Carrie Underwood
News (Page 7)

It's safe to say that Carrie Underwood has enjoyed a solid 2006.

First, the 2005 American Idol champion surprised insiders by winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist Award.

Then, she started dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. He's not a bad catch.

Now, Underwood's Some Hearts will officially end the year as the top album on the Billboard 200 chart.

Not bad for the singer. Sort of puts a lot of pressure on this year's American Idol champ to match her, doesn't it?

Tony Romo is a young, All-Pro quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. But his most impressive accomplishments may come off the field.

First, the star was rumored to be dating Jessica Simpson.

Now, word is going around that Carrie Underwood is the player's new beauty of choice.

Underwood was a surprise guest at Texas Stadium for the Cowboys' Christmas Day game against Philadelphia, giving Romo a hug on the field before kickoff.

The Dallas QB also told a small-town paper in central Illinois, where he went to college, that he was dating the American Idol singer. The pair may have met at the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving Day, where Underwood performed at halftime.

Sadly, Romo's Cowboys played terribly against Philadelphia. But hopefully Carrie will bring her man more luck next time.

One of our favorites, Carrie Underwood, has signed up to entertain troops on her first United Service Organizations tour of the Persian Gulf.

The 2005 American Idol winner - who was recently named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and nominated for two Grammy Awards - will perform for and meet with service members on the tour.

Exact dates and locations of her shows in the gulf region were not made public by the USO.

"They never release exactly where the tours are happening, or exactly when they're happening. All I can share is that it is sometime before too long from now. But I don't even know the exact locations that she's going in the Persian Gulf," publicist Jessie Schmidt said.

Schmidt said USO officials approached Underwood about touring the Persian Gulf region several months ago and plans have been in place "for quite some time."

"She is completely excited about it," Schmidt said. "She does have some band members that are able to go with her over there, so they're just all really jazzed.

"When she does return from the tour we can say that she's just come back, and hopefully we'll have some photos that they'll service to the press from over there as well," Schmidt said.

Underwood also was seen Monday on a segment of the Oprah Winfrey Show taped last week, performing her hit song, "Jesus Take the Wheel," and joining fellow guests Tony Bennett, Josh Groban and Michael Buble for a rendition of Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life."

One ... two ... three ... four ... five.

No, we're not counting how many albums Chris Daughtry has sold (that would be A LOT more than five).

But we did almost run out of fingers on one hand for the number of trophies Carrie Underwood took home last night at the Billboard Music Awards. The American Idol victor won for Country Album of the Year and Country Artist of the Year.

Paula Abdul presented at the show.

Football on Thanksgiving.

It's as traditional as a turkey in the oven.

This year, however, viewers that turned in to the Dallas Cowboys/Tampa Bay Buccaneers game were treated to a surprise far more welcome than any Terrell Owens outburst: a double dose of American Idol beauty and talent.

First, Dallas-area native Kelly Clarkson (decked out in an Emmitt Smith jersey) sang the national anthem. She did a wonderful job.

Then, the halftime ceremony featured yet another winner from the FOX reality smash: Carrie Underwood, a native of nearby Oklahoma.

Dallas may have won big, 38-10, but fans of these singers also walked away as winners. We hope positive news like this takes away from the tired Clay Aiken/Kelly Ripa feud.

Last week, we took a glimpse at the changing styles of Katharine McPhee. The reigning runner-up can pull off many looks, but she's not the only starlet (or star) in the American Idol universe who can make that claim.

Another well-known second-place finisher, Clay Aiken, has adopted a very different look of late. His longer locks make him look mature, to be sure, but do you prefer the shorter-haired, baby-faced Clay we first got to know back when he narrowly lost out to Ruben Studdard in Season 2? Or do you dig the new look?

Speaking of Idol legends coming into their own, below we see the lovely Carrie Underwood. The Oklahoma cutie has recently adopted a bold, almost vixenish look - as seen in the video for "Before He Cheats" along with numerous public appearances. Which do you prefer the traditional, sweet and innocent Carrie or the slightly-more provocative version?

