Country music legend Red Steagall happened to be in the audience that night, and Reba’s powerful voice stopped him in his tracks. After hearing her sing, he invited her and her family to a hotel party during the rodeo. At the gathering, Reba performed an a cappella rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Joshua.” It was a defining moment.
Reba’s mother, Jacqueline, seized the opportunity to ask Steagall for help. She wanted all three of her children to get a chance at stardom. But Steagall’s response was clear: “I can’t take all three. But I could take Reba. She’s got something a little different.”
Those words hit Reba hard. She realized this wasn’t just about her dreams—it was about her mother’s sacrifices and unwavering belief in her. With newfound determination, they drove on to Nashville, not knowing they were about to begin a journey that would change country music forever.
A rocky start
After recording her demo tape, Reba’s fate hung in the balance. Glenn Keener, a producer for PolyGram/Mercury Records, heard the tape and saw something special. Impressed by her voice, he decided to take a chance and brought the recording to PolyGram’s headquarters in Chicago. But there was a catch — Keener was only allowed to sign one female artist.
In that emotional moment, Keener held two demo tapes in his hands: Reba’s and another woman’s. After a pause, he made his choice. ”He looked at the two tapes in his hand and handed ’em mine,” Reba later recalled to Entertainment Weekly.
After a rocky start with several low-charting singles, Reba gained momentum in 1978 with her first top 20 hit, ”I’d Really Love to See You Tonight.” But it wasn’t until 1984, when McEntire signed with MCA Records, that her career truly exploded. Her breakthrough album My Kind of Country marked a shift toward traditional country sounds, earning her the title of Female Vocalist of the Year and solidifying her place as a country music legend. By 1986, McEntire was a household name, winning her first Grammy for ”Whoever’s in New England,” which topped the charts.
