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.

On November 15 of the same year, Some Hearts, Carrie’s debut album, was released. Selling over three hundred thousand copies in the first week, the album hit the top spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums, making it one of the largest debuts ever by a country artist. The album has since been certified quadruple platinum. "Jesus Take the Wheel," the first single from the album, reached #39 on the Billboard Country Chart in its first week, setting a record, and then continued to top the charts for six consecutive weeks. Her subsequent singles, "Some Hearts" and "Don’t Forget to Remember Me," met with impressive, if not staggering chart position and air play. "Before He Cheats," the next single, was a #1 hit.

In November of 2006, Carrie attended and performed at the Country Music Awards. She won both the Horizon Award for New Country Artist and was named Female Vocalist of the Year, beating out several country idols as well as her favorite singer, Martina McBride. Faith Hill threw her hands in the air and mouthed "what" at the announcement, but later maintained her reaction was a joke.

Carrie plans to release her second album sometime in 2007, and only time will tell if it will equal or even surpass the incredible success of her first effort.

Let us know of updates to the Carrie Underwood biography at editor@yuddy.com