Carrie Underwood’s ‘Reflection’ residency has become her Las Vegas home away from home

There are two live venues every Carrie Underwood fan should make a pilgrimage to. Underwood has performed multiple dates at the Grand Ole Opry, country music’s most hallowed hall, nearly every year since being invited to become a member by Randy Travis in 2008. Her other performing home away from home is Resorts World Theatre, where Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency is well into its second year as a top Strip entertainment draw.

Underwood has been embraced by Vegas since her debut as a headliner in December 2022, when she became the first artist to play the venue’s high-ceilinged stage. Resorts World Las Vegas celebrated her March 10 birthday during her last slate of shows with propertywide tributes ranging from specialty drinks and dishes at restaurants to spa treatments. She was presented with a stunning, innovatively constructed portrait composed of 6,400 dice before her March 9 show and was serenaded by the audience with a roof-raising rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

What more could a country girl who hosts a Sirius XM show, Savior Sunday, want from headlining a gig in Sin City, other than the matching heart tattoos she got with her mother and sisters last summer? There’s been no talk of an end to the residency. While being a working mom is tough, Underwood has managed to optimize her time as of late by confining her concerts to a handful of locations, including Vegas.

Preparing for the Reflection experience can start with Underwood’s Sirius XM channels. Her weekly Savior Sunday spiritual show started on Carrie’s Country and now has its own daily channel featuring spirituals from her favorite artists, including Travis, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. Songs from her 2022 faith-based album, My Savior, including “How Great Thou Art,” which is part of her Reflection set, are in rotation.

Her influences can be heard on recent shows Carrie’s Country Cousins Countdown and Carrie’s SHE-roes Countdown, while her Carr-dio high-energy music channel can provide the soundtrack to both pre-Vegas preparation workouts and post-Vegas recovery efforts. iTunes, meanwhile, provides a 20-song playlist reflecting the Reflection set beginning with opening number “Cowboy Casanova.”

Many of the musicians who play those songs live at Reflection have been with her for a long time. Music director and bassist Mark Childers is married to Underwood’s best friend Ivey, making the band something or a family affair. That has included guitarists Matt Reviere and Ed Eason, steel guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Chad Jeffers, keyboardist Scott Sheriff, drummer Seth Rausch, violinist Jordan Lawson and background vocalist Sydni Perry as of late.

Underwood picks up guitars, both acoustic and electric, during the show as well. She sought to make a spectacular with Reflection, and the results have been wildly successful. That’s partly due to the production with its pyrotechnics, dancers and aerialists. Fashion is a major aspect, with Underwood’s multiple wardrobe changes demonstrative of her good taste. Another is the enthusiasm that Underwood generates from fans, which is beyond her control but on full display at every Reflection performance.

Resorts World Las Vegas. Axs.com

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