'American Idol' bits: Scotty McCreery, Elliott Yamin, Carrie Underwood

during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Thursday, February 3, 2016

Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery has parted ways with Mercury Nashville/Interscope after three albums.

The American Idol season 10 winner's two studio albums each debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, while his holiday set peaked at No. 2. His post-Idol set, 2011's Clear As Day sold 1.22 million, according to Nielsen Music. McCreery was the first country act to open at No. 1 with his debut album, as well as the youngest male artist to top the chart with a debut. Christmas With Scotty McCreery, released in 2012, sold 416,000 copies, while his last studio album, 2013's See You Tonight, moved 279,000 units.

His autobiography will be released later this year.

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Carrie Underwood at the Feb. 1 Infinite Energy concert in Duluth. CREDIT: Robb Cohen

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

I was skiing on Monday when Carrie Underwood came into town. My colleague Melissa Ruggieri wrote a glowing review here.

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Rayvon Owen, Elliott Yamin and Mayor Dwight Jones attends Owen's performance at the James Center during his American Idol homecoming visit on May 1, 2015 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Elliott Yamin, who came in third season five, is peeved that a former "American Idol" producer didn't pay him for appearing at a charity even before Christmas. He went on blast on Twitter against Ron Deshay. He also said other "Idol" alums who were there didn't get paid either. Among those at the event include former Atlantan Paris Bennett, season 2 winner Ruben Studdard and season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez.

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Ruben Studdard and Fantasia are mentoring the top 24.

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It appears the judges are culling the top 24 down to the top 14 without the public's input. Five have already been dropped. Spoilers are here.

If anything, as I can tell, Georgia will not be represented in the top 10.