American Idol allowed us to find Carrie Underwood.

Alcohol is perfect for me to curb the nerves a little bit.

I will always really work hard to write as much as I can, but I also love sitting back and waiting on those big Nashville songwriters to send me some great songs, too.

My dad is very successful in his business. He's always been big in having hobbies and having little ways to get away. He always made time for hunting and fishing. He always encouraged me to do it.

My thing is you just have to try to feel young and stay young. Obviously you get a little older, but I still want my music to be young. I don't want to sound like an old dad onstage, so you just have to write music that sounds young.

When you get performance slots for award shows - that's a big deal for me.

I think the attraction to country music is the fans, the lure of the hardcore fan base.