Martina McBride singing at Green Valley Ranch

At 45, Martina McBride is more than twice the age of Taylor Swift, old enough to play her mom on a CMT original movie. (No, we're not saying they are doing one.)

But McBride helped build the bridge that now connects the country and pop charts with hits such as "I Love You" and "This One's for the Girls."

Her new album "Eleven" came out earlier this month and is her first for Swift's label, Republic Nashville. McBride delved deeper into songwriting than ever before, co-writing six of the titular 11 tracks. The current single, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," personalizes the work she's done to fight breast cancer.

She sings at 8 p.m. today in the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch Resort, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson. Tickets are $51-$86.50; call 547-5300.

-- By MIKE WEATHERFORD