In 2001, she took the lead in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun. She also had a television series, Reba, which was aired from 2001 to 2007. She was even nominated for the Golden Globe award for Best Performance for the sitcom. McEntire was married twice. Her first marriage was in 1976, with Charlie Battles, who was a steer wrestling champion and rancher. Charlie was ten years her senior and already had three kids. The couple divorced in 1987, and McEntire moved to Nashville, where she pursued her career. Two years later, she married Narvel Blackstock, her manager and former steel guitar player. They divorced in 2015, which was a huge shock to everyone.
Hard Times
2015 was a difficult year for Reba McEntire, as her 26 years of marriage ended. Narvel Blackstock, her now ex-husband, and McEntire were separated for months, and the divorce was finalized on October of 2015. The news shocked everyone, but most especially McEntire. Reba said in an interview with CMT, “the divorce was not my idea. I didn’t want it in any shape, form or fashion.”
It was really devastating for Reba, but the reason behind the divorce was even more painful. Despite all this, Reba and Narvel managed to remain friends, even after the split. The former couple had spent many happy and successful years together in the music industry and in their personal lives. Reba and her stepchildren remain very close as well. She even calls her stepchildren's kids her own grandchildren.
A New Start
Back in 1980, Narvel was the steel guitar player in Reba’s band. Narvel became her manager in 1987, and their working relationship turned into friendship. Narvel helped Reba go through her divorce during that time. They became closer and the friendship turned into a romantic relationship. In 1989, the two shared their love promises in a private marriage ceremony on a boat, in Lake Tahoe.
With the marriage, Reba became the mother of Narvel’s three kids from his previous relationship. In 1990, Reba gave birth to their son Shelby, who became a race car driver. Reba and Narvel were very strong and successful over the years, building Reba’s career, and establishing Starstruck Entertainment.
A County Star Is Born
On March 28, 1955, a country diva was born in McAlester, Oklahoma: Reba Nell McEntire. She, her brother (Pake), and two sisters (Susie and Alice) were raised in a small community, enjoying the simple country life on her family’s ranch. They would tend to the cattle together and do the cooking and cleaning as well.
She learned the importance of hard work and one’s involvement in the family unit. These values helped shaped her success, not only in her career, but also in her life as a whole. Reba has an excellent work ethic. No matter what she was going through, she did not let it affect her professionalism.
Ranches And Rodeos From an Early Age
Jacqueline McEntire, Reba’s mother, once wanted to become a country music artist herself. However, Jacqueline did not pursue her dream in the music world, and decided to become a school teacher instead. Back in the day, there was no other teacher in the community, and Jacqueline found her life purpose there instead of music. Reba’s father, Clark Vincent McEntire, and her grandfather, John Wesley McEntire, were both rodeo champion steer ropers. In fact, her father was a World Champion, not just once, but three times.
Reba was only five years old when she was already driving like a pro in her father’s truck. Just like most other farm kids, Reba helped on the family’s ranch. She and her father would feed the cattle together. Her father would be standing at the back of the truck, tossing off hay to the cattle while Reba drove.
A Musical Family
It was their mother, Jacqueline, who taught Reba and her siblings how to sing. At a very young age, they would sing and do some harmonies while they rode home from their father’s rodeo shows. Reba’s first solo performance was when she was in first grade, singing “Away in a Manger” at a Christmas play.
Reba, together with her brother, Pake and sister, Susie, formed a vocal group, singing at local rodeos. They called themselves, the “Singing McEntires,” and Reba played the guitar. Reba also sang for their local radio station, and there were times at rodeo competitions when she would be asked to sing the national anthem. She was also invited to sing at the graduation ceremony of the town’s high school when she was in third grade. How cute!
Miss Ford Country
Just like any other girl with dreams, Reba looked up to some of the famous superstars like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette, not knowing that she would become a superstar herself one day. In fact, she would go on to win the title of being the best-selling female country singer of all time!
Reba won a truck when she was 16, by writing an essay. She was named Miss Ford Country then. This must have been another fact about Reba that you haven’t known. She had the privilege to drive a new Ford for winning the contest. For six months, she took full advantage of it, drove over 18,000 miles before it was returned.
