Ask American Profile

How does country singer Martina McBride juggle motherhood with a successful career that keeps her on the road so often?
—Melissa C., Rhode Island

“It’s really easy to strike a balance when you figure out what your priorities are,” says McBride, mother of two, singer of hits Independence Day, Wild Angels, and I Love You, and 1999 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year. “My priority is my family, and then everything else just works around that. Once you figure out your priorities, then you can strike that balance a lot easier.”

I’ve recently noticed Ewan McGregor in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Eye of the Beholder. What is his personal life like?
—Angel M., Mississippi

McGregor, 29, born in Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland, lives in London with his wife, Eve Mouvrakis, a French writer and production designer for movies, and their young daughter, Clara. McGregor plays guitars and drums, loves a wide variety of music, and has played in pipe bands in Scotland. He is known off-screen to be a steadfast Scottish gentleman. He chooses films of good quality with interesting people and good scripts, and not for strong political messages, he says.

Why does Bob Barker of the game show The Price Is Right still use a corded microphone instead of one without a cord and/or one on his lapel like others use?
—Bob S., Arkansas

The veteran game show host is asked this question frequently, says CBS publicist Kevin McDonald. “Bob says that he has been doing the show so long—29 years—with a hand-held microphone that he doesn’t want to change. He feels that if he came out without one, the audience would be confused and disappointed to see him without it,” McDonald says. “He enjoys doing it and will continue to use it.”

What can you tell me about Jim Edmonds, the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder?
—Elmer E., Iowa

Edmonds, 30, was born in Fullerton, Calif., and graduated from high school in 1988, lettering in football, baseball, and soccer. He joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1993 when he was traded from the Anaheim Angels. In his first season as a Cardinal, he established several career highs, including 42 home runs (the most ever hit by a Cardinal outfielder), 108 runs batted in, and 129 runs scored. The left-hander became just the fourth player and first Cardinal outfielder to hit 40 home runs in a season. His batting average in 2000 was .295. He is signed with the Cardinals through 2006, with a club option for 2007. He is donating $1 million to Cardinal Cares, the team’s community foundation supporting kids, over the life of his contract.

Is there any chance that Club Dance will ever come back on TNN? Why was it taken off the air?
—Jennie K., Illinois

Club Dance, a show that featured Western wear-clad dancers twirling and swinging to current country music hits, kicked up its heels for the last time in June 1999, and it doesn’t look like it’s coming back. The show, hosted by Shelley Mangrum, was taped in a Knoxville, Tenn., studio and attracted dancers from across the country. “Club Dance had an excellent run on TNN for more than seven years. However, in order to remain competitive, cable networks need to constantly change,” a TNN publicist says. “It is not on our lineup at this time.”

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.

 Start Uploading Now!

 

Discuss this Article