Carrie Underwood: For the Love of Country
'Reflection' residency ends successful run on a high note as new Idol era begins
It’s no coincidence Carrie Underwood’s headlining residency REFLECTION is coming to an end after she joined American Idol as a judge for Season 23 of the talent competition series. The exposure she’ll receive during her television tenure will likely translate into more streaming sales than Underwood has yet received during the current arc of her career, but her red hot performances at Resorts World Theatre during REFLECTION is how this era will be remembered.
“The timing did work out beautifully as Idol came together,” said Underwood in a March email interview. “It’s a bit of a full-circle moment for me in a number of ways, given that the REFLECTION show is really a celebration of my career so far, which I owe so much of to American Idol. And similar to the residency, the Idol schedule is spread out over time, so neither meant being away from home for too long at one time.”
Underwood participated alongside veteran judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan during production for the latest season of American Idol, replacing ex-Resorts World headliner Katy Perry. The move coincides with the 20th anniversary of her Season Four win and release of her first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s pop singles chart. Her experience provides her with an insight into and empathy for a contestant’s perspective.
“I know exactly what they are going through and how vulnerable it is to stand in front of the judges and leave your heart on the stage,” said Underwood. “I always want to be honest and to give them some real feedback, whether it’s positive or something they can work on. I love that this is my chance to be a small part of someone else’s journey.”
“Inside Your Heaven” was followed by three more No. 1 country singles, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Before He Cheats” and “Wasted” from her debut album Some Hearts, which was released 20 years ago this November. They’re all part of Underwood’s Reflections set, representing the embryonic period of her career when longevity was possible but not assured.
She worked hard to assure that success. Carnival Ride (2007), Play On (2009) and Blown Away (2012) all debuted at No. 1, with the title track from the latter becoming a highlight of the first half of Reflection. Underwood has been opening shows with that album’s “Cowboy Casanova” followed by Play On’s “Good Girl,” providing a rousing high-energy start to her shows that gets the audience on its feet and demonstrates Underwood’s voice is as powerful as ever.
Underwood is in her prime as a performer as well, as anyone who has attended Reflection can attest. It’s been a good time in her life to take on the physical demands of a Vegas headlining engagement, picking up an electric guitar to power-chord along to “Church Bells” and hitting the high notes to “Blown Away” from an elevated platform as acrobats rise above the stage on spinning rings.
“I love what we got to do with our big ‘Something in the Water’ finale,” said Underwood. “The water wall is something we could have never done with a touring production, so getting to put that on stage was a dream come true for me.”
The shows have also been a platform for the talents of a live band that includes musical director/bassist Mark Childers, guitarists Ed Eason and Matt Riviere, drummer Seth Rausch, steel guitarist Chad Jeffers, fiddlers Jordan Lawson and Sydney Perri, and keyboardist Scott Sheriff. They come off more like a clan than backup musicians.
In a sense Underwood has two career clans at the moment, and she can only burn the candle at both ends for so long. She performs at Grand Ole Opry regularly and can manage occasionally accepting a prestigious invitation such as the one that led her to sing “America the Beautiful” earlier this year at the 60th U.S. Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
It could be awhile before Underwood’s fans get the chance to catch her sing “All-American Girl,” “Two Black Cadillacs” or “Cry Pretty” live though. It’s a good time to look back with Underwood before the singer plans the next steps in her future.
“Twenty years is quite a milestone and the residency has definitely been a highlight,” said Underwood. “I’m always doing shows, whether it’s these, festivals, or other live events, so that will continue. Performing live and touring is probably the favorite part of what I’m lucky enough to get to do, whether we’re coming to you in your town or your coming from all over the world to see us in Vegas. I love it all.”