Carrie Underwood sells out Show Me Center

Spotlights focus on Carrie Underwood as she performs for a packed house at the Show Me Center on Sunday, June 8, 2008. (AARON EISENHAUER) [Click to enlarge]

A sold-out crowd watched country star Carrie Underwood perform at the Show Me Center on Sunday night.

According to early sales totals, 6,117 people attended the show. The crowd was made up of men and women, young and old, wearing everything from collared shirts to cutoffs. Underwood took the stage after a 30-minute performance by opener Jason Michael Carroll.

Angie Tegel of Cape Girardeau brought her three daughters — ages 8, 9 and 13 — to the show.

"They watch 'American Idol,'" she said. "We're just really looking forward to seeing her."

Tegel said she had no trouble buying tickets about 4 hours before the show started. Neither did Cindy Kerber of Cape Girardeau, who bought her tickets within the past week. She said the box office opened up a group of seats right as they walked in to buy tickets.

Carroll warmed up the crowd with songs from his debut album, "Waitin' in the Country."

Female fans flocked toward the stage for a chance to touch his hand, but it was a middle-aged man in a blue tank top who was most animated while Carroll was performing "Lookin' At You."

Carroll's set also included his latest single, "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead," and "Livin' Our Love Song," from behind a green-and-black striped microphone stand.

"You gotta get rowdy for us," Carroll told the screaming crowd.

Some in the audience said they weren't familiar with Underwood's opening act, but were impressed with his introduction.

"I didn't even know who he was," Tegel said. "He is awesome."

Not everyone in the crowd was local. Courtney McGee and Danielle Boren made the drive from Herrin, Ill., a little more than 40 miles away. They bought their tickets more than a month in advance, and said they were most excited about being able to see Underwood up close.

A five-minute countdown clock got the crowd fired up again after intermission.

Underwood rose up from underneath the stage, with everyone on their feet for "Flat on the Floor." Green lasers marked the chorus of her second song, "Wasted". The set continued as the 2004 American Idol winner walked out away from the stage on a ramp ringed by event security.

Concertgoers were lined up to get in well before the 7:30 p.m. start time. By 6:30, guests were standing out of the shade, sweating under the setting sun. Inside the air-conditioned venue, ticket holders could purchase an array of Underwood merchandise — with a T-shirt running about $30.

Underwood was previously in Cape Girardeau on tour with Brad Paisley in October 2006.

"It's good to be back," she said.

bschraum@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 210

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