American Idol Scotty McCreery is coming to O.C.

In addition to winning "USA Weekend's Breakthrough Video of the Year " at the 11th annual CMT awards earlier this month, McCreery recently graduated from high school.

He will continue juggling school and a music career with his supportive parents — and part-time managers — by his side. In the fall, he will attend North Carolina State University where he will major in communications/public relations.

And, the ladies? They'll have to wait.

"Gosh, yeah, I wish [a girl was in the picture]," McCreery said. "It's a busy life you know. It's tough to really get any of that stuff going when you're on the road this much."

After the tour, McCreery plans on finishing up his second album, which will give him the opportunity to collaborate and learn from Nashville's finest songwriters.

"We're actually just starting the process right now, and getting songs in and I'm writing a little bit," McCreery said. "I don't know if we'll have it out by the end of the year or maybe early next year, but it's a work in progress."

As season 11 of "American Idol" came to a close, a new Idol was crowned. Now, Phillip Phillips and runner-up Jessica Sanchez have embarked on their post-idol journeys, as well.

After McCreery sang "Please Remember Me" on the American Idol season 11 finale, he had a chance to pass on words of wisdom to the finalists.

"I just told them just go out there and try to learn, McCreery said. "Just don't go out there and think you know everything. I've had a year under my belt now being with Idol and I'm still the newbie and [I'm] still trying to figure out this business and learn. "

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Editor's note: Writer Heather Youmans appeared as a contestant on "American Idol."

If You Go

What: Scotty McCreery

When: 8 p.m. July 18

Where: Pacific Amphitheatre, OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA

Tickets: Start at $22.50, and include free OC Fair admission.