Martina McBride facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Martina McBride
McBride performing live in June 2010
Background information
Birth name	Martina Mariea Schiff
Born	(1966-07-29) July 29, 1966 (age 58) Sharon, Kansas, U.S.
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Country country pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals piano harmonica
Years active	1988–present
Labels	RCA Republic Nashville Kobalt NASH Icon Broken Bow

Martina Mariea McBride (born July 29, 1966) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is famous for her powerful singing voice, known as a soprano, and her country pop songs.

Martina was born in Sharon, Kansas. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1989 to start her music career. In 1991, she signed with RCA Records. Her first song, "The Time Has Come," came out in 1992. Over time, her music style changed to include more pop sounds, like other stars such as Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

She had many hit songs on the Billboard country charts. Sometimes, her songs even became popular on the adult contemporary charts. Five of her songs reached number one on the country chart between 1995 and 2001. One song even hit number one on the adult contemporary chart in 2003.

Martina McBride has released fourteen studio albums and several greatest hits collections. Many of her albums have sold millions of copies. She has won the Country Music Association Award for Female Vocalist of the Year award four times. She also won the Academy of Country Music's "Top Female Vocalist" award three times. She has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards.

Martina's Early Life and Start in Music

Martina Mariea Schiff was born in Sharon, Kansas, on July 29, 1966. She has two brothers, Martin and Steve, and a sister, Gina. Her brothers even play in her band sometimes!

Martina's parents, Daryl and Jeanne Schiff, owned a dairy farm. Her dad, Daryl, also owned a woodworking shop. He introduced her to country music when she was very young. Listening to country music made her love singing. After school, she would sing for hours along with records by artists like Reba McEntire and Patsy Cline.

When Martina was about eight or nine, she started singing with her father's band, "The Schiffters." As she got older, she did more in the band, from just singing to also playing the keyboard. She really enjoyed performing when she was young.

Later, Martina sang with a local rock band called The Penetrators in Wichita. In 1987, she formed a group called Lotus. She started renting rehearsal space from a studio engineer named John McBride. In 1988, Martina and John got married.

After they married, the couple moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1989. They hoped Martina could start a country music career there. John McBride joined Garth Brooks's sound crew and later managed his concert production. Martina sometimes went on tour with her husband and helped sell Garth Brooks souvenirs.

In 1990, Garth Brooks was impressed by Martina's energy. He offered her a chance to open his shows if she could get a recording contract. While her husband worked with country artists like Charlie Daniels, he also helped Martina make a demo tape. This tape helped her get a recording contract with RCA Nashville Records in 1991.

Martina's Music Career Highlights

Early Albums: The Time Has Come and The Way That I Am

Martina McBride released her first album, The Time Has Come, in 1992. The song "The Time Has Come" reached number 23 on the country charts. This album had more traditional country sounds like honky tonk.

Her second album, The Way That I Am, came out in 1993. Two songs from this album became top ten hits: "My Baby Loves Me" reached number two, and "Life No. 9" reached number six.

However, it was her third song, "Independence Day," that became very famous. Some radio stations didn't want to play it because it was about a mother fighting back against abuse. But "Independence Day" won "Video of the Year" and "Song of the Year" at the Country Music Association Awards. It became one of Martina's most well-known songs.

Big Hits: Wild Angels and Evolution

Martina's third album, Wild Angels, was released in 1995. The song "Wild Angels" became her first number one hit on the country charts in 1996.

In 1997, she released two duets. "Still Holding On" was with Clint Black. "Valentine" was with pop pianist Jim Brickman.

Her fourth album, Evolution, came out in 1997. The song "A Broken Wing" became her second number one hit. Evolution also had four more top ten hits: "Valentine" (re-released), "Happy Girl", "Wrong Again" (which also went to number one), and "Whatever You Say". This album sold over two million copies. In 1999, she won the Country Music Association Awards' "Female Vocalist of the Year." She even performed for President Bill Clinton around this time.

Martina McBride at Ford's Theater in 1998

In 1998, Martina released her first Christmas album, White Christmas.

