CMT Blog: Martina McBride

Good songwriting matters. So does a nice voice. But sometimes, it’s those little things in a song that really up the infectious factor. So now that it’s out that there’s some special accompaniment on Taylor Swift’s new album, I’m even more curious to hear it. She told USA Today that Martina McBride’s kids do some finger-snapping on a tune called “Hey Stephen.” I guess they were hanging out in McBride’s husband’s studio when Swift was recording, so it all makes perfect sense. I wonder if they’ll get credit in the liner notes?

Jennifer Nettles is dating Clayton Mitchell, who happens to be Kenny Chesney’s lead guitarist. Maybe that means there’s a Chesney/Sugarland tour in the future.

Toby Keith tries to tackle the meth-addict problem plaguing the South in his new movie inspired by “Beer for My Horses.”

She’s come a long way, baby. Nine years of Jessica Simpson’s style is captured in this photo gallery. And her latest look was very pro-athlete’s-girlfriend casual as she and Tony Romo celebrated her birthday in California.

See where Martina McBride gets all her talent, when her dad plays a little show in little Dexter, Kans., this Saturday night.

If you’re going to any country festivals this summer, the Wall Street Journal has some tips on how to make the most of your grown-up concert adventure.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Keith Urban’s in-laws arrived in Nashville over the weekend to help the baby make her debut. And now that daughter Sunday Rose has arrived, Urban will likely give wife Nicole Kidman the $73,000 Cartier ring he reportedly bought her.

The Houston Chronicle is proud of Texans Gabe Garcia and Melissa Lawson, two contestants on this season’s Nashville Star.

Before she cheats? Joe (we don’t even know his last name), the R&B singer, has a new video taking on Carrie Underwood’s smash cheatin’ song with lyrics more suited to the male perspective.

In other cover-song news, Everlast mixes it up with the man in black in this new video for “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Another pop songstress heads to Nashville to make a country album. Brandi Carlile is recording her next effort at Blackbird Studio, owned by Martina McBride’s husband John.

If you ever wonder who comes up with the sponsorship deals between artists and brands, meet the middleman: Marcie Allen Cardwell.

Bon Jovi’s latest effort isn’t full-on country album. It’s just a Nashville album. Whatever than means.

Now that I have this gig writing my insightful musings (okay, incessant ramblings) on everything country, everyone assumes this is a dream job for me. And I’ll be the first one to admit, blogging’s nice work if you can get it. But this is hardly my dream job. That job would require a windbreaker, clipboard and walkie-talkie. I don’t know what those people do at concerts, but they’re the ones constantly disappearing backstage. Looking all serious, like they’re Secret Service, when really somebody just needs to run out and get Grey Goose for Toby Keith’s band. Apparently, a windbreaker is the new all-access pass. It could be 103 outside, and that windbreaker still looks breezy and comfortable to me.

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Nicole Kidman and I don’t have a lot in common. But that’s about to change. As soon as she has her baby, we will share the common bond of childbirth — one that allows complete strangers to share stories of dilating, labor pains and those blessedly sweet epidurals. Since I’ve been in that labor and delivery room three times, I feel qualified to help her choose the music that will help ease her pain naturally. She told Britain’s Daily Mail that she’ll be playing stuff from the flautist Sir James Galway (like his instrumental take of John Denver’s “Annie’s Song”). And of course, her husband Keith Urban’s music made the cut as well. Maybe she’ll play his “Used to the Pain” until she truly is. But I hope she hasn’t stopped there.

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Catherine Raney is Tim McGraw’s cousin. But in the “it’s who you know” world of Music Row, that bloodline can be less of a blessing and more of a curse. Folks with preconceived notions about how record deals are made could easily deduce that the success the teenage Texan has had so far is because McGraw leaned on friends for favors. But I’ve heard her sing. And it’s safe to say that Raney, 18, could out-sing a lot of the up-and-comers in Nashville. Like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler, Raney has been singing since she was just a little girl. Yet her voice has taken on a much more seasoned sound — think Martina McBride or Trisha Yearwood — that seems even bigger coming out her tiny frame.

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With the new MySpace Karaoke site, you can record or listen to amateur versions of the country hits you love. Like a pitch-challenged interpretation of a Martina McBride hit.

Spend two minutes under the stage at Nashville’s Sommet Center with Bon Jovi, courtesy of The Tennessean newspaper.

Glen Campbell’s staging a California comeback. He’s getting ready to debut brand new songs at this weekend’s Stagecoach Festival.

Check out what everything the bloggers at The 9513 have done to celebrate Willie Nelson’s 75th. You could even win braids.

Steve Earle’s son, Justin Townes Earle, recalls the do-or-die night in the ER when he was forced to face his drug addiction.

Carrie Underwood advises any American Idol contestant to take Simon Cowell’s criticism like a man. Meanwhile, USA Today claims Kristy Lee Cook had no business singing Martina McBride’s “Anyway” on Tuesday night during American Idol’s Songs of Inspiration week.

Charlie Daniels is fightin’ mad that the folks at Guitar Hero messed with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He thinks they took the novelty of a fiddle contest right out of the song.

When an album’s cover art is reduced to a thumbnail image, as it is when you buy songs on iTunes, does that mean it’s a lost art?

Who knew Vince Gill was so hot? Apparently, his barber. Gill’s fresh new buzz cut is doing wonders to show off his good looks.

Martina McBride is famous for having one of the most amazing voices in country music. But in more intimate circles, the world-class singer is also known as a world-class cook.

She has a kitchen that would make a gourmet chef proud, featuring a custom-built pantry and a cozy sitting area. She hosts dinner parties regularly, inviting friends like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. And how does the Grammy-winning vocalist like to relax? By writing out her grocery list for the week.

While out on the road, McBride has been known to whip up some of her famous dishes (like white chili) for her crew in her tour bus kitchen — a welcome change from take-out or the catering table. If you want to sample her culinary creations, you’ll either have to wrangle a dinner invitation, or try one of her recipes, like the tasty Peanut Butter Incredibles below.

“This is a super-easy recipe, and you probably have everything on hand to make it,” says McBride, who will release a live CD/DVD on April 29. “Just beware, they are totally addictive!”

Peanut Butter Incredibles

2/3 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
2 Cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch morsels

Over low heat, melt butter or margarine in a medium saucepan and add peanut butter. Stir until smooth. Add sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Stir until well blended. Press crumbs into a buttered 9X13-inch baking pan.

Melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch morsels in microwave for a total of 2 1/2 minutes on high, stirring after each 30 seconds. Pour over crumb mixture.

Refrigerate until chocolate is set. Remove and cut into bars. Store at room temperature.

Hey, you! Martina McBride! Why don’t you play us something by Merle Haggard?

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Shooter Jennings says he wishes he was born sooner.

Any travel reporter who goes to Austin, Texas, and gives a shout-out to Stubb’s BBQ and The Broken Spoke is OK with us.

Justin Townes Earle, the songwriting son of Steve Earle, talks about the old-time feel of his newly released debut album.

The Charlotte Observer remembers the harmonious legacy of the famous brother duo, The Blue Sky Boys.