Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ RCA Records) - Country music superstar Martina McBride, named "Best Live Act" of 2006 by the
Chicago Sun Times, will open her 2007 tour in Kansas City on April 12 before heading to
Chicago for a show at the renowned Rosemont Theatre April 14. Joining her for the tour will be 2006 breakout artists
Little Big Town (The Road to Here) and
Rodney Atkins (If You're Going Through Hell).
On April 3, just prior to the tour's kickoff, McBride will release her ninth album, Waking Up Laughing, which she solo-produced. "Anyway", the debut single, currently sits at No. 9 after only 8 weeks on the country charts, making it her fastest-rising single ever and marks her first songwriting credit. She co-wrote two additional songs on the new album as well.
"As exciting as it is to create a new album, there's nothing quite as thrilling as getting the immediate feedback from a live crowd," says Martina. "I'm especially happy about being joined by Little Big Town and Rodney Atkins. We put a lot of thought into which artists to include on this tour and I really feel like this show is going to be a treat for my fans from beginning to end. I can't wait to get out there on the road!"
In a Billboard review, Chuck Taylor says, "There's still no A-list singer with greater depth and range than Martina McBride. She further demonstrates why she is the true reigning queen of the genre with [this] grand, skyscraping power ballad. ... As the song builds to its emotional peak, McBride delivers the hoped-for wallop on the money notes, sending a million-dollar chill of inspiration."
"Few vocalists in any genre have her range and power, or the ability to sell a lyric as well as McBride," says Country Insider's Phil Sweetland.
A four-time CMA vocalist of the year, McBride is currently nominated for a 2007 Grammy in the "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" category for "I Still Miss Someone" off her platinum-selling Timeless album, which debuted at No. 1 on the country charts.
Her powerhouse voice has earned her more than 16 million in album sales, garnering six number ones and 21 top 10 singles. Her fiery, passionate vocals have created such signature hits as "Independence Day," "Wild Angels," "A Broken Wing," "Blessed" and "This One's for the Girls." These songs, along with hits such as "Concrete Angel," "Love's the Only House" and "God's Will," have not only become memorable musical statements but also offer resounding social commentaries.
Little Big Town is one of the biggest success stories of the past year. It all began with the release of their CD The Road To Here, the band's near-platinum debut for the Equity Music Group label. The CD's release opened the floodgates of critical acclaim, commercial success and award nominations, culminating at the end of 2006 with two major nods: the band's first Grammy nominations (two) and Billboard Magazine naming the group "The Independent Artist of 2006," and its album "The Independent Album of 2006," topping the list of artists and albums in all genres.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to share the stage every evening with Martina McBride," says Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild. "She is one of the best singers on the planet, and when it comes to performing, she sets the standard. We are honored that she invited us to be a part of this tour."
Rodney Atkins, who had the most-played single on country radio last year with "If You're Going Through Hell," is continuing that momentum with his second No. 1, "Watching You", which critic Robert Oermann has hailed as "Another home run. Not only is this a splendid, soaring country-rock production, the terrific lyric [co-written by Atkins] is an object lesson for parents everywhere." A tribute to Atkins' 5-year-old son, Elijah, "Watching You" also sits at No. 1 on the CMT Top 20 Countdown. Meanwhile, his newly RIAA-certified gold album, If You're Going Through Hell, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart and No. 3 on the all-genre Top 200, continues its strong sales, remaining in Billboard's top 5.
"Martina is so well respected in the industry and consistently gives her fans their money's worth," Atkins says. "I can't wait to be a part of that! I'm honored and humbled that she would ask."
The Martina McBride Tour '07 with Little Big Town and Rodney Atkins
April 12 Kansas City , MO Kemper Arena
April 14 Rosemont (Chicago), IL Rosemont Theatre
April 15 Louisville , KY Freedom Hall
April 20 Uncasville , CT Mohegan Sun
April 21 Lowell , MA Paul Tsongas Arena
April 22 Albany , NY Times-Union Center
April 28 Rochester , NY Blue Cross Arena
April 29 Toledo , OH SeaGate Convention Centre
May 4 Birmingham , AL BJCC Arena
May 5 Duluth , GA Gwinnett Center
May 6 Pensacola , FL Pensacola Civic Center
May 11 Pittsburgh, PA Petersen Events Center
May 12 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
May 18 New York City Radio City Music Hall
May 25 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Springs World Arena
May 26 Loveland, CO Budweiser Events Center
May 27 Valley Center, KS Kansas Coliseum
May 31 Richmond, VA Richmond Coliseum
June 1 Winston-Salem , NC Lawrence Joel Coliseum
June 15 Sioux City , IA Tyson Events Center
June 16 Burlington , IA Steamboat Days
June 17 Dayton , OH Nutter Center
The following dates feature Martina McBride with Little Big Town (additional artist TBA)
June 28 Charleston , WV Charleston Civic Center
June 29 Wilkes-Barre , PA Wachovia Arena
June 30 Hershey , PA Giant Center
July 1 Manchester , NH Verizon Wireless Arena
July 12 Oklahoma City , OK Ford Center
July 13 Grand Prairie ( Dallas ), TX Nokia Theatre
July 14 Austin , TX Frank Erwin Center
July 15 Bossier City, LA CenturyTel Center
(Note: Dates are subject to change; additional dates will be announced.)
