On July 10, just one day after suffering an unimaginable double loss, Scotty McCreery took the stage at the Country Concert Festival in Fort Loramie, Ohio. But what was meant to be just another stop on tour became something far more powerful—an outpouring of grief, love, and strength as the country star performed “Five More Minutes” through tears for the two women who helped raise him.
Scotty’s maternal grandmother, Janet, passed away on July 9 at 1 PM due to complications from norovirus and pneumonia. Just three hours later, his paternal grandmother, Paquita—known to fans for her spirited appearance on Celebrity Family Feud—also passed at age 93 after a long decline in health. The emotional blow came swiftly and painfully.
Still, Scotty honored his commitment to his fans. He stepped on stage and began to sing the very song that once helped him process the loss of his grandfather. “Five More Minutes,” already deeply personal, took on new meaning that night. Midway through the performance, his voice cracked. He paused. The crowd stayed silent—holding space for the singer’s grief.
In a message to fans, Scotty later wrote, “My heart is absolutely broken. But I’m holding onto the memories. Both my grandmas were incredible women who helped shape my life.” He also shared a wedding day photo of the grandmothers standing proudly beside him and Gabi, a moment frozen in time now wrapped in bittersweet memory.
The emotional performance quickly went viral online. One concertgoer wrote, “It was like watching someone sing with their soul torn open.” Across TikTok and Twitter, thousands shared prayers, condolences, and gratitude for Scotty’s raw vulnerability. “He didn’t just perform,” one fan said. “He mourned. And we mourned with him.”
“Five More Minutes,” co-written with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell in 2015, was always meant to be a tribute to family and fleeting moments. It became Scotty’s first No. 1 hit and a signature song about loss that connected him to millions. Now, it serves as a living memorial—not just for his grandfathers, but for Grandma Janet and Grandma Paquita, too.
In a time when many artists might step away to grieve in private, Scotty chose to grieve with his fans. And in doing so, he reminded the world why country music matters: because it tells the truth, even when it hurts.
As his family prepares to lay two beloved matriarchs to rest, one thing is clear—Scotty McCreery isn’t just singing for himself anymore. He’s singing for all of us who’ve ever longed for just five more minutes.
