McBride brings Love Unleashed Tour to Clearwater

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Article published on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016

Photo by SARAH CANNON/RUTH ECKERD HALL

Martina McBride plays Ruth Eckerd Hall Dec. 9.

CLEARWATER – Hot on the heels of her latest studio album, award-winning country superstar Martina McBride is bringing her all new Love Unleashed Tour to Clearwater.

McBride will perform Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Tickets start at $45. Call 727-791-7400 or visit www.rutheckerdhall.com.

Special guests High Valley and prolific singer-songwriter Hailey Whitters will join McBride.

“Reckless” – McBride’s 13th studio album – was released in April. It features songs that are both a mix of classic country and a contemporary edge. As a follow-up to the title track, the single “Just Around the Corner” premiered on the CMT Awards this summer.

The country superstar’s unparalleled vocals and depth are what keep fans ready for more – and popular demand has caused McBride to extend her Love Unleashed Tour into 2017.

“I am so happy to announce that we are adding a second run of dates to the Love Unleashed Tour,” McBride said in a press release on her website. “We have created an environment at the shows where fans can come together to share positive energy and a common love of music, and leave the concert feeling uplifted and stronger. We all know the power of music and positivity and I truly believe that what the fans experience on this tour will have a huge ripple effect in their lives, their communities, and the world at large.”

McBride first rose to stardom in the late 1990s. She kicked off her musical career leaning toward a more traditionalist approach to country and later evolved, embracing pop-friendlier songs.

Born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, in 1966, McBride discovered country music through her father, who led a local band called the Schifters. She eventually ended up singing and playing keyboards in the band. After graduating from high school, she performed with several bands before getting married and moving to Nashville. There, she took work as a demo singer. She was signed to RCA in 1991.

“The Time Has Come,” McBride’s debut album, was released in 1992, featuring a selection of songs influenced by traditional honky-tonk and progressive-minded country. In 1993, she followed up with the pop-inflected album “The Way That I Am.” This album proved to be her commercial breakthrough, led by single “My Baby Loves Me” which peaked at No. 2 in the charts.

McBride’s discography also includes “Wild Angels” (1995), “Evolution” (1997), “White Christmas” (1998), “Emotion” (1999), “Martina” (2003), “Timeless” (2005), “Waking Up Laughing” (2007), “Shine” (2009), “Eleven” (2011), “Everlasting” (2014) and, her latest, “Reckless,” released earlier this year.

Article published on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016

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McBride brings Love Unleashed Tour to Clearwater

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