Martina McBride
Martina McBride McBride in Nashville, August 2014 Background information Birth name Martina Mariea Schiff Born (1966-07-29) July 29, 1966 (age 48) Sharon, Kansas, United States Origin Nashville, Tennessee, United States Genres Country, country pop Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, producer Instruments Vocals, harmonica Years active 1990–present Labels RCA Nashville, Republic Nashville Vinyl Recordings Kobalt NASH Icon Associated acts Paul Worley, Jim Brickman Website www.martinamcbride.com Martina Mariea Schiff (born July 29, 1966), known professionally as Martina McBride, is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Celine Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range. [not verified in body] McBride was signed to RCA Nashville in 1991, and made her debut the following year as a neo-traditionalist country singer with the single, "The Time Has Come". Over time, she developed a pop-styled crossover sound, similar to that of Shania Twain and Faith Hill and has had a string of major hit singles on the Billboard country chart and occasionally on the adult contemporary chart. Five of these singles went to No. 1 on the country chart between 1995 and 2001, and one peaked at No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart in 2003. McBride has recorded a total of twelve studio albums, two greatest hits compilations, one "live" album, as well as two additional compilation albums. Eight of her studio albums and two of her compilations have received an RIAA Gold certification, or higher. In the U.S. she has sold over 14 million albums. In addition, McBride has won the Country Music Association's "Female Vocalist of the Year" award four times (tied with Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert for the most wins) and the Academy of Country Music's "Top Female Vocalist" award three times. She is also a 14-time Grammy Award nominee.