Carrie Underwood to Receive 2009 Harmony Award

Symphony Ball 2009 chairs Mrs. James R. Dickson III (Dara) and Mrs. Samuel Bartow Strang IV (Perian) have announced that Carrie Underwood, the reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, will be honored as recipient of the 2009 Harmony Award at the Ball on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

The Harmony Award is presented annually at Nashville's Symphony Ball to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of music in Nashville. The recipients exemplify the unique harmony between the many worlds of music that exist in our city and have contributed significantly to the development and appreciation of Nashville's musical culture.

Four-time GRAMMY® award-winner Carrie Underwood is also the three-time, reigning ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. On November 3, she will release a new album, Play On, on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville with producer Mark Bright. He produced 2007's hit-filled Carnival Ride, as well as seven tracks including four #1s from Carrie's blockbuster 2005 debut, Some Hearts. Earlier this year, Carrie became the first country artist in history to achieve 10 #1 singles from their first two albums when "I Told You So" became the fifth consecutive chart-topper from Carnival Ride. To date, Carrie is the U.S. best-selling American Idol winner with album sales of more than 10 million.

Previous recipients of the Harmony Award include: Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Tony Brown, Mike & Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, The Judds, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Chet Atkins, Rascal Flatts and Martina McBride, the 2008 recipient.

Nashville's Symphony Ball is Music City, USA's premier winter social event, a white-tie, invitation-only evening benefiting the Nashville Symphony and its music outreach programs. This year marks the event's 25th anniversary.