Carrie Underwood on her new album, 'Denim and Rhinestones'
"Everyone’s been forced to work differently. You learn what you’re made of.”
When we heard that Carrie Underwood was coming to the UK, Absolute Radio Country got SO excited - even the building security wanted to catch a glimpse of her (and we get plenty of famous faces through the door). Baylen Leonard managed to grab Carrie for a catch up.
The topic of conversation? Her brand new album - Denim and Rhinestones.
First of all, talk about a fabulous title. “Throughout country music, there’s this really great history of Denim and Rhinestones." Carrie told Absolute Radio Country. "We like our bling, we like our fringe. But also as a feeling for the album as a whole. When you think of denim, you think of something that stands the test of time and then all the little sprinkles on top.”
Watch: Carrie Underwood - Ghost Story (Official Music Video)
Recording an album seems like a daunting process, but this is Carrie's ninth record so it's not exactly her first rodeo. Does she have any superstitions or routines?
“I go in with an open mind, you don’t know where the day’s going to take you. You spend the first hour catching up and talking to people. Who’s got the idea today?"
How did she come up with the concept for Denim and Rhinestones? Her notes app. Some use it for grocery lists, others for chart-topping albums. "I used to keep a notepad, but now I just keep it on my phone. I have a lot of stupid ideas. You’ll be like, why did I write this down? I had denim and rhinestones on my phone. I didn’t know what that meant, but i liked that we went together like denim and rhinestones, it made me happy. It could have gone south real quick.”
Watch: Carrie Underwood in the studio with Absolute Radio Country
When Carrie was writing Denim and Rhinestones, she had no idea where the world would be once it was released. “I wanted there to be a tour, but we didn’t know. It’s easy with our crazy lives, you do go through the motions, make an album, go on tour, and you can take it for granted. Everyone’s been forced to work differently. You learn what you’re made of.”
In the meantime, Carrie’s been keeping busy playing CMA Fest in Nashville and her Vegas residency. Spending all that time in Vegas, does she hang out on the slots or stay in her hotel? “I like Vegas, but we don’t do normal things in Vegas, we’re not partying, wonderful restaurants and lots of shows. We work as much as possible, my family come out for a few days. It's a lot when your kids are little. The Cry Pretty started when my youngest was three months old. My oldest is 7 and he can't just sit in a hotel room anymore.”
Carrie’s trip across the pond this time has been focused on promoting the new album - but could there be a UK tour in the pipeline? “I don’t have any bombshells to be dropping. That would be great, hopefully we can come back.”
Don't forget to listen to all your favourite country music stars on Country Music Talk with Baylen Leonard
Read next: The women who shaped country music
The Chicks
The Chicks, for a time, were a warning of what not to do in country music. But truth telling is what makes country great, and their music is a prime example. For those who weren't around in the late 90s/early 00s, it's hard to describe the impact they had on country music. Not only did they help take the genre worldwide, but their music got more country, not less as time went on. A rare feat for female country artists who, in order to gain greater success, make the transition to pop. Any country singer under 40 will no doubt tell you that they influenced them.
Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Family
For modern country fans, it's time to do your homework. Maybelle Carter, affectionately known as the Mother of country music, was a member of country music's first band, The Carter Family. In the 1920s they had huge success, but Maybelle in particular was a pioneer musician. For the guitar players out there, she invented the Carter scratch. Plus, her daughter was none other than June Carter Cash.
Alison Krauss
The fact that the only female artist who has more Grammy's than Alison Krauss is Beyoncé should speak for itself. But the angelic voiced singer and violinist was a key figure in a bluegrass resurgence in the 90s. Her distinctive voice and style set her apart from the rest of 90s country, which was more pop leaning. Krauss proves that you don't have to belt out a high note in order to give the audience chills.
Linda Ronstadt
Dolly Parton, when speaking of her friend and collaborator once said: "Linda can sing anything". High praise, indeed. And if you look at the breadth of her discography, Miss Parton wasn't lying. While Linda Ronstadt got her start in the Los Angeles rock scene (did you know her old back up band was none other than the Eagles?), her transition into country left a huge impact with albums such as 'Heart Like A Wheel', 'Simple Dreams' and 'Trio' with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton. A huge influence on Maren Morris, Linda proved that blending genres doesn't kill your career - it defines it.
Faith Hill
A powerhouse vocalist and talented entertainer, Faith Hill is one of the artists that first comes to mind when people talk about the golden era of country music - the 1990s. Although she stepped back from recording and performing in the mid-2000s to spend more time with her family, this crossover artist has no shortage of hits.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is proof that quality over quantity gets you far. Although she only released four country albums, the teenager shook the world when she burst onto the scene in the late 2000s. Any millennial and Gen Z country fan will count her as an influence. The icon proved that age is just a number by sweeping the Grammy's, CMA's and breaking records before she turned 20.
Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells was the first female country star and when you think of the domino effect she had on the genre, it's important to remember we may not have had Dolly Parton or Loretta Lynn if it wasn't for Kitty Wells.
Shania Twain
Shania Twain is one of a handful of artists the world over people will instantly recognise as a country music singer. One of the most successful artists of all time, Twain has influenced an entire generation of country artists and despite her hiatus from music after losing her voice, continues to bust down barriers and uplift her fellow female artists.
Dolly Parton
This one is fairly self-explanatory. Dolly Parton may be tiny, but she's a country music giant. Almost every country artist has been influenced by her. She blazed a trail for female songwriters and artists. Know a little song called 'I Will Always Love You'? She turned down Elvis Presley, who wanted the publishing rights. There's really nothing Dolly can't do, she's beloved by all and a prolific songwriter and recording artist. And at 75, she shows no sign of slowing down.
Loretta Lynn
In a career which spans six decades in country music, Loretta Lynn has played a groundbreaking role in country music. Not only is she the most awarded female country artist, but the only woman to be award ACM Artist of the Decade (1970s). Her songs depicted birth control, domestic violence and female struggles in the 1960s which was unheard of. She was the first woman in country music to receive a certified gold album and the first woman named "Entertainer of the Year" by the Country Music Association.
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is one of country music's most important voices. She's recorded almost 30 albums, collaborated with everyone from Dolly Parton to Roy Orbison across her 50-year career. The singer-songwriter has been into the Country Music Hall of Fame and presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kacey Musgraves
Despite little to no support from American country radio stations, Kacey Musgraves has become a global name in the last decade. From sweeping the Grammy's for her hit album, Golden Hour, to having her own Christmas special, Musgraves is already a star. She's outspoken about LGBTQ+ rights, feminism and Black Lives Matter and proves that the traditional route isn't the only way to make it in Nashville. Her career is still in its infancy, but her legacy will undoubtedly be unparalleled on the next generation of country music artists.
The Judds
The mother-daughter duo from Kentucky ruled the 80s in country music. One of the most successful group in country music history, with five Grammy's, eight CMA's and fourteen Number 1 singles. After eight successful years as a duet, the Judds ceased performing in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. But Wynonna continues to record and became a hugely successful solo artist in the 90s.
Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire has released 33 studio albums and racked up an impressive 24 Number 1 singles since her career began in the 70s. Often referred to as "The Queen of Country", she has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Her musical style blended genres lines of traditional country music, pop, soul and R&B. Reba is regarded as one of country music's most influential female vocalists and beloved entertainers.
Carrie Underwood
A once in a generation vocalist and artist, Carrie Underwood wears many hats as a singer, songwriter, actress, author, entrepreneur, and record producer. She had the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history and continues to break and set multiple Billboard chart records. Her list of achievements are endless, including a Guinness world record and inductions into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline is without a doubt one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. She was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music and had several major hits during her eight-year recording career. Despite her flourishing career being cut short when she tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 30, Cline remains a trailblazer for women in country music. She was among the first to sell records and headline concerts and in 1973, Cline became the first female performer to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mickey Guyton
Mickey Guyton might not be a household name, but listen to her sing and you'll be wondering why she isn't. Country music has long excluded and silenced artists of colour, and while artists such as Charley Pride and Darius Rucker have enjoyed success, Guyton's status as a black woman means that many of the gatekeepers shut her out. But times are changing. In 2020, she became the first black solo female artist to be nominated in the country music category at the Grammy's for her poignant hit, 'Black Like Me'. Without Linda Martell and Rissi Palmer, among others, we wouldn't have Mickey Guyton. The lasting impact Mickey will have on country music is yet to be seen, but this mind-blowing talent is paving the way, not for her own dreams, but for those who come after her.
Miranda Lambert
Since the release of her debut album in 2005, Miranda Lambert has gone onto both critical and commercial success in country music. Despite rising to prominence in the decade when the spaces and opportunities for women had all but vanished, she continues to go from strength to strength with her unique songwriting, unabashed honesty and entertaining headlining tours. In addition to her numerous awards, Lambert has been honoured with more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history.
Maren Morris
Maren Morris came along a time when 'bro country' was the order of the day, and women weren't getting any radio play and being left off festival headline slots. Morris is changing that. Nominated for multiple Grammy's since her debut, Maren is changing the face, sound and voice of country music with her hits, 'The Bones' and 'My Church'. Standing on the shoulders of the women who came before her, Maren is expanding the idea of what country music is, and who can be a fan.
Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette was one of country music's most well-known top-selling female artists. Dubbed the "First Lady of Country Music", her signature song, 'Stand by Your Man', is one of the best-selling female songs in the history of country music. Her music explored loneliness and divorce, with harrowing honesty. She had 20 Number 1 songs on the Billboard Country Chart and alongside Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton helped break the glass ceiling for women in country music.