Scotty McCreery’s wife is pregnant with Baby No. 2!

The “Bottle Rockets” artist and his wife, Gabi McCreery, announced on Thursday afternoon (May 22) that their firstborn son has “a new best friend coming this fall!” They shared adorable family photos on Instagram with son Merrick Avery McCreery, who wears a “BIG BROTHER” shirt in the photos. Merrick Avery was born on October 24, 2022. The McCreerys call their firstborn son Avery, and chose the name in honor of Gabi’s father, Merrick (Tre) Dugal III.

McCreery said he’s “never known a love like this,” when he became a father. He also said of his son around that time that “next to his mother [Gabi], he is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. …We have begun a grand new adventure that will continue for the rest of our lives. …Gabi was a total rock star during Avery’s birth. I could not be more proud of her. She has already taken to motherhood like a champ. Part of my joy as his Dad is watching Gabi already crush it as his Mom.”

The announcement quickly drew comments congratulating the growing family, including one from fellow country star Lauren Alaina (the pair competed against one another in the American Idol finale in 2011, when McCreery won the show). Alaina is also expecting a baby this year, her first with husband Cam Arnold. Other country artists expecting a baby in 2025 include Sam Hunt, Lady A’s Hillary Scott, Lady A’s Charles Kelley and more. See the growing list of pregnancy announcements here.