Career Timeline of Carrie Underwood: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Carrie Underwood, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Carrie Underwood is a highly successful American country singer and songwriter who gained fame after winning American Idol in 2005. She is celebrated for her powerful vocals, stage presence, and significant role in revitalizing and sustaining female artists in country music. Underwood is a prominent figure in modern country music, influencing the genre and inspiring other artists.
1988: Rosanne Cash's achievement
In 2010, Carrie Underwood became the first woman to score ten number-ones since Rosanne Cash in 1988.
1995: First Female Country Artist Since Shania Twain
With the singles from her second album, Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood became the first female country artist since Shania Twain in 1995 to have four tracks from one album top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
1997: Capitol Records Contract Cancellation
In 1997, Capitol Records was preparing a contract for a 14-year-old Carrie Underwood but canceled it when company management changed.
July 2000: "Before He Cheats" climb to top ten
In July 2000, Creed previously held the record for the slowest climb to the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 until Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats".
2000: "Amazed" by Lonestar
Carrie Underwood's debut single, "Inside Your Heaven", broke a Billboard chart record. It was the first song from a country artist to go to number 1 on the Hot 100 since country group Lonestar's "Amazed" did so in 2000.
2000: Certification Landmark
Since 2000, Some Hearts has become the fastest-selling debut country album in the SoundScan era and the highest album certification of any country artist.
2004: American Idol Audition
In 2004, Carrie Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis, Missouri.
March 22, 2005: Idol Performance and Prediction
On March 22, 2005, during the top 11 finalists' performance on American Idol, Carrie Underwood sang "Alone", and judge Simon Cowell predicted she would win.
May 25, 2005: American Idol Winner
On May 25, 2005, Carrie Underwood became the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, receiving a recording contract, private jet use, and a Ford Mustang convertible.
June 14, 2005: "Inside Your Heaven" Release
On June 14, 2005, Carrie Underwood's music career began with the release of her first single, "Inside Your Heaven".
November 15, 2005: Some Hearts Album Release
On November 15, 2005, Carrie Underwood's debut album, Some Hearts, was released, selling 315,000 copies and debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and number 2 on the Billboard 200.
2005: Skechers Global Advertising Campaign
In 2005, Carrie Underwood appeared in a Skechers global advertising campaign, marking an early endorsement deal in her career.
2005: Performance at NBA Finals Game 4
In 2005, Carrie Underwood performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons.
2005: Debut Single and Album Success
In 2005, Carrie Underwood released her first single, "Inside Your Heaven," which debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album, Some Hearts (2005), became the best-selling debut album by a solo female country artist and won three Grammy Awards.
2005: American Idol win
In 2005, Carrie Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol, which revitalized the presence of female country artists in popular music.
2005: Debut in the Music Industry
Since her debut in 2005, Carrie Underwood has received praise from veteran artists and music critics, establishing herself in the music industry.
April 2006: Carrie Underwood: Live 2006 Tour Start
In April 2006, Carrie Underwood started her first headlined tour, Carrie Underwood: Live 2006, with dates across North America.
December 2006: Performances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Kennedy Center Honors
In December 2006, Carrie Underwood performed "For Once in My Life" with Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, and Josh Groban on The Oprah Winfrey Show and paid tribute to Dolly Parton at the Kennedy Center Honors, singing "Islands in the Stream" with Kenny Rogers.
2006: Performances at NBA All-Star Game, Thanksgiving Day game and NFC Championship Game
In 2006, Carrie Underwood performed at the NBA All-Star Game, at halftime of the Thanksgiving Day football game at Texas Stadium, and at the NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.
2006: Best-Selling Album of the Year
In 2006, Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts became the best-selling album of the year in all genres in the United States.
April 11, 2007: "Wasted" Release
On April 11, 2007, Carrie Underwood released "Wasted", which peaked at number 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
July 2007: "So Small" Single Release
In July 2007, "So Small", the first single from Carrie Underwood's album Carnival Ride, was released and reached number 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, topping it for three consecutive weeks.
October 2007: Carnival Ride Album Release
In October 2007, Carrie Underwood's second album, Carnival Ride, was released, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts and selling over 527,000 copies in its first week.
2007: Billboard Year-End Charts and American Music Awards
At the end of 2007, Carrie Underwood topped five Billboard Year-End charts, including Billboard 200 Artist of the Year and Country Artist of the Year, and also won three American Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Country Artist, and Favorite Country Album for Some Hearts.
2007: Target Advertisements for Carnival Ride
In 2007, Carrie Underwood appeared in Target advertisements promoting her album Carnival Ride. The limited edition of the album, which included a behind-the-scenes DVD, was exclusively sold at Target.
