Underwood “Blows Away” Arena

Underwood closes the show with "Blown Away," the current single and title track from her latest album.

Carrie Underwood brought The Blown Away Tour to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Sun., Sept. 24) touching down on a packed and enthusiastic crowd. In the first few minutes it became very clear this show was going to live up to its name.

Using a massive video wall, special effects and a rising floor, we were transported to the scene of a tornado when Underwood entered the stage performing her mega hit, “Good Girl.” She followed the powerful opening number with hits “Undo It” and “Wasted.”

After spending countless hours watching husband Mike Fisher play for the Nashville Predators, she told the audience, “You have no idea how much time I spend at Bridgestone.” She said Fisher joked before the show, “You’re on my turf now.” She replied, “I was here first!”

After performing “I Told You So” and “Two Black Cadillacs,” she made a quick costume change and followed with “Last Name” and “All-American Girl.” She thanked everyone for coming and told the fans $1 of every ticket purchased from the entire tour is going to the American Red Cross. Based on last night’s performance, we can expect that’s going to be a really big check.

Next, her stellar and compelling performance of “Temporary Home” sent onlookers down a powerful emotional ride. Followed by “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” many in the crowd didn’t make it through with dry eyes. She then pulled everyone back into party mode with “Cowboy Casanova.”

Underwood next appeared wearing Fisher’s Predators jersey and cut off blue jean shorts to a cheering crowd. She joined a few members of her band on a section center stage, which levitated above the crowd and moved toward the back of the arena. She performed several songs from her current Blown Away album including, “Nobody Ever Told You,” “Thank God For Hometowns,” and “Do You Think About Me.” She tossed Hawaiian leis from the floating stage while oversized beach balls bounced around the stadium, and performed “One Way Ticket,” telling us we all deserved a vacation.

She brought opening act, Hunter Hayes back on stage to duet on “Leave Love Alone.” Hayes had captured the audience’s attention earlier that evening performing “Storm Warning” and “Wanted” among several other songs. Peter Strickland, Sr. VP of Warner Music Nashville and other members of the staff presented Hayes a plaque during his set for his No. 1 single, “Wanted.” Hayes then returned the favor, surprising the Warner staff with a plaque of their own honoring them for all of their hard work.

Underwood then gave her rocking rendition of “Sweet Emotion” that would have easily put a smile on Steven Tyler’s face. But perhaps the biggest highlight of the evening, and there were many to choose from, was Underwood’s performance of “Remind Me.” While the Brad Paisley duet is usually performed via video on tour, she was completely taken back and surprised when Paisley walked on stage singing his part. An emotional Underwood took a few moments while singing to wipe away the tears as the audience gave them a thunderous and deafening applause. The energy was there to stay as she followed up with “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun” and “Before He Cheats.”

Brad Paisley surprises Carrie during the performance of their #1 hit "Remind Me."

Underwood’s vocals were perfection and it was obvious we were watching a superstar. Although the stage was sophisticated and impressive, the set design kept Underwood’s talent center stage. She had five costume changes and looked beautiful, as always, in each one.

The encore took us back to the scene of the tornado, which had apparently gained strength during the concert. Underwood performed her last song of the night, “Blown Away,” before literally disappearing into the tornado’s vortex. And just like Underwood, we were also blown away.