When Martina McBride has a day off, she likes to stay home.
“I catch up on stuff around the house. I like to cook, so I like to cook dinner for my family,” she said. “I love to read — just the normal stuff. I’m really pretty boring when it comes right down to it, honestly. There’s no awesome hobby that I have — like skydiving or anything.”
But the Grammy Award winner has that awesomely powerful voice that soars and empowers on hits that include “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” “Independence Day” and “A Broken Wing.” That soprano also is heard on romantic songs, including “I Love You,” “One Night,” “Valentine” with pianist Jim Brickman and “Marry Me” with Train lead singer Pat Monahan.
Her 2011 disc, “Eleven,” marked a renaissance for the music veteran. It’s McBride’s first release on a new record label, Republic Nashville, and she worked with a new co-producer, Byron Gallimore. And she signed with Morris Artists Management.
“It just seemed time to make some changes in my career as far as management and record label, and it just was inspiring, you know, anytime you get surrounded by fresh energy and passion. It inspired me to make a record that pushed the boundaries a little bit,” she said during a call from her tour bus, which was leaving Rochester, N.Y.
The four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year and three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist also helped write six songs.
“I think it’s my most personal record,” the Sharon, Kan., native said. “I take ownership of songs like ‘Independence Day,’ songs that I’ve recorded before that I sang for so long, but there’s something different about writing your own words. And it’s kind of liberating to be able to write those words instead of waiting for someone else to come up with something you identify with, so I pulled from my own life.”
She co-wrote “Teenage Daughters.” The mother of three laughed when asked if the girls thought she was cool.
“I’m just their mom, the one who enforces the curfew and tells them to pick their clothes up off the floor, makes them be home for family dinner when they’d rather go out with their friends. What I do is so much a part of our lives that I don’t think they really think about it much unless they see me on stage or on TV.”
Meanwhile her music inspires millions.
“When I heard ‘Independence Day,’ it made me more aware [of domestic violence] and I wanted to do something to help. And the same thing with ‘I’m Going to Love You Through It,’ this past year singing that song, I’ve met so many [breast cancer] survivors and their caretakers and people who have told me their story, and it just makes the songs come to life and you want to do something to extend that experience of the song.
“So we’re working with General Mills for Save Lids to Save Lives, which is a great, great thing that they’re doing; they’re donating $2.5 million to the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” she said. “It’s easy for me to do something like that and it makes a big difference.”
McBride will perform an 8 p.m. show Oct. 27 at Stranahan Theater. Tickets range from $37 to $75.
The singer who released her debut in 1992 has sold 18 million records and is the most played female artist on country radio for the past 11 years, according to both Mediabase and Broadcast Data Systems.
“I’m most proud of the longevity that I’ve been able to have,” she said. “The fact that I’m still able to do this after 20 years is more than I ever expected, and it’s a long career in a really crazy business, and I’m proud that I’ve been able to endure and hopefully stick around a few more years.”
