Nashville, TN. (NARM Awards) - She has earned her more than 16 million in album sales, six No. 1s and 22 Top 10 singles. She is Martina McBride, and, courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville and RCA Records Nashville, she will be headlining the NARM Awards Dinner Finale on Wednesday, May 2, during InSights & Sounds.07, the
National Association of Recording Merchandisers' 49th Annual Convention, which will be April 29 - May 2 at the Hilton Chicago.
"Martina McBride has had a steady presence in Country music since 1992 and has definitely contributed to the rise in popularity of the Country genre," said NARM President Jim Donio. "We are extremely pleased to work with Sony BMG Nashville to showcase McBride's upcoming album during the Convention's culminating event."
"We are proud to have Martina McBride headline this year's NARM Awards Dinner," said Jim Saliby, VP, Sales, Sony BMG Nashville. "Known for her powerhouse voice which continues to earn her awards and praise from both industry and fans, Martina McBride has proven herself to be the top female country artist."
A four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner, three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner, and a Grammy Award nominee, McBride will release her ninth album, "Waking Up Laughing," which she produced, on April 3. "Anyway," the album's debut single, is the fastest-rising single of her career and marks her first songwriting credit.
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 "The Way That I Am." In 2005 she released "Timeless", an album that took the listener back to the roots of country music, which so influenced her career.
She has graced the covers of People, Redbook, Country Weekly, Country Music Today and Maverick Magazine among others throughout her career. She has performed on national television shows including Dancing With The Stars, Good Morning America, The View, Ellen DeGeneres, and The Tonight Show.
The Awards Dinner Finale will also include a performance by ATO Records' Rodrigo y Gabriela, the fast-fingered Dublin-based, Mexican acoustic guitar duo who currently tops the Irish music charts. NARM Chairman Susan B. Peterson, Target Stores, will present the NARM Chairman's Award For Sustained Creative Achievement to Rhino Entertainment's legendary Rock band Chicago. NARM will also announce the winners of the prestigious Merchandisers and Supplier Of The Year Awards.
