Carrie Underwood

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Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood performing at the World Arena (2006)
Carrie Underwood performing at the World Arena (2006)
Background information
Birth name Carrie Marie Underwood
Born March 10, 1983 (age 24)
Flag of United States Muskogee, Oklahoma
Origin Flag of United States Checotah, Oklahoma
Genre(s) Country Music
Occupation(s) Singer
Instrument(s) Guitar, vocals, Piano
Years active 2005–present
Label(s) Arista/Arista Nashville (2005-present)
19 Entertainment (Management)

Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American country music singer who won the fourth season of American Idol. She has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was certified quintuple platinum, and is the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history.[1] It is also the top selling debut album of any Idol winner or contestant. Underwood is the first American Idol winner to sweep up honors at all three major music awards in the same awards show season (06-07), including one American Music Award, five Billboard Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards (including Best New Artist).

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early years

Underwood was born at Muskogee Regional Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, 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 worked at the paper mill) 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 respectively, both elementary school teachers in Oklahoma. Underwood had performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show in her childhood. She's a member of Free Will Baptist Church.[2] 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. After high school, she 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.[3] Underwood is a member of the Alpha Iota chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority,[4] and a tribal member of Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma.[5] 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.[6]

She currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee.[7]

[edit] American Idol

Underwood on American Idol, 4th season finale, May 25, 2005.
Underwood on American Idol, 4th season finale, May 25, 2005.
Main article: American Idol (Season 4)

In the summer of 2004, Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis. When her initial audition aired in January 2005, many people predicted she would win the competition. On March 22, 2005, the notoriously hard-to-please judge Simon Cowell predicted that Underwood would win the competition and outsell all previous Idol winners. Underwood made history as one of only four contestants never to have been voted in the bottom three. While on the show, Underwood gained a loyal fan base known as "Carrie's Care Bears" - in fact, she is in the same sorority (Sigma Sigma Sigma) as Linda Denham, the creator of the original Care Bears franchise.

On May 25, 2005, Underwood was crowned the winner of American Idol (Season 4) beating out Bo Bice.[8]

Underwood appeared on American Idol (season 6). She sang her current hit, "Wasted," on March 8th. This was her fourth time performing on the show since winning the competition in 2005.[9]

[edit] American Idol Performances

[edit] 2005-present: Some Hearts

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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 Quintuple (five times) Platinum by the RIAA, and is the fastest-selling debut country album in the history of the SoundScan era.[10] The album's second 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 with her #1 hit "Once a Day".

"Some Hearts" was also released to Pop, Adult Contemporary and Hot Adult Contemporary stations in October 2005 and peaked in the top 30 on all formats.

"Don't Forget to Remember Me" Music Video
"Don't Forget to Remember Me" Music Video

"Don't Forget To Remember Me," the second of 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.

Both "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.

On May 23, 2006, Underwood sang Jesus, Take the Wheel receiving a standing ovation at the ACM Awards and ended up winning Best New Female Vocalist and Single of the year for the song. Also she was nominated for Song of the Year and Female Vocalist of the year.

On November 6, 2006, Underwood performed her #1 hit, "Before He Cheats", at the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards and later won both the Horizon Award (similar to the "rookie of the year" award in sports) for new country artists and Female Vocalist. Underwood's double win is the first time since 1995 that an artist won both the female vocalist and Horizon award.

On November 21, 2006 Underwood 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. She was also nominated for Best Female Country Artist, but did not win in that category.

On December 4, 2006, Underwood attended the "2006 Billboard Music Awards", and eventually took home 5 awards. She won the coveted Album of the Year, Top 200 Female Artist of the Year, Female Country Artist, New Country Artist, and Country Album of the Year.

Underwood continues her successful trend of top 2 Country singles with the release of Wasted. The song has peaked at number 2 on the Hot Country Songs Chart, and number 39 on the Hot 100.[citation needed] The Video that goes along with Wasted debuted at number 2 on the GACTV Top 20 Countdown, it is likley that if "Before He Cheats" did not split votes the video would have debuted at number one.

On March 3, 2007 Carrie was nominated for 5 Academy of Country Music awards. She is nominated for Best Female Vocalist, Song of the Year "Before He Cheats", Video of the Year "Before He Cheats", Album of the Year "Some Hearts", and Single Record of the Year "Before He Cheats". Interestingly enough Kellie Pickler also from American Idol has been nominated for Best New Female Vocalist, the award which Carrie took home last year. She was also on Blender.com's list of the hottest women in music.

[edit] 2007 Grammy Awards

On December 7, 2006,Carrie's album "Some Hearts" received 4 Grammy nominations. Underwood received two Grammy nominations for "Best New Artist", "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" for "Jesus, Take the Wheel," while "Jesus, Take the Wheel" received nominations for "Best Country Song" and "Song of the Year".

Underwood's nomination marked the first time that an American Idol winner or contestant had been nominated in the "Best New Artist" category. The award ceremony was held on February 11, 2007 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Underwood won awards for Best New Artist, and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. She also sang alongside Grammy nominees Rascall Flatts.

