*This article is reposted from 28th March 2024*
Today, the amazing Reba McEntire celebrates her 69th birthday, and she truly deserves all the accolades coming her way. It feels like she has been a part of my life forever, and I still enjoy her music several times a week.
However, Reba’s journey hasn’t always been easy.
Born to embrace the country lifestyle, Reba McEntire didn’t just grow up in it — she lived it fully.
This iconic country star was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1955, but she spent her formative years on her family’s expansive 8,000-acre ranch in the small town of Chockie, Atoka County. Reba’s upbringing was filled with hard work, resilience, and deep-rooted western values.
Life on the ranch left little room for relaxation, and even as a young child, Reba was expected to contribute.
By the age of five, she was already behind the wheel of her dad’s truck, navigating through fields of cattle. Well, “navigating” might be a better term since she was too short to reach the pedals. Her father, Clark McEntire, would lift her up with a 50-pound feed sack, shift the truck into “granny gear,” and let her take control. This wasn’t just a rare treat; it was a regular part of her life.
Uncle Keno gave me that rock necklace.
Posted by Reba McEntire on Monday, April 6, 2020
The legendary singer grew up in a family rich in rodeo tradition. Her grandfather, John Wesley McEntire, was a world-champion steer roper in 1934, and her father, Clark, followed suit, winning the title three times.
Her childhood wasn’t glamorous
Clark McEntire was more than just a rodeo icon; he embodied a traditional approach to parenting. Reba’s father was not one to express affection through hugs or verbal affirmations like “I love you.” Instead, he demonstrated his love by setting high standards and instilling a strong work ethic in his children.
In her autobiography, For My Broken Heart, Reba reflected, “Growing up, I often wished Daddy had told us he loved us.”
Her upbringing was far from luxurious. The McEntire siblings—Alice, Pake, Reba, and Susie—were raised in a simple gray house that had only one bathroom for the entire family of six.
“We weren’t wealthy folks from West Texas or anything like that. It’s mostly rocky, mountainous terrain, but there was enough land to raise a few cattle,” Reba remembered.
Despite her early mastery and appreciation of farm life, Reba always felt a different calling—she had a passion for singing. Her mother, Jacqueline McEntire, had once aspired to be a country singer but chose to dedicate her life to teaching, working as a librarian and secretary instead.
“My mama was often told she could have been as famous as Patsy Cline if she had gotten the right opportunities, but she was already teaching school by the time she was 16 or 17,” Reba shared.
She got her big voice from her dad
Reba’s father had a hard time expressing his feelings, but Jacqueline was always there with warmth and care. Thanks to their mother’s support, music became a cherished family connection. During long drives to her father’s rodeo events, Jacqueline would teach her children to sing in harmony, transforming the backseat into a delightful little choir.
It was in these special moments that Reba’s love for singing truly took root.
Reba often credited her mother for her singing abilities, claiming that all her musical inspiration came from her. As for her powerful voice, that was inherited from her father. Growing up on a ranch, he had to call the cattle from afar, and that strength in his voice was passed down to Reba.
flashbackfriday. Love this picture!!! 4th grade. Kiowa Grade School!!! Kiowa, OK!! Go Cowboys!!
Posted by Reba McEntire on Friday, April 10, 2015
“I’ve always been the loud one. Mama used to say that when the three of us sang, she could always hear me over Pake and Susie. They’d often tell me, ‘Reba, be quiet. Step back. Way back.’ That’s just been my story,” she shared with the Chicago Tribune.
Reba’s musical journey began at a young age, and her talent was evident even then. In first grade, the fiery redhead stood before her classmates during a Christmas pageant and sang “Away in a Manger,” enchanting everyone with her lovely voice. By fifth grade, she had joined the 4-H club, where she won first place in the Junior Act Division with her rendition of “My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown.” It was clear that Reba’s passion for performing was already flourishing.
The McEntire family band
Reba’s early life was not solely focused on music; she embraced a vibrant and active lifestyle. She was involved in basketball, track, and spent her summers honing her skills at basketball camp. At home, she took piano and guitar lessons, and her love for rodeo inspired her to train as a barrel racer.
