Lambert brings 'really good time' to Show Me Center

Miranda Lambert's reputation for feisty charisma and high energy spectacle brought a massive crowd to the sold-out Show Me Center on Thursday, and she didn't disappoint.

She swaggered onto the giant M-shaped stage in a black, sleeveless Blondie T-shirt, kicking off the show with "Fastest Girl in Town" after a short video montage of iconic women like Christa McAuliffe and Amelia Earhart.

Fans Lisa and Cassidy Canler came all the way from Paducah, Kentucky to hear their favorite songs and witness Lambert's edgy and fun-loving persona.

"She's very spunky. I think she's very true-to-life," Lisa Canler said. "I wouldn't want to mess with her."

She also said the show was especially neat because she saw Lambert on a television singing competition before she was a platinum-certified artist.

"We saw her on 'Nashville Star,'" Canler said. "She won third, but you don't hear about the guy that won first. You hear about Miranda Lambert."

Canler's daughter Cassidy said she enjoyed opening acts RaeLynn and Jukebox Mafia, saying they were just what people needed to get them in the mood for the main act.

"I like country music, and I really liked the way [RaeLynn] was interactive with the crowd. I wish I could meet her after the show," she said. "I think [Lambert] is just a really good time. My favorite song is 'Little Red Wagon.'"

Despite her being a larger-than-life country music star, fans like Nancy Zoellner said they also identify with Lambert's music for her earnest songwriting.

"I like that she's down to earth," Zoellner said, adding that, on second thought, she also likes Lambert's husband, Blake Shelton.

Rachel Wingert said she was just excited to see such a well-known star in town. Being a country fan and being able to hear her favorite songs, like "Gunpowder and Lead," live is a rare treat, she explained.

"We're so glad that Miranda Lambert is in Cape Girardeau," she said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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