he is proud to “wave the good flag of country music,” causing the crowd to erupt into a roar of cheers and applause.

The show ended with a standing ovation. While McCreery may have gotten his start on “American Idol”, anyone given the opportunity to watch him live would easily argue that he is much more than a singing competition winner.

With a voice and charisma well beyond his 19 years, McCreery put on a show that made Shippensburg proud to say they were a pit stop on his “Weekend Roadtrip.”

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