The Early Days
Reba and Narvel met each other in 1980, when he played steel guitar in her band. They became friends and eventually he also became her manager before the two took their friendship to the next level. They got married in 1989 in Lake Tahoe, making Reba stepmother to his three children. Reba and Narvel built an empire together in Starstruck management company, and they also have a son together.
The Early Days
Humble Roots
Reba was born in 1955 in McAlester, Oklahoma and grew up with her parents and siblings on a ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma. There she helped with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the cattle. When she was 5 years old, she even learned how to drive so she could help around the ranch. Her childhood taught her about having a good work ethic, which would help her build a strong career later in life.
Humble Roots
Role Models For Success
Reba’s mother, Jacqueline, always dreamed of becoming a country singer, but in the end she became a teacher. Reba’s father and grandfather were rodeo steer ropers, with her father going on to become a world champion in steer roping.
Role Models For Success
A Family That Sings Together
Her father’s rodeo competitions meant that the family were often traveling around, and they often sang together during their time on the road. Reba’s mother introduced her and her siblings to country music, and soon after, the siblings became known as “The Singing McEntires.” Reba would also sing at rodeo competitions, plays, and at the town’s high school graduation ceremony.
A Family That Sings Together
Big Dreams
Reba was inspired by country star giants like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Tammy Wynette. She had no idea that one day she would be singing alongside her idols and joining their ranks in country music stars.
Big Dreams
The Singing McEntires
The Singing McEntires continued singing together and started performing locally. They even went on to record an album together, which sold about 1000 copies. Their hit songs were “If I Could Only Be With You” and “God Never Cried.”
The Singing McEntires
An Important Lesson
One time, when Reba was performing with her siblings, she decided she wanted to get baptized, and she told her mother about how she would announce her decision to her audience and encourage them to go to church. She said her mother said that can’t assume that they’re not already going to church, and said: “That was my first lesson on passing judgment. You don’t know what other people do. You don’t know their heart.”
An Important Lesson
Studying Education
When Reba graduated from high school, she enrolled at the Oklahoma State University where she studied education, thinking she’d follow her mother’s footsteps in becoming at teacher. However, she never gave up on singing, and she had no idea how much life had in store for her.
Studying Education
Noticed By Red
In 1974, Reba sang the national anthem at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City, and then her life changed. Country music star Red Steagall, who also performed there, was impressed by her performance and he decided to help launch her career in Nashville. She recorded a demo tape, and a year later, she signed her first record deal with Mercury Records.
Noticed By Red
Her First Single
Just as her career was beginning in 1976, she married redo star Charlie Battles and also released the song “I Don’t Wanna Be a One Night Stand.” The song didn’t do well in the charts, and neither did the following singles. However, Reba never gave up. In 1979, she released a cover of Patsy Cline’s song “Sweet Dreams,” and it reached #19 on the Billboard country charts, starting off the rest of her success.
Her First Single
Security Tiff
In 1977, Reba was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. When she arrived in Nashville for the performance, the security guard there insisted that she was not on the list. Worried she’d miss her performance, she argued with him, and after a bit, he finally found her name and let her in. She made it in the nick of time, but she saw that her performance slot was given to Dolly Parton instead, leaving her shocked that the producers would do that to her.
Security Tiff
Her Big Break
In 1983, Reba finally landed her first #1 Billboard song, and she felt that it was the right time to leave Mercury, since she felt that they were pressuring her into singing country-pop ballads, which she was not interested in. She signed with MCA Nashville Records, and with them released her 7th album, Just A Little Love. She released her previously underperforming songs once again, and this time they charted very well.
Her Big Break
Theatrical Music Videos
In the late 80’s she was already considered to be a pioneer in music videos, as instead of just singing along to the song, she decided her music videos would be theatrical performances, with critics calling her videos “mini movies.” This explains why she became interested in acting as well.
Theatrical Music Videos
Battling Battles
Reba and husband Charlie Battles reached a point where their marriage was no longer working, as Battles felt that as his wife, she should be staying at home and be a housewife. Since Reba was constantly on the road, this wouldn’t work. In 1987, they divorced, and she said: “I had to pack everything in one day and leave. I wasn’t the little girl anymore, taking orders and doing what he said.”
