country music

MAY 20TH, 2008

Carrie Underwood voted Most Popular American Idol

Washington (ANI): Country star Carrie Underwood has been voted the Most Popular American Idol star ever. The 2005 Idol winner Underwood won 54 percent of the vote in an AOL Television poll, reports Contactmusic. Kelly Clarkson, the first Idol winner in 2002, came in a distant second for most popular, pulling in only 26 percent of the vote from 1.3 million fans who took part. Meanwhile, Simon Cowell wants his pals Telly duo Geordies Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, popularly known as Ant and Dec, to take over as hosts of his American Idol show. The chances of McPartlin and Donnelly to join could come in the next two or three months when current show host Ryan Seacrest is expected to take over a top US talk show from veteran host Larry King.

Carrie Underwood Confirmed for American Idol Finale

Carrie Underwood will perform her new single, "Last Name," a song she co-wrote, on the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday night (May 21) in Hollywood. Underwood won the American Idol crown in 2005. She is currently headlining her Carnival Ride tour and won an ACM award Sunday night (May 18) for top female vocalist. The final two American Idol contestants this season are David Archuleta and David Cook.

Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert take home ACM Awards

By Christopher Rocchio, 05/19/2008 The song remained the same for Carrie Underwood during last night's live broadcast of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS. ADVERTISEMENT The American Idol fourth-season champ received Top Female Vocalist honors for the third straight year, defeating Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and Taylor Swift. "Wow. God is good. God is good," said Underwood during her acceptance speech. "I'd like to thank the most wonderful family in the world -- I have great parents, great sisters, great family. Thank you to everybody at Arista Nashville... Everybody that's worked so hard. Everybody at 19 Management...

There's so many people that have done so many wonderful things for me. I know I don't deserve it, but I'll take it. Thank you fans! Fans got me everything that I have and I owe everything to you." RELATED LINKS American Idol 4 Contestant Info American Idol Message Boards RealityTVWorld: American Idol RealityTVWorld: American Idol 1 RealityTVWorld: American Idol 2 RealityTVWorld: American Idol 3 RealityTVWorld: American Idol 4 RealityTVWorld: American Idol 5 SirLinksALot: American Idol More American Idol 4 News Lambert didn't go home empty handed however, as the original Nashville Star third-place finisher's second album "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" -- which was released last May and peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's country album chart -- took home Album of the Year honors. "I don't know what to say. I was not expecting this at all," said Lambert during her acceptance speech. "I was sitting right behind [fellow nominee] Kenny Chesney and I just don't feel right taking this.

But thank you so much to my fans and the industry for accepting me so much -- being a little left of center. I'm a songwriter. I poured my heart and soul into this alum. It's a part of who I am. Thank you for appreciating it." In addition to receiving a nomination for Album of the Year -- a category that Underwood claimed last year with her debut album "Some Hearts" -- Lambert had also received a nomination in the Single of the Year category for "Famous in a Small Town." However that award went to Sugarland's "Stay." Idol fifth-season finalist Kellie Pickler was also nominated for Top New Female Vocalist, however that award that was won by Swift, the teenage singer that's become close friends with Pickler.

Lambert won it last year, and Underwood took home the award in 2006. "Kellie, I love you!" were Swift's first words during her acceptance speech. Original Idol winner Kelly Clarkson had also received a nod for her "Because of You" duet with Reba McIntyre in the Vocal Event of the Year category, which was won by "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" by Tracy Lawrence, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney. Underwood, Lambert, Pickler and former Nashville Star host LeAnn Rimes all performed at the live awards ceremony, which was held at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. In addition,

Underwood; third-season Dancing with the Stars participant Sara Evans; Nashville Star sixth-season judges and mentors Jewel and Jon Rich; and Dancing with the Stars professional and aspiring country singer Julianne Hough also served as presenters at the ceremony.