Carrie Underwood Wiki
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Carrie Underwood photographed for her Denim and Rhinestones album, 2021.

Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer and actress, known for her powerful vocals and creative storytelling through her music. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Her debut album, Some Hearts, became the fastest-selling debut country album in history and the best-selling country album of the last 14 years, bolstered by the huge crossover success of her biggest song to date, "Before He Cheats". Underwood has gone on to release 7 studio country albums, a greatest hits album, a Christmas album, and a gospel album, all of which combined produced 28 #1 country singles, the most of any female country artist. Carrie's fame continued to spread through her strong TV presence as the host for the CMA Awards, the star of the Emmy-winning special The Sound Of Music Live!, the theme performer for Sunday Night Football, and hundreds of other performances and appearances on primetime television. She has become one of the most awarded Country Artists, including 8 Grammy Awards and an induction as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Embarking on 5 headlining arena world-tours and a residency in Las Vegas, Carrie also became known for her exhilarating live performances and concerts. She has also written a book, created a social platform, and designed a clothing line, all dedicated to fitness.[1]

Career Highlights[]

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Underwood performs after winning American Idol in 2005.

Carrie-Underwood-American-Idol-Audition

Carrie auditioning for American Idol, 2004

The Beginning: American Idol (2004-2005)[]

In the summer of 2004, Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis, Missouri, singing Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me". After she sang "Could've Been" by Tiffany on the top 12 girls night, judge Simon Cowell commented that she would be one of the favorites to win the competition. During the final, she sang with Rascal Flatts on "Bless the Broken Road". On May 25, 2005, Underwood became the season four winner. Her winnings included a recording contract worth at least a million dollars, use of a private jet for a year, and a Ford Mustang convertible.

The Some Hearts Era (2005-2007)[]

Underwood's music career began with the release of her first single, "Inside Your Heaven", on June 14, 2005. Underwood's debut album, Some Hearts, was released on November 15, 2005, entering the Billboard charts with 315,000 copies sold, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album's second single, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" was released to radio in October and later peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, topping it for six consecutive weeks, and at number twenty on the Hot 100. At the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, her hit song "Inside Your Heaven" won the coveted Top-Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year award and also Top-Selling Country Single of the Year award, and she won Country Single Sales Artist of the Year. In 2007, at the 49th Grammy Awards, Some Hearts received four Grammy nominations and Underwood won her first two Grammy Awards: Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Jesus, Take the Wheel". In 2007, Forbes reported that Underwood earned over $7 million between June 2006 and June 2007.

The Carnival Ride Era (2007-2009)[]

Underwood's second album, Carnival Ride, was released in October 2007. On Carnival Ride, Underwood was more involved in the songwriting process; she set up a writers' retreat at Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium to collaborate with such Music Row tunesmiths as Hillary Lindsey, Craig Wiseman, Rivers Rutherford, and Gordie Sampson. At the end of 2007, Underwood topped five Billboard Year-End charts, including Billboard 200 Artist of the Year and also Country Artist of the Year. In 2008, Underwood won her first international award, which was "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the European Country Music Association Awards. On May 13, 2008, Underwood was invited by Randy Travis to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The Play On Era (2009-2011)[]

Underwood released her third studio album, Play On, on November 3, 2009. At the 2009 CMA Awards, she received two nominations and co-hosted the ceremony with Brad Paisley. In December 2009, Some Hearts was named the number-one Country Album of the 2000 Decade by Billboard and Underwood was the top-ranked female artist on Billboard's Best Country Artists of the 2000 Decade list. In May 2011, Underwood was one of the seven women to be honored by the Academy of Country Music at the Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country special. Underwood is featured on "Remind Me", a duet with Brad Paisley that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, giving Underwood her eleventh number-one single on such chart and fourteenth overall. On September 19, 2011, Underwood performed "You Really Got a Hold on Me" in order to honor Smokey Robinson, as he was presented with the Ella Award at the Society of Singers annual dinner. On February 4, 2012, Underwood joined Steven Tyler to record CMT's Crossroads at the Pepsi Coliseum during the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam of Super Bowl XLVI. On February 12, 2012, Underwood and Tony Bennett performed their duet "It Had to Be You" at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

Acting, Collaborations and "How Great Thou Art" (2011-2013)[]

