Martina Tour Tops

7/13/2007 Stephen L. Betts According to Pollstar, Martina McBride has been 2007’s top female touring act of any genre for several weeks and is currently second only to Gwen Stefani.  While Kenny Chesney, The Rowdy Frynds Tour (Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd), and Brad Paisley are currently country’s top tours, Martina has sold out shows at New York's Radio City Music Hall, and in numerous other cities including Chicago and Atlanta. “It was great when I heard I was the only female touring act in the Top 10,” says Martina. “But being in the company of Gwen Stefani isn't the worst thing that could happen! We really went all out with this tour and I'm excited about how it has been received.” In addition to critical acclaim for her tour and her current album, Waking Up Laughing, Martina will be featured in an upcoming two-hour ABC News special. Six Degrees of Martina McBride will air Monday, July 30 at 9pm (ET). The special will focus on the connections, talent, and luck it takes to become a country music superstar, following six singers from the middle of nowhere with nothing but their dreams.  First, they’ll track down Martina in six steps or less, proving the theory that everyone in the world is connected by a human chain of six people. If successful, they then must prove they can sing, in order to get a shot at country stardom.  Ultimately, one will be chosen to receive a record deal. The special will also reveal six steps that led Martina to multi-platinum, awarding-winning success in country music.