By the time she reached high school, Reba’s musical dreams had turned into a family project. Together with her siblings, Pake and Susie, they formed a trio known as The Singing McEntires. Their mother, Jacqueline, was always ready to provide her thoughts, especially if someone missed a note.
“Whenever someone needed to know who was off-key — if it was Susie on my part or me on hers — Mama would come in with her spatula while frying potatoes,” McEntire reminisced, imitating her mother’s gesture with the utensil. “She’d say, ‘Alright, Reba, you’re singing Susie’s part. Try it again.’ We’d sing, and she’d respond, ‘Oh, that’s perfect,’ before returning to her cooking.”
The siblings frequently performed together, quickly gaining recognition from local crowds. In 1971, they released a single titled “The Ballad of John McEntire,” honoring their grandfather, a renowned rodeo star. While the song was only available regionally, it represented a significant step in Reba’s early music journey, foreshadowing the superstar she was destined to become.
Kids barely out of puberty
The Singing McEntires were not just a family trio; they became a beloved local phenomenon. With Reba, Pake, and Susie at the forefront, they started performing at community events and dances. As their skills developed, so did their popularity. They eventually created a band known as The Kiowa High School Cowboy Band, bringing their music to dance halls and bars in Oklahoma City. Reba later humorously recalled, “We were just kids barely out of puberty, staying up until sunrise after some of those shows.”
However, as the siblings matured, their individual paths began to take shape.
Eat your heart out!!!!! 5th grade???#i’mtoosexyformyhair
Posted by Reba McEntire on Thursday, January 29, 2015
When her brother finished high school, the band came to an end. Reba graduated from Kiowa High School in 1973 and went on to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she majored in elementary education and minored in music. Even while in college, she managed to juggle her studies with her duties on the family ranch, showcasing her resilience and dedication.
In 1974, a remarkable opportunity presented itself. Reba’s father encouraged her to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. Feeling nervous yet determined, she reached out to family friend and rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden, who helped her land the performance. Little did she realize, that moment would alter the course of her life.
A defining moment
Country music icon Red Steagall was in the audience that evening, and Reba’s stunning voice captivated him instantly. After her performance, he invited her and her family to a hotel gathering during the rodeo. At that event, Reba delivered an a cappella version of Dolly Parton’s “Joshua,” marking a pivotal moment in her career.
Seizing the moment, Reba’s mother, Jacqueline, approached Steagall for assistance, hoping to give all three of her children a shot at fame. However, Steagall made it clear: “I can’t take all three. But I could take Reba. She’s got something a little different.”
In March 1975, Reba and her mother set off for Nashville to record a demo tape, though the decision wasn’t easy for Reba. She found herself making excuse after excuse to postpone the trip. Eventually, her mother pulled over and looked her in the eye. “Now, Reba,” Jacqueline said with a gentle yet firm tone, “if you don’t want to go to Nashville, we don’t have to do this. But I’m living all my dreams through you.”
Those words resonated deeply with Reba. She understood that this journey was not just about her aspirations but also about her mother’s sacrifices and steadfast faith in her. With renewed resolve, they continued their drive to Nashville, unaware that they were about to embark on a journey that would transform country music forever.
A rocky start
After Reba recorded her demo tape, her future was uncertain. Glenn Keener, a producer at PolyGram/Mercury Records, listened to the tape and recognized her unique talent. Captivated by her voice, he decided to take a risk and brought the recording to PolyGram’s office in Chicago. However, there was a stipulation — he could only sign one female artist.
In that pivotal moment, Keener found himself with two demo tapes: one from Reba and another from a different artist. After a brief moment of contemplation, he made his decision. “He looked at the two tapes in his hand and handed mine over,” Reba later shared with Entertainment Weekly.
Reba’s journey began with a few singles that didn’t quite make the charts, but she found her stride in 1978 with her first top 20 hit, “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight.” However, it was in 1984, after signing with MCA Records, that her career really took off. Her album My Kind of Country represented a return to traditional country music, earning her the title of Female Vocalist of the Year and establishing her as a country music icon. By 1986, Reba had become a household name, winning her first Grammy for the hit “Whoever’s in New England,” which reached the top of the charts.
