Just when it seemed her future couldn't get any rosier, Carrie Underwood was tapped to play Maria von Trapp in a new three-hour TV production of The Sound of Music set to air live on NBC during the 2013 Christmas season.

This news topped a stellar year for Underwood, during which she co-starred with Steven Tyler on a CMT Crossroads special, made her concert debut at London's Royal Albert Hall, did a four-date swing through Australia (her first), dazzled American audiences with her dramatically staged Blown Away tour and co-hosted the CMA Awards show with Brad Paisley for the fifth consecutive year.

Underwood's record sales have gone well, too. Her singles "So Small," "Good Girl" and "Blown Away" were all certified platinum (reflecting 1 million downloads each) in 2012, while "Jesus, Take the Wheel" ascended to double platinum. Released in May, her album Blown Away attained platinum status in September.

Underwood's rendering of "Blown Away" is nominated for a best country solo performance Grammy, and the song itself is contending for best country song. She is currently scheduled to do seven concerts in Europe and Canada next year as an extension of her Blown Away tour.