2007: Idol Gives Back Performance
In 2007, Carrie Underwood performed "I'll Stand By You" at the Idol Gives Back concert, and her version of the song reached number 6 on Billboard's Hot 100 Songs.
2007: Performance at MLB All Star Game and World Series Game 3
In 2007, Carrie Underwood performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Game 3 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies.
2007: Carnival Ride Album Success
In 2007, Carrie Underwood's album, Carnival Ride, sold over half a million copies in its first week and won two Grammy Awards.
2007: Top Country Album
In 2007, Some Hearts was again the best-selling country album, making Carrie Underwood the first female artist in Billboard history to earn back-to-back honors for Top Country Album.
January 2008: Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour
In January 2008, Carrie Underwood started a joint tour with Keith Urban called the Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour.
February 2008: "Before He Cheats" Certified Double Platinum
In February 2008, "Before He Cheats" became the first country song to ever be certified multi-platinum.
February 2008: Carnival Ride Tour Start
In February 2008, Carrie Underwood commenced her headlined tour, the Carnival Ride Tour, with dates across all North America.
March 15, 2008: Invitation to the Grand Ole Opry
On March 15, 2008, Carrie Underwood was invited by Randy Travis to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
May 10, 2008: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
On May 10, 2008, Carrie Underwood was officially inducted by Garth Brooks into the Grand Ole Opry.
July 2008: "Just a Dream" Single Release
In July 2008, Carrie Underwood released "Just a Dream" as a single from her album Carnival Ride, which later peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart.
August 2008: "Just Stand Up!" Recording
In August 2008, Carrie Underwood collaborated with several female artists, including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Miley Cyrus, to record the song "Just Stand Up!" to benefit Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C).
August 2008: "Jesus, Take the Wheel" Ringtone Certified Platinum
In August 2008, the "Jesus, Take the Wheel" ringtone was certified Platinum, making Carrie Underwood the first country artist ever to have two songs hit Platinum Mastertone status.
November 2008: Virtual Duet with Elvis Presley
In November 2008, Carrie Underwood recorded a virtual and posthumous duet with Elvis Presley on his classic "I'll Be Home for Christmas" for his 2008 album Christmas Duets.
December 14, 2008: Carnival Ride Tour End
On December 14, 2008, Carrie Underwood concluded the Carnival Ride Tour, having played to 1.2 million fans and being named the top-selling country female touring artist of 2008.
2008: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
In 2008, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, recognizing her accomplishments and contributions to country music.
2008: Awards and Hosting Duties
In 2008, Carrie Underwood won Female Vocalist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards for the 2nd consecutive time, and co-hosted the Country Music Association Awards with Brad Paisley for their first year as hosts, also winning Female Vocalist of the Year for the third consecutive year.
2008: European Country Music Association Award
In 2008, Carrie Underwood won her first international award, "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the European Country Music Association Awards.
2008: Nintendo DS Commercials
In 2008, Carrie Underwood worked with Nintendo for the launch of their Nintendo DS, appearing in various television commercials.
February 2009: "I Told You So" Single Release
In February 2009, Carrie Underwood released "I Told You So", a duet with Randy Travis, from her album Carnival Ride. It peaked at number 2 on the Country charts and number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
March 2009: Cover of "Home Sweet Home"
In March 2009, Carrie Underwood tracked a cover of Mötley Crüe's ballad "Home Sweet Home" for the American Idol season eight farewell theme.
May 2009: Forbes Report on Earnings
In May 2009 to May 2010, Forbes reported that Carrie Underwood earned over $13 million, making her the top-earning Idol.
September 2009: "Cowboy Casanova" Single Release
In September 2009, "Cowboy Casanova", co-written by Carrie Underwood, Brett James, and hip hop producer Mike Elizondo, was released. It was the first single from the album "Play On".
November 3, 2009: Play On Album Release
On November 3, 2009, Carrie Underwood released her third studio album, Play On, which debuted atop both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts.
December 2009: Billboard Names Some Hearts Number One
In December 2009, Billboard named Carrie Underwood's 'Some Hearts' the number-one country album of the 2000s. Carrie Underwood was also the top-ranked female artist on Billboard's Best Country Artists of the 2000 Decade list, and ranked number 50 on the Artists of the Decade list by Billboard.
2009: CMA Awards Hosting
In 2009, Carrie Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley for their second consecutive year.
2009: Establishment of Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation
In 2009, Carrie Underwood established the Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation. The foundation helps with general causes, needs, and services in the area of Checotah to directly impact the community.
2009: Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction
In 2009, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, honoring her achievements and impact on the music industry.
