Carrie Marie
Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Checotah, Oklahoma.
The daughter of a paper mill worker and an elementary school
teacher, she grew up on a cattle farm with her two older
sisters, Shanna and Stephanie. Carrie began singing in her
church choir when she was only 3 years old. When she was 13,
she made her first studio recording, and performed in
festivals in a number of states while trying to get a singing
career off the ground.
In spite of her passion for music, Carrie maintained a
well-balanced life growing up. A big sports fan, she played
softball for eight years. She was an honor student at Checotah
High School, and a member of the National Honor Society. One
summer, she served as a page for Oklahoma State Representative
Bobby Frame. In 2001, Carrie graduated from Checotah as
salutatorian.
After high school, Carrie went on to Northeastern State
University, where she majored in mass communications. She
joined Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and competed in beauty
pageants throughout college, winning the title of Miss NSU
runner-up in 2004.
Not long afterward, Carrie decided to travel to St. Louis
to audition for the 2005 American Idol competition.
From the beginning, Carrie's country-infused style was popular
with both the judges and the audience, and she was one of only
three finalists in the show's history (alongside
Kelly Clarkson and
Clay Aiken) to never finish in the "bottom three."
After Carrie's performance of Heart's "Alone" in March of
2005, Simon Cowell had nothing but
praise for her: "You're not just the girl to beat, you're the
person to beat. I will make a prediction: Not only will you
win this competition, but you will sell more records than any
other previous Idol winner!" Sure enough, on May 25,
Carrie was named the new "American Idol," beating out southern
rocker Bo Bice.
As part of her American Idol win, Carrie signed a
recording contract with Arista Records. In June of 2005, she
released a single, "Inside Your Heaven," which debuted at the
top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. She was the first country
artist to ever debut at No. 1 on that chart, although "Inside
Your Heaven," a rather schmaltzy Idol anthem, isn't a strictly
country song. More promising was the B-side, a cover of
Martina McBride's "Independence Day."
From small-town girl to CMA's female vocal
artist of the year, Carrie Underwood's rapid rise to fame is
nothing less than 'awesome.' Checotah may be small, but is
friendly and close to two lakes (Eufaula and Ft. Gibson).
It also a short trip from Tulsa and a little longer trip
West on I-40 to OKC.
Life for Carrie Underwood didn't have the chance to settle
down after her American Idol win. All the publicity and
work on an upcoming album didn't even leave her much opportunity to celebrate.
She became a spokesperson for Hershey's chocolate and Skechers
shoes, adopting a hectic schedule that sent her rushing back
and forth between New York, Los Angeles and Nashville -- and
just about everywhere in between.
She has entertained Our Troops in Iraq, and has won just
about every award possible.
She seems to be as pretty on the inside as
she is the outside. She
does her parents and Oklahoma Proud.
Message Boards
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)
Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Female Vocalist Of
The Year (Won)
Single Record Of The Year: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Won)
NARP organization of record retail merchants Breakthrough
Country Artist (Won)
Music Row Critics Pick (Won)
Country Music Association Awards Female Vocalist Of The Year
(Won)
Horizon Award (Won)
12th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards Mainstream
Country Artist of the Year (Won)
American Music Awards Favorite New Breakthrough Artist (Won)
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)
2007 People's Choice Awards Favorite Country Song: "Before
He Cheats" (Won)
Favorite Female Singer (Won)
Famous
Oklahomans
