09/22/00 courtesy of  "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
MARTINA GRATEFUL FOR CMA NOD
Martina McBride's career was spurred on greatly last year when she walked away with a well-deserved CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award. She's happy to be in the running for the award again. She told Country Weekly, "Winning the CMA award last year was a dream come true and one of the most exciting moments in my career. Being nominated this year is exciting. I'm grateful to be on the list." (Nashville Update)

09/14/00 courtesy of  "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
MARTINA MCBRIDE GAINED MUCH FROM BROOKS TOUR
In her first year out as a recording artist, Martina McBride was invited by Garth Brooks to open for him. Besides the obvious advantage of performing for huge crowds, Martina didn't realize how much she benefited from the tour until she looked back on it. She told us, " I think at the time I didn't realize I was soaking that stuff in. I think that he was probably quite a big influence in my live show as far as the energy of the show, the pacing of the show.the way he is with his fans, the way he's very involved in every aspect of his career, every detail. I think that being the kind of person I am, which is kind of a control freak, I guess, I probably would have been that way anyway. But I feel like watching him, I realized that that's how I wanted my career to be. I wanted to really be involved in everything and so I think I learned that and like I say, how he is with his fans and how hard he worked at it. And I think that subconsciously I probably soaked that up." (Nashville Update)

09/11/00 courtesy of  "Laura"  TNMusic@yahoo.com
from Martina_McBride@egroups.com
McBride begins filming Cline movie
(Launch) - Martina McBride began production on her first movie last week in Nashville. The singer will portray the late Patsy Cline in an IMAX film tentatively titled "Twang." McBride will appear in '50s garb similar to Cline's actual dress during that time. McBride will also sing Cline's hit, "Walkin' After Midnight." McBride's current single, "There You Are," is at No. 17 on the country singles chart. InfoBeat


Good news: WSM-AM is now Webcasting so you'll be able to hear the entire
Opry including Martina, rather than just the TNN segment. Go to http://www.wsmonline.com. The Opry's Web site is at http://grandoleopry.com.
Martina has been scheduled to appear on "A Golden Moment" at The Arena in Oakland, CA. Kristi Yamaguchi will be skating to "There You Are" and Martina will sing. The show will tape October 21 and will air November 24 on CBS.

Also, Martina is scheduled to shoot a CMT video bio next week in Nashville. No word on an air date yet.

And this is very cool--Martina will be playing the part of Patsy Cline in a new IMAX film, called "The Legends of Country"--scheduled to shoot this fall also.

09/07/00 courtesy of  "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
BENEFIT ALBUM
Martina McBride joins Amy Grant, Donna Summer and other women who have contributed songs to an album benefiting homes for troubled young women. Martina recorded a song for the project called, "You'll Get Through This." The Mercy Project is due for release November 14. All proceeds from the album's sales will go to Mercy Ministries of America, a 17-year-old
organization that offers free counseling, social services, and education to women with unplanned pregnancies, addictions, and eating disorders. (T-100)

09/07/00 courtesy of  "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
MARTINA MCBRIDE MOVIE UPDATE
Tomorrow, Martina McBride begins production in Nashville on her first-ever movie role. As we reported earlier, Martina will be portraying country legend Patsy Cline in the IMAX film, now titled, "Twang" (the title has changed a few times). Martina is set to sing the Patsy classic, "Walkin' After Midnight" in the film. Recently, Martina was in Los Angeles and met with a costume supervisor to pick the dress she will be wearing in her portrayal of Patsy. The dress is an authentic original from the late 1950's era. According to a spokesperson for Martina, the dress is very similar to an outfit that Patsy wore. Today, Martina makes her 2nd appearance performing on the "Rosie O' Donnell Show." (T-100)

09/01/00 courtesy of  "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
McBRIDE CONSIDERS 2000 CHRISTMAS TOUR
Although Martina McBride has cut down on her touring this year to spend more time at home while her daughter, Delaney, attends school, the singer says she's considering embarking on a Christmas tour. There is one potential snag, however, as McBride tells LAUNCH: "My problem with a Christmas tour is that logistically, since it is in the middle of the school year, it would have to be something that we do on the weekends," she notes. "We'd have to figure out some way financially that would make sense, 'cause it's way more cost effective to go out and tour five days in a row than it is a couple of weekends a month and have to rent all that gear and have it in storage." McBride says she would love to celebrate the holidays with this special tour for her fans, herself, and her band members. "If I could find a way to swing that -- the time of year that it falls in, which is Christmas time -- I would love to do it. I think it would be great. I just think it would be something really great for the fans, and I think that we would really enjoy it as a band, so I hope it happens." McBride's current single, "There You Are," holds the No. 18 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks
chart. (Yahoo)

09/01/00 courtesy of  "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
MARTINA DOESN'T WANT TO BE FAITH
One might think that Faith Hill and Martina McBride are in competition with
each other. After all, both are nominated in the Female Vocalist category at
next month's CMA Awards and both strive to hold down a demanding career with a growing family. According to Martina, there is no comparison between the two. "To me, we have two different careers," Martina tells Country Weekly. "I look at Faith's career and I'm ecstatic for her because that's what she wants. But I don't want that. I would not trade places with Faith. I don't
know how I would handle that fame. I don't feel a competition at all."Martina's career is taking her into the acting world. She just signed on to portray Patsy Cline in an upcoming IMAX film. This weekend, she steps on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. The new Country Weekly, featuring Martina, will be on newsstands Tuesday. (T-100)