Scotty McCreery is one of the six remaining contestants on “American Idol.” This week the four guys and two girls take on songs by Carole King.

The show airs at 8 p.m. on FOX 50.

McCreery, whose grandparents Bill and Paquita McCreery live in Aberdeen, is a 17-old-year junior at Garner High School. He auditioned in Milwaukee last summer.

Last week the judges thought McCreery played it safe by performing another country tune, “Swingin’,” by LeAnn Rimes.

“I love the storytelling of your voice,” said Jennifer Lopez. “We were expecting more from Scotty.”

Randy Jackson pointed out, “Right now, it’s getting down to the wire. Who is in it to win it?”

In the past, McCreery has performed Travis Tritt’s “Can I Trust You With My Heart?”, a song from the year of his birth; Elton John’s “Country Comfort”; “The River,” a Garth Brooks tune; and “That’s All Right, Mama,” one of Elvis Presley’s early hits, during Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week, and the George Strait ballad, “I Cross My Heart,” from the film “Pure Country.”

Stefano Langone was eliminated from the competition last week.

Votes, which become particularly important as contestants are eliminated, may be cast online at www.americanidol.com or by telephone for two hours following the broadcast.

The results show airs Thursday night at 8 p.m.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or (910) 693-2475.