Carrie Underwood Lets Aslan Take the Wheel

From WSJ.com...
If they gave an award for winning awards, Carrie Underwood would probably win that too. Last night, she was the big prize-getter at the first-ever American Country Awards, taking home honors for Artist of the Year. On Friday, her song “There’s A Place for Us” will be featured on the soundtrack to the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Could the next awards-show stop for Underwood be the Oscars?

Underwood, who was given six full-size Fender Stratocaster guitars as prizes at the ACAs, called up Speakeasy today to talk about her recent honors, her new movie theme song and why she won’t try to rhyme anything with “Narnia.”

The Wall Street Journal: Do you know where you’re going to put all the guitars you won at the ACAs?

Carrie Underwood: I have no idea. I didn’t know they were giving out guitars until I saw the first awards given out. At the end I was like six, what am I going to do with six?

How did you go about writing the song “There’s a Place for Us”?

First they approached us to see if I would be interested in something like this, and I’ve definitely been a fan of the books and movies. My mom used to read them in her classes when she was teaching. So I was definitely intrigued. The next step was watching the movie. I saw it in its very early stages. There was still a lot of green screen going on—which is always fun. I enjoy seeing things when they’re in the process of being put together. And after that, once I was on board because I really enjoyed the movie, it was all about trying to find people who would be a good fit to write with me on it. We [co-writers David Hodges and Hillary Lindsey] then all saw the movie together. And for the next four days after that went in to write. Just to see if we could come up with anything.

The movie is about an epic sea voyage. You’re from Oklahoma, a landlocked state. How did you get in the mindset to write the song?

It really wasn’t hard. The whole premise of the movie is about this other world and growing up I’ve definitely felt the way the characters in the movie felt because they’re in this place, and they felt like they should be off somewhere else having adventures and having this amazing life and instead they feel like they can never get there. So I can definitely relate to the characters, growing up in a small town and having big dreams. It’s not like we had to incorporate boats and water into the song. It was more metaphorical. It was about the feeling, not the setting.

So you never had the urge to rhyme something with “Narnia”?

No, no! We made lots of jokes. When you get stuck in the writing room, you start being silly. I was like ‘We really have to write the worst song ever and call it like ‘I Love Narnia’ and submit that one first just to see what they do. I bet we would have been off the job.

It would have been nice to give it a real country music title, like “Aslan, Take The Wheel.”

There you go. That one might have worked, though.

Feel free to use it. The book has strong religious themes. Is that part of what attracted you to this project?

It definitely is. I feel like the movie not only would appeal to people that were Christians and have a lot of faith in god, it’s also just entertaining. Even if you want to read into everything, you’re still going to be able to watch the movie and enjoy it.

You’ve said that you read the Narnia books as a kid. I could be wrong, but you don’t strike me as a big fantasy book fan.

I’m a very audio-visual person, so being able to see the images means a lot to me. The books were very entertaining. You could have a little imagination and still be able to read them and see pictures in your head. When I find books like that I always get very excited.

I guessing that you didn’t read “The Lord of the Rings” too, right?

No—it might have been a little thick reading for me. I have a very short attention span. But I did see the movies!

You wrote the song after seeing an early version, without all the effects. Do you think seeing the movie in 3-D might spur you to want to write something else?

We wrote multiple songs, and it was up to them to choose which one fit the movie the best. We provided three very different songs for them to choose from and they picked an epic ballad which I do think in the end was a very good choice.

What were those other songs like?

I did go back and watch the other two movies just to see how the songs in them were placed. They seemed to be a little more folky and mellow, so one of our songs did wind up being on its own more mellow. And the other one we wrote was more radio friendly, definitely more poppy.

Will those other songs surface somewhere else?

I don’t know if they’ll end up in any other Narnia things, but we had such a great writing session–whenever you get on a roll and get in a space and groove with people it takes on a life of its own. We had a great four-day writing session and came out with three songs where any one of them could have worked. I was so excited to be able to say look how awesome we are—we wrote you three amazing songs. I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw the other two…It would be a shame to waste those.

You’re about to come out with your first major acting role with a supporting part in the movie “Soul Surfer.” Tell me about your character.

I play a youth counselor. It’s a biopic about Beth Hamilton who is a pro surfer who was attacked by a shark. The girl that I play [Sarah Hill] is way cooler than I am. She’s made a difference in the lives of a lot of young kids and families, especially the Hamilton family.

I have a theory that country stars–folks like Tim McGraw, Dwight Yoakam, Dolly Parton–make better actors than other pop stars. Is that a good theory or a bad one?

I’d say that’s a good theory. Faith Hill has done some acting, Reba [McEntire]’s done some acting of course. I can’t really think of any country music person who has been in movie that I thought—man, they need to stick to country music! So I hope I don’t burst that bubble right there. No pressure.

Carrie Underwood talks with Big D and Bubba

From USA Today...



Carrie Underwood called in to the Big D and Bubba syndicated radio show Monday morning, talking with them about her fans' reaction to the Country Music Association's not giving her an Entertainer of the Year nomination. "They love their girl," Carrie said.

