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. She has sold over 75 million records globally and charted over 100 singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs, with 25 reaching number one. Beyond music, McEntire has had an active acting career, most notably starring in the TV series "Reba" for six seasons. She is also an entrepreneur with several business ventures, including a restaurant and a clothing line.
March 1975: Trip to Nashville to record a demonstration tape
In March 1975, Reba McEntire, accompanied by her mother, traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a demonstration tape intended for record labels, initially hesitant about pursuing a professional career.
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. That year, McEntire relocated with her mother to Nashville, Tennessee.
1975: Steagall offers recording contract
In early 1975, Red Steagall contacted Jacqueline McEntire about signing a recording contract with Reba only.
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".
1977: Release of self-titled debut album
In 1977, Reba McEntire released her self-titled debut album, featuring a country crossover style.
1978: Collaboration with Jacky Ward
In 1978, Reba McEntire collaborated with Jacky Ward on two singles; their release of "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"/"Three Sheets in the Wind" became her first top-20 hit on the country chart.
1979: Release of Out of a Dream
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 band
By 1980, Reba McEntire had formed her own band, including her siblings Susie and Pake McEntire. In 1980, "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" became her first top-10 hit.
1981: Release of Heart to Heart
In 1981, Reba McEntire's fourth album, "Heart to Heart" was released, becoming her first album to chart on the Billboard Country Albums list.
1983: "Can't Even Get the Blues" reached number one
In 1983, Reba McEntire's single "Can't Even Get the Blues" reached number one on the Billboard country chart.
1984: Release of Just a Little Love
In 1984, Reba McEntire released her seventh studio album "Just a Little Love" and signed with MCA Records. Also that year, she released her album "My Kind of Country".
1984: Signing with MCA Records and release of My Kind of Country
In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records and released her album "My Kind of Country", which became her breakout release. It spawned two number-one Billboard country singles and shifted towards a more traditional musical style.
January 17, 1986: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
On January 17, 1986, Reba McEntire was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
February 1986: Release of Whoever's in New England
In February 1986, Reba McEntire released her ninth studio album, "Whoever's in New England." The album mixed traditional country with a modern sound. The title track peaked at number one on the Billboard country chart and won McEntire a Grammy Award.
1986: Changes to stage show and release of What Am I Gonna Do About You
In 1986, Reba McEntire began implementing choreography and experimented with stage lighting in her stage show. Also in 1986, McEntire's twelfth studio album, "What Am I Gonna Do About You", was released. The title track became her next number one song on the Billboard country chart and her first number one on the RPM Canadian country chart.
1987: Release of The Last One to Know and Merry Christmas to You and Carnegie Hall performance
In 1987, Reba McEntire released her 13th studio project, "The Last One to Know", and her first Christmas collection called "Merry Christmas to You". Also in 1987, she played Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time.
1988: Release of Reba
In 1988, Reba McEntire released the pop-inspired album "Reba", which included covers of "Respect" and "A Sunday Kind of Love" and produced the number-one Billboard country singles "New Fool at an Old Game" and "I Know How He Feels".
1989: Release of Sweet Sixteen and Reba Live
In 1989, Reba McEntire released "Sweet Sixteen," a return to neo-traditionalist country, featuring hits like "'Til Love Comes Again" and "Little Girl". Her first live project titled "Reba Live" was also released in 1989.
January 1990: Film debut in Tremors
In January 1990, Reba McEntire made her film debut in "Tremors".
1990: Release of Rumor Has It
In 1990, Reba McEntire released "Rumor Has It", a pop-oriented album. It was her first album to reach the top 40 of the Billboard 200 and featured four hit country singles, including "You Lie" and "Fancy".
October 1991: Release of For My Broken Heart
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 and peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
December 1992: Release of It's Your Call
In December 1992, Reba McEntire released her 17th album, "It's Your Call". The album reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and spawned the country hits "Take It Back", the title track and a duet with Vince Gill called "The Heart Won't Lie".
1992: Opening of Reba's Ranch House
In 1992, Reba McEntire opened Reba's Ranch House in Denison, Texas, a residence for relatives of patients at Texoma Medical Center.
1993: Duet with Linda Davis 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 caused controversy.
1994: Release of Read My Mind
In 1994, Reba McEntire released her 18th studio release, "Read My Mind". The disc reached number two on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart, and included the controversial song "She Thinks His Name Was John".
1995: Release of Starting Over
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: Release of What If It's You
In November 1996, Reba McEntire's album "What If It's You" was released. It debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Billboard country albums list.
1996: Release of What If It's You
In 1996, Reba McEntire released the commercially successful album "What If It's You", which featured the number-one country single "How Was I to Know".
June 1998: Release of If You See Him and If You See Her
In June 1998, Reba McEntire's "If You See Him" album and Brooks & Dunn's "If You See Her" album, both containing the duet "If You See Him/If You See Her", were released.
1998: Release of If You See Him
In 1998, Reba McEntire released the commercially successful album "If You See Him", which featured the number-one country single a duet with Brooks and Dunn called "If You See Him/If You See Her".
1999: Releases of The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection and So Good Together
In 1999, Reba McEntire released two albums: "The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection" in September and "So Good Together" in November.
2001: Role in Annie Get Your Gun and the launch of Reba TV series
In 2001, Reba McEntire played Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical "Annie Get Your Gun". Also in 2001, The WB launched the TV series "Reba", in which she starred.
2001: Release of I'm a Survivor and start of TV series
In 2001, Reba McEntire released "I'm a Survivor", which became a top-five country hit and the theme song to her 2001 television series.
August 2003: Release of I'm Gonna Take That Mountain
In August 2003, Reba McEntire released the single "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," which was included on her album "Room to Breathe."
November 2003: Release of Room to Breathe
In November 2003, Reba McEntire released the album "Room to Breathe", her first studio album in four years.
2004: Room to Breathe tour
In 2004, Reba McEntire embarked on her "Room to Breathe" tour, which included 36 cities in the United States.
2005: Release of Reba #1's
In 2005, MCA released the double-disc compilation "Reba #1's" while Reba McEntire was between albums.
September 2007: Release of Reba: Duets
In September 2007, Reba McEntire released "Reba: Duets," a collection of duets with various artists. The album topped both the Billboard country chart and the Billboard 200.
2011: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2011, Reba McEntire was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, although she almost missed the announcement due to her father's health.
2013: Tying for ACM Top Female Vocalist Awards
In 2013, Miranda Lambert tied Reba McEntire for winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four years in a row.
2016: Carrie Underwood joins elite club with CMA Award
In 2016, Carrie Underwood joined the elite club to win the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four years in a row, an honor previously held by Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.
December 2018: Kennedy Center Honor
In December 2018, Reba McEntire received the Kennedy Center Honor.
2018: Horatio Alger Award
In 2018, Reba McEntire was honored with the Horatio Alger Award for Education and Charity Work.
2023: Coaching on The Voice
Since 2023, Reba McEntire has been featured as a coach on four seasons of the reality competition show "The Voice".
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