The Blown Away Era (2012-2014)[]

Blown Away, Underwood's fourth album, was released on May 1, 2012. At the 2012 CMT Music Awards, Underwood won the awards for Video of the Year, for "Good Girl", and Collaborative Video of the Year, for "Remind Me", her duet with Brad Paisley. On January 21, 2013, "Can't Stop Loving You", a song by rock band Aerosmith with featured vocals by Underwood, was released as a single. On May 25, Underwood joined The Rolling Stones onstage during the stop of the band's 50 and Counting Tour in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Greatest Hits: Decade #1 (2014-2015)[]

The Storyteller Era (2015-2016)[]

Underwood returned to the studio to finish her fifth studio album in the spring of 2015, titled Storyteller. The album's second single, "Heartbeat", became Underwood's 14th leader on the Country Airplay while the album's third single, "Church Bells", became her 15th career No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, both extending her record for the most number one's among women in the history of the chart. In June 2016, Underwood received three nominations from the CMT Music Awards, taking home two honors for "Smoke Break", expanding her CMT Music Award total to 15—the most among all acts. On October 20, 2016, Underwood was honored as one of CMT Artists of the Year, marking her third year to receive the award. Underwood was one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You" celebrating 50 years of the CMA Awards. In January 2017, she received her ninth People's Choice award, winning Favorite Female Country Artist. Underwood announced in early 2017 that she would be taking some time off at the beginning of the year to spend time with family, and would then, possibly, begin to write for her next album.

Injury and "The Champion" (2017-2018)[]

A few days after hosting the 2017 CMA Awards, Carrie fell while walking her dogs at home, hitting her wrist and face on a rock step. She sustained 40-50 stitches in her face, as well as a broken wrist. For several months, Carrie did not make any public appearances and was quiet on social media as she recovered, later revealing that the stitches and scars prevented her from being able to sing and made her face appear different, even with heavy makeup.

Despite the event, Carrie released a collaboration she co-wrote with Ludacris for the Superbowl theme, "The Champion."

The Cry Pretty Era (2018-2019)[]

Underwood’s sixth studio album, Cry Pretty, hit stores on September 14, 2018, featuring the lead single also named “Cry Pretty”, which reached the top ten on country radio. Underwood made her comeback performance at the 2018 ACM Awards in Las Vegas, performing “Cry Pretty” and receiving a standing ovation. Her sixth album also features the hit singles “Love Wins” and “Southbound”, and Underwood took home the CMT Music Awards Video of the Year trophy for “Cry Pretty.”

Christmas Music- My Gift (2020)[]

After her tour wrapped in 2019, Carrie began working a life-long dream project- a Christmas album. Working through the climate of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, My Gift, was released on September 25, 2020. It was her record-setting eighth consecutive career-opening number-one album on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, also debuting at number-one on the Top Christian Albums and Top Holiday Albums, and at number eight on the Billboard 200. The album later peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. Her album featured her own versions of classic hits, as well as new original songs, including a collaboration with John Legend, which went on to become the most-successful song on the album. In coordination with the album, Carrie made her own Christmas Special to stream on HBO Max, which featured live performances of all the songs. On September 24, 2021, a special edition of the album was released, containing three additional tracks.

Gospel Music- My Savior (2021)[]

After working on her Christmas album, the pandemic continued to drive Carrie to work in the studio on passion projects that didn't require the typical demands of a studio country album. On March 26, 2021, Underwood released My Savior, a gospel album featuring covers of classic hymns. My Savior debuted at number one on both of Billboard's Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts, and number four on the Billboard 200, marking her record-setting ninth consecutive number one album. Underwood performed a virtual concert on Easter Sunday of 2022 from the Ryman Auditorium, with over $100,000 raised for the charity Save the Children.

The Denim & Rhinestones Era (2022-Present)[]

Gallery[]


Official Account[]

Influences[]

  • Queen
  • George Michael
  • The Rolling Stones
  • My Chemical Romance
  • George Strait
  • Dolly Parton
  • Randy Travis
  • Martina McBride
  • Reba McEntire
  • Garth Brooks

Personal[]

Carrie Underwood is Christian and is vegan and a noted animal lover. Carrie Underwood loves sports and working-out as well.

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