First 'Idol' lays down catchy rock grooves

But some say the 2005 American Idol winner's image is taking a twist after she won a "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" contest this week, conducted by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. She received more than 13,000 online votes.

"Being from Oklahoma and raising cattle all her life, I wouldn't expect her to be a vegetarian," said Jaime Stout, a fan who camped out all day to get the best seats at a Muskogee watch party for the final-round show of American Idol. "It surprises me."

Some 64,000 farms and ranches in Oklahoma have cattle, making it the state's largest agricultural industry, according to the Oklahoma Beef Council. In fact, Checotah is known as the steer wrestling capital of the world.

Tom Gilliam, who's been in the cattle industry for more than 50 years, said Underwood's recent achievement would "definitely change her image with livestock people. There's no doubt."

"If you are a producer of livestock and that's how you make a living, you want everybody to know how healthy meat is for the diet," said Gilliam, owner of Apache Auction Market, Stockmans Oklahoma Livestock Commission Company and a cattle-buying company.

"If she were from New York City, I could understand," Gilliam said jokingly. "But all Okies are supposed to eat meat. It gives us a happy and healthy life."

Wendy Rucker, owner of Stonebluff Beef in Haskell, said it's a shame that Underwood is a vegetarian, but it won't make her change the station when her song comes on the radio.

"She's the whole reason I kept watching American Idol," Rucker said.

As long as Underwood continues to be respectful of Oklahomans who rely on beef production, Rucker said, her popularity won't change a bit.

"The ball is in her court," Rucker said. "If she makes this a huge issue, then perhaps it could be a huge issue for her.

"When people think of Oklahoma, they think of cowboys with spurs and boots. It's just a way of life. We are known for beef." Editor's Note: It's TRUE! I saw a bumper sticker here the other day that said, "The West wasn't won on salad!" aaa ha ha!

Recently, Oklahoma also has been known for its new country music star, who wore a "V is for Vegetarian" shirt on the Fox show.

James Harris, a fan and longtime family friend of Underwood, said he's met people from all over the world who have visited the town of fewer than 3,500 people to find out about the 22-year-old star.

He said his 11-year-old daughter is learning to sing, with the help of Underwood's inspiration.

"As far as being a vegetarian, I support anything Carrie does," Harris said. "She could do anything and she'd still rank at the top of my books."

Underwood mentioned on TV that although she grew up on a farm, she would rather sing to cows than eat them, said Michael McGraw, a PETA spokesman.

He said celebrities like Underwood, who are active vegetarians, create interest in animal rights.

"When someone as popular as Carrie Underwood says she doesn't eat cows and eats vegetarian pizza, that makes a big difference," he said.

Roy Lee Lindsey Jr., the executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council, said PETA is using the contest as a publicity stunt, and its agenda is only to convince the public not to eat meat.

"The public doesn't need a celebrity to tell them vegetarianism is good," Lindsey said. "They need to make that decision on their own, and they do that every day when they go spend their money at the meat counters."

Pat Smith, secretary of the Checotah Chamber of Commerce, said she wouldn't be surprised if she started seeing a lot more vegetarians.

"She's an idol, a role model for a lot of people, especially younger people," Smith said. "I used to raise beef and I'm a beef-eater, but I still respect her for what she believes in.

"Carrie would have gotten to where she is if she were a beef-eater or a pork-eater ... "

As for Gilliam, he appreciates the affect Underwood has had on Oklahoma, but says she's a "tree-hugger."

"Personally, I'm a Reba McEntire person," he said. "They raised cattle. I know her father, and she's a beef-eater."

Contributing: Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll