MAIN Pop Culture Country Music   Reba McEntire

Born Reba Nell McEntire on March 28, 1955 in McAlester, Oklahoma, the country music entertainment powerhouse continues to ride high on her reputation as "The Queen of Country" and after three decades remains among the most popular and revered stars in American country music.

Growing up near Chockie, Oklahoma, she often traveled with her brothers and sisters to rodeos in which her father competed. She later kicked off her earlly career by singing the U.S. national anthem at the National Rodeo Finals in Oklahoma City in 1974.

From there, she was encouraged to travel to Nashville to pursue a professional singing career, and later signed with Mercury Records which releasd her first self-titled album in 1976. Her second album, released in 1978, proved a bigger success spinning off five Top 40 hits including her own version of "Sweet Dreams" by country music legend Patsy Cline.

Rise to Superstardom

The early 80's saw her slowly moving up the charts when, in 1983, McEntire had No. 1 chartbusters with "Can't Even Get the Blues" and "You're the First Time I've Thought about Leaving" from her fifth album, "Unlimited". The aptly-named collection predicted her meteoric rise throughout the rest of the decade, scoring such hits as "How Blue," and "Somebody Should Leave" from her first gold album, My Kind of Country.

By now firmly on the country music map, Reba McEntire was awarded accolades by the Country Music Association which named her Female Vocalist of the Year in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987 - the only woman ever to win the award four consecutive times.

In 1986, McEntire also received her first Grammy Award for her first No. 1 album, "Whoever's in New England".

A string of No. 1 hits followed throughout the 80's and 90's including the popular duets "If You See Him," and "If You See Him/If You See Her."with Brooks & Dunn as well as her most successful hit ever, "Fancy", which is now considered among the greatest country hits of all time.

Reba McEntire, Actress

During the same time, McEntire was also breaking records for the highest grossing tour dates; wrote a bestselling autobiography ("Reba: My Story"); and turned her talents to acting by starring in a TV movie based on her hit song "Is There Life Out There?" Her hit TV series, Reba, also later went on to air for six successful seasons (ending in 2007) earning McEntire more accolades at the People's Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

Her greatest musical acting triumph came in 2001, however, when she stormed Broadway as a replacement star in a revival of Annie Get Your Gun. Although the role of Annie Oakley was originated by theater star Bernadette Peters, the authentic Oklahoman with the singing and acting chops revitalized the production, which became a sellout throughout McEntire's 4-month run.

Still at the top of her game, Reba McEntire released "Key to the Heart" in 2007 which debuted at No. 1 on both the country and pop album charts. She follows that with her most recent album, "Duets", in which she duets with such stars as Justin Timberlake, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill and Carole King.

Offstage, McEntire divorced from Charlie Battles, her husband of 11 years, and a year later married her manager, Narvel Blackstock in 1989. Together they have one son, Shelby Steven McEntire Blackstock, born in 1990.

Reba McEntire around the Web:

Reba.com - The latest news & updates, complete bio, photos, tour dates, plot summary of TV series & sitcom roles, online shopping for the Rebawear clothing line.

MySpace.com - Reba McEntire - Complete tour dates, pictures & music videos.

CMT.com - Reba McEntire - Bio, news updates, photos, music videos, lyrics, tour dates, fan message boards.

Reba McEntire Lyrics - Complete lyrics to hundreds of Reba McEntire songs, browseable in an A-Z list.

Reba McEntire - IMDb bio & profile with photo gallery and complete list of movie & TV appearances, fan forum.

The RebaZone - A Reba McEntire Fan Site - Bio, awards list, information on movie, TV and Broadway appearances, pictures, archive of feature articles, downloadable wallpapers, related links & resources.

Reba McEntire - AskMen.com - Complete bio, photo gallery, quotes, fan comments.

also see -> Trace Adkins | Big & Rich | Clint Black | Garth Brooks

Brooks & Dunn | Kenny Chesney | Faith Hill | Julianne Hough

Toby Keith | Tim McGraw | Brad Paisley | Dolly Parton

Rascal Flatts | George Strait | Sugarland | Josh Turner

Carrie Underwood | Keith Urban