On a cool Friday night, the New York faithful came out to get their country on! Supporting his latest album, Rise & Fall—wait, scratch that—Rise & Fall isn't the story here. This night was all about 15, a retrospective celebrating 15 years of recording music, and Scotty McCreery gave the crowd plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Kicking off the night with “You Time,” Scotty took us on a musical ride filled with fan favorites like “Cab in a Solo” and “In Between,” along with a few timeless covers. Scotty may always be grateful for American Idol, but his 15 era proves he is so much more than a singing competition winner. He has grown into a seasoned artist who knows exactly who he is and what he brings to the stage.
The band was tight, the songs sounded great, and the performance was a blast to watch. But what really made the night special was Scotty’s interaction with the crowd. He made the venue feel less like a concert hall and more like his own backyard, where everyone was kicking back with a few beers, swapping stories, and enjoying the moment. That down-to-earth charm is a big part of what makes him so easy to connect with.
We were also glad to hear that Scotty and his father had the chance to play a round of golf at Bethpage State Park. It's a Long Island landmark, and those of us who call this area home—and the pros who have competed there—have known for years just how special it is.
To follow - https://scottymccreery.com
Hunt Pipkin: A Rising Star in the Making
Hailing from Henderson, Tennessee, Hunt Pipkin, joined by guitarist Logan Young, gave us a chance to witness what could be the beginning of something special. Opening with “By a Mile” and following up with “Nobody Else,” Hunt introduced himself with a sound and stage presence that made it easy to see why he is an artist to keep an eye on.
He mixed his original material with classic covers, including “Tennessee Whiskey,” giving the audience a taste of both his own style and the influences behind it. He closed out the night with his newest release, “In Case You Can't.”
Much like Scotty, Hunt’s personality was just as engaging as his music. In a moment that made the performance feel even more personal, he broke a guitar string midway through his set and struggled for a bit to get it back on. (Don't worry, Hunt—once you make it big, your guitar tech can take care of that for you!)
Rather than letting the moment throw him off, his honesty and easygoing charm made the audience feel right at home. There was no rush, no pressure—just a crowd happy to give him the time he needed and cheer him on.
Sometimes, you walk away from a show having seen a great performance. Other times, you leave feeling like you may have witnessed the start of something bigger. With Hunt Pipkin, this was definitely one of those nights when we could say, “We were there from the beginning.”
Thank you to Taylor and True Public Relations for making this happen.
