What does one say about their hero??? I know for a fact that I am not the only one out there that is a huge Reba fan, if this was the case she would not be the top selling Female Country Artist of our decade. There is so much to say about her, but the one thing that strikes me is that she is a "real" human being. Her life has not always been a bed of roses, she has not always been on top of the world, nor has everything that she has been handed to her on a silver platter. Maybe that is why so many of us have an easy time relating to her.

I am going to try to lead you through the course of Reba's life, but I encourage any Reba fan out there to go and buy the book " Reba My Story ". The book is absolutey fanominal. Most of the information that you find here is from that book, but it would be impossible to give you the full impact of her life in a few paragraphs, this is just the highlights....

Reba grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. Her Father, Clark McEntire, was a three time World Champion Roper, and her Mother, Jacquline Smith, was a school teacher. Her young life was anything but easy. Anyone who grew up on a farm could tell you this

She spent alot of time with her father on the rodeo circuit, and by the age of 11 she was competing in the Barrel Racing. She continued competing till the age of 21. This was also where she met Charlie Battles who was to become her husband later on.

Reba was ran track and played basketball while in school. Her first start in music was with the Kiowa High School Cowboy Band at the age of 14. The members consisted of Kelly Rhyne (drums), David Jones (drums) Pake, her brother and Gary Raiburn (guitar),Roger Wills, who is now one of the leading bass guitarists in Nashville (bass), Dianna, Reba's cousin, Carol Johnston, and Reba were the singers. Suzie, her sister would join them when she reached High School. The band started out playing at luch and football games, and later, although they were all underage, played Dance Halls and Honkey Tonks. This group played together all throughout High School. Reba went on to College at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She majored in Elementary Education, and minored in Music.

In the Summer of 1974 Reba sang the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma. This is where Red Steagall first heard her and gave her her first chance to record. She would sing the Anthem for the next 10 years. In Januray of '75 Reba recorded "I'm not Your Kind of Girl" and "Leave My Texas Boy Alone". On November 11 of the same year Reba signed her first record deal with Phonogram/Mercury.

On June 21, 1976, Reba married Charlie. For the most part their relationship was a good one. That is untill Reba really started to go somewhere with her music. It seemed that htey just grew further and further apart untill in Oct/ 1987 they were divorced.

Here are some of the songs that Reba did, and where they stood on the Billboard Charts, early on in her career.

1976- I Don't Want to be A One Night Stand #88

1977- Nothing Like the Love Between a Woman and a Man #86

1977- Glad I Waited Just For You #88

- Reba's first top 20 hit

1977-You Lift Me Up to Heaven #8

- the only #1 hit with Mercury

You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving

1977 would also be the year that Reba had her Debut at The Grand Ole Opry. The date was September 17,1977

In 1983, things seemed to finally happen for Reba. It was at that time that she got involved in all the aspects of her music. In 1984 Reba ssigned with MCA. The realease of My Kind of Country, saw two songs "Somebody Should Leave" and "Blue" go #1....from there things just got better for her in the buisness sence of her world, but saw the rapid decline of her personal world.

In 1986 The Grand Ole Opry celebrated it's 15th anniversary, it was also the year the Reba McEntire became a member, only 3 days after the anniversary show.

The first Video that Reba released was Whoever's in New England, that was a huge step for her. It was also the album that Reba considered her first career album.

In October of 1987 Reba McEntire Debuted in Carnigie Hall. Despite all the fears that they had had, it was a sold out crowd! At the same time Reba payed the ultimate price that anyone can pay. Her Divorce was final only two short weeks after one of the greatist nights of her life.

Working with someone as closely as she did over the years is bound to cause people to grow closer. That is what seemed to happen between Reba and Narvel. In May of 1988 they officially became a couple. On June 3rd of 1989 they were married, mainly Reba says because she wanted to have a baby and would not think of doing it out of wedlock. Shortly after the filming of "Tremors" Reba found out she was pregnant. It was not an easy pregancey, but Reba enjoyed it. On Feburary 23, 1990 Reba and Narvel were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. He was named Shelby ( after Narvel's paternal grampa ) Steven ( after Reba's paternal grampa ) McEntire ( after Reba, of course ) Blackstock ( after Narvel ). To Reba the birth was a miracle, nothing in her life, even seeing her name as high as a house, or any award that she had won to that point, even compared. In the year that followed Reba worked all the same, but began to fly to her dates so that she could be home to wake up with Shelby in the mornings. he had a great Nanny and a couple that took care of the house to look after him while Reba and Narvel were away.

March 16, 1991 would prove to be the worst part of Reba's brilliant career. Eight of her band members were killed in a plane crash. They were Kirk Cappello (musical director, keyboards), Joey Cigainero(synthesizer), Jim Hammon (road manager), Chris Austin (vocals, mandolin, guitar, and fiddle), Tony Saputo (drums), Paula Kayne Evans(vocals), Terry Jackson (bass guitar) , and Michael Thomas(electric guitar). A memorial service was held for everyone of them on March 20th. Over 2000 people were there to show their support for the families and friends and co-workers who survived. Johnny Cash sang Jim I Wore a Tie Today at the memorial service, inserting the band members names into the verses. A benifit was put on by almost all of Nashville to help the families of those that were lost. C.K. Spurlock, international promoter for Kenny Roger's, planned almost the entire thing. Entertainers were: Ricky Van Shelton, K.T. Oslin, Eddie Rabbit, Willie Nelson, Exile, The Oakridge Boys, T. Graham Brown, Gary Morris, Patty Loveless and Kenny Rogers. Reba sang Sweet Dreams the last song that her band ever heard her sing.

Reba found her solace in her music. She appeared at the Oscars on March 25th. To her it was a way of honoring and remebering those that she had lost. In May of that year she recorded "For My Broken Heart", a commemoration to the loved ones that had been lost.

Reba also gives back from what she recieves. She has set up the Reba Ranch, which is a home for families of those hospitalized at the Texoma Medical Center, and is also invoved in the Habitat for Humanity Organization, which builds homes for people in need.

I hope I have given you glance atleast of what Reba's life had been like. It has been anything but easy, but personally I think that that is what has brought her where she is today. They say that life makes you who you are, and in Reba's case it has made her strong, sensitive, caring, loving, grateful, yet in some way still humble. One thing that I can say for sure is if I ever get to meet this Lady in person, it will be one of the most memorable days of my life!

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