NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scotty McCreery has signed a deal with a major record label less than two weeks after winning season 10 of “American Idol,” MTV.com reported Monday.
The 17-year-old singer has signed with Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope, and is reportedly planning to begin work on his debut album later this week in Nashville, Tenn.
McCreery, from Garner, N.C., beat fellow country crooner Lauren Alaina to win “American Idol” on May 25.
His debut single, “I Love You This Big,” was the highest-charting debut for a new artist in more than two decades, coming in at No. 32 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, No. 3 on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart and No. 1 on iTunes.
McCreery told MTV news that he does not intend to leave his country roots behind.
“It’s gonna be a good ol’ country album,” he said. “I like to have that old flavor in my music, but with a contemporary feel, so we’ll see where that leads me. I think it’ll be a good little mix.”
Mercury Nashville also signed 16-year-old “Idol” runner-up Alaina, who is scheduled to begin work on her debut album after she performs at this week’s CMA Music Fest in Nashville.