Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Carrie Underwood in Concert
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 acting 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.
Posted by John Killian at 7:44 AM
Musings from Maytown: Carrie Underwood in Concert
Carrie Underwood does not display a haughtiness
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