Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream

by Scotty McCreery, Travis Thrasher

Platinum-award winning country music star Scotty McCreery shares his path from North Carolina to American Idol to the top of the country music scene. It was just a simple singing competition that would be fun to audition for. Who knew what kind of doors it might open for a sixteen-year-old from Garner, North Carolina. Go Big or Go Home is the story of a kid with country songs in his soul. The special thing with Scotty McCreery, however, is that he has this God-given ability to sing those tunes the exact way they should be sung. Daring to enter the limelight at such a young age, Scotty finds himself embraced by the nation, and even overseas, as he competes on "American Idol". This is his journey from his North Carolina roots to winning America’s most popular singing competition and launching a musical career he had always dreamt about. Go Big or Go Home narrates Scotty's journey from a kid imitating Elvis on the school bus to 30 million across America tuning in to see him win Season 10 of "American Idol”. Now as he completes his ground-breaking fourth album, Scotty shares a glimpse of where he came from and the impact his faith, family and friends have had on a humbled guy who keeps asking “why me?”

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Audiobook, Autobiography

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 3, 2016

About the author

Scotty McCreery is an American country music singer. He auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol in Milwaukee at the age of sixteen and won the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. His debut studio album, Clear as Day, was released in October 2011 and was certified platinum.

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Scotty McCreery's journey. Go Big or Go Home isn't an autobiography, Scotty calls it a travelogue of his life to this point. I loved the way this book was written. It was almost like you were sitting and talking to Scotty, with little tidbits thrown in when he remembered them. These were the comments from his fans, bandmates, friends etc. There is some of his childhood covered, but most of the book is about his time on American Idol and how his life changed after he won. I love how down to earth he is. He is humble and always gives credit to his family, his friends, teachers, bandmates and of course to God. He recognizes that his singing is a gift from God and he will do nothing to sully that. His faith is strong and very much a part of his life and I enjoyed hearing about that. You really get to know Scotty and his family in this book. Even though he is only 22, he has a lot of experiences to share and you can learn a lot from this young man. I am not an American Idol watcher, but I did see Scotty McCreery in concert a couple of years ago and after reading this book, I would probably go again. If you or someone you know is a Scotty McCreery fan, I highly recommend this book. And if you aren't a fan, I suggest you read the book anyway as you may just become one. He is rather inspirational and you might learn something from this young man. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Big or Go Home by Scotty McCreery isn't exactly an autobiography. It's more like what you'd expect if you sat down and talked with Scotty over coffee and had someone type up everything he said. It's the story of his childhood, American Idol ride, faith, and more. If you or someone you know is a Scotty McCreery fan, I highly recommend this book. And if you aren't a fan, I suggest you read the book--you may just become one. I really liked how down to earth Scotty seemed throughout the book. He told funny stories; he told sad stories.

I've also read several other books co-written with Travis Thrasher, and while I am starting to notice similarities, I thought he helped the book flow smoothly and hold my interest. I couldn't put this book down; it was like having a conversation in which I could both get to know Scotty more and feel as if I was going behind the scenes of American Idol! This would make a great gift for country music fans. It's an encouraging read, to see someone stand up for what they believe in, and even read gut-honest stories about when he didn't, but he went back and apologized.

Thank you so much to Zondervan publishers and their Book Look bloggers program with Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive, nor were they affected by anything other than the book itself (and being a fan of the author). :)

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read and Great Story

I loved reading Scotty's stories of the good and not so good times in his life, all while he gave credit to God, Jesus Christ, his parents and all the others who have guided him in his young life. He still seems so humble and true to his roots. I remember him from his audition on Idol and was pulling for him every week. I would love for my grandsons to read this book and maybe one day soon they will. I really enjoyed him filling in all that has gone on in his life when he was not in the public eye.

[Kate Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from NC and growing up very close to Scotty’s hometown of Garner- I will admit I already loved him before this book. But this was fantastic! It reads like an autobiography and really gives you a personal insight into Scotty’s character. Fully explains why America fell in love with him over night, and if you aren’t already in love with him, you will be when you finish this! Quick and good read

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't Scotty McCreery's autobiography -- he tells you so himself. Simply put, it's his story about a journey he's been through, covering the last few (roller-coaster) years of his life. And it all comes right from Scotty's own words -- it feels exactly like he's sitting down with you, sharing some his unique experiences, as friends do.

