UPDATE Sept 3, 2009: A version of her new single Cowboy Casanova was leaked online yesterday so Carrie Underwood rushed out the first single and posted it on YouTube. It’s a bit more rocker that I would’ve expected from her. Does it have hit written all over it?

On November 3 Carrie Underwood will release her third album since winning American Idol Season 4 in 2005. Where did the time go? Since her win, the 26 year old country singer has sold millions of records. For her debut album Some Hearts, she sold over 7 million while her follow up garnered 3 million in sales. Not one to rest on her laurels, Underwood is working hard prepping her third offering, Play On. Once again she has collaborated with Mark Bright who has had a hand in producing both her first two albums. Bright is a hit-making machine in the country world, having made hit albums for Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans and Trisha Yearwood to name a few.

Hoping to add perhaps a pop feel to her new album, Underwood has enlisted renowned Swedish producer Max Martin to produce a track for her upcoming album. Max Martin is the genius behind some of the most infectious songs of our time such as: Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Since U Been Gone“; Britney Spears “Baby One More Time“; Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl“; and Pink’s “So What“. He’s also worked with Avril Lavigne, Sugababes, The Veronicas, Backstreet Boys, Bon Jovi and Daughtry. Does the collaboration mean Underwood is moving into the pop world or is Martin taking a stab with country music. Only time will tell what the two come up with. In fact, the track might not even make the album according to Sony Music Nashville, Joe Galante. He stated they haven’t heard the track as of yet and the track’s eventual placement is still up in the air.

During November, exactly one week after her album hits stores, Underwood will be co-hosting the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley. This will be the second year in a row the two musicians will share hosting duties. Though no tracks have leaked from the forthcoming album, the first single from ‘Play On’ is expected to be revealed soon.

Now that Underwood has become a country superstar she hasn’t forgotten about her roots. The gorgeous blonde has recently launched a nonprofit foundation ,C.A.T.S.(Checotah, Animal, Town, and School foundation), to help her hometown of Checotah, Okla. The purpose of the foundation is to service the needs of the community that had such a big role in her upbringing. Just last week she donated brand new musical instruments worth a total of $117,000 to music programs in three schools in Checotah.

I can’t wait to hear what she comes up with for the new album. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of Carnival Ride, with exception to “So Small”, I was absolutely obsessed with Some Hearts. “Wasted”, “Jesus, Take Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” became unlikely regulars on my often r&b-dance-pop heavy iTunes playlists. I hope she comes out with a super hot video pimpin’ herself out. The girl is HOT HOT HOT.

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