In a move that electrified the music world, country superstar Carrie Underwood was announced as Gibson Guitar’s newest brand ambassador during a surprise event at their Nashville headquarters. The Before He Cheats singer, 41, shredded an acoustic rendition of her hit “Smoke Break” on a custom-made hummingbird-blue Gibson J-200 before declaring: “This isn’t just an endorsement—it’s a homecoming. My first guitar was a Gibson, and now we’re full circle.”

The historic partnership includes:
A signature “Carrie Classic” guitar line featuring her Cry Pretty album artwork inlaid in mother-of-pearl
“Strike Your Chord” workshops for young female musicians at the Gibson Garage
A “Before He Cheats” limited edition with reinforced steel strings (“for maximum smashability,” joked Underwood)

Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian revealed Underwood was their top choice after her 2023 CMA Awards performance—where she famously played a vintage Gibson while suspended mid-air. “Carrie represents both tradition and fearless innovation,” he said, presenting her with a guitar-shaped key to the city from Nashville’s mayor.

The country community erupted in celebration. Reba McEntire FaceTimed into the press conference yelling “‘Atta girl!,” while Dolly Parton tweeted “Looks like Gibson finally got them some good ‘girl wood.’” Even rock legends weighed in—Slash posted a photo of Underwood’s Sunday Night Football intro with the caption “Country’s got a new gunslinger.”