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Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma) is an American country music singer who won the title of the fourth season of American Idol. She has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was certified quadruple platinum, and is the fastest selling female country album since the introduction of the Nielsen SoundScan in 1991. Her major awards include three Billboard Music Awards, a Dove Award, two Academy of Country Music Awards and two Country Music Association Awards including Female Vocalist Of The Year and the Horizon Award. She also won an American Music Awards for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, beating out Chamillionaire and The Pussycat Dolls. Underwood has also won an Inspirational Country Award for Mainstream Country Artist of the Year.

Carrie's fans are known as "Carrie's Care Bears" because her name sounds like "care", and she was in the same sorority (Sigma Sigma Sigma) as Care Bears creator Linda Denham.

Biography

Early Years

Underwood was born at Muskogee Regional Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma on March 10 1983, and grew up on her parents' farm in rural Checotah, Oklahoma. She is the third and youngest daughter of Stephen (retired from an industrial plant) and Carole Underwood (retired schoolteacher of Checotah Public Schools). She has two older sisters, Shanna Underwood Means and Stephanie Underwood Shelton, born in 1973 and 1970, both elementary school teachers in Oklahoma.

Underwood had performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show in her childhood. She is a member of Free Will Baptist ChurchSchmitt, Brad. Carrie Underwood makes leap from 'American Idol' to country's 'it' girl June 4th 2006. Accessed on July 8th 2006.. As a young child, she sang in church, and for Old Settler's Day and Lion's Club, local events in Checotah. At the age of 13 in 1996, her manager at the time tried to get her a recording contract at Capitol Records. However, due to management changes at Capitol, it never materialized.

Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian and moved on to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in mass communication and an emphasis in journalism. Underwood is a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. For two years during the summer, she performed in Northeastern's Downtown Country Show in Tahlequah. She also competed in numerous beauty pageants at the university and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up in 2004. Underwood finished with a smile on her face as she ended the pageant by falling down the stairs...
On Volunteering: "I was also a hospice volunteer and I got that through the sorority. You go and take care of people that are really sick. They don’t want to be in the hospital anymore. It’s just kind of about making them comfortable. So, I’d go and sit with them. I had one couple that I was a volunteer for and we’d just, you know, watch soap operas for a couple hours!"
On Vegetarism: "I quit eating beef when I was about thirteen. I kind of phased everything out, so it took a few years actually. I do it because I really love animals and it just makes me sad. Like, I don’t like to watch commercials where they have meat. It weirds me out. But it’s not something I like to preach to anyone. I mean, my family, they all eat meat and I don’t ever try to sway their opinions, but it’s hard sometimes, especially because I live in the South and I did grow up in a farming community. I’ve had people approach my parents and they’ll say, 'I hear your daughter is a vegetarian. What’s she doing? That’s how we make a living.' My mom’s just, 'Well, that’s her decision.' She used to get mad though. She’d cook dinner and I wouldn’t eat it."

Carrie Underwood currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, where she owns a two-story home. Bryson, Jodi. Girl's Life Magazine. It's Fate That Would Have It. Accessed on July 8, 2006 via [http://www.carrieunderwoodonline.com carrieunderwoodonline.com]

2004-2005: American Idol

Underwood's musical influences include pop, but are predominantly country; she stated during Idol auditions that her favorite singer is Martina McBride. Carrie auditioned in St-Louis, an 8-hour drive away from Oklahoma. On the April 20 elimination show, Underwood demonstrated her ability to play the guitar. She can also play piano and guitar the later of which was demonstrated on the Tonight Show the night after she won.

After her rendition of Tiffany's "Could've Been", Randy Jackson said he could not believe that she was not yet discovered by record producers and music industry executives. On the March 22 show, after a performance of Heart's "Alone", Simon Cowell said, "Carrie, you're not just the girl to beat, you're the person to beat. I will make a prediction, not only will you win this show, but you will sell more records than any other previous 'Idol' winner." Cowell went on to say on the March 30 show that she has the "it" factor that will make her a pop icon. On her last song of the night in the final two, Underwood's performance of "Angels Brought Me Here" had Cowell saying, "I think you've done enough to win the competition." Jackson gave Underwood his third and last standing ovation during the season (the first was given to Anwar Robinson after his rendition of 'What a Wonderful World' and the second to Vonzell Solomon after she performed 'When You Tell Me that You Love Me'). On May 25, 2005, she became the fourth winner of American Idol, beating Southern rocker Bo Bice, and joining Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken as the only contestants who had never been one of the "bottom three" singers during any week's results. Carrie Underwood also won a blue 2005 Ford Mustang convertible and the use of a Marquis private jet for a year. On May 26 2005, U.S. Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, presented a resolution congratulating Underwood for winning American Idol and for being a positive role model. The resolution thanks her for representing the state of Oklahoma as "an intelligent, kind, considerate young woman" to millions of television viewers around the world. The resolution was submitted to the United States Senate, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. May 25, 2005 was declared Carrie Underwood Day in Oklahoma by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry.

