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 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.
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.