2009: Academy of Country Music Awards and Grammy Award
In 2009, Carrie Underwood won Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. At the 51st Grammy Awards, she won Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Last Name".
2009: Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation Partnership
In 2009, Carrie Underwood's Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation partnered with the Academy of Country Music foundation to donate over $120,000 in new instruments for Checotah, Oklahoma's music programs. Underwood held a surprise concert at a local high school to unveil the gifts which were ordered through Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs.
2009: Play On Album Achievements
In 2009, with the album Play On, Carrie Underwood became the only woman to have eleven consecutive top-two singles and the first since the 1980s to attain ten number-one songs at country radio.
2009: Solo Country Artist Hot 100 Achievement
In the decade of 2000-2009, Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven" was the only single by a solo country artist to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
January 2010: Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund Launch
In January 2010, Carrie Underwood launched the Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund to benefit victims of the Tennessee floods. She also partnered with Country Cares for St. Jude Kids and visited the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
February 7, 2010: National Anthem at Super Bowl XLIV
On February 7, 2010, Carrie Underwood performed the National Anthem for Super Bowl XLIV.
March 11, 2010: Play On Tour Start
Carrie Underwood's Play On Tour commenced its first leg on March 11, 2010, in Reading, Pennsylvania.
March 2010: Appearance on How I Met Your Mother
In March 2010, Carrie Underwood appeared on How I Met Your Mother, playing Tiffany, a medical sales rep. The episode was highly rated, with 10.48 million viewers.
March 29, 2010: Partnership with Pedigree
On March 29, 2010, Carrie Underwood and Pedigree partnered to donate $10,000 to a New York City Animal Shelter.
April 2010: Entertainer of the Year and ACM Triple Crown Award
In April 2010, at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Carrie Underwood was named Entertainer of the Year and received the ACM Triple Crown Award.
May 2010: Forbes Report on Earnings
In May 2009 to May 2010, Forbes reported that Carrie Underwood earned over $13 million, making her the top-earning Idol.
September 25, 2010: Play On Tour Second Leg
On September 25, 2010, the second leg of Carrie Underwood's Play On Tour started in Portland, Oregon.
October 2, 2010: Hollywood Bowl Sold Out Show
On October 2, 2010, Carrie Underwood sold out the prestigious Hollywood Bowl.
December 3, 2010: CMT Artists of the Year Special
On December 3, 2010, Carrie Underwood was honored by the CMT Artists of the Year special as one of the 5 top Artists of the year in country music.
December 2010: Play On Tour Ranked
In December 2010, Pollstar.com ranked Carrie Underwood's Play On Tour one of the Top 50 tours of 2010.
2010: Grammy Award for "I Told You So"
At the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010, Carrie Underwood won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I Told You So" with Randy Travis.
2010: Guinness World Record for Hot Country Songs
In 2010, Carrie Underwood achieved ten career number-one singles on the Hot Country Songs chart. She was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the female country artist with the most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (since accurate sales records were introduced in the US in 1991), tied with Reba McEntire.
2010: Spokesperson for Pedigree Adoption Drive
In 2010, Carrie Underwood became the spokesperson for the Pedigree adoption drive, using her platform to promote pet adoption.
January 1, 2011: Play On Tour End
On January 1, 2011, Carrie Underwood's Play On Tour ended in Detroit.
January 4, 2011: Tour Statistics Revealed
On January 4, 2011, official statistics revealed that Carrie Underwood played to over 1 million fans throughout the Play On tour, resulting in her being named again as the top-ranked female country touring artist of the year.
February 2011: Donation to Save the Children
In February 2011, Carrie Underwood donated $140,125 to Save the Children. This charitable initiative was inspired by the "36 cents" written in the lyrics of Underwood's song "Change" from her album Play On.
April 2011: Film Debut in Soul Surfer
In April 2011, Carrie Underwood made her film debut in Soul Surfer, playing Sarah Hill, the church youth leader who helped Bethany Hamilton.
April 2011: Opening of Happy Paws Animal Shelter
In April 2011, Carrie Underwood opened the Happy Paws Animal Shelter in her hometown.
May 2011: Forbes Report on Earnings
In July 2011, Forbes reported that Carrie Underwood earned over $20 million between May 2010 and May 2011, marking her as the top-earning American Idol alumnus for the fourth consecutive year.
May 2011: Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country
In May 2011, Carrie Underwood was honored by the Academy of Country Music at the Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country special, where she received a special award presented by Vince Gill and performed "How Great Thou Art" with him. The video of the performance became a viral sensation.
