Idol Carrie Inks Record Deal

Carrie Underwood is making her Idol status official.

The country crooner, who walked away with the title on the fourth season of American Idol last week, has signed her $1 million recording contact with Arista Records.

Her first single, "Inside Your Heaven," will be released June 14, paired with her cover of Martina McBride's "Independence Day."

Like the Idols who came before her--Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, as well as second-place finisher Clay Aiken--Underwood's career will be guided by music guru Clive Davis, who will also produce her first full-length album in connection with Simon Fuller and 19 Recordings Limited.

To date, all of the former Idols have gone on to make platinum records and, collectively with Aiken, have sold more than 12 million albums and counting.

So far, Underwood seems to be enjoying her victory, though she admits her life has become something of a whirlwind.

"Most of the time, I'm like, where am I? What am I doing?" the 22-year-old college senior said in an appearance on CBS' The Early Show Wednesday. "It's still a dream."

The Oklahoma native has said she'll remain true to her country roots on her upcoming album.

"I love country music, and that's where I fit in," she said on The Early Show. "I like crossover country music, too. So I think that would be a good avenue to explore. But it's really all about picking out songs and finding ones that you feel fit you, no matter what genre they belong in."

Underwood will make her Nashville debut June 8 at the taping of CMT 100 Greatest Duets, where she'll perform amongst country legends such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Trace Adkins. The concert special is slated to air Sept. 17.

Things are also shaping up for Bo Bice, who finished second this season. The Alabama native has indicated an album is in the works, though he has few details to offer.

"Should be out soon, hopefully. I'm still in the dark about it...haven't found anything out about it," he told TVGuide.com.

His first single, also the Idol original song, "In Your Heaven," will be released June 21.

Though the long-haired rocker lost out to Underwood on the show, his version of "In Your Heaven" is currently outselling hers, though neither single has been shipped.

Bice's single is ranked number one on BarnesandNoble.com's sales charts, while Underwood's single trails at number four. Meanwhile, over at Amazon.com, Bice's single is holding down the number three slot, while Underwood's is way down at number 31.

The advance chart standings are reminiscent of the season two Idol battle between Studdard and Aiken. Though the Velvet Teddy Bear ultimately won the competition, Aiken's first single, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters/This Is the Night," debuted atop the Billboard singles chart, beating out Studdard's single, "Flying Without Wings/Superstar," which landed in the number two slot.

Despite the competition between them, Bice and Underwood profess nothing but fond feelings for each other.

"I think Carrie's the best one for this," Bice told TVGuide.com in an interview. "She did a great job. America chose her and I wish her the best of luck. I know she's going to have a great career, and she knows that I love her to bits."

Underwood was more than willing to return the compliment.

"He's just a brother. I've never had a big brother. He kind of watches after me and takes care of me," she told The Early Show. "I know he's going to have just as successful, if not more successful, of a career as me. Everybody loves him."

Aside from working on their respective albums this summer, the duo will be reunited with the eight other top 10 Idol finalists this summer for the Pop Tarts Present American Idols Live! tour, which kicks off July 12 in Sunrise, Florida and will travel to 41 cities in all.