Country music star Scotty McCreery is facing an unimaginable loss: both of his beloved grandmothers passed away just hours apart on July 9, 2025.

The weight of that grief became painfully clear the next day when he took the stage and performed his chart-topping hit, “Five More Minutes,” struggling to hold back tears as he sang.

A Double Family Tragedy

On July 10, Scotty shared his heartbreak with fans in a candid message:

“My heart is absolutely broken. Yesterday, both my Grandma Janet and my Grandma Paquita passed away… I’m choosing to remember the great memories we all made with both of them.”

He posted a tender photograph of the two women standing beside him and his wife, Gabi, on their wedding day in 2018. The couple, who have a two-year-old son, Avery, are also expecting their second child.

How They Passed

Scotty’s mother, Judy McCreery, revealed that Grandma Janet succumbed shortly after 1:00 PM to complications from norovirus, the flu, and pneumonia at age 85. Just three hours later, his paternal grandmother, Paquita, who had been in declining health, passed away at age 93. Paquita endeared herself to millions when she appeared on Celebrity Family Feud in 2018, charming host Steve Harvey and viewers alike with her playful wit.

Honoring a Promise: The Ohio Concert

Despite his profound sorrow, Scotty honored his commitment to perform at the Country Concert Festival in Fort Loramie, Ohio, on July 10. As he began “Five More Minutes”—a song he co-wrote after losing his grandfather—his emotions overwhelmed him. Viewers saw him choke up, pause mid-lyric, and draw strength from the gentle support of the audience, many of whom knew of his family’s tragedy.

The Story Behind “Five More Minutes”

Co-written in 2015 with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell just two weeks after his grandfather’s death, “Five More Minutes” captures the raw longing for a few extra moments with loved ones. Scotty once reflected:

“There are still a few things I wish I could have said to him and things I wish I could have done again with him.”

The song debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in 2016 and earned Scotty his first #1 single in 2017. Its video features home footage from his childhood, a tribute to the men who shaped his life.

Now, as he mourns both grandmothers, the lyrics carry an even deeper resonance—reminding us all of the preciousness of time spent with family.

Screenshots of Love and Support

@mattrickkkk
Scotty singing Five More Minutes tonight at country concert was saddening, heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time! Prayers for Scotty’s family during this hard time…
#countryconcert
@Country Concert ‘25 @Scotty McCreery
♬ original sound – mattrickkkk

Fans Rally Around Scotty

The video of Scotty’s emotional performance spread quickly online. Fans flooded social media with messages of love, admiration, and prayers, celebrating his courage in sharing such a vulnerable moment onstage.

A Song That Speaks to Us All

“Five More Minutes” has always been an anthem for anyone who’s ever wished for more time with someone they cherish. In this moment, Scotty McCreery’s song becomes a universal reminder of gratitude, love, and the fragile beauty of life. Our hearts go out to Scotty, Gabi, little Avery, Judy, and the entire McCreery family as they honor the legacies of Janet and Paquita—two remarkable women who will forever live on in their memories and in the music that brings us together.