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Listen up, kids. Just because you won "American Idol" and get to tour with Brad Paisley doesn't mean that you don't have to do your homework.

As recently as December, country singer Scotty McCreery was still attending his senior year at North Carolina's Garner Magnet High School, going to gym class and waiting to hear about his college applications. Never mind that in 2011 the 18-year-old bass won the tenth season of the FOX-televised reality competition and scored a No. 1 album.

McCreery admits his high-school experience is a little different nowadays. "Maybe I get a few more hello's," said McCreery, comparing his pre-"Idol" period with his post-"Idol" period in the halls of his school.

McCreery will have to miss plenty of high school for the next several months as he opens for Paisley. And with the ways things have been going, perhaps putting off college for a few years might not be a bad thing. After all, McCreery said, "It might take me 50 years to get my degree."

The three siblings of The Band Perry, on the other hand, have been home-schooled since brothers Neil and Reid were 8 and 10, respectively, and older sister Kimberly was 15. The trio, Kimberly said, had the total support of their parents when they told them they wanted careers in the music business.

Maintaining friendships while dropping out of school wasn't a hardship, Neil, 21, said. "All of our friends were in our band, he said.

Being home-schooled and having the opportunity to go on tour to far-flung places at an early age had its educational benefits, too. "It was a constant geography lesson," Kimberly, 28, said.

But, you have to ask, doesn't missing the prom hurt?

Not for Kimberly. Even though she missed out on her high school prom, she and her brothers recently performed for President Barack Obama with the Naval Academy Glee Club. After the performance, a brave midshipman asked Kimberly to a formal in Annapolis. If time allows, she said, she'll go.

But, just like McCreery's increasingly busy schedule, The Band Perry's career is on the upswing. The idea of dancing with a sailor is about as likely as McCreery rushing for a fraternity this fall.Brad Paisley's 'Camobunga!' World TourBrad Paisley performs with the openers The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.When • Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m.Where • Maverik Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley CityTickets • $41.75 and $61.45 at Ticketmaster outlets