As part of her win, Underwood gained a recording contract with Arista Records; her first single, "Inside Your Heaven", was released on June 14, 2005. The single debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with first-week sales of 170,000 copies, and briefly stopped Mariah Carey's run at #1 with "We Belong Together." It became the the first song from a country artist to go number one on the Hot 100 since Lonestar's "Amazed" in 2000. Underwood's version was shunned by country radio reaching a peak at #59 on the country chart. The B-side is "Independence Day", a cover of the Martina McBride hit.

Less than a year after winning American Idol, Carrie returned to Northeastern State University to complete her bachelor degree in mass communications. She graduated magna cum laude on May 5th 2006.

2005-2006: Some Hearts

Underwood's debut album, entitled Some Hearts, hit store shelves on November 15, 2005, entering the Billboard 200 chart with 315,000 copies sold. The large first week sales of Some Hearts made it #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and the biggest debut of any country artist since the advent of the SoundScan system in 1991. Some Hearts has since been certified Quadruple Platinum by the RIAA, and is the fastest-selling debut country album in the history of the SoundScan era Carrie Underwood's first single, "Jesus, Take The Wheel" was released to radio on October 18, 2005. It received so much airplay that it debuted at #39 on the Billboard Country Chart in its first week, setting a record. It eventually reached #1 for 6 consecutive weeks, and was only two weeks shy of Connie Smith's record of an 8 week run back in 1964-1965. The single also debuted at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it reached a peak of #20.

The album's title track, "Some Hearts" was released to pop music and adult contemporary radio. It received moderate airplay and made it to #12 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Top 40.

"Don't Forget To Remember Me," the first of Carrie Underwood's singles to be released to country radio, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart, as well as #49 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it did reach #1 for a week on the Radio & Records Country Singles Chart.

On May 24, 2006, Underwood returned to guest-perform on the fifth season of American Idol for a second time. She opened the show with the top 12 finalists with "I Made It Through The Rain" and took the stage later on to perform her newest single "Don't Forget To Remember Me".

Both singles "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and "Don't Forget to Remember Me" have earned number one spots in Christian radio countdowns. "Jesus, Take the Wheel" won the Gospel Music Association's award for best country single of the year.

Her fourth single released to country radio was "Before He Cheats". It peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (making this single Carries most successful song off her her debut CD, and at #1 for Hot Country Songs for a staggering five weeks and could stay on top for a sixth if the digital sales keep up. This current single is a definite change of style for Carrie, showing off her angry side.

Carrie's next single is rumored to be "Wasted" which has debuted at #57 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Carrie's music videos for Jesus Take The Wheel and Dont Forget To Remember Me have both reached number one on CMT'S Top 20 Countdown for three weeks each. Currently Before He Cheats has been number one for two weeks on CMT. Also, Jesus Take the Wheel, Don't Forget to Remember Me, and Before He Cheats have all been number one on GAC's fan voted top 20 countdown. Jesus Take the Wheel was number one for three weeks in a row and Dont Forget To Remember Me broke the record for number of weeks at the top of the chart with twelve. Before He Cheats also made history by being the first video to make its debut at #1 on the GAC countdown. Another record broke on the GAC top 20 countdown is the most weeks at number one for a year total with Underwood having well over 20 weeks at number one with all her videos put together. Also, all three of Underwoods videos have achieved number one status for multiple weeks on CMTs Top 20.

