THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100043
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 52 lines
OLDIES, SONGS from her albums and ``a lot of fun songs'' are promised when headliner Martina McBride bounds onto the stage of the Peanut Fest Sunday at 4 p.m.
``I won't have any special surprises,'' said McBride, who was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at last week's Country Music Association awards show. ``I just hope everyone likes it.''
Considering her track record, that's unlikely to be a problem.
Her ``Wild Angels'' also was nominated for Album of the Year, and McBride participated in performing a Vocal Event of the Year nominee, ``On My Own,'' with Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood and Linda Davis.
Although McBride did not win any awards, triple nominations in the crowded, competitive country music field is high honor indeed.
``Getting those nominations was great, exciting - and surprising,'' she said in a telephone interview this week from her bus ``somewhere near Altoona,'' Pa.
McBride is the main - and final - attraction of the 19th annual Peanut Fest, which begins today.
McBride has won 10 awards since 1994, eight for the ``Independence Day'' record and video - a song against spousal abuse.
Other McBride hits include ``Life No. 9,'' ``My Baby Loves Me'' and ``Safe in the Arms of Love.''
Her current album, ``Wild Angels,'' is a best seller. ``Swingin' Doors,'' the second single from that album, recently landed on the charts.
``I think we can get at least two more singles from the album,'' said McBride, who also is thinking about her next studio project. ``We'll start working on it in November. . . . I'd like to do some writing for it.''
McBride did perform on another album, as guest artist on the next release by pianist Jim Brickman, who will be at the Harrison Opera House on Wednesday.
She sang ``Valentines,'' and she said she enjoyed working with the man noted for romantic piano presentations.
McBride and her band - including baby brother Marty Schiff - are busy on the road. Also traveling with her is 21-month-old daughter Delaney Katharine.
``Having a baby shifts your priorities. It makes you happier,'' said McBride, who enjoys singing the little one to sleep. ``Absolutely no hits - lullabies.''
McBride's husband, John, is on another bus as production manager for her former employer (she sold shirts!) Garth Brooks.
Some of the older figures of country music inspired her.
``When I was a kid, I listened to Hank Sr., Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn - all the classic country,'' McBride said. She joined them last year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Her Peanut Fest performance is free. Parking at the fest site, Suffolk Municipal Airport, costs $5 a vehicle. by CNB