In the aftermath of the 2016 election, country music star Martina McBride brought a little motherly love to the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Saturday night.

Before McBride appeared on stage, a black and white video recording lit up the stage’s screen. In it, McBride said she wants her Love Unleashed tour to unite people during each concert so they can leave the crazy world behind for a moment.

McBride has won numerous accolades for her accomplishments in the boot-stomping, whisky drinking, Jesus praising world of country music, but that all comes second to her family.

“My favorite job is being their mom,” McBride said of her three daughters.

At the start of the show, McBride’s petite silhouette appeared behind a sheer white curtain hanging from the ceiling to the floor. Red lights flashed, the curtain fell and McBride approached the microphone to open with the 1999 release, “Love’s the Only House.” McBride started by playing the harmonica before belting out the first notes with her powerful voice.

McBride’s career started in the 1990s, and since then, she has earned more than 15 major music awards and received several Grammy nominations. The sold-out show in Luhrs reflected her large fan base, and at 50 years old, McBride still knows how to bring a crowd to its feet.

Dressed in all black and a sparkly jacket, the Kansas native kicked off the show with some old favorites like, “My Baby Loves Me (Just the Way That I Am),” “My Valentine” and “Blessed.”

While fans may have come to hear oldies, they were also treated to some of McBride’s latest creations off her new album, “Reckless.” Before singing her new song, “Diamond,” she took time to explain the inspiration behind it.

“When I recorded this song I sang it for myself, for my daughters, for all the women,” McBride said. “This song is about loving yourself no matter what.”

McBride exudes love and positivity in almost all of her songs, and “Diamond” was no exception, with the lyrics, “Baby you’re a diamond/You’re always gonna cut through/You just go on shinin’/Baby you’re a diamond/They’re never gonna break you.”

After “Diamond,” the lights went out and McBride reappeared under a veil of purple light, sitting at the piano. She slowed things down a bit with a break-up song, “It Ain’t Pretty,” from the “Reckless” album.

For “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” McBride picked out a mother and daughter in the front of the house, dedicating the song to them and all the parents of daughters in the crowd.

During several songs, McBride stretched her arms out wide, as if she wanted to give the audience a big hug.

McBride seemed to pour all her maternal love into her performance of “For These Times.” Before beginning, McBride said she thought this song is more relevant now than when it was first released. It was not a big hit in 2007, she said, but she believes in its message.

The song hits close to home, as the lyrics go, “In these most uncertain hours/Where the balance of power/Is a fight that is fought every day/And freedom is a word/Some cry out and some whisper.”

McBride’s positivity returns with, “Well give me a heart full of tender mercy/And arms I will open wide.”

Paying homage to some of country music’s old stars, McBride sang covers of Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard and Lynn Anderson.

“I think it’s so important to pay respect to our heritage,” McBride said.

The stage’s cameras turned to the crowd for McBride’s popular hit, “This One’s For The Girls,” causing a few women in the crowd to stand up and dance.

“A Broken Wing” and “Independence Day” received enthusiastic cheers, bringing everyone to their feet.

Nearing the end of her performance, McBride threw her mic stand to the ground during “Independence Day,” as flames lit up the screen behind her.

After disappearing for a dramatic pause, McBride ended with The Beatles song, “All You Need Is Love,” and she was not the only one singing.

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