The Tennessee hills are alive with the sound of some great news for country music, NBC just announced that Carrie Underwood will star as Maria von Trapp in it’s live version of The Sound of Music.  Internationally famous as both a Movie and a Broadway musical, The Sound of Music features the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Some of the popular songs include:  “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss” and “So Long, Farewell.”

Since winning the fourth season of “American Idol,” Carrier Underwood went on to country music stardom selling over 15 million albums, achieving 16 number 1 singles, and winning five Grammys.

Now, with the iconic role of Maria von Trapp, Carrie will broaden her stardom all the more.  Considering that she has had limited acting exposure (Carrie had a small part in the 2011 film Soul Surfer) it is quite an accomplishment.  Undoubtedly, it will be a challenge overcoming the forthcoming comparison to Julie Andrews who starred as Maria von Trapp in the 1965 movie that won an Academy Award for best picture.

Video of Carrie Underwood Singing Sound of Music