Carrie Underwood has crafted an impressive career, spanning almost 20 years, ever since she won American Idol in 2005. It’s a career that has undoubtedly inspired countless other aspiring singers, but it’s one that she wouldn’t have if not for her own musical idols, including Reba McEntire.
“She gives the sass real good,” Underwood told Las Vegas Magazine, adding that she also drew early inspiration from Martina McBride.
“I sang ‘A Broken Wing’ and ‘Independence Day’ at every talent show that I performed at, ever,” Underwood revealed. “And then maybe Faith Hill. She’s another one that I feel I sing a lot of her stuff, and she was also my first concert. She was opening for Alan Jackson at the time, so that was my first concert ever.”
Underwood launched her REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency, in 2021, drawing inspiration by shows put on by McEntire and her other musical idol, Dolly Parton.
“Sharing a legacy of putting on proper shows that, like Dolly’s and Reba’s, are extra — meaning filled with more of the glitz, glamour, extravagant wardrobe and staging that’s a part of our lives already — and tell a full, emotion and vibe-driven story with a beginning, middle and end,” Underwood told The Tennessean. “I’m not just showing up and singing. Instead, I’m immersing the audience in song.”
Underwood added more dates to her REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency in 2024, due to overwhelming fan demand. The show, which includes acrobats, special effects and more, is designed to be a nonstop experience, from start to finish.
“We try to keep the Reflection show to be a greatest hits kind of show,” Underwood explained. “My guitar player, I think, coined it perfectly when he was like, ‘This is like an awards-show greatest-hits moment,’ because every single song we try to have a lot of production, a lot of visuals to go along with it. Every single song in Reflection could stand alone.”
The Oklahoma native currently has a Top 25 hit with “Out Of That Truck.” The song, written by Underwood along with Lydia Vaughn and David Garcia, is from her Denim & Rhinestones (Deluxe Edition) album.
“I feel like musically, we wanted ‘Out Of That Truck’ just to feel like … I’m gonna use the word ‘rock’ super loosely,” Underwood explained. “We wanted it to be driving, and guitar-heavy. It’s not an aggressive song at all, so we didn’t want to push it there, but we just wanted it to move and have some energy. I have an affinity for guitars, so it was one of those wanting it to take you somewhere, and you can sing along with it.”
Underwood currently has dates scheduled in Las Vegas through October. Find all of Underwood’s music and upcoming shows at CarrieUnderwoodOfficial.com.