As we first told you earlier TODAY (3/28) in an ALL ACCESS Special Bulletin, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP has signed CARRIE UNDERWOOD to a label deal, making UNDERWOOD’s new label home CAPITOL NASHVILLE effective immediately.

“Already a top tier force in Country music, CARRIE’s vast talents and creative bravery show that she is an artist who is prepared to take on a wide range of artistic challenges,” said UMG NASHVILLE Chairman/CEO MIKE DUNGAN. “We are excited for the future and honored by her decision to make UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP her label partner in representing this worldwide superstar in the next phase of her career.”

This move reunites UNDERWOOD with UMG NASHVILLE Pres. CINDY MABE, who helped launch UNDERWOOD’s first album, “Some Hearts,” following UNDERWOOD’s 2005 “AMERICAN Idol” victory and her subsequent signing with 19 RECORDINGS/ARISTA NASHVILLE. “When I decided to take my position with CAPITOL RECORDS in 2007, personally one of the hardest people for me to leave behind was CARRIE UNDERWOOD,” said MABE. “We were a team, and I had the opportunity to watch her leave ‘AMERICAN Idol’ as a kid and mature into one of the most important artists with the most powerful voice in music. It was amazing to be a small part of that ride. I am so proud and humbled that she has chosen to sign with UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP NASHVILLE, and that we will once again join forces as she writes the next chapter of her soaring career as a global superstar of enormous integrity and talent.”

Added UNDERWOOD, “It’s so inspiring to me as an artist to feel this excited about the future. The incredible team at UMG shares the heart and passion I have for music as well as the drive, and their innovative spirit has shown that together, the possibilities are endless.”