2005: 'Some Hearts'

After winning 'American Idol,' Carrie Underwood headlined the American Idols Live Tour. The finalists performed at sold out or nearly sold out venues for two straight months, with Underwood cutting tracks for her debut album on off dates. 'Some Hearts' dropped in November and sold over 315K copies on the strength of 'Inside Your Heaven' and 'Jesus Take the Wheel.' It was the biggest debut by a country artist in Soundscan history. Since then, the album has been purchased by over seven million fans.

Underwood hit the road in 2006, first with theKenny Chesney on the Road and the Radio Tour and then on her own Carrie Underwood: Live 2006 Tour. Fans realized that while she was polished and poised on television, she wasn't prepared to work a stage like the day's top performers. She quickly learned from the likes of Chesney, and later, Keith Urban.

During this time, her friendship with Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo heated up, with Romo confirming the two were dating shortly after escorting her to the 2007 ACM Awards.

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