Martina McBride
"I don’t think, ‘I’ve got to find the next woman’s anthem,’ or ‘I have to be the voice for all women.’ But I am happy that women can relate to my songs, and hopefully men can too." - Martina McBride
Martina McBride has been described as “the Reba McEntire of this decade.” She has sold nearly 10 million albums to date and has had six number one hits. In 2003, fans voted her most famous song, “Independence Day,” as number eight on CMT’s 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music. (O’Neill, 1)
To McBride, however, music is secondary to her family. McBride only tours in the summer, while her daughters are out of school. During the school year, McBride stays home. She says that her role as mother is her most important job. (O’Neill, 1)
McBride’s songs stand out from the crowd because they are usually insightful social commentaries. “Independence Day” is from the point of view of a child who watches her mother become a victim of domestic violence; “Concrete Angel” is the story of a girl whose parents abuse her; and “Love’s The Only House” tells of economic disparities between the rich and the poor.
Because of McBride’s socially responsible songs, she has been a national spokeswoman for victims of domestic violence for nearly a decade. She has worked with groups such as the YWCA, ChildHelp