By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
Carrie Underwood became America’s sweetheart in 2005 when she took top prize on the fourth season of American Idol. Since then the Checotah, Oklahoma native has won four GRAMMY Awards and has earned three consecutive “Female Vocalist of the Year” titles from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and last spring she collected the ACM’s “Entertainer of the Year” trophy.
“If anybody ever doubts God, look at my life,” Carrie tells GMC.com. “I didn’t know what I was going to do, and I was clubbed over the head with this amazing opportunity [American Idol] and then everything throughout the show and everything that has happened since has been so perfect. Even bad stuff has worked out for good. So everything happened exactly how it was supposed to. I always had dreams of being a country music singer…and meeting my favorite [artists] and singing with them, but the older I got, the more reality would set in. Then God reminded me that I don’t call the shots. I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do whether I think it’s possible or not.”
Carrie’s success has surpassed her expectations. Her first two albums – 2005’s Some Hearts and 2007’s Carnival Ride – have sold more than 10 million copies. These days life continues to be a whirlwind for the talented singer/songwriter. Her new album, Play On, released on Nov. 3 and Wednesday night she co-hosted the 43rd annual CMA Awards with Brad Paisley. On December 7, she’ll star in her first network television special on FOX, which will feature Paisley, David Cook, and Dolly Parton as special guests.
“[It’s] sink or swim,” Carrie says with a smile when discussing her busy schedule. “You are in the lion’s den and you’re going to figure out what to do and figure out how to make it through it all, or you’re just going to shrivel up and disappear. I’m really lucky. I have some really wonderful people around me that make doing what I love possible.”