Battling Battles
A Budding Film Star
In 1990, Reba made her on-screen debut in the film Tremors, a horror-comedy. She enjoyed working on it so much that she even decided to delay her honeymoon with Narvel so she could complete the film. Her co-star Kevin bacon thought that the film was a low-point of his career, however. For Reba, it was a taste of the world of acting, which drew her in.
A Budding Film Star
A Tragic Accident
In 1991, things were at a high when a tragic accident changed everything. A charter plane carrying 8 members of her band crashed into a mountainside in San Diego, killing everyone on board. She was completely devastated by the unspeakable loss, as she saw her band members as family.
A Tragic Accident
Lyrics Lost
After the horrific fatal plane crash, Reba dedicated her album For My Broken Heart to the lost band members. It sold 4 million copies, reached #3 on charts, and had several #1 singles. Reba wrote that the album was “a form of healing for all our broken hearts” in the liner notes.
Lyrics Lost
Lady In Red
Reba attended the 1993 CMA Awards and made everyone’s head turn in this stunning red gown. She won a CMA and a Grammy Award that year for “Does He Love You,” a duet with Linda Davis. The dress is now displayed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Lady In Red
Not Afraid To Make A Statement
Reba included the song “She Thinks His Name Was John,” on her 1994 album. The song was about a woman who had a drunken one night stand and then found out she had AIDS. At the time, this was a subject matter that was highly taboo, but that didn’t scare her away. She also sang songs about domestic abuse, mercy killing, illegal immigration, and elderly neglect.
Not Afraid To Make A Statement
Starting Over
Reba released her 19th album, Starting Over, 20 years after she started out in the industry. The album was a collection of her favorite songs, but critics didn’t rave. Just one of the songs on this album made it to the top 10, however, the album still managed to go platinum after just a year.
Starting Over For Herself
Missed Opportunity
Reba was actually offered a role in James Cameron’s Titanic, but due to scheduling conflicts, she dropped out of production. She did not want to cancel performances that were scheduled, especially since fans already bought tickets. She even said: “they kept movin’ my schedule.” She was supposed to play the role of Molly Brown, but Kathy Bates took the role instead. The film became the second highest grossing film of all time and brought in more than $2 billion worldwide.
Missed Opportunity
Her Comeback
Reba released her 20th album What If It’s You in 1997. The album was a huge hit and featured the single “The Fear of Being Alone,” which reached #1. Another single, “How Was I To Know,” also reached #1, while “I’d Rather Ride Around With You” reached the #2 spot.
Her Comeback
Taking To The Stage
Following the 2001 release of Greatest Hits Vol. 3: I’m A Survivor, Reba had three more hit singles. With the success of this album, she decided to branch out and try out acting on Broadway. She had a role in the revival of Annie Get Your Gun, and the New York Times said of her performance: “without qualification the best performance by an actress in a musical comedy this season.”
Taking To The Stage
Her Show
Thanks to the success she found on Broadway, the road was paved for her to continue on into TV work. In 2001, she landed her very own show called Reba, which aired on the WB network. The sitcom ended up becoming one of the network’s highest rated shows. It ran for 6 season and earned her a Golden Globe.
Her Show
Not A Sally
Her character on the show was originally meant to be called Sally, but Reba did not connect to the name at all and insisted that her real name be used on the show, saying it would draw her fans to watch the show. Melissa Peterman portrayed Barbara, her arch nemesis who has an affair’s with Reba husband on the show. In real life, Peterman and Reba are good friends.
Not A Sally
Back To The Top
Reba released her 23rd album in 2003, which was called Room to Breathe. The album featured the 76th single of hers to reach the charts! In 2007, she became the female artist with the most CMA awards, surpassing her idol Dolly Parton. The next year, she went on tour with Kelly Clarkson.
Back To The Top
Back To TV
Reba made her return to the small screen in 2011 when she appeared in the ABC sitcom Malibu Country, on which she played Reba Gallagher, a divorced mother of two who found out that her husband cheated on her. She ended up with her husband’s property and decided to embark on a country music career. After 18 episodes the show was cancelled.
Back To TV
Breaking Records
Reba re-recorded “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” in 2008 with Brooks & Dunn, which ended up becoming Reba’s 56th top 10 country song, which was the most of any female country singer ever. She won two Grammy awards and sold more than 67 million records whil with MCA record label. After 25 years, she decided to leave MCA and signed with Valory Music Group.
