NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

Martina McBride heads to the Kentucky Derby to sing the national anthem

It's always been one of my life-long dreams to go to the Kentucky Derby, wear a ridiculously large and ornate hat, and drink mint juleps with my betting neighbors. 

I may never get to fulfill that dream (hey Kentucky Derby, if you happen to need a country music blogger for any reason, call me), but Martina McBride may very well get to live out my dream since she will be there this year. 

Martina will be on hand to perform the The Star-Spangled Banner on the cupola (presentation stand) in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle shortly after 5 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 4. 

Other country stars who have had the honor of performing the national anthem before the Derby include Rascal Flatts and LeAnn Rimes.

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Did Martina McBride and her record label part ways?

A little birdy whispered in my ear today that Martina McBride has quite possibly parted ways with her record label of two years, Republic Nashville.

From my radio buddy Broadway: 

I'm hearing from friends in the business that Martina McBride is no longer with Republic.  Meaning, she has no record deal.

If this is true, we hope it was her decision.

Martina signed to Republic back in 2010 after being with RCA for two decades. She said at the time: 

"Change isn't always easy. Sometimes it's difficult, but [with] this, all I could see was the future -- my future. I have the utmost respect for them and everything that they have done. Their passion and excitement and energy are contagious. I am so excited to have that passion, energy and excitement focused on my career now. I'm over-the-top excited today to be here. I cannot wait for you guys to hear the new music. I'm fired up and feel like I have a focus and energy for making music that I haven't had in a long time. So, here's to the future."

Martina has released one album with Republic, Eleven, which was released back in October of 2011.  

Martina is still listed on the Republic/Big Machine's roster of artists. 

The Cowboy Rides Away Tour is a "Strait" Away Sell-Out (from the mailbag)

Fans lining up outside St. Paul, Minn.'s Xcel Energy Center Friday morning, Oct. 12, 2012.

George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour featuring special guest Martina McBride was so popular when tickets went on sale this morning that six tour markets sold out within the first few hours—with Lubbock, Texas selling all 15,431 tickets within just 15 minutes.

“I never expected the fans would react like this. It’s just incredible,” shared an ecstatic Strait upon learning the news. “I really do have the best fans in the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the road very soon.”

In addition to Lubbock, sold out cities include Oklahoma City, Okla., St. Paul, Minn., Albuquerque, N.M., Las Vegas, Nev., and Las Cruces, N.M. In select markets, remaining single show tickets are still available for purchase.

The full list of tour dates is listed below with tickets available by visiting www.GeorgeStrait.com; ticket prices begin at $69.50 with V.I.P. packaging available for purchase.

THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY TOUR – 2013 DATES

JAN 18 | Lubbock, Texas | United Spirit Arena

JAN 19 | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Chesapeake Energy Arena

JAN 25 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Energy Solutions Arena

JAN 26 | Nampa, Idaho | Idaho Center

JAN 31 | Sacramento, Calif. | Power Balance Pavilion

FEB 1 | Fresno, Calif. | Save Mart Center

FEB 2 | Las Vegas, Nev. | MGM Grand Garden Arena

FEB 15 | St. Paul, Minn. | Xcel Energy Center

FEB 16 | Grand Forks, N.D. | The Alerus Center

FEB 22 | Buffalo, N.Y. | First Niagara Center

FEB 23 | Hartford, Conn. | XL Center

MAR 1 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Thompson-Boling Arena*

MAR 2 | Lexington, Ky. | Rupp Arena

MAR 17 | Houston, Texas | Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

MAR 22 | Greenville, S.C. | Bi-Lo Center**

MAR 23 | Greensboro, N.C. | Greensboro Coliseum Complex

APR 5 | Albuquerque, N.M. | The Pit

APR 6 | Las Cruces, N.M. | Pan American Center

APR 12 | N. Little Rock, Ark. | Verizon Arena+

APR 13 | New Orleans, La. | New Orleans Arena*

JUN 1 | San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome++

*On-Sale date Oct. 19, 2012

** On-Sale date Oct. 26, 2012

+ On-Sale date Dec. 14, 2012

++ On-Sale date March 9, 2013 

Martina McBride partners with Save Lids Save Lives

Martina McBride visited 'Good Morning America' yesterday to help Robin Roberts to say good bye to the show before she goes on an extended medical leave. Martina sang her wonderful hit song I'm Gonna Love You Through It (video here) as and then told about her new partnership with General Mills' Save Lids Save Lives program. 

