Seeing Carrie Underwood live in concert was the thing Courtney Principe said she wanted the most for her 18th birthday. And on this special day, Principe got exactly what she wanted. With her family, Principe drove all night from her home in Oxford, Ma., to attend Underwood's special concert at New York City's Lincoln Center for ABC's 'Good Morning America.
“She's my favorite performer”, said Principe, who said she hit the road at 12:30 am in order to land a spot close to the stage.
That early wake-up call payed off for Principe as Underwood wished her a happy birthday from the stage.
Tuesday was definitely the day of early wake-up calls for Underwood's fans. They traveled from all over the country to start their day bright and early with the multi-platinum selling artist. Underwood's GMA appearance is just a string of live performances she is doing this week to promote the release of her new album Play On, which hit stores Tuesday.
For Renee Celotto, Underwood's new album coming out today is the reason she drove from Philadelphia to see her perform. "I want to celebrate her new music and be with her on her special day".
The special day is also what Jessica Venick said she flew in from Toronto, CA for. "Just to be here on the day it was released...it's something special".
Underwood certainly made her fans feel special during her performances on the morning newscast. In between belting out her hits, the country music sensation took the time to converse with her fans of all ages.
The personal connection Underwood makes with her fans is what Celotto and her friends say they admire most about Underwood and why they travel far and near for her. “She knows her fans. She's still the same Carrie from American Idol. This is like our 37th show!”, said Celotto.
“Once you go once, you can't stop!”, Venick added.
Principe agrees about Underwood's personal characteristics being as special as her talent. “She just seems real, the way she presents herself...a great inspiration to young girls”.
Underwood presented herself with a great vibe of energy on stage as she kicked off the concert with her newest and most successful single, “Cowboy Casanova”, which has also become the fastest-rising country song of the year. The song's success only continued to rise during its' performance. One fan led Underwood's smiles to grow even wider when they shouted to her the news that the singe had just reached the #1 spot on Media-Base, to which the band and audience burst into applause for.
Just as Underwood's fans are making a difference in her life by their support of her music, Underwood herself has made a difference in her fans' lives.
Robin Greenfield, a member of Underwood's official fan club, donates the proceeds she makes from selling bracelets with a special quote from the singer, to Underwood's C.A.T.S. Foundation. The bracelets state 'no matter what' on them; a special saying Underwood has with her fans. “We're sending them all over the world”, said Greenfield. “Carrie has one, too!”
Underwood ended the show with “Last Name”, a hit off of her sophomore record Carnival Ride.
Both of the 26-year-old's debut albums have broken one music chart record after the other and won Underwood numerous awards, to which she never fails to thank her fans for as their dedication is never lost on her.
“We're always voting, always requesting”, said Celotto. “She remembers us. We love everything about her”.
Alex Dominguez flew in from New Orleans, La., because she too loves everything about Underwood.
“She's just the greatest...she's worth it to come this far for”.
Comments
This article is so reflective of the relationship Carrie has with her fans. She talks to them, writes to them, and knows them by name. They in turn support her in all of her endeavors. She has never strayed from her roots as a humble, christian, country girl and we know she never will. If a song goes to pop radio, so be it, but she wont change it. It goes as is "country". She concentrates on the God given talent of her voice and leaves all the perfumes, clothes lines, and school supplies to those that need to do that stuff.
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