McBride, Martina (1966-…), is an American country music singer known for her powerful soprano singing voice. She performs in both traditional and contemporary, pop-flavored country styles. McBride has had a number of hits on both the country music and adult contemporary music charts and has won a number of awards.
Martina Mariea Schiff was born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, on July 29, 1966. As a child, she sang and played keyboards with her father in a country band called the Schifters. After graduating from high school, she performed with several bands in Kansas. In 1988, Martina married John McBride, a sound engineer and production manager. In 1990, the couple moved to Nashville to pursue careers in music. Nashville is the center of the country music industry. At the end of 1991, she was signed to a recording contract. Soon afterward, Martina McBride toured as an opening act for the popular American country singer Garth Brooks .
McBride’s first album, The Time Has Come, was released in 1992. Her second album, The Way That I Am (1993), contained the country hits “My Baby Loves Me” and her signature song, “Independence Day.” The lyrics and music video for “Independence Day” attracted controversy for their strong message about domestic violence . McBride’s third album, Wild Angels (1995), resulted in the singer’s first number-one country hit with its title track. The album’s song “Safe in the Arms of Love” was also a hit. McBride’s fourth album, Evolution (1997), became her first top-10 country album. The album contained the country hits “A Broken Wing,” “Happy Girl,” “Whatever You Say,” and “Wrong Again.” The album’s single “Valentine,” recorded with the American pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman, became both a country hit and her first hit on the adult contemporary music chart.
McBride’s later albums include Martina (2003), Shine (2009), and Reckless (2016), among others. Her other hit songs include “I Love You” and “Love’s the Only House” (both 1999), “Blessed” (2001), “Where Would You Be” (2002), and “This One’s for the Girls” (2003). In 1995, McBride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry .
