See Martina McBride Talk Women Empowerment, ‘Bro Country’ Formula

Prior to delivering a thrilling big band performance at Rolling Stone Country’s Live Nashville event last week, Martina McBride sat for a wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone Country‘s cameras. The four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year opened up about empowering fellow women country artists, why she believes there is a “formula” for songwriting today and why she decided to revive her soul band for one night only.

“Songwriting has changed because for the past few years there has been a formula at country radio,” McBride says. “‘Bro country,’ or whatever you want to call it, but there is a formula definitely. Songwriters have to make a living and they write songs for the formula. But it’s taking a turn again back to – I don’t want to say real songs – because they are real songs, but toward songs that are more lyrics-based and touch on human emotions and human stories, and are not quite so one-dimensional.”

Recently, it was announced that McBride will extend her Love Unleashed Tour, joining up with CMT’s Next Women of Country initiative. Lauren Alaina will join McBride on the tour.

McBride says mentoring younger artists, especially women, is important. “When women support each other, they’re strong as a whole,” she says, “and any woman who has a win, it’s a win for all of us.”