So, while Reba’s mother laid the foundation for much of her musical success, she was also very much a daddy’s girl.
”I have a lot of daddy in me. I have a lot of his drive and his determination to succeed, but also, I’m a terrible communicator,” she shared with The Tennessean in 1994.
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After all her successes and tragedies, there was one thing that made Reba McEntire consider stepping away from her career. In an interview on Today with Hoda & Jenna, the musician – now widely regarded as the Queen of Country – candidly shared how she considered quitting music following her mother Jacqueline’s passing from cancer in March 2020.
McEntire, 69, recounted a moment when she and her sister Susie were going through their parents’ belongings after Jacqueline’s death. It was during this introspective period that she contemplated her future as a singer.
She recalled: “I was going through pictures. I said, ‘I just don’t think I’m gonna do this anymore.’ She said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘Sing,’” she explained. “I said, ‘I always did it for Mama.’ She said, ‘Oh, you’ll get it back.’ I did.”
Reba is about faith, family and culture
Luckily, Reba has continued to sing. And she remains a staple in country music, while also expanding her brand through acting, business ventures, and philanthropy
Even with millions in the bank and the freedom to do whatever she wants, Reba McEntire has never forgotten where she came from. In 2023, she made a heartfelt return to her hometown in Atoka, and partnered with the Choctaw Nation to open Reba’s Place — a charming restaurant and gathering spot that’s breathing new life into the town.
”Reba is about faith, she is about family, she is about culture,” said Gary Batton, chief of the Choctaw Nation, the third-largest tribe in the United States.
With a dash of her unique style, the place showcases her music, memorabilia, and plenty of Southern comfort food. But it’s not just about business for Reba — it’s her way of giving back to the community that shaped her.
By creating jobs and bringing people together, Reba is helping Atoka thrive, all while keeping her heart right where it belongs.
Full circle
For me, Reba McEntire’s career truly came full circle when she performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. It was a poignant moment, bringing her back to where it all began—when her dad pushed her to take that first big step, singing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in 1974. Little did she know, that performance would mark the start of a remarkable, legendary journey.
Fast forward to that Super Bowl stage, and it was like everything had come together. From a small rodeo in Oklahoma to one of the world’s biggest events, Reba’s journey is a true testament to where passion and hard work can take you. A full-circle moment that was as emotional as it was incredible.
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With 24 No. 1 hits, over 90 million albums sold, and an incredible array of awards to her name, Reba McEntire has etched her name into the history of country music.
The Oklahoma native is proof that you can come from humble beginnings and still take the world by storm – share her story on Facebook if you agree!
