Martina McBride's Tears Are Contagious
On Monday (March 29), I blogged about how thoroughly entertaining Martina McBride's show was on Saturday night (March 27) in Green Bay, Wis. But between the songs and the stories, McBride admitted that she was fighting a respiratory infection and was having a tough time singing. And it's not like she was up there singing a soft little song or two. She was belting out 19 heartfelt songs that were tough ones to get through, even if you were feeling 100-percent healthy. But her pipes always seem to rise to the occasion. You could hear her cough a little, but her vocals never faltered.
The only time she seemed to have noticeable trouble with her voice was when the tears came. It was toward the end of the show, right after the 15-second note she held on the last "fly" at the end of "A Broken Wing." I think it must've been the standing ovation that did her in. Seeing nearly everyone in a packed arena get up on their feet and applaud you, not just for your voice but for your willingness to give it all you had, must feel so, so good. And then, when the fans saw McBride crying, it moved many of them to tears as well. In a "don't-you-start-crying-because-then-I'll-start-crying" kind of way.
McBride told me after the show that she feels so connected to her fans at all her concerts, but that on nights like this, there's just something even more emotional that gets to her. I'm a very fragile and sentimental person, and I cry at least once a day about something. It could be about some tiny thing that makes me happy or just something that overwhelms me. And, I always cry when someone I know and love is crying. So I completely understand how this cry-fest came to be. But this time, thank God, all the tears seemed to be tears of joy.
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Cory says:
Martina Rocks!!! She is gorgeous and intelligent and sick or not sings like and angel. To all the jerks that wrote in on the last article saying she is old, a has been and should stop trying to keep up to the young stars should give their heads a serious shake or better yet GO TO HELL!!!! Martina and Reba are the queens of country music and don’t need to keep up to anyone, especially the likes of Taylor Swift who couldn’t hit a note to save her life. As for being too old and a has been? I only hope I look as good as they do when I’m their age and trust me, they will be around for a very long time. I can hardly wait to see Martina when she comes to my city. The rest of you ass holes can go back to listening to your Taylor/Carrie music and leave the rest of us alone. And by the way, if Martina is so bad in concert and you have such a low opinion of her then why did you bother seeing her in concert? Next time stay at home and leave the seats open for her true fans. I love you Martina, don’t you change a thing, your awesome!!!
Rhonda Campbell says:
Allison, all I have got to say is that I’d give a million bucks if I had them to trade places with you! I am a a feisty 54-year-old Martina fan and trying, as much as possible, to get her the recognition she so deserves by asking people to nominate her for Entertainer of the Year. We may not get it done this year, but perhaps next year. Are you willing to help? Let me know. By the way, your article was great! Keep up the good work and God bless you!
Rhonda
Robin says:
Cory - why so bitter and angry? 99% of the people who love Carrie Underwood love Martina McBride. For the audience already listening to Martina, they becamse fans of Carrie because they love great voices. For those new to country fans that came in through Carrie love Martina because Carrie constantly points to her as one of her biggest influences.
Yeah, there was like one or two people on that other blog saying the stuff you said, but some were Martina’s fans and didn’t like to see her performing that way (even though it is great and they should appreciate) or just general Martina haters (they were there before Carrie or Taylor came along - they accuse Martina of the same thing they accuse Carrie of and that’s screaming. These are people that just don’t like those great big voices. Be it what it may, 99% of Carrie Underwood fans love Martina too.
Peacock Queen says:
I love Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. Also Susan Boyle. I am all about those big, beautiful, perfect pitch voices. They appeal to me. As far as I’m concerned, Martina is country music’s equivalent of Whitney Houston, which everyone wants to rave about as being “the best” but I think Martina is right there with her, well, at least the Whitney before Whitney ruined her voice. It is important to take care of yourself, and Martina obviously does because she has been around and sounding the same for years.
bkb says:
people putting faith and tim and martina down are so sad. there is still plenty of room for these artists just like the new ones, maybe even more, some of the newer ones are not worth much.
Ryan Rosen says:
I thought this smack down had been settled and it was determined Martina came out on top. Martina is a true original and country treasure. When you are at the top of your game others are always trying to knock you off. Martina earned her top female title with talent and hard work. No need for hoards of producers or songwriters from every corner of the world. She built her own career with her own style, she is a real classic. No need for fluff, what you see is the real deal.
Trudy Luffman says:
I think that Martina more than deserves to be nominated for Entertainer of the Year. I was looking at the ACM lineup and she wasn’t even nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. This saddens me. I’m a huge Martina fan and I think she should get the recognition that she so truly deserves!!
Robin says:
What “smack down” are you referring to Ryan Rosen? There is no “smack down”. Martina is great and so are some others. Martina doesn’t write her songs so she does need “hords of songwriters”. She has wrote the occassional song “Anway”, but she’s not a “songwriter”. But, it doesn’t matter. She’s a great story teller. But you can’t critisize people for “needing songwriters” when most of these younger artists are writing a big percentage of their music. Of course Taylor Swift is the “Queen” of owning her own songs as she utilizes co-writers but doesn’t really need them. But, the one’s that “can actually sing” write a good portion of their music too.
Nothing wrong with just being an “interpreter” when you are good at it. Martina (as well as others) are good at it so no big deal. Again, there is no “smack down”.
Anne says:
Martina is outstanding and the best voice to grace this planet today! If you have not seen her in concert you are truly missing out. I was lucky enough to have my first Martina concert experience this March, it was long awaited :) Martina is outstanding in every way possible through vocals, through telling and interpreting a song and through being herself. Many today can’t seem to find which way is up and which way is down. Martina has always stood her ground. She is an Entertainer the Entertainer of the Year and it’s about time she got the recognition she so richly deserves.
Cathy says:
Whoa, things just got a whole lot esaeir.