Family
Parents: Daryl Schiff and Jeanne (Delano) Schiff
"My father was a big Hank Williams, Hank Thompson, and Hank Snow fan - he liked all the Hank’s." Martina McBride
Siblings: An older brother Steve, an older sister Gina, and a younger
brother Martin who goes by Marty
Husband: John McBride
Children: Delaney Katharine, Emma Justine, Ava Rose Kathleen
John: Martina's Husband and
Partner in Life
Martina (Schiff) McBirde and John McBride met in Wichita, Kansas during one
of Martin's family band tours. They married in May of 1988. In 1990 they
moved to Nashville where John landed a job as Garth Brooks' production
manager. To be able to travel with him, Martina took a job selling T-shirts
on Garth's tour. Martina describes John’s sense of humor as "warped." John
is a fan of The Beatles. He is currently Martina’s sound manager and the owner
of Blackbird Studio. Johns birthday is January 15.
"Including John in my career has been the most natural thing in the world,
because he's not only very knowledgeable, he's also very supportive. We're
really true companions and true friends, so we really care about each other
and what's going on in our lives. I think sometimes people grow apart
because they don't understand each other, but we lead the same life."
Martina McBride
Delaney, Emma, and Ava: Martina and
John’s Daughters
Delaney Katherine McBride was born December 22, 1994.
"We found out I was pregnant with
Delaney in a dressing room in Sweden. I was on tour with Garth. John and I
had been married six years and were definitely ready. But as ready as we
were, we sat in total disbelief staring at the test. I'll never forget the
feeling I had that night as I walked out onstage, like I had a little
secret.
We announced it in a fun way; at Fan Fair in 1994. I called John out onstage
and he told the crowd. Someone snapped a picture of the exact moment. We
were so happy.
Delaney has brought so much joy to our lives and I always tell her that the
most important thing I do is being her mommy. She has a flair for drama and
is sweet, compassionate and wise." Martina McBride
"Yes that is Delaney at age 2½. She was in the kitchen one day, I was just recording her talking to me. I said, ‘Delaney’, we just started talking about mama going to work and singing and you know a broken wing , and it was just killer and I just decide it would be a fun way…" Martina McBride, referring to Delaney singing, "With a broken wing", at the end of the "Evolution" album. Delaney can also be heard laughing at the beginning of the "Wild Angels" album.
Why the name Delaney?
Martina saw the name Delaney in a book and liked it for its unusualness as well as because her Mother's maiden name is Delano.
Emma Justine McBride was born March 29, 1998.
"We found out we were pregnant in Sioux St. Marie right before a show. I
told John and then we told Delaney together. The three of us hugged and
danced around in a circle. Emma is a sweet, funny child who is very even
tempered.
I was riding in the car the other day listening to the demo of Blessed that
another woman sang, and Emma was in the backseat. And it gets to the part
where she says, "I get to hear my children laughing down the hall through
the bedroom door." And Emma goes, "We ain't her children" Martina McBride
Emma's giggle can be heard at the end of the "Emotion" album.
"We have a blast on the road and they have been everywhere! I'm grateful
that I can take them both with me everywhere we go." Martina McBride
Ava Rose Kathleen McBride was born June 20, 2005.
John was the first to announce the news of Martina's pregnancy, "WE'RE PREGNANT! I look it, but it's her! Not expecting much sleep after the middle of June or so, and we couldn't be happier!" "We're so blessed and thrilled to be having another baby Emma and Delaney are very excited, and it will be great to share this whole experience with them." Martina McBride adds when sharing the news that she was pregnant. Ava was born at 2:35pm, weighing in at 7lbs 7oz.
