Platinum-selling recording artist and GRAMMY award winner Martina McBride will light the world-famous Empire State Building “pink” on October 14, 2011, in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer.
The lighting will be followed by an event called “MARTINA McBRIDE: LIGHT UP THE SKY in partnership with Stanford Women’s Cancer Center,” which includes a VIP-invite reception and a private concert performance, showcased exclusively on Clear Channel Radio’s websites.
McBride, who releases her 11th studio album entitled ELEVEN on October 11 (Republic Nashville), will culminate an aggressive release week with this ‘pink carpet’ event at one of New York City’s most legendary landmarks. This will be the first time in history that an artist has been bestowed the opportunity to perform a private concert from the building.
McBride is revered around the world by fans of all music genres for periodically choosing to sing songs that champion causes. Her latest single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” is a story about a woman undergoing breast cancer portrayed through the eyes of the woman’s husband. The song sends a message of hope to cancer survivors and their supporters and will be one of the songs Martina sings from the top of the building.
iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s free, industry-leading digital radio service that offers more than 800 broadcast radio and digital-only stations from 150 cities plus the ability to create custom radio stations, delivering listeners everything they want all in one fully integrated service, is the official media partner. McBride’s performance will air on Clear Channel Radio websites.
“October 14th will be a very special day to send a collective message of hope to breast cancer patients, survivors and their supporters as we turn one of the world’s most popular landmarks pink.” said Martina who is a current CMA “Female Vocalist of the Year” nominee.
“The first time I heard “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” I got chills from my head to my toes. I get chills every time I sing it live. I’ve heard from so many people that this song has touched their lives. To be able to sing this from such an iconic place as the Empire State Building among breast cancer survivors and their supporters will be an incredibly special and meaningful experience for me. I am excited that the team from Stanford will be there with me. It is a perfect fit," said Martina.
Melanie Maasch, Director of Brand Development and Public Relations for the Empire State Building, said, “Each October we look forward to lighting the Empire State Building pink in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer. To have an artist of Martina McBride’s caliber not only light the building but also perform at the building is a true honor and something we are very much looking forward to next month.”
The lighting is one of many “firsts” Martina will accomplish during the month of October. As previously announced, Martina will become the first artist in history to launch an album by taking an Amtrak train all the way across the country. The journey, entitled “ELEVEN Across America Powered by Amtrak,” begins in Los Angeles and ends in New York City. Martina will make 11 stops along the way to meet with fans and breast cancer survivors and perform three mini concerts in select train stations.
Martina penned six of the 11 tracks on the ELEVEN album. According to Nielsen-BDS and Mediabase, Martina is Country radio’s “most-played female artist” of the past 11 years (1999-2010).
Martina’s new music video for “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” features multiple real cancer survivors and their supporters including four well-known celebrities – Robin Roberts (anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America); Hoda Kotb (anchor for NBC’s Today Show); Grammy award-winning singer Sheryl Crow and ABC journalist Katie Couric – who each have very personal connections to the disease.
Martina’s performance at the building is being presented in partnership with Stanford Women’s Cancer Center. The new Stanford Women’s Cancer Center, which opened June 27, provides comprehensive, compassionate care for women with breast and gynecologic cancers in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Jonathan Berek, MD, MMS, Director of Stanford Women’s Cancer Center said, “The new Stanford Women’s Cancer Center is conceived with the whole patient in mind. We have optimized our existing strengths in cutting-edge translational medicine and combined them with supportive services for patients and their families. We are honored to be a part of this event, and appreciate the message of Martina’s song…Cancer affects everyone, including those in a supportive role.”
“The unfortunate reality is that breast cancer affects millions of our listeners annually. The lighting of the iconic Empire State building is a symbolic way to honor all those touched by this disease while raising awareness for a very important cause,” said Jessica King, Director of Community Engagement, and Clear Channel Radio. “The exclusive videos will allow us to then share this very special evening with our audience across the country.”
