Carrie Underwood

Charming, Talented and a Role Model for All

Gifted singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood brings her powerful vocals and southern charm to The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center this Halloween! Underwood launched herself to the top after winning the fourth season of “American Idol” and will be celebrating the release of her new album Carnival Ride. However, this superstar is not only loved for her down-to-earth personality and powerhouse vocals, but she is also becoming one of country music’s most effective and best loved ambassadors, using her success as a springboard for good. In a world where celebrity is often about mere self-indulgence, her charitable efforts are yet another indication that Carrie brings as much grace, style and substance to her life as she does to her music and stage performances.

Carrie Underwood recently teamed up with some of the world’s most famous recording artists to release the single “Just Stand Up” for cancer research. This unique single supports the new campaign Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), an effort to raise funds for innovative cancer research. The singers and composers are banding together to sponsor SU2C’s mission, “rallying the public around the goal of ending cancer’s reign as a leading cause of death.”

On September 5, a long list of celebrities, including Carrie Underwood, performed live on ABC, CBS, and NBC for an hour-long commercial free broadcast. The extraordinary event was the first time ever for multiple networks to simultaneously raise funds for a disease. Other celebrities participating in the event were Rihanna, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, LeAnn Rimes, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti and Ciara.

Underwood’s official website
www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com received rave reviews for the charitable single. Comments for Carrie ranged from children who have lost grandparents to cancer to a 52-year-old dad thanking Carrie for the role-model she is for his kids. The single is now available for download on iTunes.

The list of Carrie Underwood’s charitable acts goes on. She is a supporter of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and has done several public service announcements for the organization. She also supports the animal rights organization, PETA. Underwood also recently donated a blouse to Keith Urban’s “You Look Good in My Old T-Shirt” online auction benefiting St. Jude’s Research Hospital.

Since being crowned the American Idol winner in 2005, Underwood has only seen success and there are no signs of slowing down. In 2006 and 2007, she was named Female Vocal Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and it was announced last month that she is once again in the running to win the title for the third year in a row! In 2007, she received three Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best Female Vocal Country Artist and her song “Before He Cheats” won Best Country Song. Underwood was also recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry as the youngest member!

Carrie Underwood will be accompanied by the country music vocal group Little Big Town. Comprising of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Roads Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, they present an interesting group dynamic as they alternate lead singers. The quartet showcases their talent by utilizing four-part vocal harmonies to produce a southern, down-to-earth feel.

Little Big Town has seen four songs from their album A Road to Here hit the Top 20 list, including “Boondocks,” “A Little More You,” “Good as Gone” and “Bring It On Home.” Starting off as friends in 1998, the group has since grown into a big, happy family. Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook announced their marriage in 2006, and the marriages of Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet have both produced children that have become part of the band family. According to Westbrook, “If we didn’t love each other, we’d kill each other. We each have our role. Kimberly is organized.  Karen is always working and planning.  Phillip and I are good at packing the suitcases.” Sweet adds, “Jimi and I are there for comic relief in the van, we keep the girls entertained.”

Make sure and get your tickets to check out the powerful vocals and unbelievable stage presence of Carrie Underwood with special guest Little Big Town at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center October 31!