More Success: Emotion and Greatest Hits

Martina's sixth album, Emotion, was released in 1999. Its first song, "I Love You," reached number one on the country charts. It also became popular on the Adult Contemporary chart. Other songs like "Love's the Only House" and "There You Are" also made the top five.

In 2001, she released her first collection of hits, Greatest Hits. This album sold over three million copies and is her best-selling album. It included many of her big songs and four new ones. All four new songs became top ten hits between 2001 and 2003: "When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues", "Blessed" (number one hit!), "Where Would You Be", and "Concrete Angel".

Celebrating Women: Martina

In 2003, Martina released her seventh album, Martina, which celebrated women. The first song, "This One's for the Girls," reached number three on the country charts. It was also her only number one hit on the Adult Contemporary charts. This song featured backing vocals from Faith Hill and Martina's own daughters.

Another song, "In My Daughter's Eyes," was also a top five hit on both country and adult contemporary charts. In 2004, Martina won the CMA's Female Vocalist award for the fourth time. This tied her with Reba McEntire for the most wins in that category.

Classic Country and New Songs

In 2005, Martina released Timeless, an album of classic country songs. It included covers of songs by Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn. This album sold very well in its first week.

In 2007, Martina released Waking Up Laughing. This was the first album where she helped write some of the songs. The first song, "Anyway," reached number five on the country chart. She also sang "Anyway" in a Lifetime movie called "A Life Interrupted."

In 2008, she released Playlist: The Very Best of Martina McBride, another collection of her songs. She also sang a duet with Elvis Presley on his Christmas album, performing "Blue Christmas."

Recent Years: Shine and Eleven

Martina's tenth album, Shine, came out in 2009. It debuted at the top of the U.S. Country album chart. The first song, "Ride," reached number eleven. She also went on the "Shine All Night Tour" with Trace Adkins.

Martina McBride performing in Nashville in 2014.

In 2010, Martina left RCA Records and signed with Republic Nashville. Her first song for Republic Nashville was "Teenage Daughters," which she co-wrote. She told Country Weekly that she co-wrote eight of the eleven songs on her next album.

Her album, Eleven, was released on October 11, 2011. The song "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" became a big hit, reaching number four. It was her first top five hit since 2006.

In 2014, Martina released Everlasting, an album of R&B and Soul cover songs. It included duets with Kelly Clarkson and Gavin DeGraw.

Reckless and Vocal Point Podcast

In 2016, Martina released a new album called Reckless. She said making this album felt like "coming home." It debuted at number two on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.

She also released the song "Just Around The Corner," which is the official song for "Band Against Cancer." This group helps people affected by cancer. Martina also started a tour called "Love Unleashed" to spread love through music.

In 2018, Martina released a new Christmas album, It's the Holiday Season. She also released a cookbook called "Martina's Kitchen Mix." This was her second cookbook! She even had a show on Food Network.

In 2019, Martina started a podcast called Vocal Point. In 2020, she appeared on NBC's Songland and released the song "Girls Like Me."

In 2022, Martina was announced as an opening act for The Judds' Final Tour. After Naomi Judd passed away, her daughter Wynonna decided to continue the tour as a tribute, with Martina still performing.

Martina's Family Life

In 1988, Martina Schiff married sound engineer John McBride. She took his last name as her stage name. The couple has three daughters: Delaney Katharine (born 1994), Emma Justine (born 1998), and Ava Rose Kathleen (born 2005).

After becoming a mother, Martina decided to tour less often. She wanted her daughters to have a normal childhood. This was a big decision, but Martina wanted to be there for her daughters.

Martina's Charity Work

Martina McBride works with many charities. She has been a spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. She also supports the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Since 1995, she has hosted the Middle Tennessee's YWCA "Celebrity Auction," raising almost $400,000.

In 2003, Martina received the "Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award" for her good deeds. In 2004, she worked with "Kids Wish Network" to help a young girl with muscular dystrophy.

Martina believes it's important to teach girls and women about domestic violence. She talks about it with her own daughters. She wants them to understand the difference between healthy relationships and controlling behavior.

