2008 Martina McBride

Martina McBride was born Martina Schiff in 1966 and grew up on a farm in Sharon, Kansas, population 200. She started singing country music at a young age, performing in a band dubbed 'the Schiffters' with her family members. Eager to be involved in the country music world in any way, she even sold t-shirts at Garth Brooks concerts before she was recognized by RCA Records in 1992.

Her debut, The Time Has Come, was released in 1992, but she wasn't recognized by the public until 1993's The Way That I Am, with the hit single 'My Baby Loves Me'. The record had a pop twist with a more upbeat sound and attracted fans by the masses.

The single, 'Independence Day' wasn't as big a hit, but it is considered her signature song because the lyrics are about spousal abuse. The corresponding video received a CMA award in 1994. Since then, she has tried not to release a single without an accompanying video. Many of her songs are known for presenting social issues and a women's point of view in a man's world.

Her first number one hit single was the title track off her 1995 album Wild Angels. McBride broadened her horizons and joined the Grand Ole Opry the same year. She also became the first country singer in history to join the Lilith Fair tour in 1998.

The same year, she released White Christmas as her first holiday album. She released numerous hits, such as 'Love's the Only House', 'I Love You', 'Whatever You Say', 'Wrong Again', 'Happy Girl', and 'A Broken Wing'. These singles garnered her a CMA Female Vocalist award in 1999.

Her sophomore CMA award for Female Vocalist came in 2002, with her Greatest Hits release, feauturing hit singles 'When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues', 'Blessed', 'Where Would You Be' and 'Concrete Angel'. A self-titled album was released the following year, which was accompanied by an unsurprising Female Vocalist award from CMA.

In the past few years, McBride has got the attention of fans even outside of the country music genre. She played duets with pianist Jim Brickman and rocker Bob Seger. Martina McBride continues to tour all over the United States, selling out tickets at fairs and arenas in cities big and small. She is also known for making special appearances, such as performing after the NASCAR Busch Series Race in Fountain, Colorado and touring with Alan Jackson.