On May 23rd, 2006, Underwood sang her huge hit Jesus, Take the Wheel and got the biggest standing ovation of the night at the ACM Awards and ended up winning Best New Female Vocalist and Single of the year for Jesus, Take the Wheel. Also she was nominated for Song of the Year and Female Vocalist of the year. On November 6th, 2006, Underwood performed her #1 hit, "Before He Cheats", at the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards and later won both the Horizon Award for new country artists and Female Vocalist beating her idols, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, and Faith Hill. Carrie's double win is the first time since 1995 that an artist won both the female vocalist and horizon award. Last was Alison Krauss.

Later that month, it was revealed that Underwood was nominated for World's Best-Selling New Artist at the 2006 World Music Awards but lost to James Blunt [1].

Continuing her winning ways, on November 21,2006 Carrie went into the American Music Awards with 2 nominations, that night she left the building winning the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award beating out the Pussycat Dolls and Chamillionare. However she was also nominated for Best Female Country Artist but lost to Faith Hill

2006 CMA Awards Controversy

In November 2006, Faith Hill made entertainment news headlines when she appeared to react jokingly to losing the Female Vocalist of the Year award to Carrie Underwood at the CMA Awards. [2] Hill, who was backstage at the time and pacing in anticipation, could be seen throwing both hands in the air, mouthing "What!?" and then stepping away from the camera after Underwood's name was called. Hill claimed that her reaction was a joke, saying in a statement, "The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me. For this to become a focus of attention, given the talent gathered, is utterly ridiculous. Carrie is a talented and deserving female vocalist of the year." [3] She later called Underwood to congratulate her and clear up any misconceptions between the two singers. [4]

2007 Sophomore Album

Carrie Underwood is planning to release a new album next year, she told reporters backstage at the CMA Awards on November 6, 2006 in Nashville. After being asked about her plans for 2007, Underwood replied, "I guess I'd say making a new album and getting back out there. Hopefully, it will do half as well as this one has, and people will respond to it and be equally as happy to go out and see a concert. ... It's kind of a blank slate right now. There are definitely a lot of things in the works, and one of them is definitely a new album."

Personal interests

At her 'American Idol' audition, Carrie revealed to the judges that her favourite singer is contemporary country recording artist 'Martina McBride.' Throughout Carrie's time on 'American Idol', home videos were shown in which she sang 'Independence Day', one of Martina's biggest hits. Carrie also released her version of 'Independence Day' as the B-side to her first #1 single 'Inside Your Heaven.' Another feature of Carrie's interests was expressed on 'Idol', her love for animals. Plenty of home videos showed Carrie cuddling and kissing various animals present on her family's farm. In 2005, Carrie Underwood starred in television advertisements for Hershey's Chocolate. The commercials have Underwood singing jingles for Hershey's products such as Kit Kat and Almond Joy. She is also wearing vintage Hershey T-shirts that feature Hershey's, Almond Joy, Kit Kat, Reeses and other chocolate brand logos as part of her endorsement deal. Underwood is also the latest spokesperson for Skechers shoes, following in the footsteps of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Underwood appeared in her second Skechers footwear advertisement campaign in fashion and lifestyle publications in June 2006. The new campaign, with was shot in early 2006 in a "behind-the-scenes" style, is reflective of Underwood's busy new life as a multi-platinum recording artist embarking on a summer cross-country tour. Carrie is also one of the celebrity faces of the "Got Milk" ad campaigns for the International Milk Foundation, joining such celebrities as Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears, and Kelly Preston.

Carrie Underwood is a vegetarian and stopped consuming meat when she was 13. She was voted "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in 2005 by animal-rights organization PETA.People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Norfolk, Virginia. World's Sexiest Vegetarians

Carrie Underwood is a supporter of the Humane Society and has done several public service announcements for the organization.[5]

A native of eastern Oklahoma, she co-wrote a song dedicated to her hometown, "I Ain't in Checotah Anymore". In December 2005, Underwood was named Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Today magazine.

Carrie Underwood also appeared as the featured cover girl for Self magazine, Girl's Life, Parade, Teen Vogue, Teen People, Sweet 16, OK!, Reader's Digest, and Cosmo Girl.

Discography

Albums

• Notes:

1. Some Hearts has spent a total of 20 out of 53 weeks on the top 10 of the Billboard 200, meaning she holds the record for Idol winners' debut albums in the Billboard top 10 selling albums. In fact, the album was found in the top 10 albums on its 52nd week on the chart. On the other hand, the album has spent a total of 53 out of 53 weeks within the Top 6 Best-Selling Country Albums in the U.S., 15 of those weeks were spent at #1.
2. Some Hearts is now officially released in the UK, Philippines, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia. It has been certified platinum in Canada.

