Carrie Underwood Goes Where No Country Artist Has Gone Before

Written by: Todd
On 05-11-2009
at 8:05 pm

It is a fact, country music is a male dominated genre. This is not saying that women have not made their mark in Country Music. Kitty Wells was the first female country artist to have a #1 hit with “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” Patsy Cline had hit after hit before her untimely death. Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire are just as notable to the genre as any male. However, when you are talking about hit production, the guys have it in the bag. But do they?

Let’s talk about baseball for a minute. Hank Aaron dethroned Babe Ruth as the home run king. Barry Bonds, maybe with the help of steroids, bumped Aaron from the top. Alex Rodriguez has the potential to bury both records. If you don’t know where I am going with this pay attention. Carrie Underwood may become Country Music’s A. Rod. She has performed a feat, in which, no country music artist has ever achieved. Her two projects have amassed 10 #1 hits. Her latest cover of Randy Travis’ “I Told You So,” has made this accomplishment happen. Her first two albums combined have sold a total of 10 million records. If she continues this success, she will move ahead of Conway Twitty and George Strait.

Am I a die-hard Carrie Underwood fan? No.  I do think she is a brilliant singer. If you have never seen her perform “How Great Thou Art” during the gospel night at the Opry, I suggest you tune in to GAC. This performance changed my opinion of Carrie. She is not as intolerable as most of today’s new country. Even though her style leans toward pop, her music is recognizably country. I have a warning for Miss Underwood. This is where an artist starts to battle pretension. It hits every major artist. The question is, can you rise above it? Can you remain a viable force in country music, and still keep your down home charm? We see so many artists fall away, be it by a lifestyle change, or something as subtle as gossip. The world will be watching your every move. Just keep delivering killer vocals, and great song selection. Listen to your producers. Even though it is Dan Huff. Never be satisfied with your music. It will always need improving. Do not get comfortable with the sound of your own voice. Dusty Springfield was so dissatisfied with the sound of her voice that she never wanted to hear her own voice in her headphones, but she was still able to create one of the best records of all-time with her album Dusty in Memphis. Just keep doing what your doing, and we will see your name in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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One Response to “Carrie Underwood Goes Where No Country Artist Has Gone Before”

  1. Posted by CJT on June 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am

    Carrie Underwood has a powerful voice and she knows how to use it. She will be around for a long time. I will be buying her music everytime a new one comes out. She is also a beautiful person on the inside.

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