Martina also works with "Loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline" on a program called "My Time to Shine."

In 2010, she performed "Unchained Melody" with Leona Lewis and Stevie Wonder for the Stand Up 2 Cancer Telethon. She also hosted the YWCA auction for the 16th year, raising over $50,000 that year.

Martina also has her own charity, "Team Music is Love." This group started with fans who wanted to support her cause. It has grown into a way to spread love through music and help others.

Martina's Albums

Martina's Concert Tours

Headlining Tours

• Evolution Tour (1997-98)
• Emotions Tour (1999-2000)
• Greatest Hits Tour (2002–03)
• Timeless Tour (2006)
• Waking Up Laughing Tour (2007–08)
• One Night Tour (2011–12)
• Everlasting Tour (2014–15)
• Love Unleashed Tour (2016–17)

Co-headlining Tours

• Virginia Slims on the Legends (with Regina Belle, Gladys Knight and Barbara Mandrell) (1995)
• Lilith Fair (with Sarah McLachlan, et al.) (1998-99)
• Girls Night Out (with Sara Evans, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jamie O'Neal and Reba McEntire) (2001)
• Alan Jackson and Martina McBride in Concert (with Alan Jackson) (2004)
• Shine All Night Tour (with Trace Adkins) (2009-10)

Holiday Concerts

• Joy of Christmas Tour (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018)

Opening Act for Other Artists

• World Tour '93-'94 (for Garth Brooks) (1993-94)
• Walkin on Sundown Tour (for Brooks & Dunn) (1994)
• Easy Come Easy Go Tour (for George Strait) (1994)
• Everywhere Tour (for Tim McGraw) (1997)
• The Cowboy Rides Away Tour (for George Strait) (2012-13)
• The Final Tour (for Wynonna Judd) (2022-23)

Awards and Recognitions

Martina McBride has won many awards throughout her career. She has won the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four times. In 2011, she received an honorary CMA award. She has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, which are very prestigious music awards.

Grammy Award Nominations

Martina McBride has been nominated for Grammy Awards for her songs and performances:

• 1995: "Independence Day" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 1996: "Safe in the Arms of Love" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 1996: "On My Own" (Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, with Linda Davis, Reba McEntire, and Trisha Yearwood)
• 1998: "Still Holding On" (Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, with Clint Black)
• 2000: "I Love You" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2003: "Blessed" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2004: "This One's for the Girls" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2004: "Concrete Angel" (Best Short Form Music Video)
• 2005: "In My Daughter's Eyes" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2006: "God's Will" (Best Short Form Music Video)
• 2007: "I Still Miss Someone" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2009: "For These Times" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2010: "I Just Call You Mine" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance)
• 2012: "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" (Best Country Solo Performance)

Note: In 1995, Martina was part of an album called Amazing Grace – A Country Salute to Gospel. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

Other Awards and Honors

Martina has won many other awards, including:

• 1994: Country Music Association - Music Video of the Year for "Independence Day"
• 1996: TNN/Music City News - Music Video of the Year for "Independence Day"
• 1999: Country Music Association - Female Vocalist of the Year
• 2001: Academy of Country Music Awards - Top Female Vocalist
• 2002: Academy of Country Music Awards - Top Female Vocalist
• 2002: Country Music Association - Female Vocalist of the Year
• 2003: Academy of Country Music - Humanitarian of the Year
• 2003: Academy of Country Music - Top Female Vocalist
• 2003: Flameworthy Awards - Female Video of the Year for "Concrete Angel"
• 2003: Country Music Association Awards - Female Vocalist of the Year
• 2003: American Music Awards - Favorite Country Female Artist
• 2004: Country Music Association - Female Vocalist of the Year
• 2007: BMI - Most Played Song of the Year for "Anyway"
• 2007: Billboard Music Awards - Top Country Grossing Tour of the Year
• 2007: ASCAP - Female Song of the Year for "Anyway"
• 2007: ASCAP - Song of the Year for "Anyway"
• 2011: Academy of Country Music - Honorary Award
• 2019: Academy of Country Music - Icon Award

See also

In Spanish: Martina McBride para niños