Season 10 “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina will both be releasing their debut albums in October.

Scotty’s album “Clear as Day” is set to drop Oct. 4 while Lauren’s “Wildflower” the following week on Oct. 10.

“We’ve been working hard on this album not only in Nashville, but in studios across the country because I’ve been on the Idol tour,” Scotty said in a press release. “We’re putting what I believe are the best songs we could find on it and I really hope everyone likes it. The whole experience has been amazing!”

According to the release, Scotty’s new album is a collection of songs in the same straight-ahead country style that captured the nation’s hearts – and votes—on the show. It’s the next step in a promising career that is already breaking records.

Lauren says her album has a little something for everyone.

“I feel like it has a flavor for everybody,” Lauren said in a release. “It’s a mixture of all different songs, so I hope it will appeal to all different kinds of people. There are fast songs for people who like up-tempos that you can dance to, and there are also tearjerkers for people who like slower ballads.

Original content from American Idol 2011.

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“American Idol” Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery’s video for his first single “I Love You This Big” debuted today on CMT and in case you missed it, we have it for you here.

It’s not the best video, but Scotty sounds great. For such a great story-teller singer, the video tells no story at all. Who is he singing too? The man in the white beard? The crowd? God? His career? Himself? Who knows. They could’ve done better with the video, that’s for sure.

What do you think of the video?

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“American Idol” Season 10 runner up Lauren Alaina’s video for her almost-winning song “Like My Mother Does” is set to premiere on CMT Tuesday at 10:30 am when the network actually shows music videos for five minutes.

But we have the video here and now (watch it below). It’s a pretty good, but sappy, video fully equipped with images of Lauren’s childhood from way back when in the early 200os. Ha.

I didn’t know “American Idol” contestants’ first singles ever made it to video format. So this is pretty cool. What do you think?

Original content from American Idol 2011.

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Remember American Idol 2011′s most shocking elimination? Well, it’s time to find out if fans were right to over react to Pia Toscano’s Idol departure because her first single, “This Time,” has had a couple days to circulate (listen to the new single below).

I’ve listened to it and while Pia was one of my favorites during the season, I don’t care much for the single. I was actually pretty surprised it was an empowerment anthem and not a ballad.

But Pia explains the song better than I could.

“The song could pertain to ‘American Idol’ and my journey on the show,” Toscano told MTV News. “It’s a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, and it’s not just a breakup song.”

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Scotty McCreery is our 2011 American Idol.

My prediction was wrong and I’m actually happy about that. Are you? In case you don’t know, last night, after Lauren Alaina’s sappy song about moms, I said she’d take the crown tonight. I also said I’d prefer Scotty to win, so I’m happy to be wrong.

Scotty’s emotional win came at the end of 2 hours and 7 minutes of OK-performances, almost no surprise musical guests, and a massive pimping of artists’ new albums, tours and even “Kung Fu Panda 2.” In other words, aside from Scotty’s win and Steven Tyler’s performance, it was pretty much the worst finale ever.

Why did they tell us who the musical guests were going to be before the performances? That’s always been my favorite part… where they start a medley and you’re like “ooooh is the artist they’re singing really going to show up or not!???!” Then one of the Idols says “Ladies and gentlemen …” They always show up but I still like the element of wonder and surprise. So I was VERY disappointed by the lack of that.

I was also very disappointed by the performances of Gaga, Beyonce and “Spider-Man” the musical. I wanted to see MORE Top 13 performances mixed in with guests. I wanted Paul McDonald to duet with Rod Stewart. I wanted Pia Toscano to duet with Celine Dion. I wanted more of the “Idol” finale format I love.

The best performances were Steven Tyler’s “Dream On,” Scotty’s duet with Tim McGraw, the girls doing the Beyonce medley and the Lauren and Carrie Underwood duet. But wow, did Lauren seem like a karaoke star singing next to Carrie Underwood.

The worst performances of the night were the guys’ Tom Jones’ medley (even though I did finally get to hear Stefano Langone sing Prince via Tom Jones) and Casey Abrams and Jack Black’s murder of Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls.”

We also got the typical montage where we make fun of all the people who didn’t make it on the show. And this year, we got a montage of each of the judges. Randy Jackson’s just featured his arrogance and Jennifer’s showcased her diva ways. Steven’s was all about his dirty mouth and lust for the ladies. In other words, it was hilarious.

It’s been a season of ups and downs. It started out huge and slowly became the same “American Idol” from every other year. And that’s OK with me because we love it, right? It was also a season of shocks. Casey was cut then saved. Pia’s elimination dropped jaws. James Durbin fell victim to the Chirs Daughtry Top 4 rocker curse. Haley went from bottom to top. The season definitely had its moments.

So congratulations, Scotty. And thank you to all my readers. It’s been a fun season and thanks for sharing it with me. Are we all looking forward to a summer of Idol judge speculations (will they stay or will they go?) and unfulfilled promises from Nigel? I am! Maybe we’ll even hear “I Love You This Big” on the radio! Eh. Probably not.

Goodnight!

Original content from American Idol 2011.