Carrie Underwood screamed to a Bryce Jordan Center crowd Saturday night that there were more people present in the arena than living in her hometown.
She then launched into "I Ain't in Checotah Anymore," a song about her modest Oklahoma beginnings.
Although there were a few empty seats for Underwood and Keith Urban's Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride tour stop at the BJC, more than 10,000 people were in attendance, and it was hard to take one's eyes off stage while the delightful duo served up excitement and enthusiasm during a nearly four-hour show.
When there was an opportunity to divert attention to the crowd, there seemed to be more representation from the grandma set and the under-10 crowd than college-aged people, which was admittedly a little disconcerting for a college town.
While the ticket prices were probably too expensive for many students' wallets, the evening can be summed up in three words: Totally worth it.
A show without an opening act was a bit peculiar. There was no little-known band to wait impatiently through, no foot to tap, no watch to check. Instead, Underwood's portion of the show began precisely at 7:30 p.m. when she rose out of the stage floor, singing "Flat On The Floor" from her latest CD, Carnival Ride.
The charming chanteuse offered a 70-minute set, which included everything from the sweet "All-American Girl" to the tough "Before He Cheats."
In addition to the range in songs, Underwood used frequent wardrobe changes to express her personality. From knee-high boots to an elegant ball gown to a Penn State jersey personalized just for her, fans could see that Underwood was a songstress with style.
While Underwood proved that her pipes were worthy of her American Idol win, it was Urban's performance skills that stole the show. There was no less than a 40-minute wait for Urban to take the stage, but the payoff made it worthwhile.
Urban's 19-song set was peppered mostly with hit songs, and his showmanship made every song unique and enjoyable.
Underwood joined Urban midway through his set, thus reminding the audience that this really was a co-headlining tour. After a cover of "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," though, Underwood disappeared and it was all about Urban's stellar skills once more.
There were some 20-somethings who decided to shell out $80 for Urban and Underwood, the female contingent of which made their presence felt when Urban was onstage. I'll forever have memories -- and possibly a headache -- from the young women seated directly behind me who continually screamed, "He's so hot!" during Urban's two-hour performance.
"You Look Good In My Shirt" featured Urban nearly committing celebrity suicide as he walked off the stage to sing among the eager crowd. He even signed his guitar in the middle of the song and gave it to a fan who was standing nearby -- as nonchalantly as if he were loaning her a pencil.
Urban also paid homage to his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, before crooning "Got It Right This Time."
"Now, I got a very pregnant wife at home. I'd like to dedicate this to her," he said.
The "aww's" from the crowd were infectious.
The show ended at 11:25 p.m., when Urban threw a towel over his sweaty hair and exited the stage.
To that, I think those girls behind me said something summarily original, to the effect of, "He's so hot!"