Carrie also talked about new hubby Mike Fisher. She said she wasn't planning on changing her stage name but that she did practice writing her married name. "It looked terrible," she said, chalking up part of the problem to her "terrible penmanship."

Carrie said the first thing she noticed about her future hockey-player husband was his dark hair and blue eyes. "I've dated several dark-haired, blue-eyed guys," she said.

Carrie Underwood is on fire

From David Burger of The Salt Lake Tribune...

Carrie Underwood will perform at Provo's Stadium of Fire on July 3, and she has taped a greeting to Utahns at the Stadium of Fire Website:

http://www.freedomfestival.org/

I talked to her the other day, and here is an except from the conversation:

I actually have another concert to do on the Fourth of July. So after the Stadium of Fire I’ll be jetting out and playing another show, another outdoor goodie. I love that. That’s one of the good things about summer. It’s all about the outdoor concerts because everybody is there to have a good time, and people are happy and excited and even though it’s probably hot and sticky and whatnot, there’s nothing like that.

New Carrie Underwood Interview

Carrie Underwood: What I've Learned



From Esquire.com...

The 26-year-old country star's lessons from Simon Cowell, Tony Romo, American Idol, and the dirty basements of stardom

I was so nervous when I was on my way to L. A. I'd never been on a plane, and I was going alone. I kind of got teary-eyed. My dad was driving, and he said, "If you want to go home, we can go home, and you never have to think about this again." And I thought, If I don't go, I'm choosing for this not to happen. It will be my choice. So I figured it would be easier for me to get kicked off American Idol than to have it be my own decision.

I've learned the most throughout my life from age twenty-two till now.

As you step off that stage, you're pretty much alone.

My cell phone is my best friend. It's my lifeline to the outside world.

There's no handbook.

People can take your words and make them into something awful and something you never meant it to be.

>> Read more

Carrie Underwood Celebrates Holidays on FOX

Cover Girl Carrie

Check out Carrie on the
cover of Music Connection.
You'll also find a great
Q & A with Carrie!

Music Connection

Carrie Underwood Says 'Blondes Gotta Stick Together' In Country Music

'It does feel like women have to work a lot harder to keep up with the boys,' she tells CMT.

Nashville used to be quite the boys club, but these days, ladies like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are ruling country music and the mainstream. Underwood, whose Play On debuts at #1 on the Billboard albums chart next week, knows that there are still a few glass ceilings that need to be broken.

"I definitely do see more women in country music and more women doing well," she told CMT. "I think it will be awhile before we get what's coming to us.

>> More at CMT.com

Check out Carrie's interview with The MySpace Music Feed!

The MySpace Music Feed: Carrie Underwood and Switchfoot

The MySpace Music Feed | MySpace Video

Hat tip: carrieunderwoodofficial.com

Catching Up With Carrie Underwood

It all began with a tense moment on May 25, 2005, as Ryan Seacrest uttered the words that over 30 million Americans were eagerly waiting to hear. "The winner of 'American Idol' 2005 is…"

Seacrest paused until the anticipation was almost too much to bear.

"…Carrie Underwood!"

>> Full Story


WATCH: Carrie Talks About a Bad Date
Underwood shares her worst date story with Robin Roberts.

WATCH: Carrie Underwood Returns to H.S.
Underwood surprises students at her old high school.

WATCH: Underwood's Almost Record Deal

WATCH: Underwood on Being a Celebrity

WATCH: Carrie Underwood and Her Mom

Robin Roberts goes behind-the-scenes with country music's biggest stars (including Carrie!). Tune in Tuesday, Nov. 10th at 10 p.m.

Carrie Underwood comes out of her shell

Carrie Underwood, 26, is a big, fat onion. And if you don’t believe it, you can ask her.

“I’m a big, fat onion,” she said. And by that, she means she is a multi-layered person, not that she grows in the soil or induces crying jags.

Since winning American Idol in 2005, Underwood has become one of contemporary country’s most celebrated female vocalists, notching three consecutive top female vocalist prizes at the Country Music Association Awards — for which she’ll serve as co-host with Brad Paisley on Wednesday — and also at the Academy of Country Music Awards. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Sony Music Nashville released the reigning ACM entertainer of the year’s third album, Play On, and after its first week it will likely top the country charts and the pop charts.

The first country female to score 10 No. 1 hits from her first two albums, Carrie Underwood is well known, and yet not known.

>> Full Story

Carrie Underwood: Believe In Yourself!

Carrie Underwood, 26, believes in doing what she loves. “For me, it’s all about having fun,” she says. “That’s how you end up with something you want.”

Before winning 2005’s American Idol, Underwood tried in her teens to become a professional singer. But when she failed to attract interest, she decided to shelve her passion and pursue a degree in broadcast journalism. By the time the Idol audition came along, something told her to give her dream one last shot and try out. The rest, as they say, is showbiz history.

Now Underwood spends her days crisscrossing the U.S. on a tour bus and co-hosting events likeThe 43rd Annual CMA Awards with Brad Paisley, which airs on Nov. 11. She has also just released a new album, Play On.

“My hours are crazy,” she admits, “so I try to work out as much as I can. My whole day goes better if I can just get a few minutes in. Even if it’s not a full hour, if I can get on a bike or the treadmill for 30 minutes, I think better, I speak better—I’m a happier person. Regular exercise helps me sleep, too.

“You don’t have to get crazy though,” she adds. “I like running, getting on the bike, and working out to videos. You can get a great workout at home if you have the right videos.”

Does she have any problem spots?

“My abs are my trouble area,” Underwood says. “If I gain weight, it’s around my hips and my belly. And if you have on a great dress and it fits everywhere but your belly, that’s not good. It may take me the rest of my life, but if I’m 80 and I have abs, I’ll be happy!”

She’ll also be happy to have “a wee bit of time off to hang out with family” over the holidays. “When the whole family is in one place, it’s really special,” she says. “We’re not culinary geniuses, but we have a good time cooking and eating—too much dessert, too much food, snack time in between, and then we do it all over again!”

If there’s time, she’ll take in a football game. “I like football and hockey on TV,” Underwood says. “But going to live sporting events is the best. We went to a Tennessee Titans game not too long ago. There were whole families walking up together and people outside barbecuing. Everybody had their jerseys on, and they were playing football in the parking lot—it was just such a great vibe.”

Source: Parade.com

Carrie Underwood Describes Working With Kara Dioguardi On 'Undo It'

MTV Shows

Carrie Underwood Encourages Her Fans on New Album, Play On

Part 2 of 2:

In the second half of this two-part interview with Carrie Underwood, the Checotah, Okla., native discusses her superhero producers, her fondness for small animals and the meaningful messages in new songs like "Change" and "Play On."

CMT: I was surprised to hear so many traditional country instruments in "Quitter" since it was produced by the Swedish producer Max Martin.

Underwood: Well, it was actually produced by Max Martin and Mark Bright. When you get something like that together, it's like they're superheroes and they're combining forces to make something really great. So, yeah, we brought him in to my world. And I think it worked out really well.

Did you have any idea how that would turn out when those two got together?

No! (laughs) And you never know when you work with somebody new, no matter who it is. You always just wonder if it's going to work out. But you never know unless you try. And it really did. It came together and it ended up sounding so fresh and so different than anything I've done and that I've heard anybody else do. So it was a lot of fun, meeting new people.

Were there any creative stipulations on that collaboration?

The only stipulation, of course, was to make it sound like it belonged with the rest of the album. And that's the way it is with any song. It doesn't matter what it is. You just have to make sure that it flows, that it brings something new to the table, because you want everything to have its place or else you'd be listening to the same song for 13 tracks. And nobody wants to do that. It has to belong.

>> More at CMT.com

Carrie Underwood Gets Back to Work With Play On

Part 1:

Carrie Underwood knew she needed to finish a new album this year. Luckily, she viewed the writing and recording process of Play On as a labor of love, rather than just one more thing to check off her huge to-do list. The album will be released Tuesday (Nov. 3).

"I hate deadlines," she says. "I love projects. I love things that I love to do. If I have a project that I am totally into, and I love it, then I am all about it. I will go above and beyond and do crazy stuff. I was always the kid in class that would bring something that was really extravagant and had way too much effort put into it. Everybody else would do theirs just enough to get an A, and I had mine that was like ... awesome."

That attention to detail paid off with "Cowboy Casanova," the elaborate first video from the project. Filmed in New Orleans with a cast of glamorous dancers, its sassy demeanor is in direct contrast to "I Told You So," a traditional country ballad written by Randy Travis, who reached No. 1 with his own version in 1988. The popular remake brought him a CMA nomination for song of the year, while he and Underwood are contenders for vocal event. In addition, Underwood is in the running for her fourth consecutive female vocalist trophy. No pressure, but she's also co-hosting the CMA Awards on Nov. 11 with Brad Paisley and a two-hour variety special on the Fox network on Dec. 7. And as show times approach, she's seemingly taking it in stride.

"Deadlines, especially on things that I'm not so fond of, I'm not great with," says Underwood, who won the American Idol crown in 2005. "I just want to do things to be creative and have fun with it."

In the first half of this two-part interview with CMT.com, the upbeat Oklahoma native explains the country influence in her voice, her creative collaborations with American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi and why it's sometimes tough to write with guys.

CMT: When I was listening to "Mama's Song," I could hear some Reba McEntire phrasing in there. Did you have many of her albums growing up?

Underwood: Oh, for sure. I mean, she's an Okie girl. I think I'm really lucky that I really did listen to all kinds of people and all kinds of music. I've had other people ask me questions like that -- 'Did you listen to Martina growing up?' 'Did you listen to rock music growing up?' -- because in some song somewhere, they can hear that influence in my voice. I take that as a huge compliment because who doesn't want to be like Reba?

Can you hear it in your own voice?

I think it's harder for me to hear it in my own voice because I hold these other women up so high. I can never be like Reba. And I'm not trying to be, either. You know, I want to be true to myself, but that was a compliment you just paid me, so thank you.

>> More at CMT.com