Monday, August 17, at 8:00 p.m.
Carrie Underwood with special guests Michael Ray and Sarah Darling
8 can?t-miss Iowa State Fair events
Carrie Underwood
It was January 18, 2005, when the fourth season of American Idol premiered and fans first heard the shy Oklahoma college student singing for the first time. In less than 10 years, Carrie Underwood has sold 65 million records worldwide, scored 20 number-one singles and earned nearly 100 major accolades, including seven Grammy Awards and Rolling Stone Magazine has called her, “Female vocalist of her generation”.
As both a vocalist and a songwriter, Underwood has proven to be extremely versatile, from up-tempo numbers to tender ballads. Her impressive repertoire of hits includes "Something in the Water," “Before He Cheats,” “All-American Girl,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Blown Away” and her six-week, number-one breakthrough hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Through it all, Underwood’s sheer talent, tremendous fan appeal and explosive success have earned her a towering media presence: including innumerable magazine covers, the national anthem at the 2010 Super Bowl, performances on Saturday Night Live, and appearances on Oprah Winfrey to name a few.
I'm so glad she asked Sarah Darling!
This was tweeted July 30.
Only 2 weeks left until #FairTour2015! We want to know - what are you most excited about at #ISF2015? #NothingCompares #Best11DaysoftheYear
- Brianna Marvin @BriannaMarvin Jul 30
@IowaStateFair CARRIE UNDERWOOD with my best friends!!!!And the food, always the food.
Iowa State Fair @IowaStateFair Jul 30
@BriannaMarvin We can't wait to see @carrieunderwood either! See you soon!
Should have a good crowd for Carrie.
Krafka Suffolks @Krafka_Suffolks Aug 9
Campers already cover hillsides @IowaStateFair. Packed in like sardines. #ISF2015
Carrie Underwood: From Idol to Grandstand star
"American Idol" has had some success stories, but Carrie Underwood's career single handedly justifies the show's existence.
The Recording Industry Association of America recently named the singer as one of the top 5 selling artists in the history of its digital sales program.
On Monday she returns to Des Moines to headline the Grandstand at the Iowa State Fair.
Early Des Moines exposure
Monday's show comes just shy of 10 years after Underwood played Wells Fargo Arena as part of the 2005 American Idols Live! Tour. The tour also included Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis and less notable acts (remember Jessica Sierra?).
It was the lowest attended show on the tour (around 3,600 fans), but Underwood returned to the arena as a headliner in 2012 for her Blown Away Tour. That show drew in more than 10,000 fans.
A decade of hits
Fans are still waiting on a follow-up to 2012's "Blown Away," but Underwood did release "Greatest Hits: Decade Number 1" last year, featuring two new songs.
The two-disc collection featured 25 songs, including "Jesus, Take The Wheel," "Before He Cheats," "Good Girl" and many others.
Note the "Decade Number 1" part of that title. She's only 32, so there's a good chance of several more volumes to come.
"The Sound of Music"
Underwood stepped into Julie Andrews shoes in 2013, performing as Maria von Trapp in NBC's live production of "The Sound of Music." The production was a big hit for NBC, prompting follow-up live performances of "Peter Pan" in 2014 and "The Wiz" later this year.
Underwood isn't performing any Rodgers and Hammerstein songs on this tour, but the Wiz does factor in somewhat, in the form of rapper Wiz Khalifa. Underwood has been rapping a verse from Khalifa's See You Again" in her own song with the same name.
A slightly different landscape from The Gorge....but, still beautiful!!
Kendra Walters @Kendra12Walters 22m22 minutes ago @carrieunderwood welcome to Iowa well when you get here. Looking forward to hearing you! Hope you like Iowa!
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Kendra Walters @Kendra12Walters 2h2 hours ago @carrieunderwood I can't wait to see you at the Iowa state fair!!! Welcome to God's country! We are ready for you! God Bless! Section XY![]()
Steve Adams @SAdams212 7h7 hours ago
@carrieunderwood can you sing "Keep us Safe" on Monday? Iowa would go nuts for it!![]()
Mike Mussman @K102Muss 16m16 minutes ago Finally Friday! 3-7p Shortstop in Coon Rapids @K102 @MillerLite @carrieunderwood State Fair tix!
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Awww, he will be just fine....once Carrie hits the stage!!
Erin S. @lifewitherins 3m3 minutes ago Dragging husband to county fair. Hoping to be mistaken for @carrieunderwood despite my brown hair and lack of cowboy boots
Is it normal to have a state fair on a Monday?
Sounds like a lot of politicians are at the Iowa State Fair.....
Me @SpeakMyMind75 33m33 minutes ago Iowa State Fair...@realDonaldTrump here at same time lol should be fun fun fun LOL I want a ride in the helicopter LMFAO
Jocelyn Stanton @jocelynmstanton 19m19 minutes ago
@SpeakMyMind75 @realDonaldTrump you couldn't pay me to get off my porch for the fair today. You're brave. Going during the week in the rain.
Me @SpeakMyMind75 11m11 minutes ago
@jocelynmstanton @realDonaldTrump Yep..it's a little weekend getaway we'll be here Monday to for Miss Carrie Underwood can't WAIT to see her
Tanya jensen @TanyaJensen6 16m16 minutes ago @carrieunderwood Enjoy Iowa and the Fair. Can't afford to go but Iowa welcomes U! #makingAdifference
I'd like to see Carrie start adding different songs into her setlist. "Good In Goodbye" is a song I'd like to hear her do live.
Caleista Meyne @caleistameyne 9m9 minutes ago North Liberty, IA Can't wait until August 17 to see @carrieunderwood at the Iowa state fair! Thanks to my aunt and uncle for buying be the tickets!