[edit] Saturday Night Live

On March 24, 2007, Underwood was featured as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live with host Peyton Manning. Underwood performed her hit singles "Before He Cheats" and "Wasted". She became only the ninth country music star to perform on the show (preceded by Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, The Charlie Daniels Band, Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, and Keith Urban). She is the third American Idol contestant to appear on the show (preceded by Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson).

[edit] Personal interests

Underwood receiving a gift from the 25th Infantry Division (Task Force Lightning) after performing in Tikrit, Iraq in December of 2006.
Underwood receiving a gift from the 25th Infantry Division (Task Force Lightning) after performing in Tikrit, Iraq in December of 2006.

At her 'American Idol' audition, Underwood revealed to the judges that her favorite singer is contemporary country recording artist Martina McBride. Throughout her time on American Idol, home videos were shown in which she sang "Independence Day," one of Martina's best known songs. Underwood also released her version of "Independence Day" as the B-side to her first #1 single, "Inside Your Heaven."

In addition to being a singer, Underwood is also a skilled guitar player, and has accompanied herself on guitar during performances of certain songs like "Don't Forget To Remember Me" and "Inside Your Heaven" during some of her live concerts, as well as on the albums.

Another feature of Underwood's interests was expressed on Idol, her love for animals. Underwood is a vegetarian and stopped consuming beef at age 13. She was voted "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in 2005 by animal-rights organization PETA.[11]

Underwood is a supporter of the Humane Society and has done several public service announcements for the organization.[12]

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.[13]

Underwood performed with the USO Christmas Tour in Iraq during the 2006 Holiday season, to spread holiday cheer to the troops overseas.[14] She follows a celebrity entertainment tradition started by Bob Hope that continues to this day. Several internet sites have photos and video clips of Underwood's performances in Iraq, including photos of Underwood in military garb.[15]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Album Statistics Singles
Some Hearts
  • Released: November 15, 2005
  • Peak Chart Positions:
    • #2 U.S., #1 U.S. Country
    • #16 CAN, #1 CAN Country
  • US Sales: 5,155,202
  • World Sales: 7,500,000
  • RIAA Certification: 5x Platinum (January 2007) [2]
  • CRIA Certification: Platinum (April 2006)
 Singles Released
  • Notes:
  1. Some Hearts has spent a total of 26 out of 71 weeks on the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200, meaning she holds the record for Idol winner's debut albums in the Billboard top 10. In fact, the album was found inside the top 10 on week 70. Some Hearts has also spent 71 out of 71 weeks in the top six of Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, in which 24 of those weeks were at number one.
  2. Some Hearts was the most sold album of the 2006 Billboard Chart Year (which ran from the issues dated December 3, 2005 through November 25, 2006), placing it on top of the year-end Billboard 200 chart, which is a first for any Idol winner.
  3. Underwood's debut album Some Hearts has become one of the best-selling debut albums in the U.S. since Evanescence's 2003 debut Fallen, which was certified 6X Platinum by the RIAA. The album has also been named the fastest selling debut country album in U.S. SoundScan history.

[edit] Singles

Year Single U.S. U.S. Country U.S. AC U.S. Pop U.S. Digital CAN CAN Country RIAA Certification
2005 "Inside Your Heaven" 1 52 12 1 4 1 - Platinum
2005 "Jesus, Take The Wheel" 20 1 23 36 18 16 1 Platinum
2005 "Some Hearts" - - 12 - - - - -
2006 "Don't Forget To Remember Me" 49 2 - 75 77 27 4 -
2006 "Before He Cheats" 16 1 - 19 13 18 1 Platinum
2007 "Wasted" 37 2 - 54 45 25 2 -
  • Notes:
  1. "Inside Your Heaven" debuted at number one and spent one week in the top spot of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and surfaced on the country charts due to airplay despite not being sent to country radio. The song was also certified Gold twice -- once with physical sales, and once with digital sales.
  2. "Jesus, Take The Wheel" spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. Country chart. This run tied Faith Hill's "Breathe" as the runner-up of the longest-running female number one in the chart's history.
  3. "Don't Forget To Remember Me" spent one week at number one on the Radio & Records chart, and peaked at number two on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
  4. "Before He Cheats" charted for 20 weeks on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart before being confirmed as a single. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 92. The song climbed eventually to reach number one on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart on November 1, 2006. Its music video was the first video to debut on the GACTV charts at number one on October 20, 2006.
  5. On April 5, "Wasted" reached number 1 on Mediabases Country Airplay Chart.
  6. "Wasted" is currently active on the charts. It is currently number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its ninth week.
  7. Underwood and her single "Jesus, Take The Wheel" were nominated for a total of four Grammy Awards, including Song of The Year. The awards were held on February 11, 2007; Underwood won Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best New Artist.

