Carrie Underwood Entertains Crowds across the Country on “Play On” Tour

June 4, 2010 (Denver) – Performing to an almost sold out Colorado crowd, Carrie Underwood illustrated why she was named the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year for two consecutive years. And it’s no surprise that fans across the country come out in droves to see the once-American Idol starlet live.
As the lights dimmed, the band began to play the opening chords of the lead single, “Cowboy Casanova”, from the country cutie’s third number one album Play On. And with a flash of light, there she was, rising from beneath the stage in a form fitting, glammed up tuxedo inspired outfit – the first of eight costume choices – as she delivered her sassy single to the adoring audience. Followed by a number of filler tracks from the current album and a few recognizable hits, the show seemed more of a greatest hits compilation. And with ten number one hits under her belt, it’s no wonder why.

Whether flying over the crowd in a blue “CARRIE” branded pickup truck singing “Country Roads” or strutting around the stage, the blonde bombshell showed no signs of vocal distress – even at the high Rocky Mountain altitude. About halfway through the 23-song set, Underwood, who took a number of breaks to undoubtedly catch her breath and chat with the audience, belted out her first number one single “Jesus Take the Wheel” mashed up with the Jesus-loving classic “How Great Thou Art”, which seemed to hit home with most of the country fan filled arena. The evening, while generally upbeat, included many tender moments, including her current single “Temporary Home”, which she warned had a 50/50 chance of making her cry upon delivery. It went the way of tears during the touching number in Denver.

The most predictable surprise of the night brought country trio Sons of Sylvia, who had opened the evening with Craig Morgan, on stage to perform the ballad “What Can I Say”. And as the night came to a close, she delivered another “duet” with a digital-Randy Travis while the stage was converted into the Grand Ole Opry set. “I don’t get to play much there while on tour, so we thought we’d bring a little bit of it on the road with us,” she said before delivering the Travis covered hit “I Told You So”. After the stage quickly changed from Opry back to the Play On extravaganza, Carrie made her way to the Slam Grand piano for “Mama’s Song”, a tribute to her mom and future husband (tear!), Mike Fisher. And after a quick intro of the band, she kicked it up with “Last Name” before lowering herself below the stage from which she first appears just 21 songs, 7 outfit changes, and 10 number one hits ago – leaving room for just one or two more.

And as the band “played on”, Carrie reemerged in a glittery version of the album’s cover artwork and the audience sang along to Underwood’s biggest cross-over smash, “Before He Cheats”, followed by “Song Like This”, an untempo track from the disc, mashed up with Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” and Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”. And after a few minutes of thanking everyone for coming out and giving her signature beauty queen smile, she again lowered below the stage and the arena went dark. While the tour continued on to its next stop – she performed in Colorado Springs the following night – Denver fans – myself included – were left satisfied.

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