Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the inspiring life, enduring legacy, and most memorable quotes of Reba McEntire. Learn about her rise from Oklahoma ranch life to country music superstardom, key moments in her career, and lessons we can draw from “The Queen of Country.”

Introduction

Reba McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is an American country music icon, actress, and entrepreneur. Widely dubbed “The Queen of Country,” she has sold over 75 million records worldwide and placed more than 100 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 25 of which hit No. 1.

Her journey—from a ranch in Oklahoma to the bright lights of Nashville and beyond—stands as a testament to perseverance, talent, and heart. Her songs resonate not just for their melodies, but for their emotional honesty, faith, and storytelling. In this article, we delve deep into her life, career, influence, and quotes that continue to inspire generations.

Early Life and Family

Reba Nell McEntire was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, and grew up on a cattle ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma.

From a young age, music and ranch duty went hand in hand. Reba and her siblings helped with cattle chores—feeding, castrating bulls, administering worm medicine, in addition to schoolwork.

Reba later recalled that in childhood, her father rarely expressed affection verbally. In her autobiography, she wrote, “When we were growing up, I used to regret that Daddy never told us that he loved us.”

Music, though, was part of the McEntire household. Reba and her siblings formed the group The Singing McEntires, performing locally—on radio programs, at rodeos, and in small venues.

Youth and Education

Reba attended public school while contributing to ranch work and performing at local venues. As a teenager, she sang at rodeos and local radio shows, gradually building a regional reputation.

She enrolled at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, studying to be a teacher—reflecting a path similar to her mother’s—while continuing to pursue music opportunities.

A pivotal moment came when she performed the national anthem at a rodeo event in Oklahoma City. Her performance caught the attention of Red Steagall, a singer and talent scout, who encouraged her to try Nashville.

By late 1975, Reba formally turned toward a music career, signing a contract with Mercury Records.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings at Mercury (1975–1983)

In November 1975, Reba signed with Mercury Records and began recording in early 1976.

Her self-titled debut album followed in August 1977. Although it produced modest chart success, it laid the foundation for her growth.

Breakthrough and Mainstream Success

A turning point came in the 1980s when Reba signed with MCA Nashville. Her 1984 album My Kind of Country embraced a more traditional country style and introduced hits like “How Blue” and “Somebody Should Leave.”

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Reba consistently produced chart-topping hits. She blended traditional country storytelling with pop crossover appeal—striking a balance that elevated her status.

She also expanded into acting and broader entertainment. In 2001 she starred in the sitcom Reba, playing Reba Hart, a divorced single mother navigating life’s ups and downs. The show ran until 2007 and reinforced her appeal beyond music.

Later Career, Reinvention & Continuity

Through the 2000s and beyond, Reba continued to reinvent and sustain her relevance. In 2016, after her divorce from manager-husband Narvel Blackstock, she took control of her career direction, forming her own business structure (Reba’s Business Inc.) and moving away from reliance on external management.

In 2017, she released Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, her first gospel album, which blended hymns and original spiritual songs.

Her career has remained active into the 2020s as she continues performing, recording, acting, and engaging in philanthropy.

Tragedy, Resilience, and Turning Points

One of the deepest heartbreaks in her career occurred in March 1991, when eight members of her band died in a plane crash following a concert in San Diego. Reba’s album For My Broken Heart (released eight months later) was dedicated to them and became her best-selling album—a cathartic expression of grief and strength.

In 2020, after the passing of her mother Jacqueline, Reba revealed she nearly quit singing, admitting she had often performed “for Mama.” Over time, she regained her passion and continued creating.

Through divorce, managerial upheaval, and personal loss, Reba has remained steadfast—reinventing with courage.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Reba is one of the few artists to achieve solo No. 1 country singles across four decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s).

• She holds 25 No. 1 country hits among her more than 100 charting singles.

• She has earned numerous awards:
    • 3 Grammy Awards (1987, 1994, 2018)   • Multiple Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association (CMA) honors. She’s the first woman to win the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award four years in a row.   • A record 12 American Music Awards for Favorite Country Female Artist.

• In recent decades, she has also earned acclaim and recognition beyond country music circles—acting, television, brand ventures, and philanthropic work.

