Career Timeline of Reba McEntire: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Reba McEntire built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Reba McEntire, known as "The Queen of Country", is a highly successful American country singer and actress. With over 75 million records sold worldwide, she has dominated the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart since the 1970s, achieving 25 number-one singles. Beyond music, McEntire has starred in film and television, most notably in her sitcom 'Reba', which ran for six seasons. She is also an entrepreneur with ventures in the restaurant and fashion industries.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1974: Singing at the National Finals Rodeo

In 1974, Reba McEntire sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, which led to her being heard by Red Steagall.

March 1975: Trip to Nashville to Record Demonstration Tape

In March 1975, Reba McEntire, accompanied by her mother, traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a demonstration tape, influenced by her mother's encouragement to pursue her dreams.

November 1975: Signing with PolyGram/Mercury Records

In November 1975, Reba McEntire signed a country music recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records.

1975: Recording Contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records

In 1975, Red Steagall helped Reba McEntire secure a country music recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records after hearing her sing at a rodeo event.

1975: Red Steagall Offers Reba a Recording Contract

In early 1975, Red Steagall contacted Jacqueline McEntire and offered to help Reba get a recording contract.

January 1976: First Recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records

In January 1976, Reba McEntire made her first recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records, produced by Glenn Keener.

September 17, 1977: Grand Ole Opry Debut

On September 17, 1977, Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut, performing "Invitation to the Blues" after a surprise appearance by Dolly Parton cut her act short.

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1978: Collaboration with Jacky Ward

In 1978, Reba McEntire collaborated with country artist Jacky Ward on two singles, with their double-sided release becoming her first top-20 hit on the country chart.

1979: Release of 'Out of a Dream' Album

In 1979, Jerry Kennedy produced Reba McEntire's second studio album titled Out of a Dream. The album's cover of Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams" became her first top-20 hit as a solo artist.

1980: Formation of Her Own Band and 'Silver Eagle' Bus

By 1980, Reba McEntire had formed her own band, including her siblings Susie and Pake McEntire. The band toured in a three-car caravan, later upgrading to a bus nicknamed Silver Eagle. Also in 1980, the song "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" became her first top-10 hit on the country songs chart.

1983: "Can't Even Get the Blues" Reaches Number One

In 1983, Reba McEntire's single "Can't Even Get the Blues" reached the number-one spot on the Billboard country chart. It was followed by her second number-one song "You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving".

1984: Signing with MCA Records and Release of "Just a Little Love" and "My Kind of Country"

In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records and released her seventh studio album Just a Little Love. She later released "My Kind of Country". This became her breakthrough recording, leading McEntire to win 1984's Female Vocalist of the Year accolade from the Country Music Association.

1984: Signing with MCA Records and Release of "My Kind of Country"

In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records and released the album "My Kind of Country". It became a breakout release, spawning two number-one Billboard country singles and pointing toward a more traditional musical style.

1985: Have I Got a Deal for You album release and World Series performance

In 1985, Reba McEntire released the album 'Have I Got a Deal for You', following a traditional country format. The title track and "Only in My Mind" reached the Billboard country top 10. On October 19, 1985, McEntire performed the National Anthem at game one of the 1985 World Series.

January 17, 1986: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry

On January 17, 1986, Reba McEntire was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

February 1986: Whoever's in New England album release

In February 1986, Reba McEntire released her ninth studio album, 'Whoever's in New England'. The album blended traditional country with a contemporary sound. The title track reached number one on the Billboard country chart and won McEntire a Grammy Award.

1986: What Am I Gonna Do About You album release and stage show changes

In 1986, Reba McEntire released her twelfth studio album titled 'What Am I Gonna Do About You'. McEntire also began implementing choreography and experimented with stage lighting.

1987: The Last One to Know album and Merry Christmas to You album release and Carnegie Hall performance

In 1987, Reba McEntire released her 13th studio album, 'The Last One to Know', and her first Christmas collection, 'Merry Christmas to You'. Also in 1987, she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time.

1987: Grammy Award win

In 1987, Reba McEntire won her first Grammy Award.

