LOS ANGLES, Calif., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Carrie Underwood Sunday laid claim to New Artist honors at the 49th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Natalie Cole, who won the same honor in 1976, announced Underwood as this year's winner.
Underwood and Rascal Flatts had just completed a musical tribute to Texas Playboys founder Bob Wills and Eagles founding member Don Henley -- and she barely gotten back to her seat when her name was called as a Grammy winner.
"To anybody who had anything to do with this album ("Some Hearts"), thank you," said Underwood, who came to national prominence when she won on "American Idol" in 2005.
In the musical tribute, Underwood sang Wills' "Rose of San Antone." She and Flatts alternated singing Eagle greats "Hotel California" and "Desperado" and then teamed up for "Life in the Fast Lane."