May 2011: Biggest American Idol Earner
Since May 2011, Carrie Underwood has been recognized as the Biggest American Idol Earner, combining tour revenues and record sales, showcasing her financial success.
June 2011: Rolling Stone's Queen of Pop Ranking
In June 2011, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Carrie Underwood as the number 11 Queen of Pop, based on criteria from 2009 until 2011.
July 2011: Forbes Report on Earnings
In July 2011, Forbes reported that Carrie Underwood earned over $20 million between May 2010 and May 2011, marking her as the top-earning American Idol alumnus for the fourth consecutive year.
September 2011: Blue Bloods Performance
In September 2011, Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett sang "It Had to Be You" on the season two premiere of Blue Bloods.
2011: Academy of Country Music Awards Performance
At the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards, Carrie Underwood sang with Steven Tyler both her song "Undo It" and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way".
2011: Broke Guinness Book Record
Between 2011 and 2014, Carrie Underwood broke and expanded her Guinness Book record by scoring four more number-one singles on the Hot Country Songs, for a total of fourteen number-ones.
2011: Checotah Schools Donation
During the 2011 holiday season, Carrie Underwood's foundation donated $350,000 to the Checotah schools.
2011: Brand Ambassador for Olay Skin Care
In 2011, Carrie Underwood became the first celebrity brand ambassador for Olay skin care, appearing in global advertising campaigns for their facial wash.
2011: Music Collaborations and iHeartRadio Music Festival
In 2011, Carrie Underwood was featured on "Remind Me", a duet with Brad Paisley that reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. She also had a duet with Tony Bennett on his 2011 album Duets II, and another duet with Randy Travis on his 2011 Anniversary Celebration album. Underwood was one of the headliners of the iHeartRadio Music Festival, which took place on September 23 and 24, 2011.
February 4, 2012: CMT Crossroads Performance at Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam
On February 4, 2012, Carrie Underwood joined Steven Tyler to record CMT's Crossroads at the Pepsi Coliseum during the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam of Super Bowl XLVI. It became the highest-rated episode in seven years.
February 12, 2012: Grammy Awards Performance
On February 12, 2012, Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett performed their duet "It Had to Be You" at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.
February 2012: Billboard's Top Money Makers
On February 22, 2013, Billboard ranked Carrie Underwood as the 16th money maker for the period from February 2012 to February 2013. She earned close to $12 million, being American Idol's Top Earner and second for female country artists.
February 23, 2012: Release of Good Girl
On February 23, 2012, 'Good Girl' was released as the first single from Carrie Underwood's fourth album 'Blown Away'. It was officially released to Country radio on February 27, 2012.
February 27, 2012: Release of Good Girl to Country Radio
On February 27, 2012, 'Good Girl' was officially released to Country radio as the first single from Carrie Underwood's fourth album 'Blown Away'.
March 12, 2012: Music Video Premiere of Good Girl
On March 12, 2012, the music video for 'Good Girl' premiered on Entertainment Tonight and on VEVO. The song eventually peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart.
May 1, 2012: Release of Blown Away Album
On May 1, 2012, Carrie Underwood's fourth album, 'Blown Away', was released. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, the Country Albums Chart, and the Digital Albums chart in the US, selling more than 267,000 copies in its first week.
June 2012: Forbes' Celebrity 100 List
In June 2013, Forbes placed Carrie Underwood at number 46 on The Celebrity 100 list, reporting that she earned more than $31 million between June 2012 and June 2013, being the top-earning American Idol, and also being one of the ten highest-paid women in music of 2013.
June 21, 2012: Start of the Blown Away Tour
On June 21, 2012, Carrie Underwood's Blown Away Tour started at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which sold out in 90 minutes.
July 9, 2012: Release of Blown Away as a Single
On July 9, 2012, the song "Blown Away" was released as the second single from Carrie Underwood's album 'Blown Away'.
October 2, 2012: VH1 Unplugged and Behind the Music Episodes Premiere
On October 2, 2012, Carrie Underwood had her very own VH1 Unplugged (called "VH1 Presents: Carrie Underwood Unplugged") and VH1 Behind The Music episodes premiered. She included a cover of the Coldplay song "Fix You" in the Unplugged episode.
2012: CMT and American Music Awards Wins
At the 2012 CMT Music Awards, Carrie Underwood won the awards for Video of the Year, for "Good Girl", and Collaborative Video of the Year, for "Remind Me", her duet with Brad Paisley. She also performed "Good Girl" at the ceremony. At the 2012 American Music Awards, she won the award for Favorite Album – Country, for Blown Away, and performed "Two Black Cadillacs".
2012: Blown Away Album Success
In 2012, Carrie Underwood achieved the second-best-selling female release with the album Blown Away and won a Grammy Award.
