Last night my wife and I joined thousands of others at the Carrie Underwood concert at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. Years ago, my wife and I saw Reba McEntire in concert and declared that Reba set the standard for a dynamic concert. Last evening, we agreed that Carrie Underwood had matched Reba McEntire in presenting a powerful and exciting concert. Like Reba, she wore four different outfits and utilized videos and other effects. While we might still give Reba slight (ever so slight) edge in concert dynamics, Carrie Underwood certainly has the superior voice.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know Carrie Underwood as the bright and cheerful young girl from Checotah, Oklahoma who sprang on the scene as the winner of American Idol in 2005. Since that time, Carrie Underwood has dominated the country music scene by topping the charts repeatedly and winning every award available. In fact, Carrie's success has brought about a fair amount of jealousy among other country stars as evidenced by this video.
But Carrie Underwood performed with humility, expressing admiration for Randy Travis, voicing appreciation to the fans for her success, and never condescending to the audience. In fact, Carrie's performance was highly audience-centered as she took time to be personal with those who came toward the stage to touch her hand. Carrie was certainly gracious to the audience. Please consider several reasons why I appreciate Carrie Underwood:
1) Carrie Underwood does not display a haughtiness, but a stage humility. Carrie gives credit to her family and her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. So far, Carrie has not seemed to climb aboard the left-wing mind set of many popular musicians.
2) Carrie Underwood is truly talented, tying together the best of country and pop sounds. As one country music observer stated, Carrie has the cry in her voice, so essential to stardom in country music.
3) A number of Carrie's songs actually reflect a Christian worldview. This morning, someone laughed at this statement, so hear me out! Carrie Underwood began her career with Jesus, Take the Wheel, a song containing admonitions of prayer, repentance, and surrender. My own heart is stirred by the more recent song So Small, which gives a much more biblical outlook than normally presented by the Me Generation. Even Carrie's latest hit I Don't Even Know My Last Name, was presented as a warning to those who live under the influence of alcohol, called poison in Carrie's song.
Every image of Carrie Underwood is pleasant and positive. As Carrie sang Don't Forget to Remember Me, she spoke of her family and referenced her responsibility as a role model for young girls. Listen to So Small, as performed at the 2007 Country Music Awards and catch the powerful message contained therein.
Generations from now, Carrie Underwood will be listed alongside Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and other women who climbed the top of the mountain in country music. I believe that my wife and I will be able to tell our grandchildren that we heard Carrie Underwood in person.
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9 comments:
The fact that you'd compare Carrie to Reba and say that Carrie comes even remotely close is laughable to say the least. Reba is one of if not the best female country artist ever. I do agree that Carrie has a fantastic voice but the girl has zero ability to show restraint when she sings. She is a power noting mess from start to finish. She needs to learn less is more.
and then for you to dredge up an old video that has already been explained as a JOKE is pitiful too. no one is jealous of Carrie, much less an artist of Faith Hill's caliber who has achieved far greater success than Carrie, both in the U.S. and on the international stage
I did chuckle at your "left-wing" comment too. I bet you'd crap a load if you learned that Carrie is a democrat.
and finally, yes, Carrie's latest #1 song is a real Christian torch song. "it started off hey cutie where you from and it turned into oh no what have I done" blame it on the cuervo indeed.
Ha ha. The first comment by anonymous must have been written by Reba herself, except Reba has more class that to use the word "crap". It is however, fairly obvious that whoever wrote the first comment is one of the "left-wingers". You can tell by their disdain for any appreciation of non "left wing" attitudes.
Sometimes you just gotta laugh. :-)
I have seen Carrie preform six times and met her four times and she is just as described. The most humble artist imaginable. Her stage presence from last yr to present has taken a 100% turn. She does indeed provide a concert equal to the big names Reba and Faith with vocals to match. But she has done this in three short years. She is one of the hardest working artists on the road. She does charity work that you never hear of in the news and she will never compromise her values. She is always mindful she is a role model and leads by example. She has passion for the Grand Ole Opry and what it stands for, she embrace gospel as Faith does, and she still can go all the way to rock for her young fans. She is truly a total pkg of talent with a level head, big heart, and stunning beauty in and out.
" She does charity work that you never hear of in the news and she will never compromise her values. She is always mindful she is a role model and leads by example."
And what kind of witness is her last song? I agree with anon #1, blame it on the cuervo indeed!
IMHO her singing that type of song compromises her values instantly and betrays her faith.
You cannot sing about having loose morals in one song and Jesus in another and be a believable witness.
Kate Campbell has a great song about Ezekiel's Wheel.
Up here in Collinsville, I'm like Berle in the song; I've seen em too.
Google up the lyrics.
As for the great ones, well that would be Emmy Lou and Gillian Welch.
What Dr. Killian needs to do is book the Larry Nelson singers out of NW Arkansas in Maytown.
They'll pack the house and the love offering will more that take care of expenses.
That is one I may try to make.
God Bless, take care and don't believe everything you hear about John Killinger.
Keep an eye out for www.christinewicker.com as well.
i think Carrie is an outstanding performer. people saying bad things abt her just cause she shows a slight wild side: YALL NEED TO GET A LIFEE!!! yall make it easy to see that yall are just jealous cause CARRIE IS COUNTRY MUSICS NEW SUPERSTARR!!
reaba and faith have had their turn. and they are great also, dont get me wrong, but new performers will come along and they have great talent also so just keep ur rude comments to urselff.
I really believe that Carrie and Taylor Hicks ought get together.
RKA
What's wrong with you people? Everyone knows Jessica Simpson is taking country music by storm because she's a better singer and role model than Reba and Carrie! Even Tony Romo and PETA knows it http://omg.yahoo.com/what-were-they-thinking/photos/2026 Jessica is humble, shakes it like a polaroid picture and possesses the unique ability to make millions of pop fans come on over to country! Next she will win CMA female vocalist!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ReXt4l9r2pA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtYM2vx42t0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPu6nDM50GA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB388SH3XJo
LOL at the Jessica Simpson is taking country music by storm. She must have gotten caught in that storm and drowned because you won't hear much of her after this year. No one takes her seriously and no she'll never win FVOTY at any award show unless Joe Simpson buys out the industry.
I've seen Carrie and Reba live and they are both phenominal and respected ladies in the business. Both will indeed go down as classics such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline. I give them both Kudos for their amazing stage presence and their ability to play roles like "Fancy" and "Last Name" yet are able to distinguish between a role in a song and the way they conduct and promote their lifestyle which is classy, and respectable by everyone's standard of being a true lady. Go Reba and Carrie, TWO TRUE country legends.
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