You've probably seen the lids on Yoplait yogurt that says to send them to a certain address and General Mills will donate money for breast cancer research, but turns out there's actually a whole line of products you can do the same thing with. You can visit here to see a few of the products with the special Save Lids Save Lives Label. General Mills donates 10 cents up to $2.5 million to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every lid sent in. 

Martina has now joined the campaign as a special partner. You can watch her talking about the campaign here.

It's a great program and I'm sure they're proud to have Martina join them. 

On a side note, Robin Roberts began her extended medical leave yesterday, a day earlier than she originally planned, so that she could go home and visit family before beginning treatment. This morning it's being reported that Robin's mother, 88-year-old Lucimarian Roberts, died last evening. Say a prayer and send good thoughts Robin's way, it sounds like she could really use all that she can get right now. 

Martina McBride to appear on 'Good Morning America' to support Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts and Martina McBride - Photo via USA Today/By Becky Fluke

'Good Morning America' host and country music fan, Robin Roberts, is taking an extended medical leave from 'GMA' for treatment of MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) starting this Friday and will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant soon after. 

To support her friend, Martina McBride will stop by the show tomorrow to talk with Roberts and to sing her wonderful cancer-support song I'm Gonna Love You Through It during the 8 a.m. hour Thursday.

Robin, of course, appeared in the music video for Martina's I'm Gonna Love You after surviving her own bout with breast cancer several years ago. 

Martina is also reportedly set to announce a new partnership to help raise breast cancer awareness.

Martina McBride to headline 3rd annual Hymns Hams & Jams benefiting the Shalom Foundation (from the mailbag)

PRESS RELEASE: 

Country music superstar Martina McBride is sharing her time and talents in a special concert from Nashville’s Loveless Barn to benefit THE SHALOM FOUNDATION and its medical program in Guatemala.

The August 21 Hymns, Hams & Jams concert, headlined by Martina McBride, will also feature a live auction with legendary songwriter Bob DiPiero. GAC and Sirius XM personality Storme Warren will host the event. Auction items include tickets to the 2012 World Series, Garth Brooks and Sugarland autographed guitars, a private bus party, concert tickets, backstage VIP experiences and more! Tickets to this exclusive event are available through The Shalom Foundation at 615-595-5811 or by contacting Executive Director Allison Bender, abender@theshalomfoundation.org.

Martina McBride relocates family temporarily to pursue daughter's dream

Wow, this is so awesome of Martina McBride. 

Martina took to her blog on Sunday to let fans know about her family's plans for this summer which includes heading to Los Angeles for a few weeks so that her daughter can pursue her acting dream.  

From Martina's blog...

Hey everybody

Our family is getting ready to embark on a great adventure and I wanted to share it with all of you. We are moving to Los Angeles for the next few weeks! My middle daughter, Emma, has always wanted to try her hand at acting and so we have enrolled her in a couple of acting classes and workshops in LA this month so that she can see if it's something she wants to pursue.This could be the beginning of realizing her dream, which is a beautiful thing. I know how supportive my parents were at her age and how they did everything possible to help me be able to sing wherever and whenever I could and I'm happy we can do the same for her.

We just landed not long ago and got to check out the house we are renting while we are here. We love it! We are also excited about the food, the shopping, and the glorious weather. Especially the food and the shopping! 

I am also working some while we are thre and I'm excited about being a part of the show Opening Act for E! Channel. It debuts Monday night, July 9, at 10/9 Central on E! I think it's a really cool show and idea. I love being part of making someone's dreams come true! 