2012: Blown Away Tour Red Cross Donation
In 2012, Carrie Underwood donated $1 from every ticket sold on the North American leg of her Blown Away Tour to the Canadian and American Red Cross.
2012: Earnings Report
In 2012, Forbes reported that Carrie Underwood earned $5 million between 2011 and 2012.
2012: Rejection of 'See You Again' for Narnia and Inclusion on Fourth Album
In 2012, a song titled 'See You Again', written by Carrie Underwood with David Hodges and Hillary Lindsey was not included in the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Underwood kept it and pushed for its inclusion on her fourth album.
January 21, 2013: Release of Can't Stop Lovin' You
On January 21, 2013, "Can't Stop Lovin' You", a song by the rock band Aerosmith featuring Carrie Underwood, was released as a single.
February 2013: Awards and Performances
In February 2013, Carrie Underwood won the prize for Top Selling International Album of the Year at the 41st Country Music Awards of Australia. Also in February 2013, Underwood won her sixth Grammy Award, for Best Country Solo Performance, for "Blown Away", and performed a medley of "Blown Away" and "Two Black Cadillacs" at the awards show ceremony.
February 2013: Second Leg of the Blown Away Tour
In February 2013, the second leg of the Blown Away Tour started, with shows in Ireland, an additional show in England, as part of the C2C: Country to Country festival, and several shows in North America. All dates of the second leg of the Blown Away Tour were sold out, breaking records.
February 2013: Billboard's Top Money Makers
On February 22, 2013, Billboard ranked Carrie Underwood as the 16th money maker for the period from February 2012 to February 2013. She earned close to $12 million, being American Idol's Top Earner and second for female country artists.
February 22, 2013: Billboard's Top Money Makers
On February 22, 2013, Billboard ranked Carrie Underwood as the 16th money maker for the period from February 2012 to February 2013. She earned close to $12 million, being American Idol's Top Earner and second for female country artists.
March 2013: Release of See You Again as a Single
In March 2013, Carrie Underwood released "See You Again" as the fourth single from the album 'Blown Away'.
May 2013: Wrapping up the Blown Away Tour
In late May 2013, Carrie Underwood wrapped the Blown Away Tour, playing to one million fans across three continents and six countries.
May 24, 2013: Blown Away Tour Proceeds Donation to Red Cross
On May 24, 2013, Carrie Underwood donated $1 million in proceeds from her Blown Away Tour to the Red Cross for relief efforts following the Oklahoma tornado.
June 2013: Forbes' Celebrity 100 List
In June 2013, Forbes placed Carrie Underwood at number 46 on The Celebrity 100 list, reporting that she earned more than $31 million between June 2012 and June 2013, being the top-earning American Idol, and also being one of the ten highest-paid women in music of 2013.
August 13, 2013: Release of The Blown Away Tour: LIVE DVD
On August 13, 2013, Carrie Underwood released 'The Blown Away Tour: LIVE', a DVD with nearly 100 minutes of performance footage, behind-the-scenes looks, interviews, and music videos from the album 'Blown Away'.
August 2013: Planning a New Album
In August 2013, Carrie Underwood confirmed that she began planning a new album.
September 22, 2013: Performance at the Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 22, 2013, Carrie Underwood was part of the Emmy Awards' special tribute honoring the 50th Anniversary of 1963 Television Milestones, which included the assassination coverage of President John F. Kennedy and The Beatles' first US appearance. She performed one of The Beatles' iconic songs, "Yesterday".
November 10, 2013: Closing of Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition
On November 10, 2013, Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame came to a close. The exhibit had opened on June 5, 2013.
December 5, 2013: Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music Live!
On December 5, 2013, Carrie Underwood played Maria von Trapp in NBC's The Sound of Music Live!, a three-hour telecast.
January 2014: Global Brand Ambassador for Almay
In January 2014, Carrie Underwood signed a deal to serve as Almay's global brand ambassador, appearing in TV and print advertisements for the brand later that month.
January 2014: Deal with Nicole by OPI
In January 2014, Carrie Underwood signed a deal with Nicole by OPI to launch 14 new nail lacquers, expanding her brand into beauty products.
December 1, 2014: Fronting U2's World AIDS Day (RED) Concert
On December 1, 2014, Carrie Underwood was asked by Bono himself to front U2's World AIDS Day (RED) Concert, alongside U2, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay's Chris Martin, and Kanye West. She was joined on stage by U2 guitarist The Edge during a performance of her song "Change", which received acclaim.
