MasterClass Monday: Carrie Underwood’s Emotional And Moving Musical Tribute To Late Country Music Stars And The Victims In The Las Vegas Tragedy

November 13, 2017 by Masterclass Lady 4 Comments


MasterClass Monday: Carrie Underwood’s Emotional And Moving Musical Tribute To Late Country Music Stars And The Victims In The Las Vegas TragedyThere are not too many performances capable of stopping everyone in their tracks and giving one pause.

However, at the 51st Country Music Association Awards which aired on Wednesday, November 8th, the talented and charismatic Carrie Underwood did just that when she memorialized not only deceased Country Music Stars Troy Gentry, Glen Campbell and Don Williams but also the victims of the horrific Las Vegas Massacre which occurred on October 1st, 2017.

It was a stellar performance of the Alan Jackson song, Softly And Tenderly. Heartfelt and genuine. And these attributes were reinforced when she broke down in tears near the end of performance. The audience watched in respectful silence as they internalized what Carrie was feeling and whom she was honouring. It was a moment in time that commanded our attention and no one commands our attention like Carrie Underwood narrating a message to the viewers. She is that special and that genuine. A real person amid the plastic noise we often see in this music industry.

Vocally, Carries’s performance was confident and nuanced. Her phrasing was very musical and focused. She sustained her notes with strength and focus, indicating the depth of her technical expertise. Check out the roundness and relaxation of her mouth and jaw throughout this song and, in particular, when she reached the closing refrain of this song. She catapulted those powerful upper notes with solid diaphragmatic support and relaxed facial muscles. Wonderful, just wonderful.

You can stream Carrie’s music on Apple Music or purchase it on iTunes Music. Unfortunately, Carrie’s version of Softly and Tenderly is not available for streaming or purchase. However, you can purchase the original version by Alan Jackson on iTunes Music or stream it on Apple Music.

Let’s hope Carrie releases it as a single at some point. It is incredibly beautiful and, for many, it will impart a sense of peace and contentment in times of immense sorrow.

A close-up video version is available here. However, the video below is neat in that you see an actual countdown to the performance; however, the video is shot at a distance – but beautiful nonetheless. That dress! How perfect was that dress?

Award Shows, Carrie Underwood, Comedy, Country Music Association Awards, Masterclass Monday, Singing, Television, Videos
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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4 Responses to “MasterClass Monday: Carrie Underwood’s Emotional And Moving Musical Tribute To Late Country Music Stars And The Victims In The Las Vegas Tragedy”

  1. Gene W November 14, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    Nice article MCL !

    I was very proud of Carrie’s beautiful and moving performance.

    Part of the Idol magic was developing attachment between the Idol “kids” and the fans, so you have sort of a parental reaction when they do well. Her vocal gift became a gift for all who heard her and were comforted by her in that performance. The brief display of emotion only made her performance that much more touching. Outstanding!!!

    I honestly don’t see how singers perform under such circumstances.

    About the song. I’m not sure if you meant to credit Alan Jackson with the original version or not, but even though his is one of the very best versions that I have heard, the song predates his career by over 100 years and is a Christian hymn that is popular as an invitation hymn as well as a funeral song.

    There are versions, probably numbering in the hundreds, by virtually every major Country music artist that ever lived, as well as artist from other genres. Among the more interesting artist to record this song are Elvis, Anne Murray, a quartet that was billed as the “Million Dollar Quartet” consisting of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. A trio consisting of Reba, Trisha Yearwood and our own Kelly Clarkson also recorded it recently. Like you, I would also like for Carrie to record it or release a version from her CMA performance.

    The fan video you posted was interesting in that it started during the commercial break and you could hear the stage direction to the audience as well as the unique camera angle. I recommend finding an complete, uncut version of it to see how it was presented on TV. The effect is a little different.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Richard Cramer November 14, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    Yes, yes yes….. Indeed a great article……. I have literally been a fan of Carrie’s since the minute she stepped onto the Idol stage…. The girl is beyond amazing…. Now I see how legends like Tony Bennett for one admire her as a singer. There is nothing this lady cant do vocally……. This performance just showcases her angelic voice…. Not to mention her Christian roots with songs that are very spiritually moving to her. She certainly wears her heart on her sleeve… God has been great to her and she knows no boundaries with her vocal gift…. Thank you for posting this amazing performance ……

    Liked by 1 person

  3. janey79 November 14, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    thank you so much for sharing this stunning performance. just what i needed to see tonight.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Masterclass Lady November 15, 2017 at 1:03 am

    Gene – I had no idea that it was a Christian Hymn. When I researched it, it appeared that Alan Jackson wrote it but I may have incorrectly interpreted the information. Thank you for clarifying this for me.

    Also, I linked to the uncut version – I could find it on YouTube, however.

    Liked by 1 person