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.
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.
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.