Carrie Underwood Receives First Grammy Nominations - Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best New Artist

Nashville, TN (Arista Records) - Multi-platinum selling country music superstar Carrie Underwood woke up on her tour bus this morning to learn she received her first-ever Grammy nominations today: Best Female Country Vocal Performance for 'Jesus, Take The Wheel' and Best New Artist. The six-week No 1 country single 'Jesus, Take The Wheel' also receives 2 nominations: Best Country Song and Song of the Year, awards to songwriters Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Brett James.

'In my wildest dreams I could have never imagined this incredible year,' says Carrie Underwood. 'I am so thankful to the country music community for warmly welcoming, accepting and embracing me. And to my fans who have been there for me since American Idol, I love you all. Today, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.'

Underwood's success since her debut album SOME HEARTS was released in late 2005 has been nothing but spectacular. The album has sold over 4 million copies and contains 4 No 1 singles- 'Inside Your Heaven,' 'Jesus, Take The Wheel,' 'Don't Forget To Remember Me' and 'Before He Cheats'. Underwood's combined 11 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs with 'Before He Cheats' and 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' are the longest any female artist has spent in pole position with solo recordings in a calendar year in the 62-year history of Billboard 's country singles tally

Underwood concludes the Brad Paisley 'Time Well Wasted Tour' this weekend with dates in Columbia, MO and Chicago, IL and 2 shows of her own. Underwood's final show of 2006 will happen in Prior Lake , MN at the Mystic Lake Casino on New Year's Eve.