**Carrie Underwood Reflects on the Challenges of Touring and Song Selection**
Carrie Underwood, the renowned country music artist, has shared her experiences and insights regarding the challenges of touring, particularly the task of selecting songs for her setlists. Speaking to reporters in Nashville, Underwood revealed that deciding which songs to include is often emotionally taxing for her, as she strives to balance new material with the beloved hits that fans expect to hear.
The 43-year-old singer, well-known for classics such as “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” admitted that the hardest part of the touring process is identifying which songs will unfortunately be cut from her performances. This is no easy feat considering her extensive catalog, which boasts over a dozen chart-topping hits in the United States.
Underwood expressed her struggles with the selection process, stating, “Finding that perfect balance of just enough new stuff and obviously the ones that people expect to hear, but I always get sad, I’m like ‘Aww, we’re not gonna do that one?'” This sentiment resonates with many artists who grapple with the need to explore new artistic avenues while also catering to audience expectations.
The singer, who recently concluded her Reflection residency at Resorts World Las Vegas after more than 70 shows, reflected on the physically demanding nature of her performances. Underwood jokingly remarked, “I can’t be on stage for four hours singing my songs. After two hours of my songs, I’m like, ‘Eww,’ and, ‘I’m hurtin’.” This light-hearted acknowledgement of the demands of touring underscores not only the physical effort involved but also the emotional investment artists make during live performances.
Underwood’s most recent major tour, which supported her album “Denim & Rhinestones,” featured a robust setlist that often exceeded 20 songs. This extensive list consistently showcased her most popular tracks, ensuring her fans got a taste of both new music and cherished classics. Despite her efforts to provide a comprehensive experience for her audience, the ongoing challenge of song selection continues to weigh heavily on her during the planning stages.
In light of her iconic track “Before He Cheats” reaching its 20th anniversary, Underwood took a moment to reflect on the song’s initial recording process. She recounted her doubts about the track, stating, “I remember even when we were talking about recording that song, it was kind of like, ‘Oh, is this too aggressive?'” At the time, she felt it clashed with her public persona as a sweet farm girl from “American Idol,” leading her to question whether it was the right choice for her career.
Ultimately, the song became one of her most successful hits, soaring to the top of both the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and peaking at No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Reflecting on its lasting impact, Underwood shared, “But, yeah, 20 years later, we still see people perform it, and it’s a lot of fun.”
As Underwood navigates the complexities of her career, her dedication to her craft remains evident. The emotional connections she forges with her music and her audience fuel her artistry, even as the demands of touring present their own set of challenges.
This balance of crafting memorable live performances while ensuring her personal artistic expression is maintained is a delicate one. Fans can look forward to seeing Underwood continue to evolve in her musical journey, as she blends her heritage and influences in future tours and albums.
With her commitment to both new and enduring music, Underwood’s touring experience serves as a poignant reminder of the unique challenges faced by artists striving to connect with their audiences while staying true to themselves.