It’s been quite an eventful week for Carrie Underwood.
After taking time out of the public eye following the birth of her son Isaiah in February, the singer hit the limelight with a vengeance this week. On Wednesday (June 10), she made her first post-baby television appearance on The 2015 CMT Awards, taking home three trophies in the process, and on Saturday, the singer hit the LP Field stage.
Underwood said in the evening press conference that she has been working on new music — at her own pace.
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“I had a lot more time to write. With the pregnancy, I couldn’t be out on tour like I normally would be, so I definitely filled my time working in another ways,” Underwood said. “It’s been interesting, because there’s some songs that I feel like we’ve been listening to over a year. You know you still love them even though you’ve heard them that much, and you’re on the right track. I feel like that’s where we are right now. We’re in a really good place.”
The timing of it all could not have been more symbolic for the singer, with her most recent album being the retrospective Greatest Hits: Decade #1. What’s next in the next phase of her career?
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“Everything happened at such a great time. It’s been 10 years. We had the greatest hits album, and I did get to take some time away from the road. It is like a new chapter in every aspect. I really don’t know what to expect from the next 10 years, but as long as I keep doing what I get to do, and enjoy doing, I call that winning. But we’ll see. I just go where the road will take me. I just want to keep being creative in some way, shape, or form.”
Underwood said she has loved her return to the spotlight, claiming “I was nervous because I had been away for a while. This is one of the most fun weeks we have in country music, and it definitely is all about the fans. I felt very welcomed. It feels good to be back on stage.”
Asked about her memories of the CMA Music Festival, she said she could remember attending the festivities as a fan during the Tennessee State Fairgrounds days.
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“My very first Fan Fair was when I was about 11 years old. I remember it being one of the coolest things that you could possibly be a part of.”
But 2005, just weeks after winning American Idol, was a little bit different.
“It was a complete chaotic week — a mad house, with so much stuff happening — cameras flashing, meeting people, and being on stage with Phil Vassar. I was singing a song I didn’t know, thinking ‘Please, dear Lord, don’t let me screw up the words.’ But we pulled it off someway. It was very overwhelming.”
Things have settled down a lot since then for Underwood, who is also excited to take part in The CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, which will be broadcast on ABC on Aug. 4.
“I think it’s awesome that people get to feel like they are a part of the CMA Music Festival without actually being here, because some people just can’t hop on a plane and fly to Nashville for a week,” she said. “But hopefully they will see it on TV for a week and want to be a part of at some point. Country music is the only genre that does anything like this. It’s so exciting to be here, and also to watch on TV. They do such a great job at making us look good. I think the special definitely sums up this week for those who can’t be a part of it.”
Making the adjustment to motherhood has been something her whole family has taken their time with — particularly her two dogs, which has surprised her.
“The puppy that I thought would be super excited about the baby has been a little sad, I think, because his world has been rocked,” she said. “I thought he’d be the playful one, but he’s kind of ignored Isaiah. Then, the one that I thought was going to be my problem dog has actually been the super-sweet and cuddly one. We’re still figuring everything out. I feel like they have adjusted alright. I think it’s getting back to normal. They’ll love him when he starts dropping food,” she added with a smile. “They’ll be best friends.”