Scotty McCreery Gives Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” a Deep, Nostalgic New Sound

Scotty McCreery brought his unmistakable Southern voice to one of country music’s most cherished ’90s classics when he performed Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” during the CMA Summer Stay-Cay event.

Performing from home with an acoustic guitar, McCreery immediately made the song feel like his own. Behind him were plaques celebrating his No. 1 hits “Five More Minutes” and “This Is It,” while he introduced the song as one of the biggest and most memorable country hits of the 1990s.

A familiar song with a different feel

Originally recorded by Deana Carter, “Strawberry Wine” is built around memories of first love, youthful innocence and the bittersweet feeling of looking back on a defining summer.

McCreery’s lower, richer vocal gives the song a noticeably different character. Rather than trying to imitate Carter’s original, he leans into the reflective side of the lyrics, giving the performance a warm and lived-in country feel.

That approach is what makes the cover stand out. The song remains instantly recognizable, but McCreery’s delivery makes it sound as though the story is being remembered from a completely different perspective.

Why “Strawberry Wine” remains a country favorite

Written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, “Strawberry Wine” was released in 1996 as Carter’s debut single from Did I Shave My Legs for This?

The song became a major success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and later winning Song of the Year at the 1997 CMA Awards.

More than a decade later, it remains one of the songs most closely associated with the golden era of ’90s country music.

McCreery keeps the performance simple

There was no elaborate stage production or big band behind McCreery. Just his guitar, his voice and a song that already carries plenty of emotion.

That simplicity worked in his favor.

His performance allowed listeners to focus on the storytelling, while his naturally deep voice added a slightly rugged edge to the familiar melody.

Part of CMA Summer Stay-Cay

McCreery eventually closed the appearance by encouraging viewers to stay safe and healthy.

The performance was part of CMA Summer Stay-Cay, a virtual country music event that also featured artists including Luke Combs, Eric Church, Carly Pearce and Gabby Barrett.

For fans who grew up with “Strawberry Wine,” McCreery’s version offered something especially appealing: a beloved ’90s country song heard through the voice of a newer generation of country artists.