Honky-Tonking
The Singing McEntires – Reba Pake, and Susie – sang at local rodeos, country music bars, and dance halls. Together, they recorded "The Ballad of John McEntire." The song was about their grandfather, and was written by a family friend. The song sold about one thousand copies, and it appeared on the album, The Rodeo Man, in 1982.
The Singing McEntires were quite successful together in music as a group. The group’s greatest hits were “God Never Cried” and “If I Could Only Be With You.” The siblings used to perform live, and you could hear their songs play on Oklahoma local radio stations. Later on, the group disbanded. Pake went on to focus on his ranch, Susie became a successful Christian music singer, and Reba went on to go solo for country music.
A Girl With Faith
One thing that Reba learned from her mother was about passing judgement. Reba was baptized when she was still part of the Singing McEntires. One night when they were going to a gig, Reba said to her mother that she would be telling everyone present there that night that they should all go to church and hear the word of God the next morning.
Her mother asked why she thought of this, and then told her that she didn’t know if those people are already going to church. Reba learned a valuable lesson then. She said, “You don’t know what other people do. You don’t know their heart.” From then on, she decided to focus on herself rather than worrying about what others were doing. Solid logic.
Education and Music
Reba planned to become an elementary school teacher, like her mamma, and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a major in education and minor in music, after she graduated high school. She and Garth Brooks, who also became a country star, were classmates back then.
But, let’s face it, music was her passion. She grabbed every opportunity she had to sing, and continued to perform locally. Reba thought she would be a school teacher like her mother once she graduated from college, but it turned out that her love of music and singing brought her to a much more fulfilling career. It seemed like she fulfilled her mother’s dream of becoming a country artist, as well.
The 1974 National Rodeo
In 1974, Reba performed at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City, singing the national anthem, where Red Steagall discovered her talent. The country artist was also performing at the event. From that day onward, her plan of being a teacher changed, as she went on to a path that led to success and the fulfillment of her passion.
Hearing Reba sing that day, Steagall was so impressed by her vocal ability. He proposed to help her launch a singing career in Nashville, Tennessee. After recording a demo tape, Reba signed a contract with Mercury Records one year later. This was her first recording contract.
We're Getting Married!
Reba met Charlie Battles, her first husband, in 1976, at a rodeo. Battles was a steer wrestling champion and a rancher. He was ten years older than Reba at the time, and he had three children to a previous marriage. Reba’s music career was just starting.
Reba made her first recordings in January of 1976 with Mercury Records and released her debut single, "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand." Unfortunately, it failed to become a major hit and only peaked at number 88 on the Billboard country music chart in May of that year. Reba had a few other singles that didn’t hit the top also, but she did not lose hope. Her first break into the Top 20 was with her cover of Patsy Cline’s, “Sweet Dreams,” in 1979, which reached number 19 on the Billboard country music chart.
Grand Ole Opry Debut
Reba made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 1977. It was quite an honor for her to perform at the most acclaimed home of country music, but she almost didn’t make it in. One of the guards at the Opry gate did not want to let her in because he could not find her name on the night’s list of performers. Reba have to argue with the security guard and she never gave up. Reba called her booking agent at a nearby phone, and he arranged for her to get inside.
Reba’s parents and her sister, Alice, had to drive 1,400 miles round trip from Oklahoma only to find out that Reba’s act was cut in half, from two songs to one song, only because there was a surprise performance from Dolly Parton. Despite those issues, that night still turned out great with Reba singing “Invitation to the Blues.”
Breaking Through
It was after Reba’s fifth album release, titled “Unlimited,” that she got her first Billboard number one in 1983. She was not really happy recording with Mercury because the type of music she had was controlled. The company forced her to have a country-pop style of music ballads, which she didn’t like. This was the reason why she left Mercury.
