The ranch life that fueled Reba McEntire’s rise to fame

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.”

In March 1975, Reba and her mother packed up and headed to Nashville to record a demo tape. The journey wasn’t without hesitation. Reba admitted she made excuse after excuse to delay the trip. Finally, her mother pulled the car over and looked her daughter in the eye. “Now, Reba,” Jacqueline said gently but firmly, “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 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.

McEntire’s life was shattered after a plane crash

In the late 1980s, Reba McEntire’s career took a significant turn as her touring schedule became busier, and she and her band began flying by private planes to avoid long bus trips. Tragically, in March 1991, McEntire’s life was shattered when a plane crash took the lives of eight members of her band an d two pilots. The accident deeply affected McEntire, who later dedicated her album For My Broken Heart to those lost.

Despite the tragedy, McEntire’s career flourished throughout the 1990s. She also explored acting, starring in a TV series and releasing the hit ”I’m a Survivor.”

After taking a few years off, Reba McEntire made a triumphant return to music in 2003 with her album Room to Breathe. The album produced a number-one hit with “Somebody” and was followed by a successful tour. Her 2007 album Reba: Duets topped the charts, showcasing her ability to blend genres with a variety of artists.

Reba’s heartfelt tribute

In, 2014 Reba’s father passed away after complications from a stroke. To honor him, she channeled her grief into the music video for ”Just Like Them Horses,” a heartfelt song that gave a deeply personal glimpse into the pain of losing someone so important.Continue reading…