Scotty McCreery won the 2011 American Idol

Winner Scotty McCreery, left, hugs finalist Lauren Alaina as Jennifer Lopez hand him his trophy at the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in Los Angeles, California, USA.



Scotty McCreery won the 2011 American Idol, in a record breaking 122 million viewers otes beating his competitor, Lauren Alaina. Scott McCreery is the fourth male in a row to win "Idol." The previous three are : Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen and David Cook.


This is how Scott auditioned in front of Jeniffer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler.




To me Scott McCreery sounded like Rick Ashley, the popular 1990s singer with similar deep voice!!


"I never in my wildest dreams," said McCreery, a 17-year-old with a strikingly deep, old-soul voice that contrasts with his youth. "I've got to thank the Lord first … he got me here."

McCreery of Garner, N.C., and Alaina, 16, of Rossville, Ga., represent the first all-country finale and the youngest duo ever to compete on "Idol," which is in its 10th season.

The exuberant, big-voiced Alaina performed on Tuesday's final sing-off despite a vocal cord injury that needed medical treatment. She received raves from the judges, who said she won the night.

But the consistently popular McCreery, who'd never been at risk of elimination, claimed the title and a record contract.

The teenager seemed overwhelmed as he took the stage for a celebratory version of "I Love You This Big," halting to embrace his parents in the audience, Alaina and others. Then he playfully stuck his tongue out, trying to catch falling confetti.

His victory continued a recent pattern: He's the fourth male in a row to win the Fox TV contest, with 2007's Jordin Sparks, 17, the last female "Idol."

Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, two of the four female winners, have proved the winners with the most successful recording careers.

This season's vote total was more than three-quarters-of-a-billion, host Ryan Seacrest announced Wednesday. For Fox, it's affirmation there's still life in the series that's had a long ratings reign as No. 1 but has steadily dipped in weekly viewership and seen its audience age — something that makes advertisers balk.

Last year's season-ender, which included Simon Cowell's farewell, drew 24 million viewers. Through 2008, the winner's crowning routinely drew more than 30 million viewers.

McCreery commented backstage Tuesday on the loyalty of country fans, and they clearly gave the show a boost. Fox didn't announce the number of votes for the much lower-key contest between winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox in 2010.

In 2009, when winner Kris Allen and Adam Lambert duked it out, more than 100 million votes were cast.

This season, Fox dropped the minimum age for contestants to 15 — Alaina's age when she auditioned last year — which may also have brought fresh viewer interest.

The show remains a hot promotional platform, with Seacrest helping some of the visiting pop stars push either movies (Black's new "Kung Fu Panda 2") or a Las Vegas show (Gladys Knight). Lady Gaga, whose new album "Born this Way" is out this week, was another performer.

Other high-wattage stars who performed Wednesday at the Nokia Theatre included Beyonce and Tony Bennett.

McCreery and Tim McGraw sang "Live Like You Were Dying," while Underwood returned to "Idol" to pair with Alaina on "Before He Cheats."

Judge Jennifer Lopez — draped in a scanty outfit and shaking her famous booty — took the stage to dance while husband, Marc Anthony, sang, turning the night into a family affair.

All the best Scotty...

Kris Allen - 2009 American Idol winner - Season 8

KRIS ALLEN - AMERICAN IDOL CHAMPION 2009


FROM LEFT - ADAM LAMBERT, PAULA ABDUL & KRIS ALLEN


ADAM LAMBERT


KRIS ALLEN PERFORMING "HEARTLESS"


A VERY SHORT VIDEO OF KRIS ALLEN AUDITION ON AMERICAN IDOL


ADAM LAMBERT AUDITION RIGHT UP TO SEMIFINAL IN AMERICAN IDOL 2009

AMERICAN IDOL LIST OF WINNERS - SEASON 1 - SEASON 8

2002 - SEASON 1 WINNER - KELLY CLARKSON
2003 - SEASON 2 WINNER - RUBEN STUDDARD
2004 - SEASON 3 WINNER - FANTASIA BARRINO
2005 - SEASON 4 WINNER - CARRIE UNDERWOOD
2006 - SEASON 5 WINNER - TAYLOR HICKS
2007 - SEASON 6 WINNER - JORDIN SPARKS
2008 - SEASON 7 WINNER - DAVID COOK
2009 - SEASON 8 WINNER - KRIS ALLEN (RUNNERS UP - ADAM LAMBERT)

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television

Kris Allen beamed with disbelief, shook his head as if to reject that this was really happening and doubled over in shock.

The fact that he'd just beaten rollicking vocal powerhouse Adam Lambert for the "American Idol" title wasn't going to sink in quickly for the unassuming underdog from Arkansas. The only downside to this stunning victory: He was going to have to sing "No Boundaries" one more time.

"I'm sorry, I don't even know what to feel right now. This is crazy," said the 23-year-old from Conway, Arkansas, as he leaned on host Ryan Seacrest to keep from staggering.

Allen's smooth vocals and boy-next-door image gave him the edge after nearly 100 million viewer votes were cast, turning the theatrical Lambert into the most unlikely of also-rans. When the season started, Allen seemed unsure he had a right to take center stage, let alone stand there and snatch victory from such a formidable rival.

During his "Idol" audition last summer, Allen, hands in his pockets and a newsboy cap pulled down around his eyes, was asked by the judges if he was the best singer around.

"You know, there's probably people who are better than me," was Allen's response, offered in the quiet, low-key spirit he retained despite his growing profile.

Conversely, Lambert's commanding vocal range and stage presence -- and the judges' lavish adoration -- at times turned "Idol" into "The Adam Lambert Show," with the other contestants mere guests. But it turned out that "Idol" viewers could embrace a gifted performer like Lambert, one who sported black nail polish and bold self-assurance, only to a point.

Cowell tipped his hat to both contestants Wednesday night, who shared a moment of musical camaraderie when they joined with Queen on the rock anthem "We Are the Champions."

"To both of you, and I don't normally mean this, I thought you were both brilliant ... the future's all yours," the judge said.

"Adam did win. So did Kris. Nobody lost tonight. These are two champions," said Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley from backstage.

The comments from Cowell and Stanley aren't necessarily empty platitudes. Past contestants can testify that losing the title doesn't mean you're a loser, nor does winning mean you're a shoo-in for superstardom.

Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson, who finished fourth and seventh in their respective seasons, have gone on to huge success. As for "Idol" winners, they range from blockbuster artists like Carrie Underwood to the mostly under-the-radar Taylor Hicks.

Wednesday's outcome echoed last year's contest, which also looked at the outset like it was going the other way. Cowell all but crowned David Archuleta after the performance finale, calling his a "knockout performance" -- but the victory went to David Cook.

Lambert was such a powerful, unique performer that his fans were allowed a sense of entitlement on his behalf. But his triumph wasn't inevitable. When Allen and Lambert were declared the finalists last week, just 1 million viewer votes separated the pair out of 88 million cast.

Allen bloomed during the season, gaining more assurance onstage and winning viewers over with his heartfelt vocals, modest demeanor and well-scrubbed good looks.