Underwood, Carrie (1983-…), is a popular American country music singer and songwriter. She became famous after winning the season title on the singing competition television show “American Idol” in 2005.
Carrie Marie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She grew up on her parents’ farm in Checotah, Oklahoma, south of Muskogee. She began singing as a child. Underwood earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in 2006.
Underwood’s first album, Some Hearts, was released in 2005, after her victory on “American Idol.” The album included the number-one country hits “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Wasted,” and “Before He Cheats.” Some Hearts became the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history. It also became the top-selling country album of the decade.
Underwood’s second album, Carnival Ride, was released in 2007. It included the number-one country hits “So Small,” “All-American Girl,” “Last Name,” “Just a Dream,” and “I Told You So.” Two more number-one country hits, “Cowboy Casanova” and “Temporary Home,” came from Underwood’s third album, Play On (2009). Underwood’s fourth album, Blown Away (2012), became a number-one hit on the country albums chart. It featured the hit “Good Girl.” Underwood’s other albums include Storyteller (2015) and Cry Pretty (2018).
Underwood has won many awards for her music. In 2008, she became the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry. She was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2009, 2010, and 2020 (tied with Thomas Rhett). Underwood was the first female performer to win the award twice. She also has won a number of Grammy Awards. Underwood has been named top female vocalist and female vocalist of the year multiple times by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Underwood made her motion-picture debut in the drama Soul Surfer (2011). In 2013, she starred as Maria in a live telecast of the musical The Sound of Music.
