Martina McBride

Martina McBride (born Martina Mariea Schiff, July 29, 1966 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas), is a very successful American country music singer.

Career success

Martina McBride released her honky tonk-flavored debut album The Time Has Come in 1992. Her first big hit was the single "My Baby Loves Me" from her more pop-oriented second album, 1993's The Way That I Am. She became even more visible in 1994 with the crossover success of her anti-domestic violence anthem "Independence Day", also from this album.

Related Topics:
Honky tonk - The Time Has Come - The Way That I Am - Crossover - Domestic violence - Independence Day

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In 1995 McBride released the album Wild Angels; "Safe in the Arms of Love" and the title track were country hits. Her 1997 album Evolution sold over two million units, and included an adult contemporary crossover hit in "Valentine" as well as four number one or number two country hits. The album Emotion came out in 1999; "I Love You" was a big hit in both country and adult contemporary circles. So was the socially conscious "Love's the Only House", a trend that would continue with 2003's "This One's for the Girls", which would become the theme song for the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball championship tournament. http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/11299342.htm This was followed by the hit singles "How Far" (written by fellow country singer Jamie O'Neal) and "God's Will".

Related Topics:
Adult contemporary - 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball championship tournament - Jamie O'Neal

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As of 2005 McBride is generally recognized as one of the top female singers in popular music; with her strong and pure soprano voice she has been labelled "the Céline Dion of country music."

Related Topics:
Soprano - Céline Dion

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She is a four time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner, three time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner and a Grammy Award winner. She performed The Star-Spangled Banner at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series. She is also left-handed.

Related Topics:
Country Music Association - Academy of Country Music - Grammy Award - The Star-Spangled Banner - 2004 World Series

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"Independence Day" is used as the introductory music for Sean Hannity's popular talk radio show.

Related Topics:
Sean Hannity - Talk radio

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McBride has appeared at benefit events organized by Hannity, but has declined to take an active political stance. http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/08/55927708.shtml

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McBride has performed free for fans, such as in a July 3, 2004 show in Owensboro, Kentucky to celebrate the grand opening of the new Independence Bank headquarters. http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/kentucky/8087256.htm

Related Topics:
July 3 - 2004 - Owensboro, Kentucky - Independence Bank

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McBride gained additional visibility during the 2005 season of American Idol, as eventual winner Carrie Underwood declared McBride to be her favorite singer, performing several of her hits in the competition and putting "Independence Day" on her first single.

Related Topics:
2005 - American Idol - Carrie Underwood

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