Hailing from American Idol fandom, Scotty's singing career took off like a rocket, whether he was ready or not. You get direct glimpses into his life growing up, how it felt appearing on the television screen each week, and the prep work involved with choosing the perfect (or sometimes not-so-perfect) song to get him through each round of the competition.

He's got some solid stories to share with interested readers. Sometimes sharing a happy story, events that turned out to be a "God thing" (nothing short of miracles), or sharing how certain negative experiences changed him into something better. This is good stuff -- and if you're a fan of his, you'll definitely love it.

What I love the most? Scotty openly talks about his Savior. He gives God the glory for putting Scotty in the place he's made it to in life. Faith and prayer are key elements of Scotty's daily life, no matter where he is in the world on any given day. Truly, his story is all the more inspiring because he makes sure that you understand he couldn't have done it himself.

The book reads like how a personal conversation would flow. It always kept my interest, and I couldn't wait to see what Scotty would share next. Go Big or Go Home is a fantastic behind-the-scenes look of the American Idol competition and a peek into Scotty's childhood, family, and faith. Plus his Elvis obsession, to boot. This kid is the real deal. He's true to himself and the public.

Who would be interested in this book? Honestly, a lot of people: American Idol and/or Scotty McCreery fans, country music fans (a great gift for a teen or grandchild, perhaps), NC State Wolfpack fans (I mean, Scotty gave them sooo many plugs in this book), actually anyone who lives in North Carolina (he's stunningly proud of his state and hometown of Garner). Other than that, it's a great read for anyone who just wants to read about this teenage (well, he's in his twenties now) American Idol winner and maybe even glean some encouragement.

I couldn't put this book down. (And when I did have to put it down, then I couldn't wait to get back to it!)

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to Scotty McCreery, "Go Big or Go Home" is a travelogue, not an autobiography. He covers his life from childhood until now though.

He starts off talking about his childhood love for Elvis and how that influenced his music. He also talks about how the American Idol audition process really works. I thought they just sang in front of the judges, but apparently there are a few more steps that they don't show on TV. It shows how determined he was. I liked learning how and why he chose the songs that he sang on the show.

Scotty comes across as a humble and down to Earth guy, despite the fact that he's rich and famous now. He talks about his love of his home town of Garner, NC, sports (especially baseball) and music. It's cool that he's still such a fan of music even though he's part of the industry now. You can tell he really appreciates all of the opportunities that he's had. Another thing that I like is that he talks about the charity work that he does. He doesn't brag about it, but he does promote some causes that are important to him. Maybe it'll help them get some more donations.

Mixed in with the chapters are little blurbs from his fans, called "McCreerians," from around the world. He has fans ranging from kids to grandmothers. My own Gramma was a fan of him, though she couldn't remember his name and referred to him as the "cowboy kid" when we watched that season. While most of the book is positive, he talks about the time him and his buddies were robbed at gun point. He doesn't really dwell on it, but he mentions how scared he was and how much more he appreciated life afterwards.

My favorite quote in the book is "We can't ever get five minutes of our life back. We can remember them in the music, however. We can replay them and allow them to transport us in sound and lyrics. We can find comfort and joy in the melodies." It perfectly sums up music's ability to remind us of a time, place, moment or person.

I'd recommend this to anyone that's a fan of Scotty. I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I was pretty surprised to see a book by Scotty McCreery. I mean he is only in his early 20s. But like he said right off the bat - this book is not an autobiography - it is about his journey from a small town “Clayton Idol” contestant to an American Idol winner. We get to see a side of Scotty that most of us did not know – from the turtle in the tub incident to how he felt when he was held up at gun point with his college buddies, to the full out prank wars he has on the road.

It was nice to see how he has stayed grounded, always going “home” for important events. The love and respect he has for his parents and sister, as well as, his religious beliefs, are shown throughout the book. We also get to see a little of his very personnel life with his home town girlfriend.

