Though the actual sales total is well below that of the most successful “American Idol” winners, Scotty McCreery’s “Clear as Day” will achieve something significant–it will debut atop the Billboard 200.
That is a rare feat for an “Idol” winner’s album and indeed a sign that Scotty McCreery–and the cast of season ten in general–developed a following far more significant than his predecessors Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze.
Based on opening day sales data, Hits Daily Double forecasts a first week total in the very-healthy 150-175,000 range. Neither Kris Allen nor Lee DeWyze scored first week sales in excess of 100,000 (DeWyze did not even crack 50,000), so the McCreery improvement is significant.
At the same time, coming off the show, it seemed McCreery had the potential to start even higher, but a strategic issue got in the way.
Evidently because McCreery’s coronation song “I Love You This Big” showed signs it was actually gaining traction, a follow-up single was not released over the summer, contrary to expectations. Unfortunately, the momentum “Big” showed suddenly vanished, and by the time new single “The Trouble with Girls” arrived, it was a little too late to make the necessary waves.