Carrie Underwood - Country Music Artist

Downtown Walking Tour Merritt Murals

Featured Country Music Musician : Carrie Underwood

“Singing is just a feeling set to music.” Carrie Underwood

Let me introduce you to Carrie Underwood – a featured country music artist and Merritt BC Mural. The Nicola Valley murals are located in the “Canadian Country Music Capital of Canada”, which we all know as Merritt BC Canada. Welcome!

This current walking tour mural initiative is a group effort between Experience Nicola Valley and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Carrie Underwood, a featured Merritt BC Mural, got her start in the country music industry after winning American Idol in 2005. As a result of her win, Carrie rocketed up the popularity charts and quickly became one of the biggest country music stars worldwide.

Michelle Bacon (Experience Nicola Valley) / Mural Painted by Michelle Loughery

American Idol

After her win on the show American Idol Carry released her first album, “Some Hearts”. As a result the album soared up the charts and became a multi-platinum success. Subsequently, the country music album won numerous awards including a Grammy, as well as, awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

In 2008 Carrie was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and has co-hosted the CMA Awards alongside Brad Paisley every year since then.

In 1991 her single “Inside your Heaven” eclipsed the top of the pop billboard charts. Consequently, her second single “Jesus Take the Wheel” also reached top honors on the country billboard charts. Her songs won AMC and CMA awards for Single of the Year. She also won Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best New Artist at the Grammy’s!

2007 Carrie won a couple more Grammy’s for her single “Before he Cheats”. That same year she released another country music album “Carnival Ride” which had several number one chart topping hits like “All American Girl” and “Last Name”.

“Carrie Underwood currently holds the American Idol record for highest selling album sales in the United States with over 13 million copies sold.”

Carrie Underwood Induction into Grand Ole Opry

To many in the country music industry it is a dream to become part of the Grand Ole Opry. Likewise, it was no different for Underwood. Carrie was honored to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks in 2008. In short, this honour, recognized her as the youngest person to ever receive this prestigious honour.

2009-2012

Underwood won another Grammy in 2009 for her song “Last Name”. Just before the CMA’s that year she released her next album “Play On.” The result earned her some chart topping singles including “Cowboy Casanova” “Temporary Home” and “Undo it.”

May of 2012 she released another mind blowing chart topper “Blown Away.” This sold more than 1.4 million copies over one year. The album “Blown Away” also produced other hits including “Good Girl” and “Two Black Cadillacs”

2013-2017

Carrie Underwood’s interest goes beyond country music. In 2013 she took over from Faith Hill performing the weekly Sunday Night Football theme song “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.” Underwood then went on to do other work in TV like the live retelling of “The Sound of Music.”

In 2014 Carrie went on to release her greatest hits album entitled “Decade #1.” Her new song on the album, “Something in the Water”, earned her another Grammy for Best Solo Country Artist.

“Storyteller” her next studio album was released in 2015. In this album there were some hits like “Smoke Break” as well as “Heart Beat”, “Church Bells” and “Dirty Laundry”. It was soon after, in 2016, that Carrie kicked off her Storyteller Tour.

A Bounce Back For Carrie Underwood

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame inducted Carrie in November of 2017 after her tour ended and the CMA’s were finished. Just two days after the CMA Awards, Carrie fell outside her home. At first it was reported that she had suffered a broken wrist and some cuts and abrasions. However, it was later discovered she received 40-50 stitches to her face.

Although it took some time to heal she was soon back in the spotlight. April 15, 2018 she was back on stage performing her new song “Cry Pretty” at the ACM Awards. It was such a powerful performance. As a result of her performance she received a standing ovation from the audience.

A Star Was Born – The Younger Years

Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Carrie was raised on her family’s farm and, to this day, holds very fond memories of her time on the farm.

“Growing up in the county, I enjoyed things like playing on dirt roads, climbing trees, catching little woodland creatures and, of course singing.” Carrie Underwood

Underwood attended Northeastern State University after graduating from high school. Carrie majored in broadcast journalism and not singing as she decided to put it on hold. But that did not last long. It was during her senior year in 2004 that she decided to try out for American Idol.

Later Years – Family Life

On July 10, 2010 Carrie married professional hockey player Mike Fisher. She and Mike announced the would be welcoming their first child in 2015. Aug 2018 Carrie announced they were expecting their second child.

“Mike, Isaiah and I are absolutely over the moon and excited to be adding another fish to our pond.” Carrie Underwood

Merritt BC Murals

In 2007 Carrie Underwood came to Merritt BC Canada and played on the main stage of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival (now called the Rockin’ River Music Fest). During that year the Carrie Underwood Merritt BC Mural was painted. It is located at 2101 Quilchena Ave in Merritt BC Canada.

The Merritt Mural Project was created in 2005. The Merritt BC Murals were part of a successful program called, the “Merritt Youth Mural Project”. A project designed for working with local young artists and “ youth at risk”. Merritt Murals were painted by muralist Michelle Loughery.

Downtown Attractions

Merritt BC Canada is home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s a must to put on your list of places to check out. The Hall of Fame has many great attractions and items that have been donated by various country music stars and industry insiders.

Downtown Merritt has a bevvy of small coffee shops and restaurants. Have a bite to eat at one of our great eating establishments. Looking for gifts and souvenirs? I would suggest taking a browse through any of the many local shops. Many of them feature some amazing products from our local artisans.

I hope you enjoy the Carrie Underwood – Merritt BC Mural and have a look at others via walking and scanning the QR Codes to read about each star. These Murals are truly an amazing outdoor art exhibit.

For more on Carrie Underwood you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and her website here.