Reba signed a contract with MCA Nashville Records the following year, which released her seventh album, “Just a Little Love.” Still, she was not fully happy nor satisfied with it. So, Reba went to Jimmy Bowen, the president of MCA, who allowed her to have anything she liked. With her freedom and full creative control, Reba gathered her previously released singles and repackaged them together in one album she released called “My Kind of Country.” Two songs from the album made it to the number one spot. Reba received positive reviews from critics.
Her Unique Music Videos
In the 80s and 90s, almost all of Reba’s music videos were different from other artists of the time. She was not only singing, but she would portray a character, making her music videos more like movies. Critics described them as "mini movies." Her music videos were so unique and compelling that they won her four awards and twenty-seven nominations throughout her career.
The effort Reba put into her music videos propelled her career in acting. She wanted to have at least one movie, but it turned out that she got more than what she wished for. Her acting career was as successful as her music career, and directors loved her as much as the audiences did.
A First Step Into The Film Industry
Reba had her first movie role in 1990, along with Kevin Bacon, playing Heather Gummer in the comedy horror, Tremors. In the movie, they had to fight giant worm-like creatures living beneath the ground. She even put the filming first, before her honeymoon with Narvel. Reba enjoyed the filming very much, but her co-star didn’t feel the same.
Kevin Bacon was already an established actor at the time and he felt that this was the worst film in his entire acting career. However, this did not bother Reba, because for her, this was a dream come true. Bacon’s attitude didn’t stop her from starring in more movies.
Marriage Problems
Reba and her first husband, Charlie Battles, shared a ranch in Oklahoma. They were a happy couple until Reba got so caught up with her career, that it compromised their marriage. Charlie wanted Reba to spend more time at home with him. He dreamed of them working on the ranch together, but the nature of Reba’s career took her out of the house and onto the world’s stage to perform. As time went by, the conflict grew, which was the reason their marriage failed.
In 1987, Reba finally divorced Charlie and she moved to Nashville and focused on her career. It wasn’t easy for Reba, but it felt like she was finally free. She had always felt like a little girl who was taking orders from Charlie and doing what he said.
A Terrible Tragedy
While things were starting to go perfectly for Reba, tragedy struck in 1991. She was on tour at the time and eight of her band members died in a plane crash. They were flying early in the morning and the charter jet plane crashed into the side of Otay Mountain, in San Diego. The night before the accident, Reba had done a private performance for the IBM executives.
The aircraft crashed because of poor visibility, but the location was not marked as an area where flying is prohibited. Reba and her husband Narvel were staying at a hotel at the time, and they were told of the tragic news right away. The accident was so devastating for Reba because they were like family to her. They had been playing music together for many years. She wanted nothing, but to be back home in Nashville immediately.
Her Dedication Album
After the disastrous accident, Reba dedicated “For My Broken Heart,” which was her sixteenth album, to the band members she lost. The album was released in October of 1991. It contained many sorrowful songs and mournful ballads about love that is lost. Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly even described it as “all measure of suffering.”
The album might have been about sadness, but it was quite a hit. In fact, it sold more than four million copies, making it one of Reba’s best-selling albums. The album itself reached the number 3 spot on the music charts, while two of her songs reached number 1. For Reba, the album was “a form of healing for all our broken hearts,” as she wrote in the liner notes.
Her Emblematic Red Dress
It was in a 1993 performance of Reba’s, with Linda Davis, at the CMA Awards, when they won the Grammy, that she wore this iconic red dress. The two sang in duet, “Does He Love You.” While their voices wove around each other beautifully, the audience seemed to be more awe-struck by Reba’s look that night than her performance. It was evident the moment she stepped into the stage.
It was a red turtleneck dress with jeweled bodice and flared sleeves, yet it was very revealing, because the neckline was an almost transparent lunging V. Reba’s friend, Sandi Spika Borchetta, designed it, and she said she felt like Cinderella that night. Reba’s father jokingly asked her though if she was wearing the dress backwards (classic dad joke). Reba wore the dress once again in her 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards performance with Kelly Clarkson, singing the same song.
