Carrie Underwood is a multi-award-winning American country music singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame after winning the fourth season of the popular television show American Idol in 2005.
Her subsequent success in the music industry has made her one of the most successful country music artists of all time, and an inspiration to many aspiring musicians. Underwood’s music is known for its powerful vocals, relatable lyrics, and catchy melodies.
She has released seven studio albums to date, with each one showcasing her growth as an artist and her ability to connect with her audience. In addition to her musical achievements, Underwood is also actively involved in philanthropy and activism, supporting a variety of causes, including animal rights, education, and disaster relief efforts.
This article will provide an overview of Underwood’s early life and career, her impact on country music, and her personal life and future plans.
Key Takeaways
- Carrie Underwood is a highly successful American country music singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful vocals, relatable lyrics, and catchy melodies.
- She has won multiple Grammy Awards and ACM Awards, including back-to-back Entertainer of the Year awards, and has opened doors for other female artists in the genre.
- In addition to her music career, Underwood is actively involved in philanthropy and activism, supporting causes such as animal rescue and adoption, natural disaster aid, and women’s rights.
- She is set to release her first Christmas album, My Gift, in September 2020, featuring a mix of classic holiday songs and original tracks with guest appearances from John Legend and her son Isaiah Fisher.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and grew up on a farm. She developed a love for animals and music at a young age.
Underwood began singing at her local church and participating in talent shows in her hometown. Her talent was recognized early on, and she was encouraged by her parents to pursue a career in music.
Underwood attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in mass communication in 2006. While in college, she participated in beauty pageants and won the Miss NSU runner-up title in 2004.
In 2005, Underwood auditioned for the fourth season of American Idol, where she blew the judges away with her powerful voice and went on to win the competition. Her victory on the show launched her career in the music industry, and she quickly became one of the most successful country music artists of all time.
Winning American Idol
The victory in the American Idol contest has propelled the career of the talented singer to new heights.
In 2005, Carrie Underwood auditioned for the fourth season of the popular singing competition show, American Idol. She quickly became a fan favorite with her powerful vocals and likable personality.
Throughout the competition, Underwood consistently wowed the judges and audience with her performances of popular songs from various genres.
Underwood’s win on American Idol not only gave her a platform to showcase her talents but also provided her with a recording contract with RCA Records.
Her debut album, ‘Some Hearts,’was released later that year and became a massive success, selling over 7 million copies in the United States alone.
The album’s lead single, ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel,’won Underwood her first Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
Winning American Idol launched Underwood’s career and solidified her place as one of the most successful country singers of all time.
Debut Album: Some Hearts
Released in 2005, the debut album ‘Some Hearts’ by the winner of American Idol season four quickly became a massive success, selling over 7 million copies in the United States alone. The album was produced by Mark Bright and Dan Huff, and featured a mix of country, pop, and rock genres.
Here are some key facts about the album that contributed to its success:
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The album’s lead single, ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel,’became a crossover hit, reaching the top of the country charts and earning Underwood a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
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The album also spawned other successful singles, such as ‘Before He Cheats,’which became a pop culture phenomenon and won Underwood another Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
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Underwood co-wrote three of the album’s tracks, showcasing her songwriting skills.
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The album’s success helped Underwood become the first female country artist to earn back-to-back ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
Overall, ‘Some Hearts’ marked a strong debut for Underwood, setting the stage for her future success in the music industry.
Continued Success with Carnival Ride and Play On
Following the massive success of her debut album, Underwood continued to dominate the country music scene with her subsequent albums Carnival Ride and Play On, both of which reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
Carnival Ride, released in 2007, showcased a more mature and confident Underwood, with songs like ‘Last Name’and ‘All-American Girl’becoming huge hits. The album also earned her two Grammy nominations, including Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for ‘I Told You So’with Randy Travis.
Play On, released in 2009, continued Underwood’s streak of success with hits like ‘Cowboy Casanova’and ‘Undo It’. The album also included a duet with fellow country superstar Brad Paisley titled ‘Remind Me’, which won the pair a CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year. Despite some mixed reviews from critics, Play On was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and selling over two million copies in the United States.
Underwood solidified her status as one of the biggest stars in country music with these two successful albums.
Venture into Acting
Expanding her career beyond music, Underwood ventured into acting with appearances in several television shows and movies. Her first acting role was in 2010, when she played a small part in the movie ‘Soul Surfer’.
In the following years, she also appeared in the TV series ‘How I Met Your Mother’and ‘Blue Bloods’. However, it was her role as Maria in NBC’s live production of ‘The Sound of Music’in 2013 that earned her critical acclaim. Despite initial skepticism from some critics and fans, Underwood’s performance was praised for her singing and acting abilities, and the production became one of the most-watched TV events of the year.
To further showcase her acting skills, Underwood also played the lead role of Sarah Hill in the 2018 movie ‘Love, Simon’. Although the movie received mixed reviews, Underwood’s performance was praised for her natural acting and emotional depth.
