Country queen Martina McBride headlined the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Pennsylvania, for a great fan turnout. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the recap.
Particularly impressive about this show is that it was a part of the theater’s 100th season.
McBride kicked off her set with the upbeat “My Baby Loves Me,” which she personalized to the local crowd. “Pennsylvania loves me just the way that I am,” she sang and exclaimed in an enthralling fashion, and the applause erupted.
It was neat to hear her sing her first-ever No. 1 hit single “Wild Angels,” as a cloudy background displayed on the televised screen.
Equally catchy as the first two songs was “Safe in the Arms of Love,” which was sheer bliss. McBride tipped her hat to such country greats as Lynn Anderson with “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden” (as the backdrop displayed rose pedals) and to Loretta Lynn with “You Ain’t Woman Enough.”
“Blessed” was refreshing and poignant, while “Love’s the Only House” raised social awareness.
“I Love You” was sweet and fun as she nailed it with Carolyn Dawn Johnson on backing vocals and harmonies.
Another emotional high-point involved McBride nailing the tear-jerker country ballad “Concrete Angel,” which tackles the serious subject matter of child abuse.
The power-ballad “Anyway” was filled with raw emotions and inspiration, as key words from the chorus displayed on the televised screen.
“Happy Girl” was anthemic, liberating, and a great deal of fun. Equally fun and uplifting was her cross-over pop-country hit “This One’s for the Girls.”
She showcased her ability to hit the high notes on such mega-hits as “A Broken Wing” and her signature song “Independence Day,” which was the song everyone wanted to hear (and sing along). She earned multiple standing ovations over the course of the evening.
For her encore, she informed the audience that they “weren’t done yet” and she rocked out a fun cover of Pat Benatar’s signature song “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” where she left the fans wanting to hear more.
The Verdict
Overall, Martina McBride’s concert in Easton, Pennsylvania, was a celebration of the enduring power of one of the greatest female voices in the history of the country genre. She interacted well with the crowd and made them feel at home.
34 years into her respected career, she continues to possess something that cannot be manufactured: rawness, connection, authenticity. She sings with heart, soul, and conviction, and communicates with sincerity; moreover, she understands that the greatest country songs are ultimately about people and the experiences that connect us.
At the State Theatre in Easton, Martina McBride once again demonstrated why her voice has endured. It wasn’t simply a night of country music. It was a reminder of why country music, at its best, can reach straight into the heart.
For all of these reasons and more, this show was a substantial indication that Martina McBride deserves to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in its “Modern Era Artist” category. She is long overdue for this magnanimous honor.
Her concert at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania, garnered an A rating. Well done.
