Around 700 residents crowded the Woodmen Center on Thursday night to see country music star Scotty McCreery perform.
Fans started lining up as early as 1 p.m. to attend the show, which was sponsored by WRNS as part of its fifth annual Holiday Ho Hodown. The concert was free, with tickets having been won through WRNS.
Kimberly Taylor said she was excited about the concert and getting the chance to see McCreery perform live.
“It’s crazy that he came to Kinston; we usually don’t get people like him to come here,” she said.
McCreery burst onto the country music scene in 2011, when he won the 10th season of “American Idol.” Since his victory, McCreery has released three albums with sales topping 1.6 million.
A few lucky people were able to meet the Garner native backstage before he took the stage at 8 p.m. Among them was Holly-Ann Weatherington, 8.
“It was great,” she said.
McCreery said he was glad to have the chance to perform in Kinston.
“I played baseball up here when I was younger, but I haven’t done anything musically. It’s nice to finally come down here to do a show,” he said.
Even though he plays in a lot of larger venues in big cities, McCreery said he enjoys performing in towns such as Kinston.
“It’s always fun,” he said. “You get to meet the small town folk and locals who tell you about the place. You get a taste of the town just through the people.”
McCreery performed 14 songs, including hits “See you Tonight” and “The Trouble with Girls.”
Afterwards, fans walked away impressed with the performance.
“A lot of artists sound different in person than they do on their album, but he sounded the same, which was amazing,” said Janet Leighton, 15, of Kinston.
Bridget Hughes, 13, said she thinks McCreery’s show will still be talked about for quite some time.
“This is something Kinston won’t soon forget,” she said.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @nclark763.
Breakout Box
Songs performed by Scotty McCreery Thursday night in Kinston
1.Now
2.Water Tower Town
3.I Love You This Big
4.Blue Jean Baby
5.Holly Jolly Christmas
6.Jingle Bells
7.The Trouble With Girls
8.Check Yes or No (George Straight cover)
9.Christmas in Heaven
10.Walk in the Country
11.See You Tonight
12.Santa Claus is back in Town
13.Buzzin
14.Feelin It