If someone had told Carrie Underwood five years ago that she would win the Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year against country icons Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, and Faith Hill, she would never have believed it. In the ultimate showdown of rock music vs. country music on the fourth season of American Idol, fans fell in love with her down to earth personality, small town likeability, and enchanting voice, naming her as victor in the nation-wide singing competition.

Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma . Growing up on a farm, she was the youngest of three daughters and began singing in her local church at the age of three. When she was thirteen, her manager at the time tried to obtain a singing contract for the talented Underwood, but ultimately the deal did not go through. After graduating from high school in 2001, she attended Northeastern State University where she eventually earned a Bachelor’s degree in mass communications after taking a break to participate in American Idol.

At her St. Louis audition for the famous talent show, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and the ever-honest Simon Cowell were unanimous in their praise for Carrie’s remarkable vocal abilities. Throughout the weeks of the competition, Carrie continued her outstanding performances, leading her to secure a spot in the final two against southern rocker Bo Bice. On May 25, 2005, fans voted her the winner of American Idol, making her the fourth after the previous seasons’ Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, and Ruben Studdard.

Just one month after her win, Carrie’s single, "Inside Your Heaven," was released by Arista Records. Its success was immediate, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, briefly knocking Mariah Carey’s "We Belong Together" from the coveted spot. It did not, however, enjoy the same success on the country music charts, peaking at #59.