Carrie Underwood Doesn’t Like To Call ETOTY A ‘Competition’

When ACM nominations were announced yesterday morning (4/13), Carrie Underwood's name was read in the biggest category, Entertainer of the Year. Carrie has won the ETOTY award from the ACM three times; in 2019, 2008, and 2009.

Underwood said of getting a nod for the night's biggest honor, "It is, I mean, obviously such an honor to be nominated for Entertainer of the Year. Obviously, that's such a tough category to be in; 'cause there's just so, I don't even want to call it a competition, there are just so many hard-working artists out there. They are pouring themselves and their time and their energy and their love and their artistry into what they do."

She added, "Just to even be in the final category is just absolutely amazing, and hopefully, above all, we can all just remember that it's a celebration of a great year in country music. And in our careers as artists, so we'll just see what happens, but definitely excited to be in that category."

Carrie recently revealed that she will celebrate her 15th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with a two-shows at the Opry Saturday, May 13. Carrie made her Grand Ole Opry performance debut on June 10, 2005, just two weeks after winning American Idol.

Underwood's love for the Opry started as a child. She grew up watching and listening to the show, dreaming of performing there and even becoming a member herself. She was officially inducted into the Opry family on May 8, 2008, by fellow Oklahoman Opry member Garth Brooks.

A few years ago, Carrie told me about her love for The Opry in an interview. "I love the whole concept of the Opry. I love that it is a part of country music history, country music presence, and country music future. It's the heart and soul, the center of country music. It's is a family, and that's a really cool thing to be a part of."