How Carrie Underwood Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Carrie Underwood continue to shape the world today.

Carrie Underwood is an American singer-songwriter who gained fame after winning American Idol in 2005. Her debut single, "Inside Your Heaven," made history as the first country artist to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album, "Some Hearts" (2005), became the best-selling debut album by a female country artist and earned her three Grammy Awards. Subsequent albums like "Carnival Ride" (2007) and "Play On" (2009), which featured the hit "Cowboy Casanova", further solidified her success in the music industry.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1988: Randy Travis praises Carrie Underwood's cover of "I Told You So"

In 1988, fellow country music singer Randy Travis praised Carrie Underwood's voice when asked about her cover of his 1988 hit song "I Told You So", saying that "her voice is so much better suited to the song. I have a baritone voice, and her soprano voice really fits well with the range of the song. Her ability to get into the upper register of her voice and just hold those high notes is great."

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2006: Beginnings as most awarded CMT Music Awards artist

Beginning in 2006, Carrie Underwood became the most awarded artist in the history of the CMT Music Awards.

2008: Underwood inducted into the Grand Ole Opry

In 2008, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry for her many accomplishments in country music.

2009: Underwood inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

In 2009, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

2010: Underwood named top female country artist by Billboard

At the turn of the 2010 decade, Billboard named Carrie Underwood the top female country artist and seventh overall country artist.

2012: Billboard magazine calls Underwood the reigning queen of country music

In a 2012 issue, Billboard magazine referred to Carrie Underwood as Country Music's reigning Queen.

2014: Awards and Recognition in 2014

In 2014, Carrie Underwood received the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award from the Academy of Country Music and the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards. She was also listed as one of Time's 100 most influential people and won Favorite Female Country Artist at the American Music Awards. Billboard named her the top female Christian artist of 2014.

2014: Rolling Stone describes Underwood

In 2014, Rolling Stone described Carrie Underwood as "the female vocalist of her generation of any genre".

2014: Time features Underwood in its list of most influential people

In 2014, Time featured Carrie Underwood in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Brad Paisley called her "the best singer in any format of music."

2014: Recognition as Influential Person

In 2014, Time listed Carrie Underwood as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2015: Billboard calls Underwood ultimate Idol success story

A 2015 Billboard article called Carrie Underwood the ultimate Idol success story.

2015: Grady Smith praises Underwood as leader of country music

In 2015, Grady Smith of The Guardian praised Carrie Underwood, saying "Carrie Underwood has emerged as the leader of country music".

April 2017: Madame Tussauds Figure Unveiling

In April 2017, Madame Tussauds unveiled a new figure of Carrie Underwood when the Nashville location opened.

2017: Underwood inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame

In 2017, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for her achievements in music.

2017: Forbes declares Underwood the most successful American Idol winner

In 2017, Forbes declared Carrie Underwood the most successful American Idol winner of all time.

September 2018: Underwood receives 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.

2018: Underwood receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2018, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her achievements in music.

2019: Underwood maintains status as most awarded CMT Music Awards artist

After taking home over 20 awards from 2006 to 2019, Carrie Underwood remains the most awarded artist in the history of the CMT Music Awards.

September 2020: Underwood wins 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 do so.