Former American Idol finalists Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Mandisa Hundley, and Chris Daughtry were all recognized by The Recording Academy when nominations for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards were announced on Thursday.

ADVERTISEMENT
Fresh off his band Daughtry taking home 2007 American Music Awards for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Favorite Breakthrough Artist -- while the group's self-titled debut album was also recognized for Favorite Pop or Rock Album -- Daughtry received three Grammy Award nominations.

The group's self-titled debut was nominated for Best Rock Album, while one of its singles -- "It's Over You" -- received a nod in the Best Rock Song category.  "It's Over You" was penned by Daughtry and songwriters Gregg Wattenberg and Mark Wilkerson, as well as Daughtry's fellow fifth-season Idol finalist Brett "Ace" Young

"Home" -- a ballad that served as background music for Idol sixth-season eliminations -- received a nod in the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category. In addition, the album's producer Howard Benson was nominated for Producer of the Year.

Underwood -- who took home two 2007 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Jesus Take the Wheel" -- received three nominations this year. 

"Before He Cheats," which was written by John Kear and Chris Tompkins, was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Country Songs chart and has already been recognized with 2007 CMT Music Awards for Female Video of the Year and Video of the Year; a 2007 People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Song; a 2007 Academy of Country Music Award for Video of the Year; as well as a 2007 Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year.

In addition, Underwood's "Oh Love" duet with fellow country crooner Brad Paisley -- a track that appeared on his sixth album "5th Gear" -- also received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

Underwood and Paisley will be pitted against Clarkson and her best bud Reba McEntire in the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals category, in which they were nominated for their duet "Because of You." 

Like Underwood, Clarkson also already has two Grammy Awards to her credit.  The original Idol champ's sophomore album "Breakaway" won a 2006 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, while its single "Since U Been Gone" received the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Award.

Barrino received her Grammy nod in the Best Contemporary R&B Album category for her second album "Fantasia."  The Idol third-season champ's debut album "Free Yourself" received two 2006 Grammy nods in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album categories, however she failed to receive either award. 

Hudson received a Grammy nomination in the Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media category for the Dreamgirls' song "Love You I Do," which was written by Siedah Garrett and Henry Krieger.  The Dreamgirls actress -- who received an Oscar for her role -- performed "Love You I Do" in the film.

Rounding out the nominations was Hundley -- Idol 5's ninth-place finisher -- who received a Grammy nod for her debut album "True Beauty" in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category. 

The 50th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to air live from Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday, February 10 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
Christopher Rocchio is an entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and has covered the reality TV genre for several years.