A Bold Woman
AIDS was one of the most avoided topics in the 90s. Especially so in country music, as people despised even the thought of it. However, Reba is open-minded and liberal in her thinking. In her album, “Read My Mind,” is the song “She Thinks His Name Was John,” which tells of a woman who was drunk and slept with someone from whom she got AIDS. This song wasn’t even her most controversial song, as the gutsy singer had a number of them.
Reba is truly a remarkable, unique, and revolutionary artist. She speaks her mind and heart through her music. She was brave enough to have songs with very sensitive and controversial content such as domestic abuse, mercy killing, illegal immigration, and much more.
Harsh Times
In 1995, Reba released her nineteenth studio album, “Starting Over.” The album was a collection of all her favorite songs that were original records from the 50s to the 80s, paying tribute to her favorite artists. For so many years, Reba had been releasing newly recorded albums, but this album was more like a compilation and a throwback. The intention of the album was to celebrate Reba’s twenty years of making music.
However, many music critics found it less appealing than her previous albums. The album was considered a "rebirth" for Reba, but it seemed like some songs were recorded merely for entertainment only, as critics commented. Nonetheless, the criticisms didn’t affect Reba and in just two months from its release, the album was even made Platinum. One song on the album, "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands" went top 10 as a hit single.
She Was Almost In "Titanic"
Reba was almost part of the movie, Titanic, in 1997. It was considered one of the greatest movies ever made. With her acting experiences over the years, Reba was supposed to play the role of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown. However, conflict in her schedule made her decline the offer of director James Cameron. At the time, she had booked performances wherein tickets were already sold. She just couldn’t cancel them.
Director, James Cameron, himself actually chose Reba to play the role, but Reba had a good reason for saying no. The schedule of her tour and performances were already in place, and she could no longer fit the shooting of the movie in or around it. The role was given to Kathy Bates instead, which was still a good decision on Cameron’s part, because Bates won for her portrayal of the role a Blockbuster Entertainment Award. The movie was, for quite some time, the highest gross film of all time. It took many years (and the arrival of the Marvel franchise) for it to be knocked down on the list.
Back To Success
Reba’s twentieth album in 1997, “What If It’s You,” was like a redemption for her from the criticized nineteenth album. It was a major comeback for her with much appreciation and praises from critics. The songs on this album were top hits, including the album's lead single, "The Fear of Being Alone," and other singles such as "How Was I to Know," and "I'd Rather Ride Around with You.”
Bruce Hinton, the chairperson of MCA Nashville, was very happy with this album of Reba’s, calling the tracks nothing short of "powerful." Among the many successful writers and many great country songs in Nashville, Reba is definitely a vital part of the scene. The album reached the number one spot of the Top Country Albums chart and it peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard 200. Selling over two million copies by 1999, the album was her first one in three years to have multi-platinum sales. In the same year, Reba also recorded her charity song, "What If," which hit the number twenty-three rank on the charts. All the sales from this song went to the Salvation Army.
Broadway Break
In 2001, Reba released her album, “Greatest Hits Vol. 3: I'm a Survivor.” With this album, Reba was awarded her third gold certification and became the most certified female country singer. The song, "I'm a Survivor" hit number three on the chart. Reba is indeed one of the greatest female country artists of all time in the music world.
After the “I'm a Survivor” album, Reba went on a temporary hiatus from music, as she turned her attention to her very own television series, Reba, as well as to theatrical arts. She also played the lead in a Broadway show, a revival of Annie Get Your Gun. Reba considered it as some of the hardest work she had done in her career. People were very pleased with her performance in the musical comedy.
A Sitcom All Her Own
Reba started her own half-hour sitcom entitled Reba on the WB network in 2001. She played the role of Reba Hart, a single mother, raising a teenage daughter. Hart’s ex-husband had been cheating on her with his dental hygienist and gotten her pregnant. Then, Hart’s daughter got pregnant as well. The story revolved around how she dealt with such crazy life situations.
Reba was again praised by many, and the television series was quite a success. In fact, it became the network's highest-rated TV show, which ran for six seasons. Reba got a nomination for a Golden Globe award with this TV sitcom. The show had its final season with The CW. Unfortunately, the show was canceled in 2007, after its network move.
