Reba Nell McEntire is an American country singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band, on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos.
What can we actually say about Reba McEntire? She’s a living legend. She’s done so much for the country music industry.
Reba Nell McEntire was born on March 28, 1955, in McAlester, Oklahoma, to a family of champion steer ropers. While growing up, McEntire and her three siblings spent time traveling to and from their father’s world championship rodeo performances. Their mother, Jacqueline McEntire, nurtured her children’s musical talent. During their many long car rides, they would pass the time by learning songs and harmonizing.
Eventually, when Reba McEntire was in ninth grade, she and her two younger siblings formed the group the Singing McEntire’s, and went on to perform at rodeos. The group later disbanded, but Reba continued to perform as a solo act through her college years.
In 1974, McEntire caught a break when country music star Red Steagall heard her sing at the National Finals Rodeo. The young singer’s national anthem performance impressed Steagall, prompting him to help her record a demo and eventually sign with Mercury Records.
Throughout the late 1970s, the soon-to-be “Queen of Country” spent several hours in the recording studio, creating and releasing singles. While none of her early songs were major hits, chart success was just around the corner. In 1980, “You Lift Me Up (To Heaven)” cracked the Billboard country Top 10, ultimately launching an illustrious career.
Throughout the 1980s, McEntire stuck close to her roots in terms of persona, capitalizing on the rowdy rodeo girl theme in photos and on stage. As her powerful vocal stylings matured, her image changed as well, from rough-edged and rural to more polished and mainstream.