2014: Broke Guinness Book Record
Between 2011 and 2014, Carrie Underwood broke and expanded her Guinness Book record by scoring four more number-one singles on the Hot Country Songs, for a total of fourteen number-ones.
2014: Top-Earning American Idol Alum
Carrie Underwood has been the top-earning American Idol alum of all time since 2014, highlighting her continued success and financial achievements.
2014: Prep Work for New Album
Carrie Underwood stated that she would start prep work for her next album sometime in 2014.
2014: Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, Milestone Award, Favorite Female Country Artist at the American Music Awards, Top Female Christian Artist by Billboard
In 2014, Carrie Underwood received the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award from the Academy of Country Music, the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards, and was named Favorite Female Country Artist at the American Music Awards, marking her eighth career AMA. She was also named 2014's top female Christian artist by Billboard.
2014: Release of Greatest Hits: Decade #1 and success of "Something in the Water"
In 2014, Carrie Underwood released her first greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits: Decade #1. The lead single, "Something in the Water", became a crossover success, reaching number one on the Hot Country Songs chart. She also earned $10 million between 2013 and 2014, topping Forbes' list of the top-earning American Idols.
2014: CRB Artist Humanitarian Award
In 2014, Carrie Underwood was honored by the Country Radio Broadcasters' Board of Directors with the CRB Artist Humanitarian Award at the 2014 Country Radio Seminar, acknowledging her philanthropic efforts.
2014: Compilation Album and Grammy Win
In 2014, Carrie Underwood's compilation album was a commercial success and spawned the Grammy-winning crossover single "Something in the Water".
2014: "Something in the Water" Topped the Charts
In 2014, Carrie Underwood's single "Something in the Water" topped the Hot Country Songs chart in its seventh week.
February 2015: Release of "Little Toy Guns"
In February 2015, "Little Toy Guns" was released as the second single from the compilation album. The track peaked at number 6 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs.
March 2015: Release of CALIA by Carrie Underwood
In March 2015, Carrie Underwood released a fitness clothing line named CALIA by Carrie Underwood in collaboration with Dick's Sporting Goods, offering clothing suitable for both active and casual wear.
October 23, 2015: Release of Storyteller
On October 23, 2015, Carrie Underwood released her fifth studio album, Storyteller. The lead single, "Smoke Break," had been released to radio in August. Storyteller debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Country Albums chart.
2015: Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance, Top Christian Song at Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards
In 2015, Carrie Underwood won Best Country Solo Performance for "Something in the Water" at the 57th Grammy Awards, marking her seventh career Grammy Award. She also won Top Christian Song for "Something in the Water" at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards and three awards at the 2015 CMT Music Awards, including Video of the Year for "Something in the Water". In addition, she won her ninth American Music Award in 2015, for Favorite Female Country Artist.
2015: Storyteller Album Success
In 2015, Carrie Underwood's album Storyteller made her the only country artist to have her first five studio albums reach either number one or two on the Billboard 200.
2015: Ultimate Idol Success Story
In 2015, a Billboard article referred to Carrie Underwood as the ultimate Idol success story, highlighting her significant achievements and impact since her time on American Idol.
January 2016: Launch of Storyteller Tour
In January 2016, Carrie Underwood launched the Storyteller Tour, her fifth headlining tour. The tour played to over 1 million fans.
June 2016: CMT Music Awards
In June 2016, Carrie Underwood received three nominations from the CMT Music Awards, taking home two honors for "Smoke Break".
August 2016: Release of "Dirty Laundry"
In August 2016, "Dirty Laundry" was released from the album. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Country Airplay. Billboard ranked Underwood as the top female country artist for the year, and fifth overall.
September 2016: ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber Award
In September 2016, Carrie Underwood was the first artist to receive the ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber Award, for her continuous work with charities.
October 20, 2016: CMT Artists of the Year
On October 20, 2016, Carrie Underwood was honored as one of CMT Artists of the Year, marking her third year to receive the award. She also received four nominations for the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards, and won Female Vocalist of the Year.
December 2016: Joining Keith Urban for concerts
In December 2016, Carrie Underwood joined Keith Urban for a series of concerts in Australia and New Zealand.
January 2017: People's Choice Award and Grammy Nomination
In January 2017, Carrie Underwood received her ninth People's Choice award, winning Favorite Female Country Artist. She also received a Grammy nomination for her single "Church Bells".
March 2017: Signing with Capitol Records Nashville
In March 2017, Carrie Underwood signed with Universal Music Group's Capitol Records Nashville after being with Arista Nashville for nearly twelve years.
2017: Meeting David Garcia
In 2017, Carrie Underwood met songwriter/producer David Garcia, with whom she began co-producing her new album.