Reba on TV
In Reba’s own television series, Reba, the main character had a different name. The original name of the role was supposed to be Sally, as producers had wanted. However, Reba suggested using her own name for the character. She managed to convince the producers about this later on. She pointed out that if she were to use her own name on the show, it would likely attract more viewers, in particular her loyal fans.
Reba worked with Melissa Peterman in the show. Peterman played the role of the dental hygienist, who was the mistress of Reba's character's husband. This dental hygienist character was the reason for Reba’s character’s divorce. While the relationship between these characters was, as you might expect, strained, Reba and Melissa are actually best friends in real life.
A Big Comeback
After Reba’s two-year break from the music industry, she released her seventy-sixth chart single, "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," in the middle of 2003. By the end of the same year, she released her twenty-third album, “Room to Breathe.” The album was a great comeback for Reba, as it peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and ranked number twenty-five on the Billboard 200.
Reba has received a number of significant accolades from her music career. With seven Academy of Country Music's Top Female Vocalist awards, she is second in rank for the most wins. For the American Music Awards Favorite Country Female Artist, Reba holds the record of having twelve awards. She is also the first to win four consecutive times the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year award. Reba got the most award nominations of CMA for a female artist with an incredible fifty nominations throughout her musical history. The ACM Awards nearly matched this unbelievable number with forty-eight nominations for Reba. In 2008, she was back in the public eye again, announcing a tour with Kelly Clarkson.
Doing Malibu Country
In 2011, Reba returned to television with her second television series, Malibu Country. Reba’s character on the show is Reba Gallagher, who has two kids and was recently divorced because her husband cheated on her (a familiar refrain for Reba it seems?). Her character, Reba, then moves to Malibu, California to restart her music career. The broadcast schedule of the sitcom was every Friday night on ABC.
The television series received a mixture of reactions and criticisms, but with 8.7 million views in its debut season, it was the most-watched comedy show on ABC at the time. After eighteen episodes, the show was canceled eventually in 2013. Another TV series that Reba supposedly would take a lead on in 2017 was Red Blooded, a Southern drama series. However, ABC turned down the show.
Breaking Records
Reba collaborated again with Brooks & Dunn in 2008 for a re-recorded version of "Cowgirls Don't Cry," making it her fifty-sixth Top 10 country hit. And by doing this, Reba broke the record set by Dolly Parton for having the most Top Ten country hits for a solo female. Reba announced at the end of that year her departure from MCA, her record label of twenty-five years. She then signed a contract with Valory Music Group, which is distributed by MCA and Universal Music Group.
Over the twenty years she worked with MCA, Reba was very successful in her music career, sold sixty-seven million records worldwide in total and won two Grammy Awards. Reba was thrilled though to work with Valory, as she was going to be reunited with Scott Borchetta, the label's president. She had been working with Borchetta for some of her biggest hit singles during her entire music career when Borchetta was the senior vice president of promotion at MCA in the 90s.
Is Reba Dead?!
In 2012, everyone thought Reba was dead. The news was reported as a real story by the website, Global Associated News, but at the bottom of the page, it read: "THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE! This is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes!" Unfortunately, many people don’t bother reading to the bottom of such articles.
The false news of Reba’s tragic death (having apparently falling more than 100 ft) spread like wildfire throughout the internet. in a remote area of Austria at the time, Reba’s sister immediately called her in terror upon hearing the news. She was relieved when Reba answered the phone, very alive and well. Reba then posted on Twitter telling everyone that she was fine. However, she commented that making fake news and jokes about death is very cruel and is definitely not funny.
Reba’s Number One Fan
The year 2014 was a sad year for Reba, as her father, Clark McEntire, passed away after suffering a stroke and going into a coma. During that time, Reba was supposed to have an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Because of the tragedy, on her behalf, Reba was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame by Dolly Parton.
For Reba, her father was her greatest fan ever. Her song “Just Like Them Horses” was dedicated to her father. The music video of that song was filmed at her family’s property in Oklahoma. Reba thought of her father like the horses, running all the way to heaven.
