Scotty McCreery Reflects on Friendship with 'Influence' Garth Brooks: 'I'll Always Be Indebted to Him'

"He's just always been an influence, but to be able to say he's a friend, too, is pretty cool for me," said the country star of Brooks

Scotty McCreery is opening up about his friendship with Garth Brooks.

Recently, the American Idol season 10 winner, 30, sat down with Holler to discuss his fifth studio album, Rise & Fall, out now. During the interview, the “This Is It” singer-songwriter got candid about his biggest musical influences who shine through on his 13-track project, one of whom is his pal Brooks.

“I love Garth Brooks. You're going to hear a little Garth on this record,” McCreery said of the 62-year-old country icon. “These songs I'm proud to sing now, but I was influenced by songs that were like that growing up. I'm proud to have them in my catalog now.”

Related: Scotty McCreery Brings the Joy to New Album, Writing and Singing 'What Feels Good' (Exclusive)

Speaking more about Brooks’ influence, the “Slow Dance” country artist said he grew up listening to the legend’s music and thus drew plenty of inspiration from it for Rise & Fall.

“Garth is Garth. There are no other Garths out there,” said McCreery. “Ever since I got started, he's been so kind to me and my family, inviting us out to his shows. I've gotten to know his family a little bit over the years, so he's just always been an influence, but to be able to say he's a friend, too, is pretty cool for me.”

Late last year, during the Opry Country Christmas show, Brooks invited the “Damn Strait” singer to join the Grand Ole Opry family, a staple institution in country music with members like Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and more.

Reflecting on the special occasion after his April induction, McCreery said, “The fact that [Brooks] even flew in — he was on the West Coast that weekend — to invite me [to join the Grand Ole Opry] was pretty special for me, so I'll always be indebted to him.”

Related: Tears, Cheers, and Musical Heroes: Scotty McCreery Enjoys Unforgettable Opry Induction

This summer, Brooks resumes the next set of dates for his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, following his nearly sold-out 2023 run. Shows kick off on June 26 and wrap up on December 7.

McCreery, meanwhile, recently wrapped up his headlining Cab in a Solo Tour but told Holler he still plans to have a “busy” year with more live shows.

“I ended 2023 saying, ‘I think I'm going to be less busy in 2024.’ That ain't happening, but busy is a good thing,” he shared. “I'll never complain about it, but we're setting up this album, and we've got a lot of fun dates on the road. I get to bring my wife and baby on the bus with us, so it still feels like home out there a little bit.”

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.