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'Idol' champ Carrie Underwood signs with Arista, tour ahead
As previous "American Idol" champs Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino have before her, 2005 winner Carrie Underwood has signed a recording deal with Arista Records.
Underwood, who was crowned the winner of the popular Fox-TV talent competition last week, is expected to release her full-length debut album this fall. Arista founder Clive Davis will produce the set, in conjunction with Simon Fuller. "Idol" alumni Clarkson, Studdard, Barrino and Clay Aiken (2003's runner-up) have collectively sold more than 12 million albums, according to Arista.
Underwood's debut single, "Inside Your Heaven," has been sent to radio. The retail single--which hits stores on June 14--will also feature the 22-year-old country singer's cover of Martina McBride's "Independence Day."
Though Underwood won the Idol championship, runner-up Bo Bice --whose CD single "Inside Your Heaven / Vehicle" will be issued by RCA on June 21--is leading on the Amazon.com sales rankings as of Wednesday morning (6/1). Bice ranks at No. 4, and Underwood is at No. 32.
As previously reported, Underwood, Bice and eight other "Idol" finalists will soon embark on the "American Idols Live " tour, which launches in July.
"American Idols Live" tour w/ Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, others.
