PlogX

You’ve been married to the girls’ father, John McBride, for 32 years. What’s your secret to a successful marriage?

Once again, I think it is communication. I married my best friend. He’s an amazing partner in life and also my sound engineer, so our careers complement each other. We’re also both from Kansas, so that’s another common ground we share. I got lucky that I found somebody who fits me so well. We also still like to hang out together most of the time!

How has your family fared during the pandemic?

We’ve spent a lot of time together. In looking for a silver lining of this whole period, I do cherish this time. My two older kids live on their own, but they’ve all been here. We ate every meal together, played games, had a lot of discussions. So to just be able to really slow down and not have anywhere to go — at the end of the day, it was a really precious time.

Did you always know you wanted to be a performer?

I did. I knew that I wanted to sing and be onstage. As a teenager I wanted to find a way to get to Nashville. So yes, this is always what I wanted to do.

Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Well, all the icons like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire, but really my biggest was Linda Ronstadt. When I was a teenager I just loved her. What I loved about her, other than her beautiful voice, was her song choices and how she floated between genres. She wasn’t a country artist or a rocker, she just kind of did everything, but it always had a lot of country flavor to it. I was obsessed with her. Growing up in a small rural area, we didn’t have vocal coaches, so I would sing along to her records for hours. That’s really how I learned.

If you hadn’t made it as a singer, what do you think you would be doing?

Well, my other passion is cooking. I might have opened a restaurant or catering company. If I was going to stay in the music industry, I might have been a producer or picked songs for artists. I would’ve definitely been involved in something creative.

The Country Music Hall of Fame announced an exhibition about your life and career. What an honor!

Oh, it’s just amazing. It was on my bucket list! I’ve been singing since I was 3 or 4 years old, so I want it to encompass my whole life and show where I came from. I want them really make it personal and fun for people to come see from all over the world.

Tell us about your involvement in the Cover Crops Project.

As a mom of three children, sustainability is important to me. Country Crock is committed to help 80 farmers in Kansas plant 13,000 acres of cover crops. They put nutrients in the soil, prevent soil erosion and help the long-term health of the soil in between planting seasons. Country Crock approached me about spreading the word. It’s just such a cool initiative.

What else do you have coming up?

We’re doing a concert series with Country Crock. It’s the Red Barn Sessions next fall. It’s cool for a couple of reasons. One, I get to perform and make a connection with fans, which I am desperately missing after not being able to be on the road this year. Also it spotlights some up-and-coming artists, Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen. It’s so important to me to support new music.

— Reporting by Katie Bruno

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