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Country music star Carrie Underwood is on top of her game
Carrie Underwood made her name as an “American Idol,” but she seems to have been born to be the new queen of country.

By: John Lamb, INFORUM

Carrie Underwood made her name as an “American Idol,” but she seems to have been born to be the new queen of country.

The singer emerged on the national stage in 2005 by dominating the talent show. In the five years since, she has ruled the country charts and major awards.

The 27-year-old singer rolls into the Fargodome on Thursday night as not only one of the hottest acts in country, but one who has eclipsed her peers as country’s newest royalty.

March 10, 1983 – Born in Muskogee, Okla., the town made famous by Merle Haggard in “Okie From Muskogee.” She was raised on a farm in Checotah by her father, who worked in a sawmill, and her mother, an elementary school teacher.

May 25, 2005 – Wins “American Idol” two months after judge Simon Cowell predicts she’ll not only emerge victorious but outsell all previous winners.

Nov. 15, 2005 – “Some Hearts” hits stores and sells 315,000 copies in one week, making it the fastest-selling country debut.

Feb. 11, 2007 – Becomes only “Idol” winner to win best new artist Grammy and the first country star to snag the trophy since Shelby Lynne in ’01.

Spring of 2007 – Dates Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

April 2008 – Wins the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year Award, the seventh woman to win since the award started in 1970 and the first to win since the Dixie Chicks in 2000. In ’09, she became the first woman to win it twice in a row.

May 10, 2008 – Becomes youngest current member of the Grand Ole Opry when inducted by Garth Brooks.

May ’08 – Becomes first female country singer to have two consecutive albums with three No. 1 hits since Shania Twain in 1998.

November ’08 – Releases the single “Just a Dream,” and when it hits No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, she is just the third to release four consecutive chart toppers from one album, behind Shania Twain and Rosanne Cash.

Feb. 8, 2009 – Wins best female vocal country performance Grammy for third year in a row, one behind record-holder Mary Chapin Carpenter.

June 3, 2009 – Named 13th most powerful musician (75th overall) on Forbes list of top 100 celebrities.

Jan. 31, 2010 – Wins best country collaboration with vocals Grammy for “I Told You So” with Randy Travis. Her seventh Grammy gives her as many in three years as Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and Trace Adkins combined have won since 2000.

May 24, 2010 – Releases “Undo It,” her 12th consecutive top 10 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart in less than five years. By comparison, Taylor Swift hit the top 10 nine times since her debut in ’06.

If you go:

What: Carrie Underwood, Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Fargodome, 1800 N. University Drive

Info: Tickets are $35, $45 and $55. (800) 745-3000.

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/281680/