Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Scotty McCreery Honors Conway Twitty with Moving “Hello Darlin'” at the Opry

Scotty McCreery performing 'Hello Darlin'' at the Grand Ole Opry in 2015, paying tribute to Conway Twitty and honoring the roots of country music.
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

In 2015, Scotty McCreery stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage with a reverence few performers could match. Four years after his American Idol win, McCreery proved he wasn’t just a product of television but a genuine torchbearer for country music’s classic traditions. That evening, his performance of Conway Twitty’s 1970 hit “Hello Darlin'” brought the crowd to their feet, which solidified his respect for the country’s roots.

A Song Steeped in Legacy and Meaning

McCreery’s decision to honor Conway Twitty with “Hello Darlin'” wasn’t just a performance but a nod to the storytelling essence of country music. KXRB recounts how ‘Hello Darlin’,’ released in 1970, not only became Twitty’s signature song but also reigned on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for four weeks and was crowned the top song of the year. The song’s timeless appeal lies in its simple yet evocative narrative, which struck a chord with fans for decades.

Stepping onto the Opry’s hallowed stage, McCreery wasn’t trying to outshine Twitty but to pay homage. The young performer, whose deep baritone echoes some of country’s great voices, began the song with a spoken rendition of the famous opening line. The crowd erupted in applause, immediately recognizing the respect and intention behind his choice. For McCreery, it was less about performing and more about channeling the emotion and heart that Twitty’s original perfectly conveyed.

His upbringing, rooted in traditional country music, played a crucial role in shaping this moment. While many of his peers gravitated toward pop influences, McCreery listened to Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, learning what it meant to honor the genre’s legends. That love and understanding came through clearly as he delivered each “Hello Darlin'” line with unflinching sincerity.

An Unforgettable Voice and an Unforgettable Moment

What stood out most during McCreery’s performance was his voice—rich, commanding, and unpretentious. Stripped of any elaborate stage production or gimmicks, the performance relied solely on McCreery’s vocal prowess and ability to connect with the audience. Taking on a song so synonymous with an icon like Twitty was a gamble, but McCreery didn’t falter. He leaned into the song’s emotional core, delivering it with the grace of a seasoned storyteller.

The crowd’s reaction was immediate and resounding. When McCreery hit the final note, the Opry audience applauded, acknowledging that he had done Twitty’s classic justice. McCreery, ever the humble performer, wrapped up the moment with a simple acknowledgment: “That’s Conway Twitty, y’all. ” His deep appreciation for the legend was evident in his smile.

Scotty McCreery’s rendition of “Hello Darlin'” wasn’t about chasing trends or crafting a viral moment. It was a heartfelt tribute to a time-honored classic and a love letter to the genre that shaped him. The performance is a testament to his ability to bridge the gap between the country’s golden age and its modern era.

This is what makes country music special—it’s not about flashiness or spectacle but the raw ability to tell stories that resonate deeply. And on that night in 2015, McCreery proved he’s a talented vocalist and a keeper of the country tradition, carrying the torch for legends like Conway Twitty with pride and authenticity.

Latest Stories

Pope Francis smiles and waves in his traditional white robes during one of his final public appearances before his passing at age 88.

Pope Francis, the First Pope from the Americas, Dies at 88 After Easter Weekend

Just one day after delivering his final Easter address and meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and a defining spiritual voice ...

Jelly Roll cracks up alongside Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hudson while sharing a hilariously embarrassing onstage story on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Jelly Roll Overshared on National TV Telling Jennifer Hudson He Once Pooped His Pants While Performing on Stage

There’s oversharing, and then there’s Jelly Roll on The Jennifer Hudson Show, telling a national audience he once trusted a fart onstage and paid the price. It happened on April ...

Luke Bryan delivers an emotional Easter performance of “Jesus' Bout My Kids” on American Idol, capturing the raw heart of a father’s prayer.

Luke Bryan Sang “Jesus’ Bout My Kids” on Easter and Brought Real Emotion to American Idol

Luke Bryan has spent the last seven seasons of American Idol being the jokester, the crowd-pleaser, the guy who hands out compliments with a grin and a wink. But on ...

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake perform “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” Easter special, bringing emotion and testimony to the stage.

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Idol Felt Like a Personal Testimony

Easter Sunday on American Idol brought faith to the forefront, but when Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake took the stage to sing “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” it stopped being a TV ...

Carrie Underwood sings “How Great Thou Art” on Easter Sunday during American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” special, delivering a soul-stirring moment.

Carrie Underwood’s Easter Performance of “How Great Thou Art” Was Nothing Short of Heavenly

Some performances raise goosebumps, and then the rare few feel like they could raise the dead. On Easter Sunday, American Idol turned primetime into sacred time. Carrie Underwood stood in ...

George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Jimmy Buffett light up the stage with a legendary "Margaritaville" performance that became a timeless Texas moment.

Nothing Beats George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Jimmy Buffett Singing “Margaritaville” Together on One Stage

Some nights, something happens on stage that you can’t rehearse, can’t recreate, and definitely can’t plan. In May 2004, three of music’s most iconic voices—George Strait, Alan Jackson, and the ...

Jeannie Seely proudly holds her CMA award, celebrating her triumph with "Don't Touch Me"—a hit she nearly lost to more connected country stars.

Jeannie Seely Almost Lost One of Her Biggest Hits to a Country Singer With Bigger Connections

In Nashville, a great song doesn’t always land in the right hands. Sometimes it gets stolen. Sometimes, it gets buried. And sometimes, if you’re lucky—and tough—it finds its way back ...

Side-by-side of Sutton Foster and Loretta Lynn, highlighting Foster’s casting as the country legend in the new Broadway musical Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Meet the Broadway Star Taking On the Role of Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter Musical

It takes more than a voice to play Loretta Lynn. It takes guts. It takes someone who understands what it means to grow up with nothing, to speak your mind ...

Willie Nelson performs “Georgia on My Mind” live in Macon, Georgia, at age 91, seated with his iconic guitar and red bandana as the crowd rises in reverent applause.

Willie Nelson Sang Georgia on My Mind and the Crowd Gave Him a Standing Ovation

When Willie Nelson took the stage in Macon, Georgia, on April 13, it didn’t feel like another tour stop. It felt like something sacred—something that only happens when a living ...

Dolly Parton performs “He’s Alive” from her home during Easter 2020, surrounded by lilies and pastel decor, creating a heartfelt moment of worship in a time of global isolation.

Dolly Parton Sang “He’s Alive” from Home and Made Easter Feel Sacred All Over Again

Easter 2020 didn’t come with sunshine and stained glass. Churches were closed, choirs were silent, and the usual comfort of family dinners and crowded pews was replaced with isolation and ...