Her venture into acting has not only expanded her career beyond music but also proved her versatility as an artist. With her talent and dedication, Underwood has shown that she is capable of excelling in different fields of entertainment.
Here are some interesting facts about Carrie Underwood’s acting career:
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Underwood’s first acting role was in the 2010 movie ‘Soul Surfer’.
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She also appeared in the TV series ‘How I Met Your Mother’and ‘Blue Bloods’.
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Her most notable acting role was as Maria in NBC’s live production of ‘The Sound of Music’in 2013.
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In 2018, she played the lead role in the movie ‘Love, Simon’.
Blown Away and Storyteller Albums
Carrie Underwood’s musical career reached new heights with the release of her Blown Away and Storyteller albums, showcasing her versatility as a country artist.
Blown Away, her fourth studio album, was released in 2012 and debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. The album features a mix of uptempo tracks and emotional ballads, with themes ranging from empowerment to heartbreak. The title track, ‘Blown Away,’won Underwood a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance, and the album has since been certified Platinum in the United States.
Storyteller, Underwood’s fifth studio album, was released in 2015 and debuted at number one on the Top Country Albums chart and number two on the Billboard 200. The album features collaborations with songwriters and producers such as Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, and Mark Bright. The tracks on the album showcase Underwood’s range as a performer, with influences ranging from country to rock to pop. The album’s lead single, ‘Smoke Break,’reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum in the United States.
Overall, Blown Away and Storyteller cemented Underwood’s status as one of the top country artists of her generation.
Impact on Country Music
Undoubtedly, the success of Blown Away and Storyteller has had a significant impact on the evolution and popularity of country music in the United States and beyond. Carrie Underwood’s ability to blend traditional country music with contemporary sounds has attracted a wider range of listeners to the genre. Her storytelling abilities, coupled with her powerful vocals, have helped to redefine what country music can be.
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Underwood’s music has given a voice to women in country music, who have traditionally been underrepresented in the industry. Her success has opened doors for other female artists, proving that women can be just as successful as their male counterparts in the genre.
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Her ability to connect with her audience through her music has created a loyal fan base that not only supports her music but also her philanthropic efforts.
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Underwood’s crossover appeal has allowed her to bring country music to a wider audience, introducing new listeners to the genre and helping to break down stereotypes about country music being exclusively for a certain demographic.
Overall, Carrie Underwood’s impact on country music cannot be overstated. Her success has helped to redefine the genre, bringing in new fans and providing a platform for other female artists to succeed. She has proven that country music can be both traditional and contemporary, and her influence on the industry will undoubtedly continue for years to come.
Philanthropy and Activism
One notable aspect of Carrie Underwood’s career is her philanthropic and activist work, which has made a significant impact on various causes ranging from animal welfare to education and disaster relief.
Underwood has been an advocate for animal welfare for many years and has partnered with organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Pedigree Foundation to raise awareness and funds for animal rescue and adoption.
In addition, she has also been a strong supporter of education, particularly in her home state of Oklahoma, where she has donated funds to help rebuild schools that were damaged by tornadoes.
Underwood has also been actively involved in disaster relief efforts, donating funds to organizations such as the Red Cross and the United Way to provide aid to those affected by natural disasters.
In 2019, she co-hosted a benefit concert for victims of the devastating tornadoes that struck the southern United States.
Additionally, she has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and has used her platform to speak out against domestic violence.
Overall, Underwood’s philanthropic and activist work reflects her commitment to using her fame and success to make a positive difference in the world.
Personal Life and Family
Moving on from Carrie Underwood’s philanthropic efforts, let us now delve into her personal life and family. Underwood is married to former professional hockey player Mike Fisher, and the couple has two sons together, Isaiah and Jacob. They are a tight-knit family and prioritize spending quality time with each other despite their busy schedules.
Underwood has been open about her struggles with multiple miscarriages and the toll it took on her mental health. She has used her platform to bring awareness to the issue and offer support to other women going through similar experiences.
In addition, she has also been vocal about her Christian faith and how it guides her decisions and values as a wife, mother, and artist. Overall, Underwood’s personal life and family play a significant role in shaping her as a person and artist, and her openness about her struggles has resonated with many of her fans.
Future Plans and Projects
Regarding future plans and projects, there are several upcoming events and collaborations in the works for the successful country music artist, Carrie Underwood.
Firstly, she is set to release her first Christmas album, titled ‘My Gift,’on September 25, 2020. The album will feature a mix of classic holiday songs and original tracks, with guest appearances from John Legend and her son, Isaiah Fisher. Fans can expect to hear Underwood’s powerful vocals and unique take on traditional Christmas melodies.
In addition to her upcoming album release, Underwood is also scheduled to perform at the 2020 ACM Awards on September 16, where she is nominated for Entertainer of the Year. She will be performing a medley of songs from her new album, as well as some of her greatest hits.
Finally, Underwood has also hinted at a potential collaboration with fellow country artist, Luke Bryan, although no further details have been released.
With these exciting projects on the horizon, it is clear that Carrie Underwood’s career in the music industry is showing no signs of slowing down.