2017: Awards and Nominations in 2017
In 2017, Carrie Underwood received two nominations for the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. She also scored three more nominations for the 2017 CMT Music Awards in June, including Video of the Year for "Church Bells".
2017: National Anthem performance for Nashville Predators
In 2017, Carrie Underwood sang the National Anthem for the Nashville Predators prior to their victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
2017: Most Successful American Idol Winner
In 2017, Forbes declared Carrie Underwood the most successful American Idol winner of all time, based on album sales and revenue generated, solidifying her place in the franchise's history.
January 2018: Release of "The Champion"
In January 2018, Carrie Underwood released "The Champion", a promotional duet single featuring Ludacris for Super Bowl LII. "The Champion" is Underwood's first under the pop genre.
September 14, 2018: Release of Cry Pretty
On September 14, 2018, Carrie Underwood released her sixth studio album, Cry Pretty. Cry Pretty debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.
September 2018: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In September 2018, Carrie Underwood received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her numerous achievements in music, marking a significant milestone in her career.
November 14, 2018: Hosting the CMA Awards and winning Female Vocalist of the Year
On November 14, 2018, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards, where she picked up her fifth win as the CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year.
2018: CMT Music Awards, Hero Award from the Radio Disney Music Awards
In 2018, Carrie Underwood received four nominations and one win for the CMT Music Awards. She also received the Hero award from the Radio Disney Music Awards.
2018: "Game On" for SNF
In 2018, Carrie Underwood's original song for Sunday Night Football was changed to "Game On" for the NFL season.
May 2019: Cry Pretty Tour 360 kick off
Carrie Underwood announced that she would kick off the Cry Pretty Tour 360 in May 2019.
May 19, 2019: Performance on American Idol
On May 19, 2019, Carrie Underwood performed "Southbound" on the season finale of American Idol.
July 2019: Performance at Glastonbury Festival and Hosting CMA Awards
In July 2019, Carrie Underwood performed at the Glastonbury Festival as part of her Cry Pretty 360 Tour. Also in 2019, she co-hosted the 53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards and debuted "Drinking Alone".
December 2019: Attendance at Kennedy Center Honors and American Music Awards win
In December 2019, Carrie Underwood attended the Kennedy Center Honors, paying tribute to Linda Ronstadt with two of her songs. She also extended her record as the most-awarded artist in the Favorite Album – Country category with 'Cry Pretty' at the American Music Awards.
2019: 54th Academy of Country Music Awards Nomination and Performance
In 2019, Carrie Underwood received a nomination for Female Artist of the Year at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards. She performed "Southbound" with Chrissy Metz, Lauren Alaina, Mickey Guyton, and Maddie & Tae. She also received two nominations for the Billboard Music Awards, winning Top Female Country Artist. At the CMT Music Awards, she won Video of the Year for "Cry Pretty" and Female Video for "Love Wins."
February 2020: Cry Pretty certified Platinum
In February 2020, Carrie Underwood's album Cry Pretty was certified Platinum.
March 3, 2020: Release of 'Find Your Path'
On March 3, 2020, Carrie Underwood released her debut book, Find Your Path, and went on a book tour.
August 2020: Hosting Apple Radio Show XO Radio
In August 2020, Carrie Underwood began hosting her own Apple Radio Show, entitled XO Radio.
September 2020: Third Entertainer of the Year Award
In September 2020, Carrie Underwood won her third Entertainer of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music, making her the first woman in history to achieve this milestone.
September 25, 2020: Release of 'My Gift'
On September 25, 2020, Carrie Underwood released her first Christmas album, My Gift, which achieved record-setting success on various Billboard charts.
December 3, 2020: Starring in 'My Gift' Holiday Special
On December 3, 2020, Carrie Underwood starred in and executive produced a holiday special airing on HBO Max, performing songs from her album My Gift.
December 2020: Release of "Tears of Gold" with David Bisbal
In December 2020, Spanish singer David Bisbal released his duet with Carrie Underwood, "Tears of Gold", featuring a music video filmed in Los Angeles.
2020: My Gift Christmas Album Release
In 2020, Carrie Underwood released her Christmas album, My Gift.
September 3, 2021: Release of 'Only Us' Cover
On September 3, 2021, Carrie Underwood collaborated with Dan + Shay on a cover of "Only Us" for the soundtrack album of the 2021 film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, which was released as a single.
September 24, 2021: Release of Special Edition of 'My Gift'
On September 24, 2021, Carrie Underwood released a special edition of her album My Gift, containing three additional tracks, including a version of "Favorite Time of Year".
