true HD Scotty McCreery "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" Top 4 American Idol 2011

"Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" is Scotty's inspirational song (1st of 2 for each contestant). It is a country song composed by Alan Jackson. Written in the wake of the September 11 attacks and introduced at the Country Music Association's annual awards show on November 7, 2001, it reached the top of the Billboard country charts. Jackson was devastated by the events of September 11, 2001. He wanted to write a song expressing his thoughts and emotions, but he found it hard to do so for many weeks. "I didn't want to write a patriotic song", Jackson said. "And I didn't want it to be vengeful, either. But I didn't want to forget about how I felt and how I knew other people felt that day." Finally, on the Sunday morning of October 28, 2001, he woke up at 4 a.m. with the melody, opening lines and chorus going through his mind. He hastily got out of bed, still in his underwear, and sang them into a hand-held recorder so he wouldn't forget them. Later that morning, when his wife and children had gone to Sunday school, he sat down in his study and completed the lyrics. Later in 2001, "Where Were You" won both the Academy of Country Music and CMA honors for "Song of the Year" and "Single of the Year". In 2003, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" earned Jackson his first Grammy award, for "Best Country Song". It was also nominated in the overall "Song of the Year" category, a rarity for a pure country song. Video © 2011 Fremantlemedia North America, INC. and Fremantle International and 19 TV LTD.