[edit] Awards

Year Award Category
2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice Reality Star - Female (Won)
Billboard Music Awards Top-Selling Hot 100 Song Of The Year: "Inside Your Heaven" (Won)
Top-Selling Country Single: "Inside Your Heaven" (Won)
Country Single Sales Artist Of The Year (Won)
2006 Gospel Music Association Awards Country Recorded Song Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Won)
Country Music Television Awards Female Video Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Won)
Breakthrough Video Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Won)
Most Inspiring Video Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Nominated)
Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Female Vocalist Of The Year (Won)
Single Record Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Won)
Top Female Vocalist Of The Year (Nominated)
Song of the Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Nominated)
NARP organization of record retail merchants Breakthrough Country Artist (Won)
Music Row Critics Pick (Won)
Teen Choice Awards Best Female Artist (Nominated)
Breakout Female Artist (Nominated)
Country Music Association Awards Female Vocalist Of The Year (Won)
Horizon Award (Won)
Music Video Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Nominated)
Single Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Nominated)
12th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards Mainstream Country Artist of the Year (Won)
Song Of The year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Nominated)
Video Of The year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Nominated)
American Music Awards Favorite New Breakthrough Artist (Won)
Favorite Country Female Artist (Nominated)
Billboard Music Awards Country Artist of the Year (Nominated)
Female Country Artist of the Year (Won)
Album Of The Year (Won)
Country Album Of The Year (Won)
Country New Artist Of The Year (Won)
Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year (Won)
World Music Awards World's Best-Selling New Artist (Nominated: #2)
2007 People's Choice Awards Favorite Country Song: "Before He Cheats" (Won)
Favorite Female Singer (Won)
Grammy Awards Best New Artist (Won)
Best Female Country Vocal Performance: "Jesus, Take The Wheel" (Won)
Best Country Song: "Jesus, Take The Wheel" (Won)
Song of the Year: "Jesus, Take The Wheel" (Nominated)
2007 Country Music Television Awards Video Of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Nominated)
Female Video Of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Nominated)
Academy of Country Music Awards Top Female Vocalist (Nominated)
Album of The Year: "Some Hearts" (Nominated)
Single Record of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Nominated)
Song of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Nominated)
Video of The Year: "Before He Cheats" (Nominated)

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Chart success continues for Carrie Underwood, Country Standard Time News, 2006-02-16, Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
  2. ^ Schmitt, Brad. Carrie Underwood makes leap from 'American Idol' to country's 'it' girl June 4, 2006. Accessed on July 8, 2006.
  3. ^ Country singer Carrie Underwood graduates, AP via USAToday.com, 2006-05-07, Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  4. ^ Shining Sigmas, Sigma Sigma Sigma website, Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  5. ^ Creek Nation tribal member Carrie Underwood wins 2 Grammy Awards, Red Lake Net news, Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  6. ^ It's My Life (English) (HTML). PBS Kids (2006). Retrieved on July 8, 2006. 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."
  7. ^ Bryson, Jodi. It's Fate That Would Have It. Girl's Life Magazine via [1], Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  8. ^ Underwood the new 'American Idol', CNN.com, 2005-05-27, Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  9. ^ "American Idol Calls McBride, Underwood, Pickler", CMT.com: News: News In Brief, Fri. February 23.2007 5:40 PM EST. Retrieved on February 24, 2007.
  10. ^ Carrie Underwood's Album Is 5x Platinum (English) (HTML). Country Music Association (January 10).
  11. ^ People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Norfolk, Virginia. World's Sexiest Vegetarians, PETA website, retrieved on January 8, 2007.
  12. ^ Star Power: Hollywood's Response to Help Pets Hurt by Katrina, The Humane Society website, retrieved on January 8, 2007.
  13. ^ 'Idol 4' winner Carrie Underwood named Oklahoman of the Year, UPI via RealityTVworld.com, 2005-12-26, Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  14. ^ Carrie Underwood visits troops in the Persian Gulf, USO.org, December 2006, Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  15. ^ Country Music Star Carrie Underwood Performs at LSA Adder,GXonline.com, retrieved on January 8, 2007.

[edit] References

  • Tracey, Kathleen. Carrie Underwood: American Idol IV. September 2005. Blue Banner Biography series (Juvenile) ISBN 1-58415-425-X

[edit] External links


Preceded by
Fantasia Barrino		 American Idol
Winner
Season 4 (2005)		 Succeeded by
Taylor Hicks
 v • d • e Carrie Underwood
Studio albums:
Some Hearts
Singles:
"Inside Your Heaven · "Jesus, Take the Wheel" · "Some Hearts" · "Don't Forget to Remember Me"
"Before He Cheats" · "Wasted"
Related articles
American Idol · Arista Records
American Idol Season 4
Carrie Underwood | Bo Bice | Vonzell Solomon | Anthony Fedorov | Scott Savol | Constantine Maroulis
Anwar Robinson | Nadia Turner | Nikko Smith | Jessica Sierra | Mikalah Gordon | Lindsey Cardinale
American Idol winners
Kelly Clarkson | Ruben Studdard | Fantasia Barrino | Carrie Underwood | Taylor Hicks



Persondata
NAME Underwood, Carrie Marie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION American country music singer; American Idol winner
DATE OF BIRTH March 10, 1983
PLACE OF BIRTH Muskogee, Oklahoma
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/a/r/Carrie_Underwood_07b8.html"