By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Saturday, September 19, 2015
In a span of eight days, I had a triple shot of "American Idol" history eight months before it ends for good. It was like "Idol" kismet. I watched a pregnant and emotional Kelly Clarkson at Aaron's Amphitheatre, followed three days later by a visit to W Midtown to meet the "Idol" judges, then in a big surprise, got to watch Carrie Underwood live at Variety Playhouse last night, courtesy of CMT.
CMT has taped episodes of a show called Instant Jam where big artists pop up in smaller venues for free concerts. Past ones include Hunter Hayes at the University of Kentucky, Darius Rucker in his hometown of Charleston, S.C., Kenny Chesney at the Georgia Theatre in Athens.
The network yesterday announced the next Instant Jam here in Atlanta starring Underwood, who is promoting an upcoming album "Storyteller." The special, taped at the 1,000-capacity Variety in Little Five Points Friday night, will air on CMT October 17.
While Underwood fan club members found out Thursday night, the media was informed early Friday morning. Kicks 101.5 and 94.9/The Bull, as well as my colleague Melissa Ruggieri, were given about an hour advance notice before the embargoed announcement at 9:10 a.m.: about 600 wristbands would be available at Central Park at Atlantic Station, first-come, first-serve, at 10 a.m. for free.
I arrived in Midtown at 10:15 a.m. and about 150 people were waiting. That wasn't enough to sell out the venue immediately. Ultimately, the producers gave all the wristbands away by 1:30 p.m. or so. I bet the tickets would have disappeared even faster if they had given them away, say, in Marietta or Alpharetta where more of Underwood fans might have been able to get there quicker.
I did get to see Leslie Fram, who used to be program director and morning host for the seminal 1990s Atlanta alternative rock station 99X. She has been senior vice president for music strategy at CMT based in Nashville since 2011 and arranged this show in her former home. She told me she hadn't been to Variety in ages but recalls seeing Arcade Fire there. For kicks, I called Jimmy Baron, her former co-host, and gave her my phone. They talked awhile but he ultimately couldn't make it to the concert. She did reach Steve Craig, former mid-day host for 99X, and he said he would be there.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
The show started at Variety Playhouse at 8:15 p.m. for a 50-minute taping. Underwood didn't need a single re-take. She was clean as a whistle barreling through ten songs - nine of them huge hits and her newest single "Smoke Break," where she broke out her guitar.
Underwood looked and sounded great, as usual, whether she emoted regret ("Wasted," "Blown Away"), swagger ("Last Name," "Before He Cheats") or powerful spirituality ("Something in the Water" in an encore). She wasn't terribly gabby. At one point, when she needed to vamp, she admitted she wasn't good at it.
Before singing "Jesus, Take the Wheel," she gave "Idol"-related props. "I think I must be the luckiest person on the planet sometimes because I get to do this," she said. "And I never thought I'd be on a stage like this in front of amazing people like you guys. Please know how grateful and thankful I am."
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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