By KAYLIN BETTINGER
Brandi Carlile
Too many of today’s artists sound better on their albums than they do live. But not Brandi Carlile.

Her voice – a powerful mixture of rock with a country twang – filled Discovery Theater in Anchorage on Friday night. Whistling Swan Productions presented the versatile vocalist.

Accompanied by a ukulele, Carlile and her band — talented twins Phil and Tim Hanseroth — opened with “Oh Dear.” Carlile played some of her classics, including “Closer to You” and “The Story.” She spiced it up with her rendition of “Over the Rainbow” and got everyone on their feet with Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Carlile’s talent wasn’t the only thing keeping the audience cheering. Her sense of humor shined between songs as she joked about naked band mates, playing in bars and her dad’s heckling to play “Freebird."

The singer who became a national star when her music was featured on the TV drama show, "Grey's Anatomy," didn’t hesitate to express her excitement about her first ever show in Anchorage.

“This is my first trip to play in Alaska ever,” she smiled after her first song, sparking an eruption of applause from the audience in the packed house. “And I’ve always wanted to get here. Always, always.”

Find Kaylin Bettinger online at adn.com/contact/kbettinger.