By the time Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium ended at 2:00 AM Thursday, a line of fans was already snaking around the downtown convention center, a few blocks away. Most of the bleary-eyed people were in line to see Carrie Underwood, who will sign autographs today from 1:00 - 5:00 PM in the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall during CMA Music Fest.

Many of the fans chose to sit or stand alongside the convention center building, but a few were more prepared. There was one pop-up tent in case of rain, while other fans brought chairs, blankets and rain gear. A few thought about food, but some will rely on concerned friends to drop by with a picnic lunch.

Carrie Underwood 's powerful pipes closed out the season eight finale of 'American Idol' this week, but what was with those 'Hello Kitty' band-aids she was sporting while walking the red carpet before the show?

Although she was in fine voice, fans noticed Carrie was limping a bit during her 'Idol' performance of 'Home Sweet Home' on Tuesday night. She set the record straight during an appearance on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, explaining that she'd injured her leg after falling during a three-mile run near her home sweet home in Nashville last Saturday.

Although Carrie Underwood herself might have something different to say about the idea, controversial R&B singer Chris Brown is reportedly considering recording one of his songs as a duet with a country artist.

Brown, who made headlines in February after the alleged beating of his girlfriend Rihanna, is currently in the studio recording new music. And one of the people he's working with, writer/producer Robert Allen, tells E! Online that a song he's working on, called 'Trapped in a Dream,' would be the perfect country duet.

Raking in $14 million last year, Carrie Underwood is sitting pretty at No. 1 on Forbes 'American Idol's' 2008 Top Earners list. The Season 4 winner has sold almost ten million albums and had one of the most successful country tours of '08, both on her own and as a co-headliner with Keith Urban.

Coming in at No. 2 is Jennifer Hudson, who only placed sixth on 'Idol' but went on to win an Oscar and a Grammy. The R&B singer and actress made $5 million in 2008. Hudson is followed by Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, who earned $4.2 million last year. Rounding out the Top 5 are Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks ($3.1 million) and Season 5's country cutie Kellie Pickler ($2.3 million).

Carrie Underwood has her feet firmly planted in country music, but she knows how to rock. And to promote Sync, a new drink from Vitamin Water, the Checotah, Oklahoma native is among the artists who has created a special MySpace playlist reflecting her eclectic tastes.

Carrie says these songs (listed below) are the ones she likes to listen to when she's getting ready to go out. Other artists who've contributed playlists for Vitamin Water recently include Alicia Keys and 50 Cent (neither of whom included any country music on their lists).

Carrie Underwood just made her tenth trip to the top of the country charts with 'I Told You So,' but another more personal journey she took recently will be spotlighted on Tuesday's episode of 'American Idol.' Carrie traveled to Africa earlier this month -- her second trip to the continent -- to visit orphanages and health centers near Luanda, Angola. While there, the singer joined in the effort to help combat malaria in the region.

Carrie's trip to Angola was part of the 'American Idol' charitable endeavor 'Idol Gives Back.' A video presentation of her visit will air on 'American Idol' on Tuesday (May 12), giving viewers a closer look at how their donations have helped with various relief programs.

Carrie Underwood seems quite happy with her boyfriend, Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher, though she admits she has a lot to learn about his sport. The singer says she might enjoy hockey more if it got a slight makeover.

"They need to make the puck neon pink, because I'm having a hard time watching TV and following it," she tells Chicago's US99 radio station. "Because I can't see very well anyway, and I don't wear glasses [or] contacts."