Paisley, Underwood perform in front of near-capacity crowd

Three former "American Idol" stars turned major label recording artists have visited Cape Girardeau in the last two months. Bo Bice and Josh Gracin performed at this year's SEMO District Fair in September.

On Saturday night at the Show Me Center, 2005 "Idol" winner Carrie Underwood showed 5,083 people why she's the most successful of the three. Underwood delivered to the near-sellout crowd a performance that crossed musical boundaries, put her incredible vocal talent on display and kept a packed arena on its feet for nearly an hour.

Underwood was the middle act of a triple bill that featured Jake Owen as the opener and country guitar virtuoso and superstar Brad Paisley as the headliner.

Paisley went on too late to be reviewed.

Owen provided a treat for the fans who showed up early enough to see his act. His short set bounced between up-tempo, rock 'n' roll inspired romps to soft ballads to honky-tonking party tunes. He bounced around the stage, pumping up the audience and delighting the female fans in the crowd.

By the time Owen ripped off his jacket to reveal a T-shirt printed with a graphic of glam rocker and T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan, the atmosphere in the Show Me Center felt like a party. When Owen closed with his breakthrough hit "Yee Haw," the arena was rocking and ready for more.

Underwood strutted on stage with the presence of a veteran pop star and immediately the crowd was on its feet. For as long as Underwood maintained the stage she owned the audience's attention and devotion, bringing frequent screams from men and women saying, "We love you, Carrie!"

Throughout her entire set the atmosphere was electric. The songs ranged from slow and spiritual to, believe it or not, straight up rocking. Carried by Underwood's vocal gymnastics and her overwhelming charisma, the whole set shook the Show Me Center.

The highlight of Underwood's performance would be a shocker to those who see her only as a country star and not the smashing crossover success she's become. Underwood and her band ripped through a complete, hard rocking version of the Guns 'N' Roses hit "Sweet Child o' Mine."

Underwood approached the song with the swagger of a rock star, even snarling a la Axl Rose through parts of the Guns 'N' Roses classic. The song seemed to bring the crowd's energy to its max, but Underwood gave them some needed rest by following with a journey through some of her slower, more emotional ballads. By the time she hit "Jesus Take the Wheel," the thousands in attendance were mesmerized.

For all the hype surrounding the past "Idol" star, Underwood didn't disappoint a crowd that was the biggest the Show Me Center has seen in a long time.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182