'American Idol' Champion Scotty McCreery Credits the Lord First
Scotty McCreery, whose faith was prominently displayed in the form of a cross necklace, was crowned winner of season 10 of "American Idol."
The 17-year-old McCreery proved to be America's favorite with more votes on American Idol than fellow country singer Lauren Alaina. The results were announced Wednesday night.
"I've got to thank the Lord first; he got me here," McCreery said in front of a cheering audience.
Throughout the season, McCreery, who used to sing at First Baptist Church in Garner, N.C., didn't hide his Christian faith. The teen with a surprisingly deep voice constantly leaned on God to get through the competition with prayer.
His duet with Tim McGraw on the final night of the singing competition proved to be fitting. They sang McGraw's hit song from 2004, "Live Like You Were Dying."
The song is about a man who talks about how he's been making the most of the short time he has left to live. He learned in his early forties that he was dying. So he went sky diving, started loving more and forgiving when he didn't before, and finally read "the Good Book."
Performances on the finale included Tony Bennett and Haley Reinhart singing "Steppin' Out With My Baby" together, and the two surviving members of TLC and rapper Lil Jon performing a medley of "No Scrubs" and "Waterfalls."