Scotty McCreery & Hootie & the Blowfish Light Up Summer With “Bottle Rockets” Music Video
A Summer Collaboration
As summer winds down, Scotty McCreery and Hootie & the Blowfish have given fans the perfect send-off with the release of the “Bottle Rockets” music video on Friday, September 19.
The track, originally released in May as part of Scotty’s Scooter & Friends EP, marks the first-ever collaboration between the North Carolina star and the Darius Rucker-led South Carolina band.
Nostalgia Meets New Memories
“Bottle Rockets” isn’t just a nostalgic summer anthem—it also cleverly weaves in Hootie & the Blowfish’s 1994 hit “Hold My Hand.” Rather than sampling the original, the band re-recorded their chorus exclusively for this track, something Scotty said “made the song that much better.”
The result is a heartfelt ode to summers on the Carolina coast, blending Scotty’s reflections on youth with one of the most beloved hooks in ‘90s rock-country crossover history.
The Music Video: Fireworks on the Beach
The video captures Scotty and Hootie & the Blowfish gathered around a fire pit on the beach, instruments in hand, trading verses and memories.
Shot with rounded 8mm-style edges and motion blur, the visuals lean into a retro, lived-in feel—like a scrapbook of summers past. Between jam sessions, Darius and Scotty toss a football, the band cracks open drinks, and eventually, the group lights fireworks, sending bottle rockets shooting into the night sky over the ocean.
The carefree, celebratory vibe mirrors the song’s message: music, friendship, and the timeless joy of summer.
Chart Success & Fan Reception
“Bottle Rockets” quickly found traction on country radio, climbing to No. 4 on Billboard’s U.S. Country Airplay chart in May and holding strong at No. 18 as of September 13.
When the single dropped, Hootie & the Blowfish celebrated the collaboration online, writing:
“We’re so excited to be a part of Scotty McCreery’s new summer jam!”
Behind the Song
On TikTok, Scotty shared that the inspiration for “Bottle Rockets” came from reminiscing about his youth, the music that defined it, and the summers that stood out most.
Calling Hootie & the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View album “one of the best albums of all time,” Scotty said he was nervous to reach out to Darius Rucker about using “Hold My Hand.”
“Worse they could say is no,” Scotty recalled. “But [Darius] responded right back that he loved the song.”
A Perfect Carolina Connection
With both Scotty and Hootie rooted in the Carolinas, the collaboration feels natural and authentic. For fans, “Bottle Rockets” isn’t just another summer single—it’s a cross-generational moment, blending the sounds of two artists tied to the same coastline, but from different eras.
As fireworks fade on another summer, Scotty and Hootie remind us that the memories—and the music—can last long after the season ends.