Martina McBride

The A&E Network series Biography has profiled plenty of questionable characters during its run, so it’s easy to understand why, when informed that country singer Martina McBride is next, one would shrug and sigh heavily. For once, though, A&E seems to know what it’s doing. Consider: McBride is probably the most consistent female name in country music over the past decade — she’s been named CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year four out of the past six years and has sold more than 16 million records. This year, she pulls a Linda Ronstadt with Timeless, a collection of 18 covers, including classics from Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard. McBride is so damned sure of her fiery vocal skills that she doesn’t even bother to interpret the songs. She just sits back, sings her ass off and waits for the postman to stuff her box full of checks.