Carrie Underwood Bio: Life and Career of the Country Singer
Musical Beginnings
Carrie Marie Underwood was born March 10th, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. As a child, she sang in church, and at local talent shows and events. She then auditioned for Capitol Records as a teenager, but a record deal never materialized. Underwood decided to focus on her studies instead, and following high school, she graduated university with honors.
“American Idol”
In 2004, Underwood successfully auditioned for season four of “American Idol” and instantly became a fan favorite. During the competition, she gained more and more momentum until the 2005 finale when she was crowned the winner, and earned a recording contract in the process.
Single Success
She quickly found success with the single “Inside Your Heaven,” and it became the only country single by a solo artist to reach the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the last decade.
Debut
Later that year, Underwood released her debut, Some Hearts. It broke records immediately: by selling over 300 thousand copies in the first week, the album became the biggest debut for a solo female country artist ever. This propelled the record to number two on the Billboard 200 and to the top of the Country Albums chart. Some Hearts was eventually named the best-selling country album of the next two years, as well as the best-selling album by an “American Idol.”
Popular Songs
Following the top twenty success of “Jesus, Take the Wheel” on the Billboard Hot 100, Underwood reached the top ten of that same chart with “Before He Cheats,” which also went to number one on Hot Country Songs.
Award Recogntion
Over the next years, Underwood destroyed the competition at award shows. Some Hearts was named Album of the Year at both the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards, and she was christened Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year.
Sophomore Effort
After the runaway success of her first album, it’s no wonder her follow-up was also a chart-topping hit: Carnival Ride went to number one on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts in 2007. It also moved over half a million copies in its first week and was certified platinum within two months. The album’s first three singles all found their way to the top of the country charts, and this placed Underwood in an elite class as the first female artist since Shania Twain in 1998 to have three singles from her first two albums go to number one.
More Awards
This success cemented Underwood’s status as country’s new “It” girl. She continued to garner praise and rack up the awards, including another Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal performance. In 2008, she became a member of the famed Country Music institution, the Grand Ole Opry. This era also saw her become the first woman in ten years to win the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year award.
Touring
Underwood continued impressing audiences with her vocal skills during this period by embarking on several tours, including one with Keith Urban.
Third Album
In 2009, Underwood went for the hat trick with her third album. Just like the two before, Play On premiered at number one on the Country Albums chart and eventually sold over two million copies worldwide. The platinum-certified record spawned three number ones on the country charts: “Cowboy Casanova,” “Temporary Home” and “Undo It.”
Number One with “Blown Away”
2012 saw the release of her fourth effort, Blown Away. The album did not disappoint: it moved over a quarter million copies in its first week and topped both the Billboard 200 and Country Albums charts on the strength of its first single, “Good Girl.” Underwood supported the disc with a headlining tour later that year.
Outside Interests
Outside music, Underwood has appeared in film and television, and supports numerous charitable causes. Her personal life has remained relatively private, but she famously married hockey player Mike Fisher in 2010.
A True Country Star
Carrie Underwood’s story is truly inspirational: From winning “American Idol” to becoming one of the biggest stars in country music, her rise has been meteoric. Underwood’s music is bold and has proved her to be one-of-a-kind, but it’s her talent that shines the brightest.
