Rest assured, Carrie Underwood's Utah concert on Nov. 19 will be a carnival ride -- compared with her schedule the past week.

On Wednesday, she hosted the 42nd Country Music Association Awards on live TV, and she readily admitted her nerves about the prospect in an advance interview.

So nervous was she, in fact, that she did her research, watching tapes of past shows to learn from the hosts, including her role model, Reba McEntire. "I feel like I got to practice it more than you'd think," Underwood said.

The 25-year-old Underwood, winner of the fourth season of "American Idol" and seller of more than nearly 10 million records since then, will bring her "Carnival Ride Tour" to the E Center Wednesday with opening act Little Big Town.

The girl from Checotah, Okla., promises a "high-energy" show for her fans, with a set list that includes songs from her debut album "Some Dreams," as well as her second, "Carnival Ride." Besides charting numerous country singles ("Jesus, Take the Wheel," "So Small" and "All-American Girl"), she has had two certifiable crossover hits ("Before He Cheats" and "Last Name"). "I consider myself really lucky to not be pigeonholed," Underwood said.

While Underwood admitted to some fatigue as she nears the end of the long tour -- "I love being on the road, but I love being back with my family" -- she is excited about playing with Little Big Town. She appreciated the band's musical skills when she watched them rehearse without amplification and electricity, and they sounded good without all of that.

As for the opening act, "Talk about things you want to put on a Bucket List," said Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town about touring with Underwood, arguably the biggest current draw in country music.

Formed a decade ago -- about the time Underwood was celebrating her 15th birthday -- Little Big Town consists of four musicians who share lead singing duties, and the band is known for its sublime four-part harmonies.

The band has charted 10 country singles, but saw some of its biggest success this year when a live cover of "Life in a Northern Town" (performed with Sugarland and Jake Owen) was leaked to radio and became an unexpected hit. "I was completely shocked" by its release, Fairchild said.

Fairchild herself has been in demand for her voice. A friend of John Mellencamp, she sang on nine songs on his 2007 album "Freedom's Road" and four on this year's "Life, Death, Love and Freedom." She and bandmate Kimberly Schlapman sang a duet with the late Elvis Presley on the recently released "Elvis Presley -- Christmas Duets."

Playing with Carrie Underwood and Elvis Presley. Sounds like a big year for Little Big Town.