Martina McBride deals a royal Strait in Phoenix

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Kevin Yeanoplos
Arizona Country Music Examiner
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The last time there was this much precious metal in one place, that big ol’ state on the left coast got a heck of a lot bigger. Talented country superstar Martina McBride and the King of Country Music George Strait roll into the US Airways Center tonight for a sure to be extraordinary show – along with enough gold and platinum records to fill two houses.

The four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and three-time ACM Top Female Vocalist is in town to delight fans with hits from her seemingly countless best-selling albums, including her recently released 11th studio album, the appropriately titled Eleven.

The newest outstanding effort features, ahem, 11 new tracks, six of which are McBride originals. Eleven also features the remarkable Grammy-nominated, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” the moving ballad about facing breast cancer.
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McBride spoke about the exceptional song in an interview with Examiner this week. “I’ve just heard so many stories from people about how the song has really spoken to them,” said the country icon. “It’s great to see that it’s making a difference to someone.”

“I think it’s made me more aware of how music really does matter to people – how much of a difference you can make with a song.” And having recently lost a family member to the dreaded disease much too young, McBride’s music has been particularly meaningful.

The gifted singer celebrated the album’s release last year with her “Eleven Across America Powered by Amtrak” cross-country train tour. McBride rode the Pink Together Express, joining forces with Pink Together®, General Mills’ national campaign dedicated to raising awareness of, and helping those touched by, breast cancer.

The cross-country four-day eleven city (what else?) marathon during Breast Cancer Awareness Month provided an exceptional opportunity to share the new music with fans from coast to coast. McBride capped off the incredibly eventful, unprecedented tour with a train station performance in New York City.

While in the Big Apple, she participated in a ceremony to light the Empire State Building pink in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer. The lighting was followed by Martina McBride: Light Up The Sky, an event in partnership with Stanford Women’s Cancer Center, which included a private concert performance.

And after that? Well, I’m guessing a long nap. But McBride had nothing but great memories of the challenging experience.

“It was a whirlwind (laughing)! But it was a wonderful journey. I would definitely do it again. It was so much fun. It was really an emotional, exciting, moving time.”

After two decades in the music business, 2011 represented an exhilarating professional rebirth for McBride, including a new record company (Republic Nashville), new management (Clint Higham of Morris Artists Management), and a new co-producer (Byron Gallimore).

“I’m excited and reenergized,” she stated. “I felt really proud of the album I made and happy that people are liking it. It feels like we were just kind of – not starting over – but coming at it with a new energy.”

And while she wouldn’t change anything about Eleven, it represented a marvelous musical departure for McBride.

“I don’t think it’s typical by any means. There are a lot of new, different styles on this record. There are things that have a little bit of an R&B feel. I think it’s just the most me. I feel like it’s the best fit really of any record I’ve done.”

“I’ve done records before where you’re just finding songs and you work really hard with songs that you love. And I think I have written a lot for this record. I really tapped into something that’s more my style. And musically and melodically and lyrically that just feels so genuine and so authentic.”

“Not that the others didn’t, but I guess from the inside looking out to me. It might sound the same to everybody else – to me it sounds more genuine and authentic.”

The talented performer confessed that the approach enabled her to produce a more personal album.

“Yeah, it is. I went into this record really not feeling any kind of a box. I didn’t feel like I needed to make a particular kind of a record for anybody. I mean, obviously you want as many people to love your record as possible.”

“But I tried not to let those boundaries affect what I’m doing. I just put my head down and made a record that I just love. That criteria kind of dances in my head, which tend to take over if I let them – ‘Do I think my fans will like this music? Do I think my parents will like this music (chuckling)?’”

“I just tried to quiet those voices this time and really be open and creative and really just let the record make itself.”

Change can be good. Or in the case of McBride’s most recent album, unbelievably fantastic. And the timing couldn’t have been better.

“You know, one day I just woke up and realized that I was around people – not everybody certainly – some people who just kinda took me for granted a little bit. And it’s just like a relationship that’s run its course. And you’re just at the point where neither one really wants to work on it. It’s kind of done.”

“And then I realized – it took me a long time – that it wasn’t a marriage. My management contract was not a marriage contract. And my record company contract was not a marriage contract.”

“I have that kind of personality that if I get something or someone, I want to be there forever and make it work and make it work. And sometimes you just realize you need something new.”

McBride’s revitalized creative excellence on Eleven recently garnered her yet another ACM nomination for Top Female Vocalist and she assured me that the recognition was much appreciated.

“It’s always great to be recognized in that way. It’s not why I do what I do, but it really is nice to know that people are paying attention or that they like what you do. That’s always a good feeling no matter what you do in life.”

And while her recharged passion for her craft has made the McBride’s music even better – if you can believe it – the special singer’s experienced melodic insights are a welcome respite in a world starved for great music.

“You know, I hope so. We definitely have a lot of experience to pass on – to come at it from a different perspective obviously – with a 20 or 30-year career as opposed to starting now.”

“I still have the same energy. I actually love it more than I ever have. I feel like I’m closer to my fans than I ever have been. I feel like I’m more open. I just feel like I have a lot to offer. There’s somethin’ to say for experience.”

Notwithstanding the importance of experience, McBride recognizes the worth of change. And she’s passionate about the future of country music.

“Just like any music, there’s good and not so good. Like any time in country music – going back to the ‘50s and ‘60s – there’s always been different kinds of country music. And so I think it’s good. Music is a living, breathing art form and it should be changing.”

Fortunately amidst the changes, country music fans can count on a few constants – fantastic music from McBride and Strait for example – to help them deal with some of the uncertainty.

McBride was excited to be touring with King George and spoke of the veteran artists learning new things from each other.

“I don’t know that George Strait learns anything from me (laughing) or needs to. But I try to take in no matter who I’m watching or what I’m experiencing to see if there’s anything that applies to my own situation.”

“Certainly his longevity is something to be admired and strived for. And his consistency with all the hits that he’s had. The fact that he’s still on the road touring with a great voice and looks great – that’s what people expect to see when they come to see a George Strait show and that’s really something to aim for.”

Hmmm. Longevity…lots of hits…great voice…looks great. Sure seems like your aim was true Martina.

See you at the show tonight!
http://www.examiner.com/country-music-in-phoenix/martina-mcbride-deals-a-royal-strait-phoenix