Martina McBride fronted the lineup for CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, with special guests Lauren Alaina, Post Monroe and Maggie Rose. The tour made a stop in the heart of New York City’s Times Square, and McBride led a fully girl-powered show just in time for Women’s Day, with Taste of Country on hand to capture some exclusive concert pictures.

Post Monroe accompanied Rose onstage to open the show. Rose, who is one of Nashville's most up-and-coming artists, performed a few tracks off her upcoming project including “Love Me More” and “Too Many Love Songs,” which draw from personal stories of love, success and struggle.

Alaina then graced the audience with a set that drew from her new album, Road Less Traveled. Opening her set with “Queen of Heart” and “My Kinda People,” the rising star shared her sacrifices, and the struggles it took to get to be a radio hit.

"I’ve been touring for the last six years and have had six singles, but I haven’t had that radio success I’ve always wanted, until now," she said. Her current single, "Road Less Traveled," has reached the Top 10, becoming the biggest hit of her career to date.

Alaina has been through a lot of changes since the release of her debut album, Wildflower, including an eating disorder, vocal surgery, her father's alcoholism and her parents' divorce.  Visibly emotional, the singer was proud to say it was all worth it to have her 40 minutes on stage and her three minutes on the radio, dedicating "Three" to her supportive fans. Alaina continued her girl power vibe with "Crashing the Boys’ Club," "Doing’ Fine" and her current hit.

McBride began her headlining set reflecting on 25 years in the music business. "It’s great what CMT is doing to support women in country music, and it’s crazy to me I get to make records 25 years later," she said.

She began her set with "Love's the Only House," "My Baby Loves Me" and "I Love You." McBride also touched on the turbulent times we're all living in, saying, "It's just a crazy world we're living in right now and there is 24/7 coverage of it."

"I had to figure out how I could protect my kids, emotionally and physically so we just started watching less news and spending more time as a family, listen to music while we hang out at the dinner table," she added, saying that's what inspired the theme for her latest tour.

"Wanting to be able to create a space where my fans can come and leave the world outside for a couple of hours and share in a common experience of music, positivity and love and leave the show stronger and tackle the world from a more positive place, and that is my mission statement for the Love Unleashed Tour," she stated.

Despite feeling under the weather, the feisty country belter toughed it out and performed fan favorites including "Independence Day" and "Wild Angels." She saluted the late Merle Haggard with "Today I Started Loving You Again," and continued with more favorites including "When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues," “Independence Day” and a salute to National Women's Day with "This One's for the Girls."

Martina McBride's Love Unleashed Tour continues with several festival and state fair dates throughout the summer.

Martina McBride: Still Bold, Still Reckless

More From KIX 105.7