Martina McBride

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...And here I thought there was nothing to make me happier after discovering that my Sirius radio subscription included both an ALL Springsteen and an ALL Elvis station.

A long way from her roots in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Martina McBride belted out the ballads and gave a non-stop full voice performance that was nothing short of spectacular Friday night at the Ford Amphitheatre.  The girl who once sold T-shirts at Garth Brooks concerts (later to perform as opening act), now has more than 22 top ten hits, 6 of which have gone to #1, with over 20 million in cd sales.

The packed amphitheatre holds 20,000 people; a remarkable turnout given the show was on the same evening as the Red Sox vs. Rays game.  Undaunted, the pre-Martina lineup included performances by the Warner Brothers, Jason Michael Carrol, and a personal favorite Jack Ingram, who charmed the crowd with story-telling and his version of music therapy.

"I'll say what I've been saying for years. I'm Jack Ingram, and I play country music...This song is about a guy who's said and done everything the wrong way, and the only thing that might save his sorry a** is...Maybe She'll Get Lonely."  He launched into his current top 40 hit, before singing the #1 chart topper that landed him on the country music map, "Wherever You Are."

A little "convenience stand" break followed, giving people time to re-fill their $9 Yeungling on tap, or get another $4 hot dog or pretzel, with no complaints about pricing from the audience, happy to have enough concessions set up to keep waiting to a minimum, and clearly marked "Women's Restroom" signs that are - in my opinion - a necessity at any successful event.

Finally, they announced, "Five minutes until Martina McBride" and everyone rushed to their seats in time to see the 5'4 little woman with a big voice break out into "It's My Time" and emerge from behind the shadows.

As a trained vocalist myself, I was amazed that she could sing at full capacity with such depth and clarity of voice for almost two hours straight, and the harmonies and background music were crisp and in completely in sync.

Pushing her hair from her eyes, Martina asked, "Tell me something.  How does anyone here ever have a good hair day?"  The crowd laughed, used to the humidity.  In actuality, the semi-covered outdoor arena had a nice air flow, and the temperature was relatively mild by Florida standards.

The audience was pleasant and -  save for one drunk gal who kicked over my water as she stumbled past me trying to match up the appropriate aisle with her seat, while screaming "Woooh! Martina, we love you!" - Most were relatively sober.

The show concluded NOT with the song "I Love You" (as I had anticipated), but two 80's revivals originally sung by Journey and Pat Benetar "Don't Stop Believing" and "Hit Me with Your Best Shot", as a gracious McBride exited the stage.

One final important point here folks, is that a large event is only as good as its parking crew.  I'm telling you, it can make or break any occasion.  I expected a half hour long wait in exiting the parking lot to the main highway. Instead, an angel in orange fluorescent ordered me to "follow that car!" (Oh, yes. Those words exactly), and in fewer than five minutes, I was back on the road.

I don't think that's what Martina had in mind when she sang "Concrete Angel", but I sure was appreciative.

****

The Playlist: 

My Time

When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues

Happy Girl

Wild Angels

Way That I Am

Whatever You Say

For These Times

Help Me Through the Night

If I Had Your Name

Lean on Me

Summer of '69

Concrete Angel

Love's the Only House / Blessed

Where Would You Be?

This One's for the Girls

Broken Wing

Independence Day

Don't Stop Believing

Hit Me with Your Best Shot

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