October 2021: Sixteenth Number One on Country Airplay
In October 2021, Carrie Underwood scored her sixteenth number one on the Country Airplay chart with the joint single "If I Didn't Love You", further solidifying her success in country music.
December 2021: Launch of Las Vegas Residency
In December 2021, Carrie Underwood launched her Las Vegas residency, Reflection, in collaboration with Resorts World Las Vegas.
2021: Release of 'My Savior' and Latin American Music Awards Performance
In 2021, Carrie Underwood released her gospel cover album, My Savior. On April 15, 2021, she joined David Bisbal for the debut televised performance of "Tears of Gold" at the Latin American Music Awards.
2021: My Savior Gospel Album Grammy Win
In 2021, Carrie Underwood won the Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album with her gospel album, My Savior.
March 18, 2022: Release of 'Ghost Story'
On March 18, 2022, Carrie Underwood released the single "Ghost Story", which served as the lead single from her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones.
April 3, 2022: Grammy Win and Performance at the 2022 CMT Music Awards
On April 3, 2022, Carrie Underwood won the Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album. She also won two awards at the 2022 CMT Music Awards and performed "Ghost Story" at the ceremony.
April 2022: Grammy Win for Best Gospel Album
In April 2022, Carrie Underwood won a Grammy for Best Gospel Album for 'My Savior' at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
April 2022: Extension of Las Vegas Residency
In April 2022, due to high demand, Carrie Underwood added six more shows to her Las Vegas residency, extending it through April 2022.
June 10, 2022: Release of 'Denim & Rhinestones'
On June 10, 2022, Carrie Underwood released her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones.
July 2022: Performance with Guns N' Roses
In July 2022, Carrie Underwood joined Guns N' Roses on stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. She performed with Axl Rose, stating that he influenced her singing style.
November 9, 2022: Nomination for Entertainer of the Year
On November 9, 2022, Carrie Underwood received three nominations for the Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.
2022: Denim & Rhinestones Album Release
In 2022, Carrie Underwood reinforced her country pop image with the release of her album Denim & Rhinestones.
2022: Top Female Touring Artists
In 2022, Pollstar recognized Carrie Underwood as among the 15 all-genre top female touring artists of the past four decades, having sold over 4.3 million concert tickets and grossed around $265 million with her headlined tours.
March 10, 2023: Release of "Out of That Truck"
On March 10, 2023, Carrie Underwood released a new single, "Out of That Truck."
July 2024: Extension of Residency and Replacing Katy Perry on American Idol
In July 2024, it was announced that Carrie Underwood had extended her residency and would replace Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol in 2025.
August 2024: Vegas Residency Dates Added
In August 2024, Carrie Underwood added 18 more dates for her Vegas residency, Reflection, extending through August 2024.
September 2024: Release of "I'm Gonna Love You" with Cody Johnson
In September 2024, Carrie Underwood was featured on the duet "I'm Gonna Love You" with Cody Johnson, released to country radio. The single opened at number one on Billboard's Digital Songs sales chart.
January 2025: Performance at the second inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump
In January 2025, Carrie Underwood performed "America the Beautiful" at the second inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. She performed a cappella, following complications with the planned musical accompaniment.
2025: Excitement for nu metal on American Idol
During the audition phase of American Idol in 2025, Carrie Underwood expressed her excitement when a contestant sang nu metal songs. She revealed that she listened to a lot of nu metal during high school.
2025: Judging American Idol
In 2025, it was announced that Carrie Underwood would replace Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol.
Mentioned in this timeline
Pepsi is a cola-flavored carbonated soft drink and the flagship...
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer specializing in lingerie clothing...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Oprah Winfrey is an influential American talk show host television...
Home Box Office HBO is an American pay television service...
Dick's Sporting Goods is the largest sporting goods retailer in...
Trending
47 minutes ago Xbox 360 Games Reappear Briefly, Backward Compatibility Revival Hinted by Microsoft.
47 minutes ago Nathan Fillion Announces New Comic Book; 'The Rookie' Season 8 Finale Set.
47 minutes ago Bubba Chandler's MLB Predictions and Betting Odds for April 6, 2026 Games.
48 minutes ago William Shatner Denounces AI Fake News, Facebook Removes Page, Addresses Health Rumors
2 hours ago Starbucks Revives Unicorn Frappuccino Exclusively for Coachella 2026, Becoming Official Sponsor
2 hours ago Panthers' 2026 Draft Strategy: Addressing Roster Needs and Risky Offseason Moves.
Popular
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
George Soros is a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist with a...
Pam Bondi is an American attorney and politician She served...
Eric Swalwell is an American lawyer and politician currently serving...