Faith And Good Luck
Faith Hill auditioned for Reba as a touring backup singer, but she didn't get the part. Reba didn't think that Hill was right for the job. Hill accepted the fact that she was not good enough for the part, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.
Paula Kaye Evans got the job, but it turned out to be an unfortunate fate for her. She died, together with the other band members in that plane crash not far from San Diego, California in 1991. She was one of Reba’s eight band members and crew who died tragically that day. Upon knowing this, Faith Hill still believes that it was nothing more than just a stroke of luck for her to be saved like that. She maintains she was just not a good fit as a background singer for Reba, and that was the only reason she didn’t get hired.
A New Addition To The Family
Reba and Kelly Clarkson knew each other for years, because Narvel Blackstock, Reba’s husband at the time, became Kelly’s manager. Narvel was the one who introduced Kelly to his son, Brandon, Reba’s stepson. Reba and Kelly became very close over the years and they were great fans of each other. Their first performance together was in 2007, doing a duet of Kelly’s hit song “Because of You.” In 2008, they shared the stage on a North American tour.
In 2012, Brandon, Reba’s stepson, proposed to Kelly at the Super Bowl. Kelly sang the national anthem that day. Brandon and Kelly tied the knot in 2013. Reba was so thrilled that Kelly was becoming her daughter-in-law. Brandon and Kelly now have two kids together.
Just Happiness
Reba never wanted to divorce Narvel. In fact, it wasn’t her idea and she was devastated by Narvel’s decision. Nonetheless, she just wants everyone to be happy. If the divorce would make Narvel happy, then so be it. After which, she just focused more on her faith and her love of music.
Everyone was shocked by the separation, especially Reba’s family and fans. Who would have thought that a 26-year marriage of a power couple would end? However, Reba had to surrender to Narvel’s decision, saying “I just thought it was the best thing to take my marbles and go play somewhere else, is what daddy used to always say.”
A New Romantic Interest
Reba had no idea that Narvel would move on from the divorce so quickly, and with a person so close to her heart. It was even more shocking than the divorce. Only a few months after the divorce, Narvel was already back in the dating scene. He was not just dating anybody, he was dating one of Reba’s best friends! The new love of Narvel’s life was Laura Putty Stroud, a real estate agent in Nashville for luxurious properties. Laura was a close friend of both Reba and Narvel when the two were still a couple.
Reba and Laura were very good friends, as can be seen in many of their photos posted on social media. One photo of them together was taken during one of Katy Perry’s concerts. It has been rumored that Narvel and Laura were “very serious.” In fact, there has apparently already been talk of marriage. Many people are speculating that the two were already seeing each other, even before the divorce. And it may even be the reason for the divorce.
In The Middle Of A Storm
The divorce was heartbreaking, most especially to the family, particularly Reba’s daughter-in-law, Kelly Clarkson. She felt that she was torn between Reba and Narvel. Kelly was Reba’s partner, her best buddy and at the same time, Narvel was her father-in-law. She even tried to convince Reba and Narvel to stay together and not pursue the divorce.
Kelly was actually the reason why the two stayed together longer than they were going to. It was reported that Reba and Narvel were already separated and had been living apart for quite some time before the divorce. However, since the divorce, nothing has changed between Reba and Kelly. The two remain close with each other, and Reba even treats her grandchildren as her own.
A New Beginning
Narvel has been Reba’s manager for more than twenty-six years. The two have been working together in the music industry, building their empire since 1988. After the divorce, Narvel remained as Reba’s manager for another year. However, in 2016, Reba decided that it was best to cut loose her professional relationship with Narvel. Nonetheless, the two stayed good friends.
Moving forward, Reba put up her own record company, Reba’s Business Inc. (RBI). RBI manages budding young artists. Apart from the record company, Reba also has her own brand of products, including home furnishings and decorations, clothing, jewelry, beauty products. You can find her products at Cracker Barrel gift shops. Reba’s net worth today is about $95 million.
