This year’s CMA Awards cohost Carrie Underwood takes the Opry stage for her hit single “Church Bells.”
The CMA Awards are coming up on November 2, so we’re enjoying the music of this year’s hosts. Last week, Brad Paisley took our Opry Performance of the Week stage. This week, it’s Carrie Underwood’s turn in front of the footlights.
Underwood’s career took off when she won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Since then the Checotah, Oklahoma, native has become one of the most successful artists in country music. In recognition, on May 10, 2008, Garth Brooks did the honors when she was inducted as a member of Grand Ole Opry; she earned a spot in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame the following year.
With seven Grammys, six Country Music Awards, and 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, it’s no surprise that the multitalented artist earned a Guinness World Record for most country No.1 songs for a female artist.
Underwood’s latest record is Storyteller, which is an apt description of her approach to country music. “I feel like one of the things that sets country music apart from other types of music is the storytelling aspect,” Underwood says on her website. “I want three-and-a-half-minute movies on the radio. I love that there’s a beginning, middle, and an end, and it all makes sense. You can follow the characters, and you can see it all playing out in your head. That’s what I’m drawn to, so that’s what I write, what I pick, and what I want to sing. All the songs on the album either are very character-driven mini-movies or they’re my own personal stories. Hopefully, both are entertaining and relatable.”
One of those story-songs is the album’s third single, “Church Bells.” The inspiring story of a young woman’s journey to a position of strength after a failed and abusive marriage, the tune marks the singer’s 24th career No. 1. To honor the accomplishment, we’re choosing Carrie Underwood’s “Church Bells” as our Opry Performance of the Week.
After the CMA Awards, Underwood’s next performance on her Storyteller tour is November 6 at the First Ontario Centre in Hamilton, Canada.
Not in Canada? Not to worry. Underwood will be back stateside on November 9 at BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Illinois.
Photography: Chris Hollo/Copyright 2014 Grand Ole Opry®
