Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American country singer and songwriter. Known for her vocal ability and dynamic stage presence, Underwood is recognized as a pivotal figure in modern country music and often cited for her role in revitalizing and sustaining the presence of female country artists in popular music since winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005.
Carrie Marie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Carole Shatswell and Steve Underwood. She has two older sisters, Shanna and Stephan and was raised on her parents’ farm in the nearby rural town of Checotah. Her father worked in a paper mill while her mother taught elementary school. During her childhood, Underwood performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show, and sang at her local church, First Free Will Baptist Church.[8] She later sang for local events in Checotah, including Old Settler’s Day and the Lions Club.
A local admirer arranged for her to go to Nashville when she was 14 to audition for Capitol Records. In 1997, Capitol Records was preparing a contract for Underwood but canceled it when company management changed. Underwood said of the event, “I honestly think it’s a lot better that nothing came out of it now, because I wouldn’t have been ready then. Everything has a way of working out.”
While at Checotah High School, she was an Honor Society member, a cheerleader, and played basketball and softball. Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian. She did not initially pursue singing after graduation and once said “After high school, I pretty much gave up on the dream of singing. I had reached a point in my life where I had to be practical and prepare for my future in the ‘real world'”.