I was a huge fan when he was on Idol and now I am glad to have read that he is out there doing what he loves – and doing is very well.

I received a copy of the book from Net Galley for an honest review.

[Kendall Prehn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a “McCreerian” coworker. It’s a look into the life of an American Idol winner, published 5 years into his career. Very humble and genuine tone with a simple writing style, but he loves to name drop. He focuses on family and God, and mentions sports in every chapter. I’d be interested in a follow up written in a few decades, because the book has a very narrow focus- only American Idol and the next 5 years.

[Heather Minson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck between 3.5 and 4 star…

Not a typical autobiography, but it was good. Felt more like a personal conversation about his journey. Not a bad read…easy to follow and a quick read.

[Amy Hornek · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading some really heavy and heart wrenching books, I was looking for something much lighter. Scotty, a winner of American Idol, takes the reader on a journey during his time on the show and then the six years after. He considers it more of a travel log than a biography, and so would agree. A fun little read to show you what goes on behind the scenes. Scotty is upbeat and encouraging l, which makes the book enjoyable and an easy read.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge Scotty McCreery fan so I was really excited to read this. The way it reads is very simple, like two friends talking. I loved the easy style and humor of this autobiography. Scotty is so young but already very successful, yet seems so easygoing, humble, and in my opinion, a great role model for children to look up to. I enjoyed reading about his obsession with Elvis as I'm a fan myself, and I loved reading about how he's grown over the years after Clayton Idol (in his hometown) to American Idol, to his fame now. Scotty comes from a small town like myself and there's just something about that small town pride I appreciate! Just from seeing him on American Idol and listening to interviews I already knew I liked the type of person he is, but after seeing his life written out on paper I respect him all the more. Great read!

I received a copy of this book via BookLookBloggers in exchange for my honest review.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought the southern gentleman crooner from Garner, North Carolina couldn't be more attractive... I go and read this book. Just like Scotty, always proving everybody wrong (in all of the good ways, of course!).

This guy has his head in the right place and if there were more of him in this world, the world would be a much better place. I loved getting an inside look at his life and his moments on American Idol (the behind the scenes look is entertaining - you'll find yourself laughing and smiling as you read). Wise beyond his years, not only does McCreery give insight on what it is like to be him he also lets you know the key to living a fulfilled life (drink plenty of sweet tea, lean on friends and family, and depend on your faith).

If Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, AND Josh Turner love this guy - he's gotta be worth reading about, right?!

[Jason Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of American Idol or Scotty McCreery will enjoy this book. McCreery's memoir takes fans on a behind the scenes look at his childhood, his humble beginnings in entertainment, and the American Idol process. What readers may be surprised by is the weight that McCreery's faith influences his day-to-day life.

For those who are interested in breaking into the entertainment business, or for those who are doubting what role faith plays in a young person's life, will find this a must-read. The preacher or youth minister will find this a valuable resource for talking with young people about faith.

I highly recommend this book for fans and for young people who want to do deeper in their faith.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about Scotty and his incredible story. He really does seem like a humble, genuine, down to earth guy and I like him and his music even more after reading his story.

Favorite Quote: "I'm thankful God created songs. Songs allow us to make sense of the world. Songs are memories in sound. All of us have songs in our soul. And some of us - the fortunate and blessed ones - get to sing them out loud and share them with others."

[Andy Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Scotty’s journey from Scotty. It’s always refreshing reading stories you normally wouldn’t know. It gives you a better appreciation of where they’ve been and what they’ve been through.

[Joy A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the time I was 3 I fell in love with Scotty, so when I found this book I was so excited. His story is incredible and I couldn’t put the book down.
I would encourage anyone to read this book, even if they aren’t complete Scotty fans.

[Lakeisha Heeringa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good concert when the singer and band are truly talented. But I love it even more when the performer has good character and an upstanding reputation beyond the stage.
I’ve always liked Scotty McCreery’s voice and style of music. His concerts are great! But now, after reading his autobiography (he humbly calls it a travelog), I’m even more impressed. I'll definitely attend another concert!

