Richie's loss is McBride's gain
Friday, July 1, 2011 – Lionel Richie's loss is Martina McBride's gain. And that means that the woman who turned Independence Day into a career song will be singing on the annual July 4 Boston Pops holiday concert.
Richie had to bow out with vocal cord strain. The show will be broadcast live from the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Monday, July 4 at 10 p.m. live Easter/delayed Pacfic on CBS. Emmy Award-winning actor and Boston-area native Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") will host the special.
McBride will perform some of her biggest hits with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart.
"One of my most favorite things in the world is to perform with a live orchestra, and to sing with the prestigious Boston Pops on Independence Day in front of thousands of people and on national television is not only an amazing opportunity but a career highlight for me," said McBride. "I wish Mr. Richie a speedy recovery and am looking forward to what will be a memorable day for me."
Richie, who has been completing his upcoming album as well as performing back-to-back concerts, is suffering from strained vocal cords and is unable to perform. "I am extremely disappointed to cancel my performance with the Boston Pops, but must follow my doctor's orders," said Richie. "It was such an honor being asked to celebrate the Fourth of July with this legendary orchestra, and I hope to perform with them in the future."
More news for Martina McBride
CD reviews for Martina McBride
Hits and More
If you've ever heard Martina McBride sing O Holy Night or Over the Rainbow, maybe you've felt the goosebumps with her unmistakable, soaring soprano. In a genre full of splendid singers, McBride's voice stands atop them all.
But, as anybody's who's spent more than five minutes around show business can tell you, having the most talent is only a good start. McBride has had trouble filling albums with songs equal to her instrument, and she's locked horns with her record company. »»» |
Eleven
Martina McBride changes labels for her 11th disc and a bit of a change in approach as well as she goes outside of her comfort zone. McBride still possesses one of the greatest voices out there in country, but she tones it down a lot, generally avoiding the big sweeping vocal songs where she belts it out.
Marry Me, with help from Train's Pat Monahan, is a low-key, mid-tempo effort with a bit of pedal steel and softness in vocals that make the song work. That tender quality comes through »»» |
Shine
To find any flaws in the vocal delivery or stylings of Martina McBride would be an exercise in futility. She didn't get to be four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year by accident or by putting out albums that fail to display her enormous talents.
Her new album seems not to launch her in a slightly new direction but at least give her a gentle nudge down a slightly divergent path. For one, the disc has a bit slower feel tempo-wise. Certainly the single Ride is very upbeat and is the »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
Concert Review: The Howlin' Brothers leave the radar behind –
The Howlin' Brothers - this trio, in reality, contains no brothers - are about eight years into their career and on their fifth album. To say they've been under the radar screen may be an understatement. You couldn't even say they've been flying under that screen because they have stuck very close to their Nashville environs.... »»»
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Love Is Everything
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Dark Dirty Mile
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