Martina McBride (Martina Mariea Schiff) was born on July 29, 1966 in Sharon, Kansas is an American Grammy nominated country music singer-songwriter.

Martina was born in Sharon, Kansas, where her parents, Daryl and Jeanne Schiff, owned a dairy farm. She is the third of four children. She has an older brother, Steve, and an older sister, Gina.

McBride released her honky tonk-flavored debut album The Time Has Come in 1992. Her first big hit was the single "My Baby Loves Me" from her more pop-oriented second album, 1993's The Way That I Am.

She became even more visible in 1994 with the crossover success of her anti-domestic violence anthem "Independence Day", also from this album. McBride's 1995 hit "Safe In The Arms Of Love" off her Wild Angels album was originally recorded by Michelle Wright on her 1994 album The Reasons Why.

In 2005, she released an 18-track CD of classic country music standards (Timeless), which landed at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in its opening week and received much critical acclaim for its authenticity towards traditional country. Although radio never really did embrace "Timeless," the fans loved it.

She is a four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner (a record she holds with Reba McEntire), three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner and a Grammy Award nominee. She performed The Star-Spangled Banner at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series.

McBride gained additional visibility during the 2005 season of American Idol, as eventual winner Carrie Underwood declared McBride to be her favorite singer, performing several of her hits in the competition and putting "Independence Day" on her first album.

In 2006, she embarked on her first headlining tour, the Timeless Tour.

www.martina-mcbride.com