Season 10 of American Idol introduced the world to North Carolina teen Scotty McCreery, a small town boy who loved to sing. After (spoiler alert) winning the contest, embarking on a world tour, and shooting up the country charts, Scotty sat down to write this book and give credit where credit was due. This book is a testimony to family and small towns, to the teachers that encourage, to famous musicians who take the time to mentor the rookies, and to the way music speaks to everyone across generations, lifestyles, and continents. This book is also a reminder to never compromise who you are when you’re chasing your dreams. Go big, but still go home so you don’t forget where you came from.

Pros: I had known Scotty McCreery was a Christian, but I was surprised to read that his faith wasn’t just an accessory. He lived it out, even if it meant making decisions that could have cost him his Idol win and future career. Each page was filled with humility as well as his sense of humor. I was laughing out loud! Yes, he was an overnight superstar, but he was still a teenage boy with school, friends, sports, and a dream to own a truck. And I think that’s what really resonates at his concerts. He doesn’t act like Nashville or Hollywood. He’s the small-town guy and family man, just like everyone else

Cons: There’s not much for cons in the book. It’s not designed to be a heavy or profound read. It's not a great work of literature, it's more conversational. (Though I haven't listened to it, I'll bet the audiobook is the best way to take this book in.) I guess the real con is that a singer like Scotty, with his old-school country style and his Elvis, Conway, and Josh Turner influence, isn’t more popular. But, then again, I can still afford the concert tickets!

Bottom Line: Go big or go home. But whatever you do, don’t compromise or forget where you came from.

[Steven A · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book stunk and its neither the fault of the subject (Scotty McCreery) nor the author (Travis Thrasher).
+ 1 Star for the details on American Idol
+ 1 Star for the interesting, albeit far too short, anecdotes on getting robbed at gunpoint and burned by a manager.
+ 1 Star for the time spent at Vanderbilt's Children's hospital

- 1 Star for the nonstop Mad Lib of words Like "Thankful", "Blessed", "Faith", and "Lucky". Just one chapter after another of an absolute snooze fest of reading. American Idol winner is thankful for his music career; no shit. Imagine if the "Special Thanks to" section at the beginning of a book was the book. He's only 22 at the time of writing this so there's bound to be limited history, but in all fairness he mentions this at the very beginning and I chose to keep reading anyways. That's on me.

[Max Walker]

I found this book to be very charming and fun, but it struggled to have any real depth or meaning. It was interesting to get a little behind the scenes look at Scotty's life. But, I feel like he never shared anything super groundbreaking or something that was not common knowledge. He did a great job of making the reader feel like they were part of the band or on the tour bus with him. He also did well at showcasing the people in his life and how they helped him get to where he was today. This was definitely a fun little read, but it failed to really move me and never really felt like a true page turner. I would only really recommend this book to a friend if they were already interested in Scotty, country music, or American Idol. 7.6/10

[Ashlyn Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a love/hate relationship with book. He refers to it as a “travelogue” instead of an autobiography and looking at it from that perspective, it was a great read. However, I felt as if he dumped all his memories onto pages instead of taking the time to invite you in and make you feel like you are apart of the story. I got bored at times and had to keep looking stuff up because it’s been awhile since I watched him on American Idol. A good chuck of the book read as if you had just watched the season he was on and could remember it all. Overall I did enjoy learning a little more about him and his true character and passion really does leak out onto the pages.

[Koren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of his autobiography are about the author's journey on American Idol. It was interesting to read about all the hoops the contestants have to go through just to audition. After that, if you watched the show the year Scotty McCreery won, you probably know most of it already. Scotty is a deeply faith-based guy, so there is a lot of this, too. This book was published in 2016, so it is a little dated. Maybe he will write a follow-up someday.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Note: This book was provided free of charge by BookLook/Zondervan in exchange for an honest review.]

