American Idol Winner Scotty McCreery "Clear As Day" is number 1 in The Billboard 200

Scotty McCreery's Clear As Day enters The Billboard 200 at number 1. This is the first debut album by an American Idol winner to open in the top spot since 2003. Kelly Clarkson, the season 1 winner, bowed at number 1 in April 2003 with Thankful. Ruben Studdard, the season 2 winner, followed suit that December with Soulful. The next five Idol winners made top 10 with their first post Idol albums, but fell short of the top spot. They were, in order, Fantasia's Free Yourself (#8), Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts (#2), Taylor Hicks' Taylor Hicks (#2), Jordin Sparks' Jordin Sparks (#10) and David Cook's David Cook (#3).