1988: Reba album release and career changes

In 1988, Reba McEntire released her pop-inspired album 'Reba', which included covers of "Respect" and "A Sunday Kind of Love". Also in the late 1980s, McEntire took more control of her career and formed her own entertainment company.

1989: Sweet Sixteen album and Reba Live album releases

In 1989, Reba McEntire released 'Sweet Sixteen', which was a return to neo-traditionalist country, and her first live project, 'Reba Live'.

January 1990: Film Debut in Tremors

In January 1990, Reba McEntire made her film debut in Tremors, beginning her acting career.

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1990: Rumor Has It album release

In 1990, Reba McEntire released 'Rumor Has It', a pop-oriented album. It featured the hit singles "You Lie" and "Fancy".

October 1991: For My Broken Heart album release

In October 1991, Reba McEntire released 'For My Broken Heart', dedicating it to the deceased members of her road band. The album contained songs of sorrow and lost love.

December 1992: It's Your Call album release

In December 1992, Reba McEntire released her 17th album 'It's Your Call'. It spawned the country hits "Take It Back", the title track and "The Heart Won't Lie", a duet with Vince Gill.

1992: Opening of Reba's Ranch House

In 1992, Reba McEntire opened Reba's Ranch House in Denison, Texas, providing extended-stay residence for relatives of patients at Texoma Medical Center.

1993: "Does He Love You" collaboration and CMA Awards controversy

In 1993, Reba McEntire collaborated with Linda Davis on the single "Does He Love You", which became a number one hit. Later that year, they performed the duet at the CMA Awards, where McEntire's red dress created controversy.

1994: Read My Mind album release

In 1994, Reba McEntire released her 18th studio album, 'Read My Mind'. The disc included the controversial song "She Thinks His Name Was John".

1994: Grammy Award win

In 1994, Reba McEntire won another Grammy Award.

1995: Starting Over album release

In 1995, Reba McEntire released 'Starting Over', a collection of her favorite songs originally recorded by others, to commemorate her 20 years in the music industry.

November 1996: What If It's You album release

In November 1996, Reba McEntire released her album 'What If It's You', which was a return to a contemporary country sound. The album topped the Billboard country albums list.

June 1998: If You See Him and If You See Her album releases

In June 1998, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn released their respective albums, 'If You See Him' (McEntire) and 'If You See Her' (Brooks & Dunn), both featuring the duet "If You See Him/If You See Her".

1999: Christmas album and So Good Together album releases

In 1999, Reba McEntire released her second Christmas album, 'The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection', and her 22nd studio album, 'So Good Together'.

2001: Role in Annie Get Your Gun and Premiere of TV Series Reba

In 2001, Reba McEntire played Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun. In the same year, The WB launched the TV series Reba, in which she starred.

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2001: "I'm a Survivor" single and TV series

In 2001, Reba McEntire released the single "I'm a Survivor", which became a top-five country hit and the theme song to her 2001 television series.

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August 2003: "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" single release

In August 2003, Reba McEntire released the single "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain", which was included on her album 'Room to Breathe'.

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November 2003: Room to Breathe album release

In November 2003, Reba McEntire released her album 'Room to Breathe', her first studio album in four years. The album featured a guest appearance from Vince Gill.

2004: Room to Breathe Tour

In 2004, Reba McEntire embarked on her first tour in several years, titled the Room to Breathe Tour, which included 36 cities in the United States.

2005: Reba #1's compilation album release

In 2005, MCA released the double-disc compilation album titled Reba #1's while Reba McEntire was between albums.

September 2007: Reba: Duets album release

In September 2007, Reba McEntire released 'Reba: Duets', an album featuring duets with various artists, including Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood, Carole King, and Justin Timberlake.

2011: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame

In 2011, the Country Music Association announced that Reba McEntire would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, with the official induction ceremony being attended by McEntire alongside Jean Shepard and Bobby Braddock, inducted by Dolly Parton.

2013: Miranda Lambert ties CMA record

In 2013, Miranda Lambert tied Reba McEntire's record of winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four times consecutively.

2016: Carrie Underwood ties CMA record

In 2016, Carrie Underwood joined Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert in winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four times consecutively.