After my recent story about “American Idol” finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina was picked up by a number of consumer media outlets and “Idol” blogs, I spent the next two weeks getting deluged with hate mail from fans of the young singers, particularly supporters of 17-year-old McCreery, who went on to win the show last week. The original article contained quotes from numerous country programmers expressing a lack of confidence in McCreery’s chances for a long-term country music career. Peeling back the vitriol on the letters, however, his fans actually offer some interesting insights into not just the country audience, but “Idol” watchers as well.

While we tend to think of the “Idol” voters as teenage girls (hence the almost predictable wins of attractive young men like David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze and McCreery), the majority of letters I got defending McCreery were NOT from the young end of the country demo (other than a few that were clearly from kids, like the one telling me my hair is “weird”), but rather from the far upper end of the demo. A surprising number of letter writers identified themselves as grandparents. The vast majority of the letters were from women.

Surprise No. 2 was the number of letter writers who said they were NOT fans of the country format (or had fallen away from it in recent years), but noted that they’d not only buy McCreery’s music, but in some cases, listen to country radio again if it would play him.

The three main appeals of McCreery for these fans seem to be:
1) his traditional country delivery and phrasing (or “throwback sound” as one letter writer referred to it
2) his wholesome, boy next door demeanor, and
3) his overt spirituality. McCreery spoke periodically on the show of his faith, including immediately after his win when he thanked God before his parents. He also wore a cross on the show, which he was once shown kissing in an apparently jokey attempt at an exorcism after a mentoring session with Lada Gaga.

Back to the fans, however, their letters (including one printed below that I found disturbingly homophobic) give quite a bit of real insight into not only McCreery’s win, but the mindset of some country fans and non-fans alike. And judging by the number who make a point of saying they plan to purchase McCreery’s music, the North Carolina teen could do quite well.


“Years ago, I listened to country music all the time,” writes fan Deb Cowan. “Then, I lost interest. Because of Scotty, I added two local country stations to my radio pre-sets again. Scotty is something country music very rarely showcases on a national level—a teenage BOY who is appealing and has stage presence who prefers a more traditional sound. Country music has had many young girls burst onto the national stage, but how many boys? This fresh-faced, honestly good-hearted Southern boy is a breath of fresh air. My 13-year-old daughter just loves him, and she has never expressed an interest in country music. Because of Scotty, she has added some Garth, Tim McGraw, and Reba to her iPod. She is definitely a listener now and likes what she is hearing. How can that be anything but good for the country genre?”

Gina Massari of Tampa, Fla., who identifies herself as a 50-year-old mother of four and step mother of four more, says she and four of the eight kids are “huge Scotty fans. I (and many I know, including my friends and children) have already downloaded ALL of Scotty's songs on iTunes. We like how he sounds. We like how he looks. We like him and his music. He is adorable and, from day one, has been THE best. We are already buying his product.”

Writes 52-year-old mother of two Christine Finger, “I am not a country fan. I listen to Josh Groban, Carole King, Michael Buble, etc., but I have been exposed to it by watching ‘American Idol’ this season and like what I hear. I am a Scotty fan and I am already committed to buying two of the future CDs for myself and a friend. I anticipate him doing well in the country genre. I think with the right songs he will have some hits and longevity… His all-American image is also appealing.”

Striking a similar note is 45-year-old Shannon Little. She writes, “I am not even a fan of country music. I actually despise it with a passion. In my 45 years there has only been one country music singer who I loved despite hating country music and that was Garth Brooks. Well, guess what? Scotty McCreery has the same ‘somethin’ somethin’’ that drew me to Garth. I LOVE Scotty even though I HATE country music. The combination of his voice, charisma and the way he carries himself is just magical. Whoever signs that kid is going to get filthy rich.”