This is a fine memoir from a singer in a period of transition. As this book was released, the singer has parted ways with his previous label (Mercury) and is working on his fourth studio album, whose first single “Southern Belle” did not chart on either the Hot 100 or the Top 40 of the Country chart. Given that context, which the author talks about without drama or rancor, this book is an immensely brave one, given that it is very possible that the singer will be “going home” after a moderately successful career for the past five years, with a platinum album, a gold album, and a handful of charting singles, one of which reached the country top 10 and another of which reached the Top 20 of the Hot 100, with a couple of modest headlining tours and a couple of supporting slots in tours of bigger acts like Brad Paisley and Rascall Flatts. Still, even so, for fans of American Idol like I am, and for people who like reading the memoirs of musicians [1], which I certainly enjoy, this is a worthwhile memoir from a young man that it is nearly impossible not to like, even if it seems odd that he would have a devoted group of fans known as McCreerians. This book simply works, in large part because the book’s writer is such an appealingly honest, and restrained, person, and because the co-writer of the book is nearly invisible.

The contents of this book are more or less chronological, and are immensely appealing to someone who both wants to read about the author’s life as well as about the inner workings of the music industry machine, both of which are worthwhile subjects explored here from the view of an articulate observer and participant. After a very short introduction to the author’s life as a musical kid passionately interested in Elvis, the book explores McCreery as he winds his way through the competition, both seeking to build a fan base and a career as a country singer, given the songs and styles that are in his wheelhouse, while also showing growth and the ability to interpret songs from a variety of genres, including blues. The first six chapters cover mostly this experience on American Idol, including backstage drama, and dealing with the mix of friendship and competition with the other singers. McCreery comes off as a decent fellow among some others who are far more canny and clever, something that comes up later when the author discusses his lawsuit against a former manager. The book, as a whole, has a “Behind The Music” feel to it, discussing the logistics of touring and performing as well as the profits of an accidental endorsement of the southern chicken and biscuit joint Mr. Bojangles, who happen to make some good chicken and biscuits, it should be mentioned. The second part of the book looks at the life of McCreery after winning American Idol, including his relationship with a young woman named Gabi, who appears as the love interest in the video to his hit “The Trouble With Girls” and who is mentioned only sparingly, likely because she is a shy young woman, his recording and touring, his appearances with other musicians, his ability to enlist the support of other artists, his touring band, and his attempts to live a normal life in high school as well as some studies in college at NC State. He also discusses a scary story of being held up after one of the people in an apartment foolishly opens the door to a stranger at 2AM, afraid for his life, and shows himself to be a grateful, appreciative, and sincerely Christian Southern gentleman. It is an appealing book of about 250 pages of simple and straightforward prose accounts, mostly in the first person.

The book as a whole is an example of someone whose life manages to combine two generally contrary tendencies, the firm confidence of someone who seeks to live honorably within a consistent identity, both in terms of his identity as a Christian as well as a person of firm loyalties to his community and to his favorite sports teams—one of the most revealing and interesting aspects of this book is the way it discusses the author’s serious interest and considerable talent in baseball—as well as the striving ambition of someone striving to make it big. This book is the account of someone who has, so far at least, managed to successfully go big while in many ways staying at home with a tight bond with his family, and someone who has spent a great deal of effort in philanthropic efforts, some of which he discusses people. If you want to read a book by a decent fellow who is open about his flaws and shortcomings and refreshingly honest while also simultaneously discreet, which provides an insider’s perspective into the contemporary music industry, this is an excellent read, which ought to satisfy many readers while they wait for the author’s latest album to finally be released.

[1] See, for example:

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[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know much about this guy..... or anything.
American Idol is about my least favorite show - and Country is about my least favorite genre.
But I've been challenging myself to broaden the learning a bit. So I listened.
And it was an interesting listen for sure.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to read about the behind-the-scenes American Idol contest, and interesting to read about Scotty's life since his big win, but other than that, there is nothing special about this book. Is the co-author to blame, or who?

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because I did not know anything about Scotty McCreery this book was educational. I learned a lot about him. And his behind-the-scenes description of American Idol and the music industry were also enlightening. Country music is not my thing but he seems to have talent for it.

[Spideygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good , enjoyable book. I didn't watch his season of Idol but heard of him.

[Ashley Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Scotty McCreery. He is so down to earth. I hope he can continue to keep the values that he grew up with and not be changed by his stardom and wealth.

[Donna C · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Squaresparky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read about his journey through American Idol and the next 5 years.