Martina McBride Lets Inner Rock Star Shine
There's a small part of me that already knew Martina McBride was hiding more than just a huge voice inside her tiny body. I had a suspicion she also had a rock star in there that was dying to get out. It turns out she does, and she let it out on Saturday night (March 27) in Green Bay, Wis.
When you think of flying over a entire crowd, you may think Kenny Chesney. And when you think of grabbing a microphone and walking through the crowds for a song, you think Keith Urban. And when you think about dynamic light shows and ramps and video screens, Rascal Flatts come to mind. And when you picture a tiny stage at the very back of the arena floor, you probably picture Taylor Swift. Yet McBride worked all those angles at her Shine All Night show.
McBride is certainly not the only female singer with flawless and powerful pipes. But after seeing this show, I've come to the conclusion that she uses her voice to do more than just sing. She thoroughly entertained everyone in the packed Resch Center. I mean, so many artists could just stand up on the stage -- behind the microphone, never leaving center stage -- and sing their hearts out. But that isn't the kind of performer McBride is. Yes, she wants to connect with her fans through her songs, but she also seems hell bent on connecting with them on every other level, too. So she ran up and down the ramps that brought her closer to the fans on each side. And she rode a blue neon moon over the audience, from the front stage to a back stage, so she could sing three songs to the people in what would otherwise be bad seats. Then she walked through the crowd singing "This One's for the Girls," hugging what seemed like a hundred enamored fans while she was at it.
Too often, the trouble with live music is that it sounds just like the record. This time, though, McBride made every song something of a spectacle. And while I can't speak for everyone there, it felt to me like all the fans love her music even more when it's live.
Photo credit: Becky Fluke
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
What Now says:
Wow - maybe EOTY in her future???
Ted says:
She’s trying to stay revelant by keeping up with the young guns.Kinda sad really.I had much more respect for her when she would just stand on the damn stage and sing.
countryiscool says:
Martina doesn’t NEED to make herself more relevant. Few can match her vocals, but unfortunately, the NEW generation is spoiled with “showmanship” and needing to be “entertained.”
Lynda says:
I agree with Ted. Kinda sad to see Martina, who was once the biggest thing in country music being reduced down to nothing more than a pitch person for some orange sugar water, trying desperately to hold on to something that is long gone. Even Sunny D in their add has to remind people she is still a Superstar. Sad:( Her time has come and gone
Sue says:
ive seen this show and its great! you two have issues~ keep up with the times people. she is!
Becky says:
This was the most amazing concert ever that I have seen by Martina at the Resch Center! She was so sick you could tell it at the end but she hung in there and stuck it out for her fans! She really does care about her fans! I was there rocking out to all three perfomers Sarah Buxton, Trace Adkins and Martina! The highlight of my night was getting to go right in front of the stage when she sang the last few songs with her packer jersey on! I will never forget it! Thanks Martina for an awesome show you didnt dissappoint!
Tyler says:
Stop Martina, just stop. Before you lose all dignity.
ROBG says:
I’ve seen her 5 times in the last 3 yrs. i alway’s said she had kinda of a non eventfull show with amazing mezmerizing vocal’s and that’s what keeps me comming back.
The shine all night tour kinda shocked me to see all these antic’s that a classy superstar doesn’t need. She is still by far worth the price of admission and travel (a must see for sure) but i like her the ol’fasion way simply amazing on the stage knockin’ my socks off….
McKenna says:
I think Martina is amazing but it’s always difficult to see our favorites scrambling to keep up. Kind of like someone wanting cosmetic surgery to look younger. Sometimes it’s best to grow old gracefully. She’s dynamite the way she is.
lori jean says:
Martina McBride is the best there is! I very much enjoy the way her show is now, and I equally enjoyed it 10 years ago.
John says:
Martina is by far the best female vocalist in country music today. Sorry Carrie fans, but Martina is better vocally.
Brooke says:
@Tyler @Lynda @Ted - WTF?! Are you kidding me? Why can’t Martina have a fun show? I went to the Shine All Night Tour and it’s freaking awesome… I would go again because its something you wouldn’t expect - it’s better. Just because Martina doesn’t prance around in the shortest dress she can find and wear the highest heels man can make doesn’t make her less relevant… Maybe she wanted to put on a fun show because that’s who she is… it has nothing to do with scrambling to keep up with young guns and losing her dignity… she’s beyond that… she can put on whatever kind of show she wants… Can’t you have the best of both worlds and enjoy her powerhouse voice along with a powerhouse show???? I think so…. She’s awesome… You guys obviously don’t know it…
ALJID says:
I’m a Carrie fan but I agree with John that Martina is a better vocalist. Still we can never deny Carrie’s powerful vocals though and besides, Martina’s her favorite female singer based on the interviews I’ve seen or read about her. Martina’s a great vocalist to follow and emulate by younger vocalists of our generation.
frank says:
i have seen martina 4x,last saw her in feb[cleveland] the show was 10 stars,and her voice is better than ever. cant believe some on this message board are putting her down. imo they have a few screws loose in there head. she just might have the best voice of any female singer in any form of music. she is in my all time top five.
Kris says:
Martina is freaking AMAZING!
She’s like a fine wine…. she just keeps getting better! Love her to death - and this show was the best I’ve seen in awhile.
You Go Girl!
