Changing the Face of Country Music The Way Carrie Underwood Does It
Carrie Underwood had a life-changing experience that fateful day in 2005 when she won in the fourth season of American Idol. Since then, the Idol champ has enjoyed a very fruitful music career.
This once unknown farm girl from Checotah first captured the hearts of American Idol judges when she sang “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Rait during her audition several years ago. She earned the admiration of the judges by that piece and made her way to Hollywood where she took the stage by storm week after week. In a much-awaited finale in May of 2005, she bested co-contestant Bo Bice and took home the Idol crown.
Before her, there was one Idol superstar, Kelly Clarkson, the first Idol winner. She was followed by Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino. But even though there have been new winners, it was still Kelly who managed to do very well post-Idol win. When Carrie Underwood took the title, she was seen as a strong contender and did very well outside the show.
That changed when Carrie won the show. Prior to the release of her debut album Some Hearts, she first released the track “Inside Your Heaven” and enjoyed great airplay. She then went on to release a string of hits starting with “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Wasted,” “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore,” “Before He Cheats,” and a lot more. Her first album did so well it stayed at the top of the Billboard Albums chart in 2007 for eleven weeks!
Even though she was new in the business, Carrie Underwood, through her music, was able to earn the respect and accolades of her peers in the music industry. Everyone saw the great talent in her. It would naturally follow that she would win several awards for her efforts. She received recognition from the Academy of Country Music, Gospel Music Association, CMT, Country Music Association, Billboard, American Music Awards, and the Grammys.
Although she has already enjoyed a very good music career with her first album, Carrie Underwood didn’t stop there. When she released her second record Carnival Ride, she added five more number one country hits to her resume: “So Small,” “All American Girl,” “Last Name,” “Just a Dream,” and “I Told You So.”
By 2009, Carrie Underwood has already sold nearly 10 million albums worldwide and 10.7 million digital downloads, raising her total earnings to $14 million since June 2008. Aside from her record sales, she has also performed in over 300 live shows plus her several endorsements. She has done extremely well after her Idol stint that she was named by Forbes.com as the top earner out of all the Idol contestants-surpassing first winner Kelly Clarkson, and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.
Clearly, Carrie Underwood’s music has reached superstar level. This country superstar has managed to achieve in a short period of time what others would work hard for all their life. She is truly at the peak of success.
