WHAT: Join country star Martina McBride for a rare, limited seating performance celebrating Musicians On Call’s (MOC) five year anniversary of service to the Nashville community. All proceeds from the evening will go directly to support the Nashville MOC branch, which currently runs 11 weekly bedside performance programs in six area healthcare facilities.

WHEN: Friday, November 16, 2012 WHERE: Hard Rock Cafe Nashville | 100 Broadway | Nashville, Tenn. 37201

TICKETS: Tickets will be made available on the Musicians On Call website. More information to follow. Stay tuned to www.MusiciansOnCall.org and www.MartinaMcBride.com for updates.

October 2, 2012— Grammy-winning Superstar Martina McBride proved why she is not only a powerhouse vocalist but a top-notch entertainer as well as during her sold-out show at the Ryman on Friday night (9/28). The CMA Female Vocalist of the Year nominee had fans laughing, crying and dancing on their feet throughout her two-hour show, marking her first at the legendary venue in eight years.  

The Ryman show was just one stop along the intimate ONE NIGHT theater tour, which continues throughout the fall and was designed to create a close connection between Martina and concertgoers. Throughout each show, Martina has been asking the audience questions and performing songs at the audience’s request.

The case was no different on Friday night, where highlights included:

• Three songs into the show, Martina removed her jacket after getting warm from the lights. This prompted a male fan in the audience to yell, “TAKE IT OFF!!!” Martina promptly replied. “This is a concert. Not your dream.” The audience burst into laughter.

• Martina spotted a 13-year-old female audience member named Kate Falcon from Gadsden, AL, in the crowd holding a sign that read, “I want to sing with you.” Martina asked the girl to come up on stage to perform with her. “Which song do you want to sing?” asked Martina. “Anyway,” said Falcon. The young girl then erupted into the song with a boisterous voice that didn’t miss a single beat. The crowd went wild. Martina , blown away by Falcon’s singing ability, took a seat upstage and observed the performance, chiming in everso often by providing her own vocals on the impromptu duet. See a fan-captured video a fan captured here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3O0tPR94A8 

• When it came time for Martina to perform her Grammy-nominated cancer survivor anthem, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” tears streamed down the faces of many as dozens of fans stood up and wrapped arms with one another. 

• Also in the audience were several members of “Team Martina,” a loyal group of Martina fans who have formed a pact to help cancer patients across the country.

•  Martina also performed a few tunes outside her own songbook of Country hits, showcasing her wide vocal range on “At Last,” “King of the Road,” and “Free Falling.” 

“People ask me if I get tired of performing,” said Martina. “I’m having more fun than ever onstage. It just gets better and better. I love to sing for you”.

If Martina takes home the trophy for Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Awards on November 1, she will have earned the award more times than any other female artist. She is currently tied with Reba with a total of four wins.

Martina will continue on her tour this week in front of more sold-out venues in Lancaster, PA ; Morgantown, WV; Jim Thorpe, PA; and Carmel, IN.

As previously announced, Martina will also embark on a Christmas-themed tour later this year, featuring several of her favorite holiday tunes.

Congratulations Kate!

My name is Kate, I am 13 years old and live in Gadsden, Alabama.  I have loved Martina McBride’s music since I was about three years old.  On September 28, 2012 I had the best night of my life thanks to Martina.  My parents surprised me with tickets to her concert at the Ryman Auditorium and I had a front row seat next to the stage.   I took a random chance and held up a sign that said, “Hi Martina, Can I sing with you?”  Would you believe she said yes and invited me on the stage to sing?!  I chose to sing Anyway as that song is my favorite and has such a special place in my heart.  And I got a standing ovation!  Now that I have had a chance to take it all in, I am overwhelmed at how she so generously gave me an opportunity of a lifetime!  It was truly the best night of my life!

GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY TOUR

21 Dates Announced for 2013; Tickets on sale October 12 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Musical icon George Strait announced his plans for his final two-year tour – The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.  In a press conference live from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Strait revealed the first 21 markets he will visit during the winter and spring legs of his 2013 tour.  Special guest Martina McBride is set to join Strait for the 2013 dates, which begin on January 18 in Lubbock, Texas.

Strait, who celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year, shared, “This is going to be a very special, emotional tour for me. Everywhere we’re going holds fond memories and I’m looking forward to paying my respects.”  Strait plans to continue recording new music and play select dates around the country following the completion of the tour. 

The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will offer fans a final opportunity to take in Strait’s live show filled with hits from throughout his remarkable career.  

Strait has thus far yielded 59 No. 1 songs, has earned more than 60 major industry awards, and has sold over 65 million albums.  He is the only artist in music history to achieve at least one Top Ten hit each year during his 30-year career and was only the second artist at the time (after Eddy Arnold in 1966) to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2006) while still actively recording and producing chart topping hits and albums.   

One of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, McBride has sold more than 18 million albums and has garnered six No. 1 singles. She is the “most played female artist on country radio for the past 11 years,” according to both Mediabase and Broadcast Data Systems (BDS). The breadth of her talents – as recording artist, producer, songwriter, and concert entertainer – has made her an in-demand performer and personality. Among her hits are such empowering songs as “Independence Day,” “This One’s for the Girls,” and “A Broken Wing,” all of which have underscored her incredible popularity as one of music’s preeminent female vocalists.

George Strait fan club members will have an opportunity to purchase tickets beginning at 10 a.m. in the venue’s respective time zone on Oct. 9, 2012, and tickets available to the general public will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 12 (same time zone restraints apply). Ticket prices start at $69.50 and may be purchased at www.georgestrait.com.

THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY – 2013 TOUR DATES

JAN 18  |  Lubbock, Texas  | United Spirit Arena

JAN 19  |  Oklahoma City, Okla.  | Chesapeake Energy Arena

JAN 25  |  Salt Lake City, Utah  |  Energy Solutions Arena

JAN 26  |  Nampa, Idaho  |  Idaho Center

JAN 31  |  Sacramento, Calif.  |  Power Balance Pavilion

FEB 1  |  Fresno, Calif.  |  Save Mart Center

FEB 2  |  Las Vegas, Nev.  |  MGM Grand Garden Arena

FEB 15  |  St. Paul, Minn.  |  Xcel Energy Center

FEB 16  |  Grand Forks, N.D.  |  The Alerus Center

FEB 22  |  Buffalo, N.Y.  |  First Niagara Center

FEB 23  |  Hartford, Conn.  |  XL Center

MAR 1  |  Knoxville, Tenn.  |  Thompson-Boling Arena

MAR 2  |  Lexington, Ky.  |  Rupp Arena

MAR 17  |  Houston, Texas  |  Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo*

MAR 22  |  Greenville, S.C.  |  Bi-Lo Center

MAR 23  |  Greensboro, N.C.  |  Greensboro Coliseum Complex

APR 5  |  Albuquerque, N.M.  | The Pit

APR 6  |  Las Cruces, N.M.  |  Pan American Center

APR 12  |  N. Little Rock, Ark.  |  Verizon Arena

APR 13  |  New Orleans, La.  |  New Orleans Arena 

JUN 1  |  San Antonio, Texas  |  Alamodome**

*Denotes previously announced tour date featuring Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band.

** On Sale TBD

Additional markets to be announced for 2013 and 2014. 

The fan club presale for Williamsport, PA is available now on the Tour page.

Click here to buy tickets!