Carrie Underwood @ Jobing.com Arena

It's easy to write off an act that becomes famous because of its success on American Idol. That is to say that most Idol contestants' careers have proved short and boring. Carrie Underwood, then, is one of the exceptions to the rule. The 27-year-old country superstar not only sold the...

By Sarah Ventre

September 30, 2010

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It's easy to write off an act that becomes famous because of its success on American Idol. That is to say that most Idol contestants' careers have proved short and boring. Carrie Underwood, then, is one of the exceptions to the rule. The 27-year-old country superstar not only sold the most albums of any woman in country music, but she's one of the youngest artists to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Though the country music institution has no formal criteria for membership, it's an honor that wasn't bestowed upon 73-year-old Charlie Daniels until two years ago. And because the style is often marked by the rough life stories of those who compose it, it can be difficult for a young voice to get taken seriously. Make no mistake — Carrie Underwood's got people who got her back.

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