Grammy(R) Award-winning artist Martina McBride lends her voice and her support to the upcoming Lifetime Movie, "A Life Interrupted" with her poignant and stirring new song "Anyway." "A Life Interrupted," starring Lea Thompson ("Caroline in the City," "Back to the Future") is a powerful drama inspired by the story of a shy Virginia housewife, Debbie Smith (Thompson), who after a brutal sexual assault in her own backyard, finds the inner strength to become the voice, face and name behind one of most effective pieces of anti-rape legislation in American history. The legislation, known as "The Debbie Smith Act," helped to eliminate the nationwide backlog of untested DNA kits. Most importantly, this groundbreaking legislation is expected to put approximately 70,000 rapists behind bars and give peace of mind to families nationwide. The movie premieres Monday, April 23, 2007, at 9PM (ET/PT), on Lifetime Television. "Anyway" debuts on McBride's new album, "Waking Up Laughing."


"Martina McBride has done so much to help end violence and we are proud to partner with her on this new movie," said Marianne Goode, Vice President of Music, Lifetime Television. "Like Debbie Smith, Martina has helped countless women and families nationwide by speaking out against violence and sexual assault. The message in this song and the hope it conveys are a perfect match for the tone and spirit of our movie."


McBride is a long-time supporter of Lifetime's anti-violence campaign and has been a champion of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The song will anchor a moving original video trailer featuring scenes from her "Anyway" video, faces of sexual assault survivors by photographer Nobuko Oyabu and scenes from the movie. The video trailer will air at the end of the film and will be highlighted in an online viral e-card to pass along to friends and family to encourage them to follow Debbie's lead and get involved in the movement to end violence against women.


"I feel like its important to use this gift God gave me, my life and my career to do something to make the world a better place," said McBride. "The real heroes, like Debbie Smith, are the ones out there working tirelessly everyday to better their lives for themselves and their children. If this song can inspire just one woman to reach out, get help and get involved -- then it's worth it -- nothing thrills me more than to lend my voice to this empowering Lifetime movie."


As part of a commitment to inform and support its viewers in the more than 90 million homes the Network reaches, seven years ago Lifetime Television launched a campaign, "End Violence Against Women," to help end all forms of violence against women, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. Multi-Grammy(R) winner Christina Aguilera and Oscar(R)- winner Nicole Kidman have also joined this year's campaign. The initiative, which was honored with a Governor's Emmy(R) Award, includes extensive original on-air programming and public service announcements, online content and community outreach, with a hopeful message that everyone -- women and men -- can make a difference. In April 2007, Lifetime will again bring the campaign to the nation's capitol with its fifth annual "End Violence Week in Washington," which will include a premiere screening of "A Life Interrupted," with a special appearance by Debbie and Rob Smith, Lea Thompson, Members of Congress, Department of Justice officials and leading advocates. In addition, Lifetime is teaming up with local rape crisis centers, nonprofit organizations and the Network's College Corps to host discussions and screenings of "A Life Interrupted."


Martina McBride has been a steady presence in the country music industry since 1993. Her fiery, passionate vocals have created such memorable hits as "Independence Day," "Wild Angels," "A Broken Wing," "Blessed" and "This One's for the Girls." She has placed 22 singles in the top-10, has sold 16 million records and has been named CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Her signature hits have not only become memorable musical statements but also resounding social commentaries. On April 3, McBride will release her ninth album, "Waking Up Laughing," which she solo-produced. "Anyway," the debut single, is her fastest-rising single ever and marks her first songwriting credit. She co-wrote two additional songs on the new album as well. Named "Best Live Act" of 2006 by the Chicago Sun Times and the only solo female to be in Billboard's Top 10 country music touring acts, McBride will open her 2007 tour in Kansas City on April 12. Joining her for the tour will be 2006 breakout artists Little Big Town and Rodney Atkins.