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MARTINA McBRIDE loves summer weather. That's why she's been playing only outdoor venues this year.
"It's a different feeling when you play outside than it is when you play inside. I don't know. It's just more of a party atmosphere."
Summer's gone, but McBride couldn't let the tour go by without an outdoor show in the resort city. She'll be at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater this Sunday, and she plans to dish out several No. 1 hits, including "A Broken Wing." The Grammy and American Music Award winner talked to us by phone last week from Pittsburgh to update us on her latest projects.
McBride doesn't hit the road without her husband, John, and daughters Delaney, 13, Emma, 10, and Ava, 3. "It's like a family vacation. We hang out together. Sometimes we go and see stuff if we have days off."
After a packed summer tour, McBride now is on a weekend-gig schedule. "My two older ones are in school, so it's a little bit harder to juggle."
She has a few irons in the fire, too, besides her tour and family duties. She will join Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood and others on a new CD due in stores Oct. 14: "Elvis Presley Christmas Duets."
With a little studio wizardry, McBride sings with the music legend on "Blue Christmas," her father's favorite holiday song. "It brings back a lot of good memories for me."
The music video for the duet features footage from Elvis'
" '68 Comeback Special."
"We figured out a way to put me in that special. It's cool because it's really familiar footage to everyone, and then all of a sudden, here I come walking in."
For her new studio album, McBride is sharing production duties with Dann Huff. "He's got an amazing gift for finding songs." The singer/guitarist has produced albums for other country artists, including Trace Adkins, Faith Hill and Keith Urban.
McBride went solo to produce her 2007 release, "Wake Up Laughing."
"At the time, I was very up for it. You know, looking back on it, I don't how I did it."
She spent about seven months on that album.
"No music got made without me there, so it was time-consuming - but creatively, it was fulfilling for sure."
For the new CD, McBride shares writing creds on one track, "Sunnyside Up."
"It's just a fun song - a summertime, kind of put-the-top-down kind of song."
She is in limbo about the name for the album.
"A song might come in tomorrow that's perfect and has the perfect title, so I just kind of wait until the last minute."
She hopes to get it in stores by March.
Looking even further ahead, McBride has joined the board of directors of a retirement community for aging country artists. The Crescendo at West-haven near Nashville will include 180 independent and assisted-living condos, in addition to a recording studio and concert venue.
"When you're not in the business any longer," McBride said, "I think it's important not to just live out the rest of your life and be lonely. I think they still feel very creative."
Most units will start around $300,000. The board hopes to offer financial assistance.
"It's kind of taking care of our own. There are people who have been very, very successful in the music business, and there are people that've just worked in it all their lives and helped other people be really, really successful."
DeAnne Bradley, (757) 222-3897, deanne.bradley@link757.com
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