Several professional music careers had been launched on American Idol by the time Carrie Underwood got to the hit television show in 2005, so it’s not a total surprise that the sweet-voiced country singer found her place in the sun after climbing to the top of its ranks. Her talent continues to impress several years on from her televised victory, as she tours major country festivals across the country and has become a household name among fans and casual country listeners alike. Undoubtedly one of the hottest acts currently playing in the country music genre, her albums continually suggest she has a bright future and many more hits still to come in her future.But Carrie Underwood comes from humble musical beginnings. Growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, she would sing at club functions and public events, gaining numerous compliments for her amazing voice. She eventually attended Northeastern State College in hopes of becoming a broadcast anchor, but never let go of her dreams—or stopped plying her talent. When she heard about auditions for American Idol, she saw a chance to expose that talent to the entire country.After winning, she secured a record deal and released her debut later that year, Some Hearts. It featured songs that have become memorized by all her fans. The title track, “Wasted,” “Before He Cheats,” and “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore” were the albums major hits, and many of the songs on that album could be heard on country stations that year. The album sold 300,000 copies in its first week and went triple-platinum, proving that, no, a small-town existence was certainly not where Carrie Underwood was living anymore. “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” another one of the album’s singles, jumped to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and dominated the position for six whole weeks.Not one to rest on her laurels, Underwood finished her degree. Accolade after accolade has been piled on top of her work, which is still impressing critics and fans alike. She’s made several more appearances on American Idol since, even singing a rendition of “I’ll Stand By You” to cheering and applause. In 2007, she finally released a follow-up, Carnival Ride.With a captivating stage presence and a career that’s running on all cylinders, you can bet you’ll see Carrie Underwood’s name on the country charts for a long time to come.