Country star Leann Rimes needs a lesson in getting your friend's back: Never defend said friend for doing what he/she is denying doing in the first place!

Everyone saw Faith Hill freak after Carrie Underwood won the CMA’s female vocalist of the year last week. We then went on to believe (or not believe) the longtime star when she claimed she was only “joking.”

Regardless, it wasn't a big deal. But Rimes (right) decided to add fuel to the fire when she backed up her friend Faith on her website:

“Okay, I usually keep quiet on topics like this but I feel I need to stand up for my friend, Faith. She was just being honest and emotional like every other person sitting at home with an opinion. I don’t think Faith was angry about her loss, she probably felt, as I did, that Carrie Underwood has not paid her dues long enough to fully deserve that award.”

Yikes, Leann. She was only kidding, remember? In any event, apparently you have to be around for a certain number of years before you can win awards, rather than simply winning them if voters deem you the best. Not to say that Faith and Leann aren't tremendous performers in their own right, but how about giving our girl her due as well?

Come on. Suffice it to say, the Oklahoma cutie who brought us Some Hearts would never make such remarks about a fellow singer. Neither would Kellie Pickler, who may end up winning some CMA honors next year and beyond.

It's hard to imagine anyone not adoring Carrie Underwood, but that's just what media outlets are insinuating about another extremely likable singer.

Faith Hill says she was joking when cameras showed her screaming "What?!" in apparent anger when she lost the female vocalist of the year award to Carrie Underwood at the Country Music Association Awards Monday night.

"The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me," Hill said. "For this to become a focus of attention given the talent gathered is utterly ridiculous. Carrie Underwood is a talented and deserving Female Vocalist of The Year."

Media outlets and blogs zeroed in on Hill’s reaction after Carrie Underwood’s name was announced at the ceremony.

Joke or not, it was a stark contrast to the gracious nodding of the other nominees, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, and Martina McBride.

Even if Faith expected to win and was momentarily miffed, we're sure she meant no disrespect. After all, how can someone, especially a fellow country star, not love Carrie Underwood music or the Oklahoma cutie herself?

Kelly Clarkson officially has some company.

Making the leap from American Idol champ to award-winning recording artist is not easy, but Carrie Underwood is making it look like it. The Oklahoma native won female vocalist of the year at the 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville Monday night.

Underwood, whose debut album, Some Hearts, was released a year ago and became a smash hit, tearfully accepted the award.

"Two years ago I was sitting at home watching these very awards and watching all these other people win and having the best night of their life, and this is the best year of my life," the fourth-season American Idol winner said.

The singer also won the Horizon award, given for most significant creative growth. Backstage, the 23-year-old sweetheart said she was happy just to be nominated, let alone win twice.

"I would have taken male vocalist if they had given it to me," she joked.

It also appeared that Carrie was at the show with Anthony Fedorov, but we can't confirm that at this time. We welcome comments from anyone who can!

That top male vocalist honor went to Keith Urban for the second year in a row. Urban, who had to drop out of the show after checking into a rehab clinic last month, received a standing ovation his name was announced.

His prize was accepted by Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, who read a letter from Urban in which in which he thanked his friends and family and wife Nicole Kidman. "To my wife, Nicole, I love you," Urban said the in the letter. "I'm looking forward to coming home and seeing you all soon."

Added Dunn: "We love you Keith -- good luck, brother."

Dunn himself, along with partner Kix Brooks, co-hosted the show and took home three awards for their song "Believe."

Kenny Chesney took the night's top award, entertainer of the year, which he'd also won two years ago. The vocal group award went to Rascal Flatts.

Besides Urban, the most buzzed-about star was former Dancing With the Stars contestant Sara Evans, who dropped out of the reality show amid a divorce scandal. While she didn't win female vocalist of the year, she performed her hit, "Real Fine Place to Start."

In our mind, of course, the night belonged to Carrie Underwood. Congratulations to a great singer, person, and one of our favorite American Idol people.

Here's some information we've come across from around the world of American Idol. There's certainly a lot going on with our favorite stars, and we try our best to keep you updated! Below is our breakdown...