A Big Picture Fanatic
Reba has a passion for pictures, as you can see from her Instagram page. She loves taking photos and developing her skills, as she mentioned in The Boot, a country music website. Everywhere Reba goes, she would take pictures of the scenery and places. She also loves posing and having her picture taken.
“I love to piddle with my pictures. I am a big picture fanatic,” she said. “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.” Instagram is also one of the best social media platform to post amazing captured scenes and moments. Thus, you can check out Reba’s IG account if you want to see more of her and her photographic talents.
Presidential Buddies
Reba is a truly adorable person. She can get along well with pretty much anybody and everybody. She is easy to be with and has a very lovable persona. Reba has a lot of friends and, as you might expect, quite a few of them are famous. She is a very good friend of the former president, George W. Bush, and his late father, George H.W. Bush. During the CMA Awards in 1991, she introduced President Bush.
Reba had a lot of photos with the former president in the past, and they exchanged emails every now and then. The emails were more focused on jokes, and certainly not about politics. “He’s really into email and so are his buddies,” Reba said. Senior Bush once invited Reba and Narvel, her husband at the time, on a private Greek Islands cruise.
Reba Is Very Fond Of Guns
Another unique interest and hobby of Reba’s was guns and shooting. This kind of interest is typical for a country girl, but Reba didn’t learn to shoot at the ranch, when she was young. She said she learned because of a role she had on a movie. She took shooting lessons then, and the hobby just stuck.
The movie was Buffalo Girls, and she also played the role of Annie Oakley in 1995. Reba explained, “I went and learned how to skeet shoot and trap shoot, because 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.”
Her First Gospel Album
In 2017, Reba released her first gospel album, “Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope,” by Nash Icon/Rockin' R Records. The album consists of two discs. You’ll find traditional hymns on the first disc, while the second disc is comprised of original tracks. The idea of having a gospel album came from Bill Carter, her former manager.
Reba said that the album was a collection of her favorite songs, that she’s been hoarding for many years. Reba had an old hymnbook back in the day, when she was a child, which was also an inspiration for the album. In 2018, she won the Best Roots Gospel Album Grammy award.
Reba as Colonel Sanders
In 2018, Reba was chosen to star on a commercial for KFC, taking over the role of Colonel Sanders. Yes, you read that right, the country queen became the new face of KFC. She is the first female celebrity to fill the role. In the commercial, she was featured in a Colonel Sanders costume on stage singing, and another with her own self, sitting at the table. This commercial was to promote KFC’s new “Smoky Mountain BBQ” chicken.
The idea of the commercial was quite unusual, but Reba was thrilled to be the first female to play the part of KFC’s Colonel Sanders, and she absolutely enjoyed it. The experience of being dressed as a legendary fast food icon is indeed very exciting, with white hair, goatee, and a mustache! Reba remarked, “But I am a pretty good looking gray-haired man.”
Finding New Love
Y’all will be happy to know that Reba is now happy with a new man in her life. Her intention was just to have a good day trip, but she end up getting herself a boyfriend. Reba and her boyfriend, Skeeter Lasuzzo, showed up together at the 2018 Grammys. That was the first time they appeared in the public eye as a couple. It had been two years since her divorce, and she was ready for love again.
Anthony “Skeeter” Lasuzzo is a former geologist, and now he enjoys being a photographer, which is a great thing for Reba since she too has a passion for pictures. They met through a friend of a friend during her vacation in Wyoming.
Country Sensation
Reba started her career at a young age and she has been consistent through the decades in building her career and expanding it to other areas, such as filming and commercials. Despite her difficulties, highs and lows, she continued to maintain her position in the music and showbiz world. With that being said, there’s no question of Reba retiring or stopping anytime soon. She’s far too driven and motivated.
So far, Reba has twenty-nine studio albums released, forty number one hit singles, and sixteen number one albums. Twenty-eight of these albums have been labeled as gold, platinum, and multi-platinum. She has indeed built a strong empire in the music industry and beyond. With her personality and enthusiasm, we could never predict what Reba will be up to next. Whatever it is, though, we can’t wait to hear all about it because it will be amazing, for sure!