Country superstar Martina McBride might be known for her powerful issue songs, but she's a good-time girl at heart
Martina McBride
When Martina McBride first arrived in Nashville in 1990, she had to pay her dues, including doing demos, selling T-shirts on tour with Garth Brooks and having her 1992 debut album, The Time Has Come, sink quietly. However, possessing one of the most powerful, emotional and distinctive voices in all of country music -- not to mention being drop dead gorgeous -- her next eight albums all reached platinum status or more. She's had five No. 1 and 22 Top Ten country hits. Those hits include "Blessed," "I Love You," "Wild Angels," "A Broken Wing," "This One's for the Girls," "Happy Girl," "Safe in the Arms of Love," "My Baby Loves Me" and "Life #9."
McBride makes her first trip to Atlantic City in more than a decade when she performs at Caesars this Saturday.
A fair share of her hits have been songs that tackled hot button issues, including her signature song about spousal abuse, "Independence Day," and the heartbreaking tale of child abuse, "Concrete Angel."
Her current album, Waking Up Laughing, features a soaring anthem about keeping your faith even when life is hard ("Anyway") and an equally emphatic love song ("How I Feel"). Besides being successful hit songs, they also introduced Martina McBride, the songwriter. The Warren Brothers talked McBride into collaborating with them on the new album, despite her reservations about her songwriting skills.
On the personal side, McBride will celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary to sound engineer John McBride this May. They have three girls, Delaney, 13, Emma, 10 and Ava, who turns three in June. She is so busy this year with the current tour, work on a new album and a makeover of her home that she and her husband figure they will have to wait until next year to celebrate their 20th -- when they have more time.
The last time McBride was in town was in 1997 opening for Tim McGraw. She was pregnant with Emma at the time. This time around, she arrives as one of Nashville's top touring acts. She chatted with AC Weekly about her upcoming appearance.
So you're already working on your next record. Any idea what direction it will take?
It's too early to tell. ... I find the songs and let the songs dictate where the album is going to lead musically and creatively. About halfway into it, it starts taking shape. Right now, we've cut three songs.
When are you looking to release the next album?
That's another thing that's too early to tell. I'd like to get it out in the fall but it might be earlier.
You seem to like keeping new music out there, usually only 18 months between albums.
Yeah, I think it's important. Also, it takes me a long time to make an album. When you rely on songwriters, you never know when a song is going to come [that you really want to record]. It's a journey, for sure.
Who are some of the singers who inspired you?
When I was in high school I really looked up to Linda Ronstadt and Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson of Heart and Reba. I've just always been drawn to great singers and a lot of those artists are great interpreters as well.
"I like [Twitter]. I think it’s fun. If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t do it. It’s a cool way to keep in touch with your fans."
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