Martina McBride was recently the celebrity coach on the hit show American Idol for country music week. As she performed her hit song "Anyway," it was clear this woman had an incredible voice and a great heart. She emphasized singing from the heart. But who is this incredibly talented woman? Where did she come from? Interested to know more about my fellow Kansan, I decided to find out.Martina was born Martina Mariea Schiff in Medicine Lodge, Kansas on July 29, 1966. McBride was born into a musical family--her father led the local band "The Schifters." At the young age of 7, Martina and her 5 year old brother joined the band. She ended up singing and playing the keyboard for the band, and playing small shows. Her brother played the guitar, her father sang and played guitar, and her mother ran the soundboards. Every Saturday night until McBride graduated high school, they would play at weddings, dances, and meetings.
After high school, McBride attended a semester of college. However, she soon realized that her calling was making music. So Martina moved to Wichita in January of 1987 to put together a band. While attempting to find a rehearsal studio, she met her future husband John McBride. Renting his studio for rehearsal didn't work out, but the two were so smitten that they were engaged four months later. They married May 15, 1988. John was quite an accomplished sound engineer, and ended up working for Garth Brooks on the road. McBride eventually joined him on the tour, accepting a job selling t-shirts for Garth's tour so she could be with her husband.
