Carrie Underwood Music

Carrie Underwood: This Girl Ain’t in Checotah Anymore

In 2005, Simon Cowell predicted on week 2 of American Idol that she would not only win the show but sell far more records than previous Idol winners after she sang Heart’s “Alone.” He was right.

Week after week, Carrie Underwood, the sweet country girl with the big voice avoided elimination and she battled it out with rocker Bo Bice in the finale and emerged as the winner.

Born on March 10, 1983 in Oklahoma, Underwood lived in a Checotah farm. She is the youngest in a brood of three. Her eldest sister, Shanna, is 13 years older than her while Stephanie was ahead 10 years.

Growing up in a small town, Carrie was exposed to music at an early age. She started singing in church at the age of 3. And though music didn’t run in the family, she sang solo roles in school plays. Eventually, people started noticing the big voice she has when she started joining local talent shows.

Her parents, Stephen and Carole, were a great influence in Carrie’s love for country music. She would listen to country music while inside their car.

When she entered the Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., she took up broadcast journalism for her major. Here, she was able to produce a student-run television program and wrote for the school paper. But music remained to be a big part of her life.

She snagged a role in a country music show while still in college. Here, she was able to learn about country music legends like Patsy Cline and the Carter Family. It was also during college when she decided, upon persuasion from friends, to try out for the hit Fox reality singing show, American Idol.

Her initial reluctance to audition stemmed from her concern that she may never have the chance to become a famous singer, which was what she used to tell people, after college. So one night, together with her mom and a couple of people, she drove all night to the audition venue.

She sang Bonne Rait’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in front of Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, the show’s resident judges and got praises. She was only criticized for not having enough stage presence. Soon she was off to her first-ever airline flight to Hollywood where she sailed through to the top 24.

During the semi-finals, after singing Tiffany’s “Could’ve Been,” Jackson said he was surprised no one has signed her up due to the amazing voice she possessed. Since then, Carrie was on a roll.

Her Idol win proved to be the start of a great career. Four years after her Idol stint, she has released numerous hits like “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Inside Your Heaven,” “Before He Cheats,” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.”

Carrie Underwood music has taken over the airwaves! Not only has her music career been successfu, she has signed advertising deals, went on tour, graced the Idol stage year after year, and won Grammys, CMAs, and ACMs.