Carrie Underwood got her start when she won American Idol season 4 almost twenty years ago. Since then, she has had one of the most successful careers in country music. Now, she’s preparing to head back to Idol. This time, though, the country star won’t be competing. Instead, she’ll take Katy Perry’s spot on the judges’ panel.
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Last Friday (August 23), Underwood made a surprise appearance at the Dawg House Saloon in Las Vegas for SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour. While she was there, she talked to host Buzz Brainard about returning to American Idol and more.
Carrie Underwood on Returning to American Idol as a Judge
“I’m gearing up for the next season of American Idol. There’s a lot going on,” Carrie Underwood said about her busy life.
“We’ve got two country artists on the panel—you and Luke [Bryan]. So, you’ve got control,” Buzz Brainard said. However, Underwood believes that she’s done enough outside of the genre to be able to fairly judge any singer that auditions. “I feel like I’ve been very blessed to obviously be so rooted in country music. But, I’ve been able to be a part of so many other genres as well,” she said. “I mean, I’ve got a song with Papa Roach right now. It’s a lot of fun. I like to think that I’m versatile. Hopefully, when I listen to people come in and audition, I can have whatever lens I need to put on as far as what kind of music I’m thinking.”
American Idol has a history of tough judges starting with Simon Cowell in the early seasons. Brainard wanted to know if Underwood could be tough on Idol hopefuls. “I think I can be honest and constructive but still kind,” Underwood said. “I think that’s the whole point. People are coming in and it’s dreams and you’re part of somebody’s story from that moment on. So, I think it’s important to be honest but I think it’s also very important to be kind. I hope I can marry all those together.”
Carrie on Her Collaboration with Papa Roach
Recently, Carrie Underwood teamed up with Papa Roach to re-record their hit single “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark).” The royalties from the song will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She talked about the collaboration with Brainard.
“Basically, Jacoby Shaddix especially, is really into and helps out the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He takes a break during his shows and makes it a point to reach out to people who might be dealing with some stuff and offer them resources to help. Then, this song came out and he invited me to come out and sing it with him,” she explained. “My kids are huge Papa Roach fans and I grew up listening to them in high school. The Infest album was one of my favorites,” she added.
Then, she talked about the recording session for the song. “It was so important to me—because it’s such a song that is such a song that is near and dear to him and a cause that is near and dear to him—that he be there. I wanted it to feel like it all fit together,” she said. “So, I felt like him being there and giving me some vocal instruction from the other side of the glass was very helpful for me. It was great to get to hang out with him as well.”
Featured Image by Denise Truscello
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