Faye says:
Why is it okay for Taylor and Carrie to “perform” on stage but not Martina? Grow up people…it has nothing to do with age but only with talent…and Martina has HUGE TALENT! Even at 20 years their enior Martina is still the BEST female country singer today and her new shows prove that she is also one of the best female performers out there in country music today. Still disappointed she was not nominated at the ACM’s this year again…what’s up with that anyway! She definitely should have a nod for Female Artist and after seeing her new shows she should have a nod for ETOTY too! Would be better than Taylor, Carrie or Zac Brown Band if you ask me!!!
Faye says:
By the way….I agree with Kris and that Martina just gets better as she ages! What’s wrong with that! With age comes wisdom and Martina has the wisdom to not only show her “singing” talent but also her “entertaining” talent now that she is having more fun than ever performing…and it shows! Keep up the great work Martina…can’t wait to see what her next shows bring! I am sure she will just keep getting better and better!
Lisa says:
All I have to say is HATERS can freaking SUCK IT…
Why on earth would you wish for this amazing woman to stop doing what she does? Her voice is a gift to the world! She should NEVER stop….
Kayla says:
Faye - I totally agree with both of your posts! People need to grow up and realize it’s okay for an artist to evolve… Isn’t that the point of a long career? Martina puts on a great show any way she decides to present it - all she has to do is open her mouth! The rock star side of her is just icing on top of the cake!
I think it’s great that she is doing this type of show… It shows how much passion she has for her fans, her career, and her music… She has heart and you see it in performances like these.
Kari Rock says:
Martina is freaking amazing…I agree with Brooke. At least she’s not out there in a mini skirt like some country stars these days trying to get attention (Hello carrie underwood) She is more than that. She can do whatever the heck she wants. Her new style is not to keep up-but to entertain the millions of fans she already has. She rocks my socks
Lee says:
I took my wife and kids to this show at Green Bay for our 10th anniversary .
All we can say is THANK YOU ,,, Martina , Trace and Sarah .
What a awesome show !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And yea we liked her ride on the moon , her walk through the common folks and the guitar picks her stage man gave the kids!!!!!!!
Ted says:
Faye I didn’t say anything about Carrie or Taylor,I could care about either of them.A real artist should be able to stand on stage and wow people simply with their music without the stupid gimmicks.Go to an ALan Jackson or George Strait show and see how crazy people go over the MUSIC that is played,not moons or trucks flying around in the air. LAME!!
rosyz says:
I also like Martina though I am a big Carrie fan because she brought me to country. Then I started knowing Martina because Carrie mentioned her a lot as her fav artist when she auditioned for AI. Kari Rock there is no need to put down Carrie because this blog is not about her. They both have their own style and have their own fans. Martina will always be one of Carrie`s fav artist and there should no be competition. Martina is doing well on her tour and Carrie has been getting rave reviews of her concerts.Let us just enjoy each one`s success. Oh well Ted we love some spices and gimmicks in a concert. Sitting there or just standing is just boring. You dont like it dont go.
Brooke says:
Martina has stood there plenty of times and wowed plenty of crowds doing just that… Youtube her… you’ll get what you’re looking for… She doesn’t HAVE to use all the gimmicks to WOW a crowd… She’s just having fun and interacting with the audience… Give her a freaking break!
Kate says:
Martina is a great vocalist.
Carrie is a great vocalist.
Taylor is a successful writer of songs.
They are all three unique.
Each has established a place for themselves in entertainment.
Each is successful.
Enjoy one.
Enjoy them all.
But stop the bickering.
What does it achieve.
Look at what life has to offer.
And enjoy.
While you can.
Trish says:
I’m sorry Martina fans but Carrie is clearly the better vocalist. Maybe twenty years ago Martina could have been in the game.
From a technical perspective Carrie has a far greater vocal range. Carrie regularly belts out falsettos which is unheard of with Martina. She also has a more powerful voice.
This has been confirmed by many of the great female artists in country music. Dolly Parton herself said Carrie had the best vocals of any female country singer in the last twenty years.
The music industry agrees as Carrie has surpassed Martina in vocal awards in many categories in only five years.
Jim says:
Martina is a good singer, especially for country, but Carrie is a great singer for any genre. Carrie Underwood has won 5 grammy awards, 3 FVOTY awards at ACM’s, 3 FVOTY awards at CMA’s, Billboard music awards, and numerous others. She was also one of the youngest females ever to be inducted into the Grand Old Opry. Carrie has also started her career with twelve consecutive #1 singles. Martina hasn’t had a #1 single in years.
Martina fans just be happy for her because if you compare her to Carrie you look ridiculous!
Snookie Lanson says:
Truth be told Jim, everyone looks ridiculous when they compare artists. You’re proud of five Grammy wins, for instance. I can compare that with one who has 27. You’re proud of Carrie being the one of the youngest females inducted into the Opry? I can compare that with the one who WAS the youngest (who also is the same one with all the Grammy’s). As for all the other awards, You certainly can be proud of all she accomplished, but I can compare that with one who has done most of that, as well as having numerous international awards as well. You can also one day be proud, if Carrie sticks around as long as the one I’m talking about, as well as Martina, and many others who have been doing this for years.
Doesn’t prove anything though, does it?
Swilly says:
Speaking of looking ridiculous “Jim”, it’s called the “Grand OLE Opry”
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