Original Air Date:
Tuesday, April 14, 2009[/p
The Stars of Country Music:
Oprah welcomed some of the biggest stars of country music to the show to perform, including:
- Kenny Chesney
- Carrie Underwood
- Darius Rucker
- Sugarland
Kenny Chesney:
Kenny Chesney was the first to perform on the show, and shared his songs "Down the Road" and "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem." After the performance, Oprah showed backstage footage of Kenny getting ready for his latest summer concert tour. Fans were able to see how hands-on Kenny is with planning the tour, right now to the song order and lighting.
Kenny took cameras into his pre-stage Vibe Room which is decorated in a tropical theme with a collage of pictures and ping-pong table.
On the show, Oprah wished Kenny a happy birthday as they were filming on the very day. Kenny shared about his experience with his fans during a concert which he expressed is a unique experience every time he performs. The connection he feels with his fans can change the direction of a concert - making him change song order or perform longer to keep the vibe going. Kenny loves the environment a concert creates and does his best to give it his all.
Kenny shared a conversation he had with Bruce Springsteen in which Bruce shared that life on the road can be an illusion, and that Kenny should be sure to live along with his work. He revealed that his life runs him better than he runs it, but he's having fun along the way and hopes for a family in his future. Awarded Entertainer of the Year 8 times, Kenny shared that he never expected this kind of success. As a kid at Eastern Tennessee State University playing music on a stool, Kenny expressed that he was just a kid who wanted a song on the radio.
Carrie Underwood:
Oprah started her segment with Carrie Underwood with a series of clips, first being Carrie's win on American Idol in 2005. Now living in Nashville, Carrie took Oprah's cameras through a sample day which includes working out, hanging with her dog, visiting the recording studio, logging meals in her food journal, and sitting down for a song writing session.
Carrie then shared on the show that life has not been the same since she won American Idol. While she loved to sing growing up, Carrie never imagined her dreams were attainable saying that you can't go to school to be a country star.
Carrie also spoke a bit on how the first concerts she attended of Alan Jackson's and Kenny Chesney's were defining moments in her life. Seeing how the stars then were larger-than-life, she is still surprised how things have clicked for her in the last few years.
Oprah and Carrie talked about money and dating, but also about how some people are disappointed when they see Carrie out in Nashville dressed down. Sharing how she goes to the grocery store in her sweats, glasses and ponytail, Carrie commented that fans have told her that she looks like Carrie Underwood!
Carrie then performed her hit "Just a Dream."
Darius Rucker:
Darius Rucker started his career as the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish which earned him 2 Grammy's #1 singles. Now a country singer, Darius has reached #1 with his first 2 singles off of his first country album.
Darius performed his hit "Learn to Live" for viewers.
After his performance he sat down with Oprah and shared how he wrote the song 2 years before when working on the album along with other songwriter parents. Darius is only the 3rd African American artist to get a #1 song on the country charts.
Sugarland:
Sugarland members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush began their musical journey in Atlanta and worked their way to the top of the country charts. With Jennifer's twang and Kristian's plucking on the guitar, fans love to support the groups unique sound.
The band shared with Oprah that they really felt like they had made it big when they won 2 Grammy's. The pair struggled to support themselves in the beginning of their career, but are touching their dreams with their huge chart successes.
Sugarland closed out the show by performing their song "All I Wanna Do."