McEntire’s life was shattered after a plane crash
In the late 1980s, Reba McEntire experienced a pivotal moment in her career as her touring commitments increased, leading her and her band to travel by private planes instead of enduring lengthy bus rides. Unfortunately, in March 1991, tragedy struck when a plane crash claimed the lives of eight band members and two pilots, leaving McEntire devastated. In memory of those lost, she dedicated her album For My Broken Heart to them.
Despite this heart-wrenching event, McEntire’s career thrived throughout the 1990s. She ventured into acting, landing a role in a television series and releasing the popular song “I’m a Survivor.”
After a brief hiatus, Reba McEntire made a remarkable comeback to music in 2003 with her album Room to Breathe, which featured the chart-topping hit “Somebody” and was followed by a successful tour. Her 2007 release, Reba: Duets, also reached the top of the charts, highlighting her talent for collaborating across various musical styles.
Reba’s heartfelt tribute
In 2014, Reba experienced the loss of her father due to complications from a stroke. To pay tribute to him, she poured her emotions into the music video for “Just Like Them Horses,” a touching song that offered a raw and personal look at the sorrow of losing someone so significant.
This wasn’t the first time Reba honored her father through music. Back in 1979, she penned the song “Daddy,” celebrating Clark and the cowboy and rodeo lifestyle he loved.
While Reba’s mother played a crucial role in her musical journey, she also had a strong bond with her father, identifying as a true daddy’s girl.
“I carry a lot of my dad within me. His drive and determination to succeed are part of who I am, but I also struggle with communication,” she revealed to The Tennessean in 1994.
After experiencing both triumphs and heartaches, Reba McEntire found herself contemplating a break from her career. In a heartfelt interview on Today with Hoda & Jenna, the artist, often celebrated as the Queen of Country, opened up about her thoughts of stepping away from music after the loss of her mother, Jacqueline, who passed away from cancer in March 2020.
At 69, McEntire shared a poignant moment when she and her sister Susie were sorting through their parents’ possessions following Jacqueline’s passing. It was during this reflective time that she began to question her path as a singer.
She remembered saying, “I was looking through old photos and thought, ‘I just don’t think I’m gonna do this anymore.’ Susie was surprised and asked, ‘What?’ I replied, ‘Sing.’ I told her, ‘I always did it for Mama.’ She reassured me, ‘Oh, you’ll get it back.’ And I did.”
Reba is about faith, family and culture
Reba has kept her singing career alive and well, solidifying her place in country music while also branching out into acting, business, and charitable efforts.
Despite having achieved great financial success and the freedom to choose her path, Reba McEntire remains grounded in her roots. In 2023, she made a touching visit back to her hometown of Atoka, collaborating with the Choctaw Nation to launch Reba’s Place — a delightful restaurant and community hub that’s revitalizing the area.
“Reba embodies faith, family, and culture,” noted Gary Batton, chief of the Choctaw Nation, which is the third-largest tribe in the U.S.
With her signature flair, the venue features her music, memorabilia, and a variety of comforting Southern dishes. For Reba, it’s more than just a business venture; it’s a heartfelt way to give back to the community that raised her.
By creating job opportunities and fostering connections among locals, Reba is playing a vital role in Atoka’s growth, all while keeping her heart firmly rooted in her hometown.
Full circle
Reba McEntire’s career reached a beautiful milestone when she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. This touching moment brought her back to her roots, reminding us of the time her father encouraged her to take that leap, performing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City back in 1974. Who would have thought that performance would kick off such an extraordinary and legendary career?
Fast forward to that Super Bowl, and it felt like everything had aligned perfectly. From a humble rodeo in Oklahoma to one of the most significant events in the world, Reba’s story is a shining example of how passion and dedication can lead to incredible achievements. It was a full-circle moment that was both moving and awe-inspiring.
Reba McEntire has made a remarkable mark in country music with 24 No. 1 hits, more than 90 million albums sold, and a stunning collection of awards. This Oklahoma native exemplifies how someone from modest origins can achieve greatness. If you believe in her inspiring journey, feel free to share it on Facebook!
