The song “This Is It”—no, not the Michael Jackson documentary—could have gone one of two ways. The lyrics spell out a play-by-play blueprint for country singer-songwriter Scotty McCreery to finally pop the big question with his longtime girlfriend Gabi Dugal.
“I had the ring in the closet for months and had the day all planned out,” McCreery said in press materials. “And it all went great, just like the song lays out—it would have been awkward if she had said no!”
Had she said no though, would McCreery have taken a Wedding Singer route with “This Is It”? You know, the scene where Adam Sandler’s character performs the song he wrote the first half during a relationship and the other half after his ex-fiancée leaves him hanging at the altar. “AND WHEN I THINK OF YOU, LINDA, I HOPE YOU F-”. You know the rest.
I highly doubt McCreery would have been quite so vulgar—unless the song was about his former manager, Todd Cassetty, who sued the singer in 2013 for 15 percent of his gross revenue. “AND WHEN I THINK OF YOU, TODD, I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR SETTLEMENT.”
But back to happy things. Winning American Idol in 2011 is one thing, but marrying your kindergarten sweetheart is something else. McCreery married Dugal in 2018, the same year he released his third album Seasons Change, which features “This Is it” and other romantic songs.
“She’s a huge part of this record, the inspiration for all the love songs,” McCreery said of Dugal. “We met in kindergarten. Her kindergarten diary has ‘Mrs. McCreery’ written in it with hearts around it. We started dating senior year of high school and became best friends in the last few years.”
For Seasons Change, McCreery set out to collaborate with other country artists, co-writing each song with one or more partners. Collaborators on the album include Jessi Alexander, Jonathan Singleton, and David Lee Murphy—who McCreery had only dreamed of working with.
“I never expected to write with him [Murphy],” McCreery said. “And then we sat down and wrote one of my favorite songs [“Barefootin’”]. That was a great day.”
McCreery will be performing songs from Seasons Change as well as past hits at the Solvang Festival Theater on Saturday, April 27. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $65 to $145. Proceeds of the concert will benefit the ongoing restoration of the theater, which is located at 433 2nd St., Solvang. Call (805) 686-1789 or visit solvangfestivaltheater.org to find out more.
I’m just a Bill
Roots and folk rock artist Billy Manzik brings his one-man show—performing on guitar and kick drum while juggling between vocals and harmonica—to Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria on Friday, April 19, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Manzik’s musical journey started during his youth, growing up in Ontario, Canada, under the wing of his music-loving mother, who inspired him to make his passion a career. Three albums and many tours later, the artist now resides in California where he continues to record and perform.
In honor of Manzik’s Canadian roots, chef Lisabeth of Presqu’ile will be preparing poutine for guests to pair their wine with. As a self-proclaimed french-fry aficionado, I’m embarrassed to admit my inexcusable lack of poutine knowledge. A dish consisting of fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy—where have you been all my life?!
Admission to the concert is complimentary. Presqu’ile Winery is located at 5391 Presquile Drive, Santa Maria. Call (805) 937-8110 or visit presquilewine.com for more information.
More music
Mark Kozelek, aka Sun Kil Moon, will perform at the Lompoc Wine Factory in support of the Certain Sparks Music Foundation on Sunday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the intimate concert are already sold out, but those interested in learning more about the foundation—which provides music lessons and other opportunities to children who may not be able to afford them—and how to donate can visit csmusicfoundation.org.
Two country acts, Tex Pistols and Pull The Trigger, grace the stage at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez on Friday, April 19, at 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m., respectively. Meanwhile, neighboring venue Cold Spring Tavern hosts rock group RML on Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m. and blues and swing band Paradise Kings on Sunday, April 21, at 4:30 p.m.
Solo guitarist Bob Clark will perform at Moxie Cafe in Santa Maria on Thursday, April 18. The cafe also hosts indie singer-songwriter Amaris Laurette Taylor on Friday, April 19, and alternative rock/indie folk group Carter on Saturday, April 20. All three shows start at 5:30 p.m.
Vino et Amicis Wine Bar in Orcutt presents indie folk artist Kevin Graybill on Friday, April 19, at 6 p.m. Graybill will perform both originals and covers. Some of his influences include Jack Johnson, Sam Beam, Bobby McFerrin, and Cyndi Lauper. Also in Orcutt, reggae artist Levi, best known for his work with Rising Son, performs on Friday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at Naughty Oak Brewing Company. Admission to the concert is free, but food from The Greasy Wiener will be available for purchase. I for one hope poutine is on the menu!
Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Apr 18-25, 2019.