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

As you’ve probably heard, Carrie Underwood will perform at the Charleston Municipal Auditorium December 9. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

Speaking of Carrie, we caught her video for "Before He Cheats" the other day. Though she’s come a long way from her simpler American Idol days, it is still not easy to believe she's the kind of girl who would bash her boyfriend’s headlights in with a baseball bat.

Look at her! She's just too sweet! We don't buy the vengeful angle... we will, however, buy her music!

KELLIE PICKLER

Kellie Pickler’s CD, Small Town Girl, is in stores as of today! Be sure to check out our review in a separate post, coming very soon. Kellie will perform her first single, "Red High Heels" on The Tonight Show Friday.

BUCKY COVINGTON

Bucky Covington and his wife are moving to Nashville today. We hear he plans to go straight to the studio to record some tunes. Good luck, Bucky!

ACE YOUNG

The new single from Ace Young, “Scattered,” is officialy available for download on iTunes. We thought it was a little cheesy, to be sure, but it grows on you. And yes, his falsetto is on full display. As far as we know, though, Ace has not signed with any record label.

KATHARINE MCPHEE

Looks like Katharine McPhee’s a little gutsier than I gave her credit for. Katharine was scheduled to sing “Over the Rainbow” at the Carousel of Hope Gala, but when she saw Whitney Houston in the audience, she changed to “I Have Nothing.”

Considering the performance of that song that she gave on American Idol, it was certainly a testament to McPhee's courage to get up there and try it a second time. It paid off, though, as Whitney nodded her head in approval at the performance.

You might remember that Katharine (seen here with beau Nick Cokas, right, at the event in Beverly Hills) was roundly criticized by the judges after performing "I Have Nothing" On American Idol. The viewing audience, however, disagreed and voted her into the Top 2. Simon Cowell apologized to her on that week's results show.

TAYLOR HICKS

Taylor Hicks’ CD release date has been moved to December 5, which means he will be after Katharine (November 28) and on the same date as Fantasia. According to GrayCharles.com, he continues to work on his upcoming album, 75 percent of which is complete.

The producers are beginning to mix some of the songs. If you, like many of his fans, are eagerly looking forward to seeing Taylor Hicks in concert, the Soul Man will start a three-month tour in February and plans to "play lots of different size towns, even smaller ones."

Hopefully, that's going to be a town near you.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY

Chris Daughtry’s release date is still set for November 21, but he's ditching the first name thing... the release will come from Daughtry -- the Bon Jovi-esque name of his new band. Howard Benson, who worked with All-American Rejects and My Chemical Romance, is the producer. Chris says he realizes not winning Idol was better for him.

According to a blurb posted on puretonemusic.com, here are all 12 confirmed song titles (in sequence): It's Not Over, Used To, Home, Over You, Crashed, Feels Like Tonight, What I Want (featuring Slash), Breakdown, Gone, There And Back Again, All These Lives, and What About Now.

The site also reported that the song, "Sorry" will be exclusive to iTunes and the newly recorded acoustic versions of "Home" and "Crashed" will be exclusive to WalMart.

JOSH GRACIN

Josh Gracin’s next CD, All About Y’all will be released in early 2007. I was a little worried about Josh since his original release date came and went and his website had not been updated in months. His new single, "I Keep Coming Back" is from the same songwriting team that wrote "What Hurts the Most."

KIMBERLEY LOCKE

The second CD released by Kimberley Locke, Based on a True Story, will hit the shelves of record stores in March 2007. It will be great to hear what the Supawoman has in store for us then!

CLAY AIKEN

The one and only Clay Aiken is scheduled to appear on The Megan Mullally Show this Thursday, November 2.

And, as we reported last week, Clay will also appear on Days of Our Lives as himself December 22, serenading Steve and Kayla with “Everything I Have.” Clay’s version of “O, Holy Night” will also be featured in the episode.

FANTASIA BARRINO

Fantasia Barrino's single, "Hood Boy" is being released to radio. Her album is set to be released on December 12. You can listen to a stream at her MySpace. Lastly, Season 5 semi-finalist Patrick Hall releases his single "One For the Ages" tomorrow. The album, One For the Ages, will be available February 2007.