Reba McEntire Recalls the Vulnerable Conversation With Her “Mama” That Spurred Her Big Break
First stepping on stage during the 1970s, Reba McEntire watched her career flourish as she not only released over 30 studio albums but also won over 50 awards.
While an icon in country music, the singer recently gushed over her new award. Although winning a Grammy Award is a top priority for many singers, nothing compares to Reba gaining the Western Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. And while remembering how she started in country music, the star recalled the drive her mother helped give her.
Sitting down with News 9 to discuss her decades in country music, Reba shared her enthusiasm for being recognized by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. “It’s so special because it is from the Western way of life. It is the life that I grew up being around.” Raised on a cattle ranch, Reba credited her success to the grit she learned working as a child. “I lived on a working cattle ranch all of my life. I was one of Daddy’s hired hands, and I was paid by room and board.
So it was a rough way of life, but it taught me a lot.”
Like any singer looking to step into country music, Reba found herself fighting nerves when traveling to Nashville.
Thankfully the hitmaker received some inspiration from her mother. “When Mama and I were going to Nashville to meet with Red Steagall to sing a couple of the songs that he had written, I was hem-hawing around, wanting to pull over and get an ice cream. ‘Can we take a detour?’ And (Mama) said ‘Reba, if you don’t want to do this we can go home,’ but she said, ‘Reba, if you do this I will be living my dreams through you.’ I said ‘Well, shoot, why didn’t you say that in the beginning? Let’s go.’”
Outside of her upbringing and support from her mother, Reba relied heavily on her faith to guide her through the music industry. “I have known about the Lord all of my life, so to be at a point where I don’t have him with me, I don’t know how I would even exist. I don’t think I could deal with life. So it inspires me. It comforts me. It encourages me, and I am never alone — and I have someone on my side.”
News
SURPRISE: Vanna White’s come clean about why she and her boyfriend of 12 years John Donaldson didn’t get married
Why Vanna White Hasn’t Wed Her Boyfriend of 12 Years John Donaldson: ‘I Feel Like We Are Married’ (Exclusive) The ‘Wheel of Fortune’ co-host tells PEOPLE that Donaldson, whom she met in 2012, is “the male of version of me”…
$H0CKING: ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ fans upset as producers didn’t ask Vanna White to host the show after Pat Sajak’s retirement
Vanna White Upset ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Producers Didn’t Ask Her To Host The Show After Pat Sajak’s Surprise Retirement: “Lack Of Respect” While Wheel of Fortune prides itself on its years of fun and friendly competition, Vanna White certainly does…
BREAKING NEWS: Whoopi Goldberg Wants to Replace Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Whoopi Goldberg Tells ‘The View’ That She Wants to Replace Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’: “I Want That Job” Whoopi Goldberg is looking to get back to her game show days! After news that beloved host Pat Sajak would…
$h0cking: Kelly Ripa leaves Wheel Of Fortune fans puzzled when she reveals that Pat Sajak is her husband
Kelly Ripa Admits To Vanna White That She Thought ‘Wheel Of Fortune’s Pat Sajak Was Her Husband: “I Think I Speak For A Lot Of People” Vanna White and Pat Sajak‘s chemistry on Wheel of Fortune may be a result…
Wheel of Fortune fans in $h0ck after spotting a very rare ‘kind’ gesture from host Pat Sajak during show
Wheel of Fortune fans in shock after spotting a very rare ‘kind’ gesture from host Pat Sajak during show WHEEL of Fortune fans are in shock after host Pat Sajak made a rare chivalrous gesture to a nervous contest. The…
$H0CKING: Wheel of Fortune fans slam Pat Sajak as ‘arrogant & mean-spirited’
Wheel of Fortune fans slam Pat Sajak as ‘arrogant & mean-spirited’ as he ‘shades’ player during important game moment WHEEL of Fortune’s Pat Sajak has picked on a contestant to a “mean-spirited” degree on Thursday, according to viewers. As Nick played…
End of content
No more pages to load