Reba McEntire was born Reba Nell McEntire on March 28, 1955 in McAlester, Oklahoma. She was raised on a working ranch, and she used to travel with her parents to attend rodeos at which her father competed. She and her brother and sister formed a group, and called themselves The Singing McEntires, and performed at rodeos.
In 1974, Reba sang the Star Spangled Banner at the National Rodeo Finals in Oklahoma City, where she was heard by country singer Red Steagall. He suggested she move to Nashville, and pursue a record deal, which she did, and was signed by Mercury Records singing honky tonk styled songs. Reba had her first charting single in 1976, with "I Don't Want to be a One Night Stand," which peaked at No. 88.
With a more pop country sound, Reba expanded her audience, and in 1984, moved to MCA, where she released Just a Little Love.
For her second album on the label, Reba wanted to go back to a more traditional sound, and she released an album of country standards, called My Kind of Country. This became her first Gold album.
From 1984 - 1987, Reba won the CMA Female Vocalist award. She also won the CMA Entertainer of the Year award in 1986. She's one of only five solo female artists to have done so (others include Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Shania Twain). 1986 was also the year that she released Whoever's in New England, which was her first No. 1 album, and the title track gave her her fifth No. 1 single.
While the 1980's were wonderful years for Reba career-wise, on March 16, 1991, Reba lost her entire band and her road manager, as the plane they were flying crashed, killing everyone aboard. Reba was devastated. She dedicated her next album, For My Broken Heart to them.
Reba had parts in a few different movies, North, The Little Rascals, and the sci-fi cult hit, Tremors, and in 2001, she took over the lead in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway. Later that year, she began her own sitcom, Reba, which ran for six successful seasons.
Reba most recently completed her Duets album. One of the duets was with Kelly Clarkson, whom Reba paired up with to tour together in 2008 as co-headliners. Reba is scheduled to host the 2008 ACM Awards. This is her 10th year hosting the awards show.
- Read My Mind
- Whoever's in New England
- Number Ones
- Fancy Download/Purchase
- Whoever's in New England Download/Purchase
- Is There Life Out There Download/Purchase
