Carrie Underwood: Possibly the most successful and beloved winner of American Idol, Carrie Underwood's career as a country music star has blossomed exponentially over the past six years. Her tour dates are one of the most sought after in mainstream music and her albums have earned her five Grammy Awards and countless CMA recognitions. Carrie Underwood is currently hard at work on a new album, as well as playing a select few tour dates this summer and fall.

Carrie became a favorite amongst fans and judges on the fourth season of American Idol, winning each week's competition by a broad margin. Immediately after winning the contest, Underwood released her debut album, Some Hearts, which shot to the top of the charts and quickly went platinum seven times. The album also won three Grammys, not including the many honors she received from country music groups. Despite the album's success, Underwood's first headlining tour consisted mostly of tour dates and county fairs and festivals; a mere blip in the success that was to come. Carrie Underwood's follow-up album, Carnival Ride, featured the hit singles "All-American Girl" and "Last Name", while also going multi-platinum in no time at all.

Carrie Underwood was playing sold-out tour dates around the world by the release of her 2009 album, Play On. In true Underwood fashion, the album quickly shot to the top of the Billboard charts, quickly went multi-platinum, and won another Grammy. The album was succeeded by a hugely successful concert schedule that ended at the start of 2011, leaving very few tour dates for the remainder of the year. The next upcoming tour date occurs on August 12 at the Capital Hoedown Country Music Festival in Ottawa, followed by an appearance at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel on September 3. Carrie Underwood's final scheduled performance on her 2011 concert schedule is on The Lawn at the Ravinia Festival grounds on September 4. While additional tour dates are likely to be added in the near future, fans can be comforted in the knowledge that Carrie Underwood is hard at work on a new album and crafting a new world tour.