• Reba is also celebrated as a gay icon for her long-standing support, connection, and advocacy with the LGBTQ+ community—her inclusive spirit and respect have earned her a devoted following.

Legacy and Influence

Reba’s influence radiates across music, television, and culture:

• She has inspired countless country artists (especially women) in the path of artistic autonomy and authenticity.

• Her balance of emotional storytelling, vocal power, and genre crossover appeal widened the scope of country music’s reach.

• In television, her sitcom Reba helped normalize stories of divorce, single parenthood, and blended families in mainstream entertainment.

• Her resilience in the face of personal tragedy and industry change offers a blueprint for artists seeking longevity.

• As a businesswoman, she has shown artists can manage and own their creative direction, not be bound to managers or labels.

• Her faith, humility, and connection to roots (her Oklahoma ranch upbringing) remain central to her public identity, making her persona compelling beyond her music.

Personality and Talents

Reba McEntire’s success is not just a product of vocal talent. Several traits define her:

• Emotional honesty & storytelling: Her songs often draw from life’s hardships, love, loss, and hope, giving her music genuine resonance.

• Work ethic: She has publicly said that as a woman entering country music in the 1970s, she “worked twice as hard” to prove her worth.

• Adaptability & reinvention: She has withstood shifts in country music trends by embracing evolution while staying true to her roots.

• Faith & humility: She often credits God for her path and remains grounded in her origin story.

• Courage: In many interviews, she has spoken about the risks she took—whether divorcing, managing her own career, or stepping into new entertainment domains.

• Supportive spirit: From mentoring others, advocating for causes, and staying connected to fans, she has remained generous and relational in her public role.

Famous Quotes of Reba McEntire

Here are some of Reba McEntire’s memorable sayings—her wisdom in her own words:

1. “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.”

2. “As a woman, you don't complain; you work twice as hard, and you do your job.”

3. “You've got to stay current and up with the competition. The main thing, though, is finding the greatest songs you can possibly find.”

4. “Be different, stand out, and work your butt off.”

5. “When tough times come, we have to recognize that this life is not our own.”

6. “If you’re out there trying to take a new step in your career, keep learning, keep listening, and keep doing it for the love of it.”

7. “Life, like rodeo, isn’t all or nothing. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you always learn and get better as you go.”

8. “There’s something to learn from every person you meet if you’re willing to look for it.”

9. “God’s plans for me are always better than my plans, even if they do take me by surprise.”

10. “All the money in the world can’t buy you back good health.”

These quotes exemplify her philosophy: faith, perseverance, humility, and a dedication to continuous growth.

Lessons from Reba McEntire

From Reba’s life and career, we can extract meaningful lessons:

• Rooted identity matters: She never forgot her Oklahoma ranch beginnings—those roots grounded her through fame and trials.

• Work and resilience drive success: Her era was not welcoming to women in country music. She persevered and built her own path.

• Authenticity connects deeply: Her songs and public persona reflect vulnerability and honesty, which foster strong emotional bonds with fans.

• Reinvention is vital: She adapted to changes—musical trends, industry shifts, personal transitions—without losing her core self.

• Ownership and control: Later in her career, she asserted control over her own brand and direction, offering a model for artists of all kinds.

• Faith and gratitude: Through tragedy, loss, and pressure, she leaned on faith and gratitude—maintaining perspective despite success.

• Lifelong learning and humility: Even at her level, she continues to learn—whether new songs, new roles, or new ways to serve.

Conclusion

Reba McEntire is a towering figure in American music—her journey from Oklahoma ranch life to global superstardom is interwoven with heartbreak, triumph, reinvention, and faith. She has transcended mere commercial success to become a cultural and inspirational touchstone.

Her legacy is more than awards and chart records; it is the story of perseverance, artistry, and resilience. Through her music, acting, words, and life story, she gives us a roadmap: stay rooted, evolve with courage, remain authentic, and lead with heart.

If you’re inspired by Reba McEntire’s life and quotes, dive deeper into her music catalog, watch her performances, and revisit her words. Let her voice remind you that dreams, no matter how audacious, are reachable with backbone, humor, and a persistent spirit.

Want me to also create a collection of Reba’s best lyrics, or compare her to another country legend?