The Decade's and New Queen Of Country Part TwoAnd so the Cinderella story continues, if all those awards from just her first Album were not enough.... there's more! After the success of Some Hearts and all the accolades that came with it, it was obvious Underwood was more then just a contest winner. She proved she could sing and sell her product. Now the only question was, was she here to stay or a one album wonder. Though some had their reservations about her most knew the undeniable answer, yes she was the real deal and here to stay. Underwood took a brief break to complete her second album Carnival Ride. This second album meant even more to Underwood, seeing as she was going to considerably more involved, particularly taking on writing for the first time. She recruited many of Nashville's top writer's to assist her in her learning experience. The outcome proved she could be a writer as well as a performer.
This album also brought the opportunity for Underwood to up her game in he touring aspect. She co-headlined with Keith Urban on the Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour, that spanned from January 08' through to April. April through May Underwood tested the waters as a lone headliner, which proved to be very wise, selling out shows across the country. After a summer break Underwood finish out the year as a headliner. Underwood finished 2008 as the most successful country female touring act, also the most played female at Country Radio, oh and the best selling country female artist. No small feats.
What Underwood calls one of the most memorable moments of her life is being invited and inducted as a member to the Grand Ole Opry. This is the ultimate show of acceptance. Underwood has always been actively involved with the Opry, and matched with her success was a easy decision for the invite. So on May 15th 2008, Underwood became the youngest inductee at the age of 26.
After the Carnival Ride Tour had concluded Underwood made the conscious decision to take an extended break to work on her third album.This was a risky move considering, the growing success of young female artist, particularly, Taylor Swift. Underwood's rational for this was that she thought people see and hear so much of one person they may need a break and in turn after some time start to miss that person and be awaiting new material from them. (Which worked amazingly)
During this 09' break she was nominated and won her third consecutive Female Vocalist Of The Year award, but more notably she became only the seventh female to win the coveted Entertainer Of The Year award. All her hard work did not go unnoticed, her peers and fans together gave her that award which she was so emotionally grateful for.
Award wise for her career she has won 3 consecutive ACM's and CMA's for Female Vocalist Of The Year. Grammy wise she is the most successful American Idol, winning three consecutive Best Female Country Vocal Performance awards, she was also the first American Idol to be nominated in the Best New Artist category and the only to win. She is up for two more at this year's Grammys.
Her accolade list is much long then I could mention in this piece, but that is not what she is known best for. Besides her amazing voice that more and More people are discovering everyday, she is being recognized for her humble, down to earth image, that has stayed true through all the craziness that has been her life for the past five years. She is involved in countless charities, and has now started one of her own, C.A.T.S. Foundation. The Checotah Animal Town and School Foundation to benefit her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. Underwood's first act for her foundation was a trip back to Checotah High School with ABC news anchor Robin Roberts, where she gave a presentation on stage, in front of students and school faculty, and donated over $117,000 worth of musical instruments to three music programs at three of Checotah's schools.
Her third album Play On hit stores Nov, 3rd 09' and hit the Billboard charts at #1 for both Country and all genre charts and after eight short weeks has gone platinum. Her first single Cowboy Casanova went straight to #1 and is the fastest #1 country single of her career and 2009’s fastest chart-topper by a country female. She stands alone as the only female with 11 consecutive (every single she has released), and tied with Brad Paisley.
Through her short, amazing successful whirlwind of a career, Underwood has never forgot where she came from, becoming some what of an ambassador for American Idol, returning year after year, to perform and help with their sponsored charities. She continually thanks them every chance she gets. Most of all she always thanks, God first, and her fans second. Without the fans she wouldn't be where she is today and she realizes and appreciates that.
There is so much to talk about, a book could be written about this small town farm girl, turned superstar overnight, and now the Queen of Country Music. I believe we will be seeing so much more from her in the future and will continue to watch her star rise even more.
Notable Performances
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