Writes Scotty fan Kelly Master, “I am not a country fan nor do I dislike it. ‘American Idol’ has actually opened my eyes to the beauty of country music and I have taken a more serious look at it… Although I had my eyes set on a couple of the other contestants as winning, I have found Scotty to be amazing. My father [who] recently passed away loved country music, and I know he would have loved Scotty’s voice. Reminds me of the throwback country, and that was pure talent.”

Karen J. of Springfield, Mo., is a 69-year-old mother of five and grandmother of 11. “I love Vegas, country music and conservative politics,” she writes. “Scotty represents the kind of young man I’d want my granddaughters to marry, and the kind of son in laws I’m blessed to have. In a day an age when the proclaimed bisexual, scantly clad, sexual antics of Lady Gaga is held up as a role model for the youth of America, it’s very refreshing to have two young people like Lauren and Scotty as the top two on the ‘Idol’ show.

“Our country is in a difficult time,” Karen J. continues. “Recession, wars, tornados, floods, joblessness, crime, corruption in government etc. Is it any wonder that people are supporting the type of young man that exemplifies the best our country has to offer and is reminiscent of a day and age when morals and manners were the norm. Young Scotty may not be flamboyant and he has, perhaps, not found his ‘voice’ in the country genre yet, but what he does have is so commendable. He’s clean cut, a good student, religious, respected by adults and his peers and probably likes apple pie. He is the kind of young man you would want for a son or a son in law. He’s the boy you would want to escort your daughter to the prom, and he can sing… A young man who can have a tremendous influence on our young people if given a chance. No piercings, tattoos, baggy jeans, unwashed hair, STDs, profanity, drugs, or out of wedlock children. For heavens sakes, what else are you looking for?

“America voted, and it’s not just my pre-teen and teenage grandchildren, but my children in their 30s and 40s who say, ‘Finally a young man that can be the type of role model we want.’ His voice is not just in music, but in the life he leads. If given the chance, he has the opportunity to not only improve as a singer but to improve the expectations of the next generation of which he is a part.

“Play Scotty and promote him and support his efforts,” she concludes with an ominous tone, “or someday an Adam Lambert may arrive at your door wanting a date with, I presume, your son.”

He’s a sampling of the gist of several more letters from Scotty fans:

• “Scotty is 17, has a great voice, loves country music, God and country. You couldn’t ask for a better representation for country music!” —Joanie Sasser

• “I am a return listener to country radio. I had ceased to listen to country because of the ability to burn my own CDs and download iTunes. Since having watched ‘American Idol’ on television this season and the excitement over Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, I have been listening to WQDR in Raleigh, N.C.” —A. Curtis

• “I am a 57-year-old who loves country music. I love this kid. Many of our country legends have expressed concern over the new country music being produced. Scotty loves old country… Could we please give this humble, nice, Christian boy a start?” —Denise Booth

• “I LOVE country music, and this kid has a voice that is special. I don’t care about [anything] but good country music, and he can sing it. I’ll buy his albums on my next trucker stop on 71 in Ohio.” —Larry Ricks, Columbus, Ohio

• “I personally will buy anything the kid produces… He’s a wholesome kid who makes no bones about loving the Lord and wanting to be honest… I would appreciate seeing the country music industry encouraging him and helping him along.” —Chrissy Gutknecht

• “I think Scotty is going to be awesome in the country world. I know I will be right out there buying his first album.” —Christa Valenti

• “Scotty is great. All those votes should count for something! He will definitely sell.” —Laurie Perkins

• “America loves him or he would not have gotten unreal amounts of votes. Not only does he have talent that is so amazing, he has a beautiful heart.” —Melanie Cole

• “I am a music fan, but not a real country music fan, but I do love Scotty’s music… One of the things I love about Lauren and Scotty [is] they are a breath of fresh air.” —Norma White

• “Scotty McCreery is very likable and that is the reason he won. Likeability goes a long way when it comes to show business.” —Donald Wilcox

• “Young and old fell in love with him because he’s a good kid, which is rare these days… [He’s] clean, wholesome fun instead of pants showing your a**, swearing as you yell like an auctioneer.” —Diana B., age 60