Chart Rewind: In 2011, Scotty McCreery’s Debut Album Made Him a ‘Clear’ Country Favorite

Scotty McCreery’s first album of original songs, *Clear as Day*, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in October 2011, shortly after he turned 18. Its success marked a strong start to the career that began when he won *American Idol* earlier that year.

Before the album, McCreery released a collection of 14 songs from the show, which debuted at No. 3, and a five-song EP that reached No. 2. *Clear as Day* spent six non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 and produced two Hot Country Songs top 20 hits: “I Love You This Big” at No. 15 and “The Trouble with Girls” at No. 17. He later earned two more chart-topping albums and six Country Airplay No. 1s.