Clear as McCreery: ‘Idol’ star balances life in college and country music

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WENATCHEE — A year ago, Scotty McCreery pitched high school baseball, sang in the choir and cashiered at a local grocery store in his hometown of Garner, N.C. With a deep-voiced Southern drawl, the 19-year-old superstar still talks like that guy. Never mind that McCreery won the 2011 season of “American Idol,” then a month later, performed at the Grand Ole Opry. He broke a Guinness World Record as the youngest male to enter the U.S. album charts at No. 1. His first album, “Clear as Day,” went platinum in three months and was the highest-selling solo country album last year. He even released a Christmas album last month.  READ MORE »