Anyway, I just wanted to share our latest news with you. The idea of picking up and moving somewhere new is kind of crazy and kind of amazing! will be tweeting and updating you on how everything is going over the next month so you can share in our journey. I have a feeling something really magical is going to happen, not only for Emma, but for all of us.

Stay tuned....
Love
Martina

What a wonderful thing to be able to do for your kid. If my mom had been able to do this for me when I was a kid, I might have become the mime I know I was always meant to be.

Big Machine Records Wins Second Consecutive Indy 500 (press release & video)

Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Country Superstar Martina McBride and 2012 Indy 500 Winner Dario Franchitti. (Photo by Becky Fluke/Big Machine)

Martina McBride sang the National Anthem this weekend at the Indy 500 where the Big Machine Records sponsored car won for the second year in a row.  The race actually had another country association -- the driver of the winning Big Machine Records car, Dario Franchitti, is married to none other than Ashley Judd, Wynonna's actress sister.  

You can read the official press release below and listen to Martina sing the National Anthem in a video after the jump.  

    Country music's leading record label, Big Machine Records, earned its second Indy 500 championship on Sunday when IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti raced into Victory Lane for the third time in his career. Big Machine Records sponsored Franchitti who sported the Big Machine Records logo on his helmet and firesuit. The race, which aired nationally on ABC, is known as the second most watched sporting event in the United States each year.

The win comes just one year after Big Machine Records sponsored the late Dan Wheldon's winning car at the 2011 Indy 500.

Martina McBride joins the Pinterest movement

I've looked at Pinterest a few times before but haven't joined and am not sure I see what all the fuss is about, but I may just get lynched for that statement because Pinterest is sort of taking the world by storm at the moment. 

If you have no clue what Pinterest is, Wikipedia lists it as:

Pinterest is a pinboard-style social photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies and more. Users can browse other pinboards for inspiration, 're-pin' images to their own collections and/or 'like' photos. Pinterest's mission is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting"

Like I said, it's sweeping the nation and even the stars aren't immune to its lure.  

This morning, Martina McBride tweeted that she had "pinned eleven new pins" which is apparently Pinterest speak.  So I went to check it out and yep, Martina's quite the pinterester.

Just another fun way to get to know your favorite stars.  

Know of any other interesting Pinterest accounts or celebrities on Pinterest people should follow?  Leave a comment and let everyone know. 

Jewel and Martina McBride do things a bit differently, write notes to their kids for Mother's Day

I really like this idea.  

Usually Mother's Day is all about your moms (as it should be), but US magazine took a different approach and asked some famous moms to write notes to their children.  

Jewel and Kase photo via Us magazine

Jewel wrote to son Kase about choosing a career:

Kase, your dad and I want you to find a career you're passionate about, like we are. Whether you choose music, or rodeo like your dad (I kind of hope it's not bull-riding -- so dangerous!), that passion is the sail that will carry you through any storm. With a strong sense of yourself, you'll never feel lost. Let that be your compass. -- Jewel to son Kase, 9 months.

Photo via GAC

Martina McBride wrote to her three daughters about life after leaving home. 

Girls, go out and experience life -- but be careful! I think back to how naive and reckless I was when I was first on my own. So here's what I'm preaching: Don't accept a drink from a stranger. Don't walk to your car alone in a parking garage. I worry! -- Martina McBride to her daughters Delaney, 17, Emma, 14, and Ava 6.

Again, what a cool idea.  If you'd like to write a note to your child for their future selves but don't want to leave a note lying around that might get lost, thrown away, used for a coaster, or whatever, there's a very cool website called Future Me that lets you write emails to yourself, date it for the future, and it will deliver the note to the email you gave on the date you choose, even if its 20 years in the future (if you have the same email anyway).  I can't see why it wouldn't work to write a sweet little note to your kids that they could receive in the future.