DATE=10/24/2003

TYPE=Music Programs Feature

NUMBER=7-401017

TITLE=Martina McBride, "Martina"

BYLINE=Mary Morningstar

TELEPHONE=619-1692

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=ecGursky

CONTENT=

(VOICED VERSION AND INSERTS AVAILABLE ON DALET)

INTRO: During the past year, male artists and groups have dominated the top positions on Billboard's Country chart. That trend could soon change with Martina McBride's new studio album. VOA's Mary Morningstar tells us about the long-awaited collection, simply titled "Martina."

AUDIO: CUT 1 "So Magical" (Angelo, B. James, H. Lindsey/Universal-PolyGram Int'l. Pub., Green Wagon, Sony/ATV Tunes, Onaly, ASCAP) (CUE IN 2:02, PLAY IN FULL TO 2:24, THEN FADE UNDER TEXT)

TEXT: Martina McBride celebrates life in the Celtic-flavored track "So Magical." She's, no doubt, in a celebratory mood, having just released "Martina," her first studio album since 1999's multi-million-selling collection, "Emotion." McBride's new album broke all previous first-week sales records for the singer, and debuted at Number One on the Country Albums chart.

Martina has earned a reputation for bringing awareness to various social issues, such as alcoholism, and child and spousal abuse. She currently serves as the celebrity spokesperson for a number of charities that work with children and victims of domestic violence. Martina received this year's Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award for her community and humanitarian efforts. Vince Gill presented the honor to her during the Grand Ole Opry's recent 78th birthday celebration. In addition, the Recording Academy recognized Martina for her charity work by giving her a 2003 Heroes Award.

Martina says, "I'd like to be known as someone who records songs that are intelligent and emotional." Her new album is full of songs with positive messages. She also included one cover song, a live version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."

AUDIO: CUT 2 "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (E.Y. Harburg, H. Arlen/Unlisted) (CUE IN :10, SNEAK TO :18, BRING UP AND PLAY IN FULL TO :49, THEN FADE UNDER TEXT)

TEXT: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" has become a concert favorite of Martina's fans. She says growing up in Kansas inspired her to record the song from Judy Garland's classic film "The Wizard of Oz," which was set in Kansas.

Last year, Martina won her second Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award. On November 5th, she'll compete for that same honor at the 37th annual CMA Awards. She's also nominated in the category of Video of the Year for her clip to "Concrete Angel." The song was one of four new tracks on her 2001 "Greatest Hits" CD.

By all indications, the first single from her latest album, "Martina," could soon become her sixth Number One hit. The last time a female solo artist topped Billboard's Country Singles list was in March of 2002. And, that was accomplished by Martina with her recording of "Blessed."

Featuring Faith Hill, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Martina's two daughters, Emma and Delaney, on background vocals, here's Martina McBride with "This One's For The Girls." (SIGNED)

AUDIO: CUT 3 "This One's For The Girls" (C. Lindsey, H. Lindsey, A. Mayo(Dreamworks Songs, Monkey Feet, ASCAP/Careers-BMG, Silverkiss, BMI) SNEAK TO :16, BRING UP AND PLAY OUT AS DESIRED) (TT 3:58)