If Carrie Underwood hadn’t taken “one stupid decision” to audition for “American Idol” eight years ago, she might have been a journalist instead of a country music star who blew away a packed Bryce Jordan Center last night.
Underwood said she was honored to be back at the BJC as part of her 2012 “Blown Away” with recent Country Music Association Award winner Hunter Hayes.
Hayes wowed the crowd, consisting of all age groups who were screaming “I love you Hunter,” with his hits “Wanted,” “Storm Warning,” and a cover of Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are.”
Some concert attendees like Caitlin Clearie who came with two of her friends said she was possibly more excited to see Hayes.
“I’m really excited about hearing “Wanted” but I’m here for Carrie too obviously,” Cleaire (sophomore-premedicine) said.
With impressive guitar skills and an energetic stage presence Hayes set up good vibes for the crowd and threw some guitar picks out to the front row before Underwood graced the stage.
Karley Kamovitch said she had only heard good things about Underwood’s live performances and wanted to see her perform her hit, “Good Girl.”
“I heard she was amazing and this concert is a great study break too because it’s not too late,” Kamovitch (sophomore-supply chain management) said.
By 9 p.m. the lights went dark, the white curtain on stage fell to the ground and visuals from the music video of Underwood’s most recent hit, “Blown Away” started playing on the multiple screens on stage.
A life size pop-up house came up on center stage and Underwood stepped out of its door in a glamorous high-low royal purple dress covered in sparkles and started her set with “Good Girl.”
Underwood was accompanied on stage by a back-up singer, fiddler, guitarist, drummer and pianist while singing a range of her hits like “Last Name” and “All-American Girl” from her four studio albums.
After singing “Two Black Cadillacs” while getting her hair windblown by a fan, she disappeared under the stage for a costume change into a shorter blue equally sparkly dress and began talking about the importance of this tour.
“Ever since this tour started in September a dollar from every ticket is going to the Red Cross,” Underwood said. “As an artist I’m so glad we can do that and chip in.”
“Temporary Home” was a beautiful slow song Underwood wrote and belted on stage while soft lighting illuminated her face.
Underwood said she used to write for her school paper and was planning on becoming a journalist before auditioning for “American Idol" but said she still loves to write through song writing.
“This song [“Temporary Home”] makes me so proud as a song writer, artist and person,” Underwood said.
