You remember the 2011 ACM Awards. It’s etched into the memory of anyone who likes their country with a side of leather and scream-singing. Carrie Underwood was on stage, looking every bit the country sweetheart in a corset and frills, tearing through her hit "Undo It." Then, out of nowhere, Steven Tyler strutted out. The crowd didn't just cheer; they basically lost their minds.
It was a weird pairing on paper. The Oklahoma farm girl who won American Idol and the "Demon of Screamin’" from Aerosmith. But when they hit that mashup of "Undo It" and "Walk This Way," something clicked. It wasn't just a gimmick.
The Night Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler Changed the Rules
Most people think that ACM performance was a one-off PR stunt. It wasn't. Tyler actually admitted later that when he first heard "Undo It" on the radio, he thought it was an Aerosmith song. He literally asked his songwriting partner, Marti Frederiksen, "What is that? I'm going to finish writing that with you." Frederiksen had to break the news: "No, I wrote that with Carrie, and it’s out in a week."
That’s the spark. Tyler didn't just respect her voice; he saw his own rock-and-roll DNA in her music.
After the ACMs, they took it a step further. In February 2012, they filmed a CMT Crossroads special at the Pepsi Coliseum during the Super Bowl XLVI festivities. If you haven't seen it, find the clip of them doing "Just a Dream" mashed up with "Dream On." Honestly, it’s haunting. Underwood hits notes that would make most rock singers retire on the spot. It became one of the highest-rated episodes in the show's history.
Not Just a Stage Act
There's a lot of gossip about whether they actually liked each other. The industry is full of "fake" friendships for the cameras, but this seemed different.
Tyler has called her a friend multiple times in interviews. He even dragged her into the studio for Aerosmith’s 15th album, Music From Another Dimension!. They recorded a ballad called "Can't Stop Loving You." Fun fact: the band’s drummer, Joey Kramer, almost blew the surprise on Twitter, threatening "prosecution" against anyone stealing the band’s thunder before the official announcement.
The song itself is a bit of a departure for Aerosmith—very country-coded. Tyler actually had to defend it to his bandmates, telling them it was a "surefire smash" because of Carrie’s crossover appeal.
Why the Collaboration Worked (And Why It Didn't Continue)
Critics at the time were split. Some country purists thought Underwood was leaning too hard into the rock aesthetic. Meanwhile, rock fans weren't sure what to make of Tyler playing nice with a "pop-country" star.
- The Chemistry: They both have massive, athletic vocal ranges.
- The Idol Connection: Tyler was a judge on American Idol while Carrie was the show's biggest success story.
- The Songwriting: Marti Frederiksen acted as the bridge between their two worlds.
So, why didn't we get a full album? Life happened. Carrie went on to dominate the country charts and start a family. Tyler took a swing at a solo country career with his album We’re All Somebody From Somewhere in 2016, but he mostly leaned into a more "hippie-bluegrass" vibe than the hard-rock energy he shared with Underwood.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Their "Relationship"
You’ll find some weird fanfiction out there—ignore it. They were never a couple. It was a professional mutual-admiration society.
Underwood has said she grew up picking Tyler’s voice out on the radio because it was so "special." For a girl from Checotah, singing with the guy who sang "Sweet Emotion" was a bucket-list moment. For Tyler, Carrie was the proof that the new generation of singers actually had the "chops" he felt were missing from modern music.
Moving Forward: How to Channel That Rock-Country Energy
If you’re a fan of this specific era of their careers, there are a few things you can do to dive deeper into that sound.
- Listen to the "Hidden" Tracks: Most people know "Before He Cheats," but go listen to "Can't Stop Loving You" from the Aerosmith catalog. It’s the most polished version of their vocal blend.
- Watch the Uncut Crossroads: The televised version of their CMT Crossroads cut out some of the rawest moments. Look for the live fan recordings of "Born to Be Wild."
- Track the Songwriters: If you like the sound they created, look for tracks produced or written by Marti Frederiksen. He’s the secret sauce behind that "Aerosmith-meets-Nashville" vibe.
The legacy of Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler isn't just a few YouTube clips. It’s the moment country music realized it could be loud, messy, and loud again—and that rock icons still had a place at the table if they were willing to share the mic with a powerhouse.
Keep an eye on Carrie’s setlists during her Vegas residency or future tours. She still sneaks in rock covers, and every time she does, you can hear a little bit of that Steven Tyler influence in the way she attacks the high notes.
Check your favorite streaming platform for the Music From Another Dimension! album to hear their only official studio recording together. It's a snapshot of a time when the lines between Nashville and Boston completely disappeared.