SCOTTY McCREERY LIVE!! | RITZ

Jan 20

Coverage by Chris Sturk

Scotty on 01/19/2019 at the Ritz in Raleigh. Sold out show.

Scotty McCreery — Live at The Ritz, Raleigh NC

I had the chance once again to cover Scotty McCreery during his tour stop in Raleigh, NC, on January 19, 2019, at The Ritz for QDR 94.7. This marked the second time I’ve photographed his live performance. The first was during a special QDR charity event, where I also had the opportunity to meet him and talk with him briefly. Even in that short interaction, Scotty came across as genuinely kind, calm, and respectful — exactly the type of person fans hope their favorite artist really is.

This return to Raleigh felt like a full‑circle moment. The crowd was excited, the venue was packed, and Scotty delivered the kind of show that reminds you why he’s become such a beloved North Carolina artist. I’ll attach a photo from this performance below.

Scotty with a fan during the UNC charity concert in 2017. The first time I photographed him.

11/19/2017 at the Ritz UNC Charity event hosted by QDR 94.7

When Scotty McCreery announced his tour last year, I marked the Raleigh date on my calendar immediately. This would be the first time I’d cover him as the main headliner, and the anticipation around the show was huge. By the time I arrived for check‑in, the line wrapped around The Ritz — fans packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder, buzzing with excitement to see their hometown star. It was wild.

Inside, the main floor was already so full you could barely move. I made my way to the side of the stage and waited with the other photographers for security to give us the signal. As soon as we stepped into the pit, the lights dropped and Scotty hit the stage. The crowd exploded.

He came out with pure energy, moving across every corner of the stage to get close to the fans — smiling, waving, making eye contact, feeding off the electricity in the room. His voice was spot‑on, that smooth country drawl coming through with power and confidence. After shooting the first three songs, the photographers checked in our gear and headed back out to watch the rest of the show.

Scotty delivered everything fans wanted: the big hits, the fan favorites, and newly released material. The crowd sang every lyric back to him, screaming with the kind of excitement that only happens when an artist is performing in their home state. You could feel the connection — and honestly, I’m surprised the energy didn’t blow him right off the stage.

Scotty may be an American Idol alum, but he’s also a North Carolina native, and that alone makes these shows special. Fans love seeing one of their own make it big in the often tough world of country music.

Huge thanks to Brittani, Heather, and the entire team at QDR 94.7 for having me out to photograph the show. They’re an incredible group to work with.

Check out their website for news, music, and more: http://www.947qdr.com/