One of country music's premiere talents will be performing Thursday at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe.

Martina McBride, who has had many number one hits, has won virtually every possible award in country music, and has sold out major arenas over the years, is making a stop with her "Everlasting Tour."This is the second time McBride has come to Penn's Peak. Two years ago she attracted a capacity crowd.She is best known for the moving song about domestic violence, "Independence Day," whose video was ranked number two country video of all time by CMT.The lyrics tell a story of a woman's response to domestic abuse, seen from the point of view of her daughter.The tour is to promote Martina's latest album, "Everlasting," which covers such hits as Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" as well as pop hits like Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" and the Supremes' "Come See About Me."In a phone interview from Nashville, McBride assured she'll be doing many of her top hits such as "Independence Day," "This One's For the Girls," "Wild Angels," and "In My Daughter's Eyes." She'll also be doing a few songs from the new album.On stage, Martina will be accompanied by a four-piece band and three backup singers. Those on stage will be wearing matching coordinated outfits, she said."Everlasting" gave her the opportunity to break away from her country tradition and venture into the pop field.She admits that artists who most influenced her included Linda Ronstadt, Pat Benatar, and Aretha Franklin."I like to listen to all kinds of music," she said.Wikipedia says McBride has been called the "Celine Dion of country music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range.Born in Kansas, McBride would spend hours after school singing to the records of such stars as Reba McEntire, Ronstadt, Connie Smith, Patsy Cline, and many others.She and her husband, John McBride, have three daughters, ages 19, 16, and 9. She said none have indicated an interest in becoming performers.McBride works with a variety of charities. She is currently the spokeswoman for the National Domestic Violence Hotline as well as for the National Network to End Domestic Violence and national spokeswoman for the Tulsa Domestic Violence and Intervention Services.Every year since 1995, she has hosted Middle Tennessee's YWCA, "Celebrity Auction," and it has raised nearly $400,000 so far. In 2004, she worked with "Kids Wish Network" to fulfill the wish of a young girl dying from Muscular Dystrophy. McBride was awarded the "Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award" in 2003.A latest venture of McBride was publishing a cook book, "Around the Table."The cookbook features a large variety of recipes, many of which have been in her family for generations, she said.She has appeared on many major TV shows sharing those recipes, including "The Rachal Ray Show."The 307-page volume is filled withrecipes, but it's also a practical guide to entertaining and party-planning. Each of the 10 chapters has a theme - "Family Pizza Night," for example, or "Spring Brunch Outdoors" - and offers tips for decorating and food preparation, as well as a step-by-step "cooking game plan."There's also a playlist of suggested songs for each occasion, ranging from Bobby Rydell's "Volare" (for her "Bountiful Tuscan Feast") to Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" (a "Red Wine and Vinyl" party).McBride shares some personal anecdotes and family reminiscences along the way, and discusses her philosophy as a hostess.Tickets for McBride's concert at Penn's Peak are $45 and $55. The concert starts at 8 p.m.Upcoming concerts at Penn's Peak are:November• 13 - Martina McBride: The Everlasting Tour, 8 p.m. Tickets $45 and $55.• 14 - Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie's Girl, 8 p.m. Tickets $17 advance, $22 day of show.• 24 - Dark Star Orchestra, 8 p.m. Tickets $24 and $29.December• 3 - The Lehighton 9/12 Project Presents Dr. Benjamin Carson Sr., M.D., 7 p.m. $25.• 14 - Rockin' the Holidays with Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, 8 p.m. Tickets $22 and $25.• 20 - Kenny Rogers, 8 p.m. Tickets $55 and $65.• 30 - Get the Led Out, 8 p.m. Tickets $36 reserved, $29 general advance, $34 day of show.• 31 - Get the Led Out, 9 p.m. Tickets $45.January• 3 - Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot - An Evening Celebrating The Music of Billy Joel, 8 p.m. Tickets $17 advance, $22 day of show.• 9 - Phil Vassar with Lyndsey Highlander, 8 p.m. Tickets $22 and $27.• 24 - Satisfaction, 8 p.m. Tickets $15 advance, $20 day of show.• 31 - Voyage, Musical Tribute to the band Journey featuring Hugo, 8 p.m. Tickets $19 advance, $24 day of show.February• 13 - An Evening with Dennis DeYoung and The Music of STYX, 8 p.m. Tickets $34 and $39.• 21 - Bruce in the USA, 8 p.m. Tickets $17 advance, $22 day of show.• 27 - Creedence Clearwater Revisited, 8 p.m. Tickets $42 and $47.• 28 - The Pink Floyd Experience, 8 p.m. Tickets $30 and $35.March• 6 - Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band, 8 p.m. Tickets $22 advance, $27 day of show.• 13 - Melvin Seals & JGB, 8 p.m. Tickets $17 advance, $22 day of show.May• 29 - The Lettermen, 8 p.m., Tickets $27 and $32.