Breaking Records
An Alarming Hoax
In 2012, news began circulating the web that Reba fell off a cliff in Australia, which led to her death. The news spread quickly and reached her family and friends. Her sister tried to get ahold of her but couldn’t, so she began to panic. However, the rumors were obviously not true, and she tweeted out to fans: “There are so many of those hoaxes that are just going around and I think it’s cruel. That’s not funny.”
An Alarming Hoax
Losing Her Father
Reba received the exciting news that she was about to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, but her joy was tinged with sorrow, as she also received word that her father had collapsed into a coma after suffering from a stroke. Dolly Parton ended up representing her at the inducted. Clark passed away in 2014, leaving Reba devastated, and dedicated the album Just Like Them Horses to him.
Losing Her Father
The Luxury Life
Thanks to all of Reba’s hard work, she found a lot of success, which allowed her to enjoy the finer things in life. One of the lavish mansions she owned had seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a swimming pool, tennis court, and a spa. In 2015, she sold her Beverly Hills mansion for $22.5 million. She purchased it in 2009 for $9 million.
The Luxury Life
Avoiding A Tragedy
Way back in the day, Faith Hill auditioned to be one of Reba’s touring backup singers, but she did not get the part. While that must has been disappointing, she avoided the horrific fatal plane crash in 1991. Not getting the part saved her life, and she went on to become one of the the biggest country stars too.
Avoiding A Tragedy
Singing Family Once Again
Reba’s stepson Brandon Blackstock married Kelly Clarkson, making the two singers family, which they were absolutely thrilled about. They already got to know one another well from touring, and on the marriage, Reba said: “thrilled to death, thrilled to death. To have my buddy as my daughter-in-law, I mean, who could ask for more?” Kelly and Brandon have two children together.
Singing Family Once Again
Just Wants To Be Happy
When Narvel told her that he wanted to get a divorce, Reba said she was completely taken aback and heartbroken. She said: “I just thought it was the best thing to take my marbles and go play somewhere else, is what daddy used to always say.” She also said that if it were up to here, they’d still be together. However, his moving on meant more than just separating…
Just Wants To Be Happy
Too Soon?
Only after a few months of the divorce becoming official, Narvel began dating Laura Putty Stroud, who was actually Reba’s best friend. Since the two were so close, it made things look quite suspicious, and many speculated that Narvel and Laura had an affair while he was still married to Reba.
Too Soon?
An Awkward Position
Kelly Clarkson, who was now Reba’s daughter in law, tried to appeal to the couple to make it work. She felt like she was caught in the middle, being married to Narvel’s son but also being close with Reba. However, it was too late, as Narvel and Reba were already living separately from one another before their divorce was final.
An Awkward Position
Starting Over For Herself
After the divorce, Narvel was still Reb’a manager for another year, having been in the role since 1988. However, in 2016 Reba decided to start anew and broke the professional ties with him. She then created Reba’s Business Inc. for managing young artists. She also released her own line of clothing, beauty products, jewelry, and home decor. Her net worth is estimated to be about $95 million.
Starting Over For Herself
Photography Lover
Reba loves photography, and she told country music website The Boot in an interview: “I love to piddle with my pictures. I am a big-picture fanatic. I love when people send me pictures that I don’t have. I can scan them and put them in my computer, and I am archiving right now.”
Photography Lover
Famous Friends
Reba was good friends with former president George W. Bush as well as his father George H.W. Bush. She said: “Senior Bush invited my husband [Narvel Blackstock] and I on a private cruise to the Greek islands years ago. We became very good friends, and that’s when the e-mail stuff started. We e-mail each other on our Treos all the time — nothing political, just passing jokes back and forth. He’s really into e-mail and so are his buddies”.
Famous Friends
Learning To Shoot
There’s really nothing that this amazing woman can’t do! She also loves shooting, which was a result of her filming a movie. She said: “I wanted to be able to look like I knew how to shoot a gun because we never did that when we were home in Oklahoma. When I found out that I was going to do a movie called ‘Buffalo Girls’ with Anjelica Huston several years before this, I went and learned how to skeet shoot and trap shoot.”
Learning To Shoot