Singles

• Notes:

1. Chart positions are for Billboard.
2. "Inside Your Heaven" debuted at #1 and spent one week in the top spot of the US Hot 100 and surfaced on the country charts due to airplay despite not being sent to country radio.
3. "Inside Your Heaven" was certified Gold twice, once with physical sales and once with digital sales.
4. "Independence Day" was a B-side to the "Inside Your Heaven" single. Due to its amount of airplay and downloads, "Independence Day" debuted at #84 on the US Pop 100.
5. "Jesus, Take The Wheel" spent six weeks at #1 on the US Country chart. This tied Faith Hill's "Breathe" as the runner-up of the longest-running female number one in the chart's history.
6. "Some Hearts" was an official single, but was only released to Pop and AC radio.
7. "Don't Forget To Remember Me" spent one week at #1 on the Radio & Records chart, but peaked at #2 on Billboard's US Country chart.
8. "Before He Cheats" charted for 20 weeks on the US Country chart before being confirmed as a single. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #92. The song climbed to evetually reach #1 on the US Country chart on November 1, 2006. The song managed to stay on top for five consecutive weeks.
9. Carrie spent a total of 11 weeks at #1 during 2006 on the US Country chart thanks to her hits "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and "Before He Cheats".
10. "Wasted" charted on the US Country chart due to heavy airplay as an album track just as "Before He Cheats" did before it became a single. "Wasted" is not officially a single although it is speculated to be the next single released to radio.

Trivia

On her 2006 Tour, Carrie is performing two songs by Guns N' Roses entitled "Patience" and "Sweet Child O' Mine"

She was an opening act on Kenny Chesney's spring / summer 2006 tour. On some dates, she has performed a duet with Kenny Chesney on a cover of "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray (originally written by Mentor Williams). She also is an opening act for Brad Paisley in the Fall for several dates in major cities that run through December 8th.

Carrie performed a duet of the hit song "Alone" with the band Heart on her 23rd birthday in Atlantic City on March 10, 2006. The concert was taped and shown on VH1 Classic Channel, coming out in DVD for sale this winter. Heart surprised Carrie with a large birthday cake and had the whole audience at the sold out show sing Happy birthday to her.

Carrie was selected in the People Magazine top 100 Most Beautiful People in 2006. She was also selected as one of the top 25 Hottest People under 25 in Teen People magazine.

Carrie's Video Don't Forget To Remember Me made history on GACTV 9/15/06 for being the #1 video 10 weeks on the top 20 count down. Prior record was held by Trace Adkins 9 weeks for Honky Tonk Badonkadonk in 2005/2006

Carrie Underwood has performed the "The Star Spangled Banner" during major professional sporting events:

• Game 4 of the 2005 NBA Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan
• 2006 NFL NFC Championship at the Qwest Field in Seattle
• 2006 MLB All-Star Game at the PNC Park in Pittsburgh
• 2006 Nascar Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina

• Performed at half time at the Dallas Cowboys game vs the Tampa Bay Buccneers on Thanksgiving day.

Notorious for being a "country girl", Carrie still loves 80's rock like Heart and Guns N' Roses.

She was the featured performer for the tenth anniversary of the live, nationally televised Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day (November 23, 2006) halftime show to officially kick off the annual Salvation Army 2006 Red Kettle Christmas fundraising campaign; she sang "Young and Beautiful" and "Before He Cheats".

Awards

There was another CMA Award Nomination for Jesus, Take The Wheel (song of the year), awarded to the songwriters

Notes

References

• Tracey, Kathleen. Carrie Underwood: American Idol IV. September 2005. Blue Banner Biography series (Juvenile) ISBN 158415425

External links

• Arista Records Official site of Carrie Underwood from Arista Records
• Some Hearts AOL Sessions Carrie Underwood performing the title track 'Some Hearts' from her debut album live on sessions with AOL
• Arista Nashville Resumé of Carrie Underwood's autobiography, accomplishments, and personal interests
• 19 Entertainment Brief biography of Carrie Underwood
• A&R for Carrie Underwood on World Top 100 A&R Chart

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